The programme for the 2014 Shetland Wool Week, which takes place between 4 and 12 October, has been released and it promises to be a really enjoyable and informative event.
In addition to favourites such as the Makers" Market, factory tours and Fair Isle classes with Wool Week Patron, Hazel Tindall, there are many new events and exciting locations for classes this year.
A joint exhibition of the Moray Firth Gansey Project will be held between Shetland Museum and Archives, Shetland Textile Museum and Unst Heritage Centre. The exhibition looks at a range of traditional Scottish fishermen's ganseys. In a similar thread, visiting tutor Stella Ruhe will be teaching a class to knit a modern gansey based on old Dutch designs. Stella is the author of "Dutch Traditional Ganseys". A second visiting tutor, Vivian Høxbro, author of "Domino Knitting" will offer knitters a new experience in using colour in different ways.
New venues for classes this year include the new Education Room at Sumburgh Head and aboard the training ship, the Swan. One class on the Swan will be an introduction to the Foula Froke – the only gansey design to originate in Shetland.
The opening ceremony at Mareel, Shetland's new arts centre, will offer visiting and local textile enthusiasts an opportunity to meet with local designers and fellow Wool Weekers at a Shetland Textile Showcase. The opportunity for interaction continues through the week, with the Wool Week Hub open every day in the Boat Hall at Shetland Museum and Archives. Information on classes, events and Shetland's textile history will be available there, with members of the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers in attendance to demonstrate and teach their skills.
A full range of classes will again be held at Hoswick. Following a successful week of full classes in 2013, the "Hoswick Wool Week" will be repeating some of the favourites and adding in a few new ways to look at fleece, dyeing and spinning.
With fine lace classes in Unst, Fair Isle classes in Whalsay, Hap knitting with Gudrun Johnston and a visit from Kate Davies promoting her new book, the 2014 Shetland Wool Week is sure to continue the success of previous years.
Full event listings can be found at www.shetlandwoolweek.com and booking for classes is now open.