Shetland Wool Week 2017

We are almost there!!!

In a couple of weeks time 'wool weekers' will start arriving, and Wool Week classes and events starting just a few days later.


The final preparations are well under way. Niela and myself, as Hoswick Wool Week, have almost everything ready for our classes, and look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones. I am especially excited to have good friends coming from Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, and the USA, as well as lots of you from the UK.






But ... there are still a few places to be filled.

Niela's classes are full, but ...

I have a couple of places in my 2 evening classes - on Monday in the 'Up You Game - Improvers Spinning' class, which can cover any spinning process you are having problems with or need to improve; and on Tuesday in 'More is More: Cuffs, Basques and Trims' where you can perfect 2-coloured ribs, work a turned cuff, work a FI patterned rib - each will enhance garments, giving that little extra finishing touch.



Hadewych, our returning tutor from the Netherlands, is teaching 4 classes, and all are booked except for 3 spaces in her Norwegian Challenge class. She studied knitting in Norway for a full year, and brings the Norwegian style of stranded knitting. An expert teacher praised by many of her students last year.

Hadewych's Norwegian Challenge

 












Bonnie Lefebre, check out her website www.dk-dydeeknits.com , is a creative knitwear designer who takes inspiration from landscapes and seasonal elements, as well as architecture, fashion and history.  Vibrant colour, unique textures and lace are key features in her designs, using hand-dyed, handspun and ethically produced yarns. 



We have her for one class, Knitting Texture. 
Her textured knitting techniques enhance 
those wonderfully coloured yarns we love.

















Plying is something lots of spinners find difficult - so here is your chance to up your plying skills with an experienced tutor. 
Ruth Gough from Wingham Wool Work is here for Shetland Wool Week again, and is with us for her class - The Importance of Plying - to lead you through plying methods, teaching good practice and showing why plying is so important in making a balanced yarn.





Cecil Tait's woodwork classes have always been popular at Hoswick Wool Week, but somehow his class - 'Making a Wooden Needle and Threading Hook', still has spaces to fill.

The needle is perfect for naalbindin, and every spinner needs a personalised threading hook, dont they?

One of Cecil's woodwork classes

Our final class which is still not fully booked is Austin Taylor's - The Perfect Picture. Austin is a professional photogragher in Shetland and a wonderful teacher. He will lead you through taking photos on phone, ipad or camera, giving you knowledge and confidence to take better photos, perhaps, especially of your textiles.

Here is one of Austin's,

 how perfect is that!

     

Looking forward to seeing some of you at Shetland Wool Week.

DVD Launch - 50 TIPS from SHETLAND KNITTERS

A new knitting DVD is launching at the Shetland Textile Museum on 31st August.

Here is the poster for the launch.

Hazel Tindall had the idea to make a DVD of knitting tips, and now it is ready, and full of information that will just help with any knitting project. It was hard to keep the number to 50 tips, there was a lot more we could have included - maybe next time.


There are simple tips and more intricate ones. We hope they will address some of your knitting problems, but mostly we hope it makes your knitting easier and more enjoyable.


For those of you coming to Wool Week - you will find the DVD and Hazel and myself if you want it signed.

Another Shetland Ooie Weekend - Dyeing, Spinning and Knitting Workshops

After our first ooie weekend we asked for feedback and mostly the reply was - more of the same. We have mixed things up a little, but leaving Anne's classes the same and Hazel's 'Swatching with a Purpose' stays as well. We are adding short classes on Friday night, just for hour, then having an 'in about da night' - always good to have a get together wi wir 'sock'.

We are staying with the same venue, the Bridge End Outdoor Centre. There is the possibility of staying overnight at the Centre - stay overnight on Friday for a class on Saturday - ask for details.


Shetland Ooie Weekend

Fri 19th, Sat 20th and Sun 21st MAY 2017

Bridge End Outdoor Centre, Burra

Classes: 
Friday 6.00pm - 7.00pm, 
Saturday & Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm

Class costs:
£55 per day, includes lunch 
Saturdays dye class - £15 extra for materials
Friday night mini classes  - small donation please.

For further information and bookings:
Phone: Elizabeth on 01950 460551
email: shetlandhandspun@btinternet.com


FRIDAY NIGHT  19th May


Book a place in one of our 3 mini classes from 6 - 7pm, 

or come join us for an 'In About da Night' from 7 - 9pm. 

Bring your sock and join us for some makin an yakin.

No charge, small donation welcome.

FIRST STEPS IN CROCHET with Hazel Tindall 6 - 7pm
Learn how to make basic crochet stitches which will get you started on many crochet projects. Bring a crochet hook – 3.5 mm OR 4.00 mm, double knitting wool in two colours.
Optional: Scissors, blunt needle, camera (your phone), notebook and pen.

