Shetland Wool Week 2023 (continued)
The number and variety of new (at least to me) offerings of yarn during Wool Week events and at the Makkers Market were nearly overwhelming. At least a few of them emerged from the frustrations of the COVID-19 shutdown and a strong desire to have something to show for that time. For those getting started in the business, it was a slow and frustrating beginning with mills shut down and distribution networks stymied. It was heartening to see so many different offerings across the mainland of Shetland and some of the smaller islands.
While I thought I had learned about the history of Shetland Sheep, there was always more. In addition to the traditional Shetland sheep at Uradale Farm, I discovered another of the primitive groups of Shetland sheep on the island of Foula — the smallest of the inhabited Shetland Islands. In addition to its remote location to the west of the others in the group, the sheep there have been isolated, with a prohibition of importing new stock to breed with the “locals.” I don’t know whether or not there has been much selective breeding on the island to favor any of the multiple colors of Foula sheep, but their wool is soft, and when spun into yarn, crisp and bouncy.
I’ve just started to knit with Foula Wool (you can see just the edge of it at the top of the page). I’m working on a half-hap…the work-a-day outer garment from the Shetlands often incorrectly called a shawl (a shawl is a finely knit lace square not intended to be work outside). Half haps are a “thing,” meaning that you find these knit as triangles rather than squares. In my case it’s a matter of economy. I don’t have enough of the wool for anything more than a half. So far I’m enjoying the wool, and I’ll have much more to say about it in a future post, along with more information about the wool company.
If you haven’t yet had the chance to participate in Shetland Wool Week, it’s hard to imagine how such an event could include so many activities in such a small place. The total population of under 23,000 individuals is spread across 16 of the total of nearly 100 islands. A little less than 7,000 of these people live in the largest city, Lerwick, where most of the events and classes are held.
One of the very popular “tour” activities is the opportunity to visit one of the island crofts (farms) raising Shetland sheep. I had been to several before, but jumped at the chance to visit a new one; West Lynne Croft in Bigton. This view from Bigton shows Foula in the distance.
West Lynne Croft has been in the Tait family for several generations, and like most other crofters, Cecil has more than one job. He works with the sheep, is involved in the production of West Lynne Wool, and also is a master wood and furniture maker for his company Paparwark Furniture.
In addition to shawl stretchers, yarn bowls, and jumper boards, Cecil produces sock, mitten, and glove blockers for knitters. His bespoke furniture, however, is clearly where his passion lies. Have a look at his portfolio on the Paparwark site.
We had a lovely chance to walk among the West Lynne sheep, who might have been more friendly if their herding puppy hadn’t been so intent on making them run around in circles.
Like so many of the yarns from the small Shetland companies that I purchased along the way, I haven’t yet had a chance to knit with West Lynne…but will as soon as I can. With so many left to knit, it likely will only be a “tasting” to get a feel for how the yarn behaves rather than a larger project…too many yarns, too little time!
Another Class
There are so many more classes to write about. I was pretty excited to take a class from Ruth Robinson who lives very near the village of Sanquhar and has spent lots of time studying their unique stranded knitting. As you can see, the designs are dramatic in black and white. There also are other typical colors — I’m doing my mitts in red and white. And Ruth also had several to show us from her collection.
The green and brown ones are definitely an unusual combination, but so beautifully worked. It was also great to see the gusset construction for the fingers. I’ve read about how it’s constructed, but it’s ever so much better to see it in “person.”
I said I’m making my mitts in red and white — that might be an overstatement. During the class I wasn’t able to get beyond the cuff. These designs are knit in an extremely fine gauge, and I confess it hurt my hands. I’m going to try a different type of needle to see if I can improve my working style, but this is definitely in the category of “we shall see.” I’ve wanted to work one of these for a long time, but it might not be on my “to do” list any time soon.
Speaking of Scottish Yarns….
Ruth has a very nice article on the history of Sanquhar knitting in the current issue of the Journal of Scottish Yarn. It also includes my article about the inspiration of museum collections in my own knitting and design, and my pattern for socks based on a fragment from the Gunnister man collection.
Getting something from idea to print is always an undertaking, and it was certainly the case for this pattern. There were many iterations of the design before I was happy with the look. As it turned out, I actually like the design on the back of the socks more than the front. Also, thank goodness I had the expert help of a really great technical editor by the name of Samira Hill (I had no facility in trying to get the metric conversions for the pattern to work out correctly). Samira also is a designer with a pattern for a crochet tank top in this same issue.
SO jealous… Thx for taking us along on this wonderful experience.
WOW!
A wonderful journey to see through your eyes. Please share more. 🧶