BANNOCK MAKING CLASS with Anne Eunson 6 - 7pm
Shetland Bannocks are the best - you have to agree! Anne makes bannocks that are just perfect. Come learn her secrets to make those perfect bannocks. Ingredients provided, but maybe bring a peenie (apron).

AN INSIGHT INTO NATURAL DYEING with Elizabeth Johnston 6 - 7pm
Come see the dye pots being set up for the dye class on Saturday. See the dye stuffs and the preparations needed before dyeing. 


SATURDAY 20th May

SWATCH FAIR ISLE WITH A PURPOSE 

with Hazel Tindall

Make small sample pieces which can become brooches, or joined up to create a unique usable knitted piece, - scarf, place mats, cushion covers, bed runner, etc. Lots of experimenting with colour in this class, just what you need to grasp colour use in Fair Isle.

Level - able to knit in the round with 2 colours. 

Materials required: 3.25  or 3.5mm needles 

- 4 short double pointed.

Yarn for sample pieces 

- 4 dark colours, 4 light colours 

Blunt needle, scissors. 

Homework: using 3.25 or 3.50mm needles, 

cast on 108 stitches. Keep stitches on needle. 

KNIT a MINI SHETLAND HAP 

with Anne Eunson

In this class you will start to knit your own 1' square Shetland Lace hap (shawl). You will be shown the traditional way of how the pieces are knitted and then grafted together. Once armed with these skills, you will then be able to knit any size of hap you desire in the future.

No experience needed other than you need to be able to knit

Shetland Lace yarn will be provided.

Please bring 3mm x 2 dpn.

NATURAL DYEING

with Elizabeth Johnston

Discover the beauty of natural dye where each colour compliments the next. With our natural coloured fleece; flowers, plant roots, wood, bugs; and centuries old recipes - see the quantity and variety of colours and shades achievable.

Learn the mordanting and dye processes. 

Come on Friday night if you can, but it is not essential.

Bring an apron and a box or poly bags for your fleece.

There is an extra charge of £15 for this class for materials, and you will go home with a quantity of dyed fleece.

SUNDAY 21st May

FAIR ISLE KNITTING – DESIGN YOUR OWN JUMPER

with Hazel Tindall

          

Learn the steps needed to plan your own jumper. Start a mini jumper to understand the construction and see how the patterns fit into the garment design. Hazel will have Allovers for you to examine to give you ideas for designing your own. 

Bring: Three or four 3.25mm double pointed needles (or a circular needle), jumper weight yarn in 8 colours – 4 light and 4 dark (small amounts), ruler, squared paper, notebook, pencil, eraser. Optional: Scissors, blunt needle, camera (your phone), calculator.

Homework: Cast on 80 stitches, work 4 rows of rib (your choice) either in the round or back and forth. Join to work in the round: *K5, m1, repeat from * to end. 96 stitches spread over 2 or 3 needles.

IMPROVE YOUR KNITTING & FINISHING SKILLS

with Anne Eunson 

In this class we will look at ways to improve the speed of your knitting needles - getting them into 5th gear!

As with any job, it is ALL about the finish. So, we will also be experimenting with different grafting techniques to enable you to get as near a perfect finish as possible.

Techniques covered. Grafting together stocking stitch, garter stitch, different ways to join side seams and how to graft a holey row.

Please bring two pieces of garter stitch, in a slightly looser tension than normal and still on needles 20sts x 40 rows.  (Whatever weight of wool yarn you prefer).

Wool yarn and dpn's to suit.

Contrast coloured yarn of same thickness.

Grafting needles.

Knitting Belt.

Patience and a sense of humour.

Spinning, carding & combing

with Elizabeth Johnston

Look at the qualities in Shetland fleece, try a variety of preparations with different qualities - different ways to comb, hand and drum carding, - or not, as well as exploring methods of manipulating tops. Then test spin. Finish with different plying methods for - 2-ply, 3-ply 5-ply - and wash to see the results. 

A class for any spinner.

Bring whatever in the following list that you have:
spinning wheel, at least 3 bobbins, carders, combs, reel, sweerie box, noste pinne.

Bring any fibre that you use and/or want to experiment with.

There will be extra wheels for you to use or try, drum carders, hand cards, kems, combs and brushes, reels, sweerie boxes to use.

Shetland fleece will be supplied.

We are looking forward to another great weekend!

A Shetland Ooie Weekend - Knitting and Spinning Workshops

I have planned a peerie Ooie weekend with myself, Anne Eunson and Hazel Tindall teaching Spinning and knitting workshops. 

We have chosen a wonderful building in a really beautiful spot - the Bridge End outdoor Centre in Burra. Deciding on the classes we would offer was not too hard, Spinning, Lace, Fair Isle, and a knitting and finishing class. You can book for 1 day or both days, the class and contact details are below.




Shetland Ooie Weekend


Sat 25th and Sun 26th February 2017

Bridge End Outdoor Centre, Burra

Classes 9.30 - 4.30 each day

Classes cost £55 per day, 
includes lunch and some materials

For further information and bookings:
Phone: Elizabeth on 01950 460551
email: shetlandhandspun@btinternet.com



Workshops on Saturday 25th

KNIT a MINI SHETLAND HAP 

with Anne Eunson

In this class you will start to knit your own 1' square Shetland Lace hap (shawl). You will be shown the traditional way of how the pieces are knitted and then grafted together. Once armed with these skills, you will then be able to knit any size of hap you desire in the future.

No experience needed other than you need to be able to knit

Shetland Lace yarn will be provided.

Please bring 3mm x 2 dpn.

INTRO TO FAIR ISLE YOKES 
with Hazel Tindall

Practice a sample piece to understand how a yoke is shaped. Lots of examples to examine and get inspiration from.

Participants will leave with information to enable them to knit their own yoked jumper.

Level - able to knit with 2 colours in a row.

Materials required: 
3.25 or 3.5mm needles - DPN's or circular.
Yarn for sample piece - 4 dark colours, 4 light colours

Homework: using 3mm needles, 
cast on 50 stitches, 
work 3 rows in k1, p1 rib, 
then knit 1 row on 3.25mm OR 3.5mm needles. 
Keep stitches on needle. 







IMPROVERS SPINNING 
with Elizabeth Johnston

A spinning class for anyone who wants to advance your spinning skills and techniques. Do you have queries that need to be resolved? Or just don’t know what to do next. Maybe come find out what others want to ask. The class will be tailored for any level of student who wishes to improve their knowledge and ability, and include any spinning process you wish to cover. 

A class for any spinner, beyond beginner.

Shetland fleece of different qualities will be supplied, but you can bring any other fibre you like to use, fleece or top. 

Bring your own spinning wheel if you can, but wheels will be available for you to use as well as hand and drum carders, combs, etc.

Workshops on Sunday 26th 

IMPROVE YOUR KNITTING & FINISHING SKILLS

with Anne Eunson 

In this class we will look at ways to improve the speed of your knitting needles - getting them into 5th gear!

As with any job, it is ALL about the finish. So, we will also be experimenting with different grafting techniques to enable you to get as near a perfect finish as possible.

Techniques covered. Grafting together stocking stitch, garter stitch, different ways to join side seams and how to graft a holey row.

Please bring two pieces of garter stitch, in a slightly looser tension than normal and still on needles 20sts x 40 rows.  (Whatever weight of wool yarn you prefer).

Wool yarn and dpn's to suit.

Contrast coloured yarn of same thickness.

Grafting needles.

Knitting Belt.

Patience and a sense of humour.







SWATCH FAIR ISLE WITH A PURPOSE 
with Hazel Tindall

Make small sample pieces which can become brooches, or joined up to create a unique usable knitted piece, - scarf, place mats, cushion covers, bed runner, etc. Lots of experimenting with colour in this class, just what you need to grasp colour use in Fair Isle.



Level - able to knit in the round with 2 colours. 

Materials required: 3.25  or 3.5mm needles 
- 4 short double pointed.

Yarn for sample pieces 
- 4 dark colours, 4 light colours 

Blunt needle, scissors. 

Homework: using 3.25 or 3.50mm needles, 
cast on 108 stitches. Keep stitches on needle. 








IMPROVERS SPINNING 
with Elizabeth Johnston

A spinning class for anyone who wants to advance your spinning skills and techniques. Do you have queries that need to be resolved? Or just don’t know what to do next. Maybe come find out what others want to ask. The class will be tailored for any level of student who wishes to improve their knowledge and ability, and include any spinning process you wish to cover. 

A class for any spinner, beyond beginner.

Shetland fleece of different qualities will be supplied, but you can bring any other fibre you like to use, fleece or top. 

Bring your own spinning wheel if you can, but wheels will be available for you to use as well as hand and drum carders, combs, etc.

Happy New Year

This blog was supposed to go out right after the new year, but, hey, where do the days go! At least it is not February already.

Still, I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year and are ready for 2017.

Over the past 2 weeks I have been working on a few projects: 

A pattern for my lace jacket, part of my collection at the Wool Week fashion show. I have promised it will be available at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March.

Helping Hazel Tindall with a new DVD, exciting. It should be ready in the spring, - title still to be decided.

Planning classes for Shetland Wool Week 2017 - classes need to be submitted to the committee by the 31st January. There have been lots of emails and phone calls between Niela and I and our tutors - and we are nearly finished. Work on Wool Week is never ending, it seems to go on all year! But it is worth it.

I have been working on planning a Shetland Ooie (woolly) Weekend. Planning for that to happen with Hazel Tindall, Anne Eunson and myself as tutors, for 25th and 26th of February. I should have a blog on that done over the weekend.

So, how much spinning has been done this year so far? well, I have to admit the answer is none. I will have to rectify that very soon.

Before we get any further into 2017 I have to catch up on 2016. 

The summer ended with very little yarn or knitwear in the studio, so the priority before Wool Week and the Craft Fair was, as well as keeping up with orders, to spin some yarn at least. I did get yarn spun and even did some dyeing, but also updated my FI Toorie and Dags patterns to included some other Shetland yarn. Photos of those now need to go up on a blog.

Wool Week was wonderful as usual, so good to see so many now familiar faces, and meet some new wookweekers too.

A new addition this year was a fashion show at the opening. Those taking part needed 4 or 5 pieces each, and I did just find 5 pieces and as you all know, for me they all have to be in my handspun yarn. 

Shetland Handspun - Lunklet, a lace layered jacket

Lunklet - the lace layered jacket that I am writing a pattern for, was just finished, and a perfect piece. Layers in different natural moorits and fawns with the top in a light moorit and tussah silk yarn.




I borrowed a shawl from a customer. It had been her wedding shawl, a fine lace shawl in Tussah silk and Shetland charcoal. So nice to see it again but a bit frightening to have it in case I damaged it. I kept it with me, put it on the model as she went out and took it back as soon as she left the hall. 
I still had it with me when I was at J&S to teach a lace class through the week, and, one of the girls in the class asked if I had the shawl with me? She had been walking on a beach on the back of Bressay the previous day and had met Maureen, the shawls owner. How the conversation got to the shawl I dont know but it did, and Maureen said - ask her if you can see it. So at the end of the class, out came the shawl for everyone to see. 
There are always coincidences like that here in Shetland, a small-ish place where lots of people know each other, and we often stop to talk to people, especially on a deserted beach. I still dont have a photo of the shawl though, perhaps I should rectify that.

Shetland Handspun - Cumulus Shawl

I had a new shawl of my own. Alpaca, silk, cashmere, white black and indigo blues, spun from a top which had been a gift. Not my normal fibre, but I love it, and it is mine - blue, my favourite colour.

Shetland Handspun - Voar Jacket

I had a Fair Isle allover to show, colours picked by a customer and luckily ready just in time to be included and then mailed off to its owner, Different colour combinations than I would have chosen, but I did love the result. 
(My own allover was in reserve if this one was not ready.)

Shetland Handspun - Voar Jacket detail

Shetland Handspun - Waterfall Jacket

My last piece, made new for the show, was a design I had wanted to do for some time, and would mean I had one garment in stock. I might write a pattern for this too, at some point. 

I had enough purple yarn, just enough.It was dyed with cochineal and over-dyed with indigo but leaving spots of the cochineal pink showing through. I knitted the plain part on the knitting machine and handknitted the Fair Isle. The FI detail round the collar which extended down the fronts had a stripped backing in all the colours used. The small Fair Isle accent at the corner of the ribbing an added little extra.

Shetland Handspun - Layers of Fashion Show garments

That started off a great Wool Week and the rest of the week seemed to go so quickly, somehow it always does, probably because I plan too many workshops for myself. I always try to keep some free time but often that just gets used up.

I did have one completely free evening when myself and 2 Dutch friends had diner at the museum and then went to the talk on Estonian Mittens.

My last big event last year was the launch of our book - 
The Warp-Weighted Loom I Oppstadveven I Kljásteinavefstaður



Here is a link for more information on the book -
http://www.muho.no/en/oster%C3%B8y-museum/warp-weighted-loom-i-oppstadveven-i-klj%C3%A1steinavefsta%C3%B0ur 

This was a collaboration between 3 weavers, Hildur from Iceland, Marta from Norway and myself (I weave a little, and love this loom), and Osteroy Museum in Norway. The book offers a history of the loom in Iceland, Norway and Shetland, but most importantly instructions on weaving on the loom.

Thanks to Randi and Atle for all the editing, and to the Ingvild Øye, Michèle Hayeur Smith, Katherine Larson, Carol Christiansen, Lena Hammarlund and  Sigridur Sigurdardottir for their contributions.

The launch was in Bergen on 15th December, an exciting and enjoyable 3 days, to finish our 5 years journey together. 

That ended 2016, a year full of woolly adventures. Now I am working on making 2017 just as good. Hope to see some of you through the year.