Trips For Knitters

Participants are responsible for arranging airfare to Aberdeen. Participants are responsible to make reservations on Northlink Ferry. They are to meet at the Northlink Ferry Terminal at a designated time, about 2 hours before the 5pm or 7pm departure time on the first event day. They either arrive early the day of and meet up at the ferry or the prior to start day and go ferry to meet up. 

Northlink Ferry leaves for Lerwick from the Aberdeen Ferry terminal at approximately 5 pm or 7pm, arriving in Lewick the following day at  7:00 am. Jolene will pick us up in a van at the Northlink Ferry terminal at 9:00 am, we stay on the ferry until this time giving the guest time to purchase breakfast and get ready for the day.

Guiding people on the ferry an important role of the TFK. Tickets are purchased online by guest. There is a choice of rooms a person can purchase.  Food is available on the ferry for purchase and depending on the choice of room this maybe included on ticket.

Project is begun on the Ferry and guest meet on the upper deck in eating area where tables are available

Departure from Lerwick is on the 5:00 pm or 7 pm on the Northlink Ferry arriving in Aberdeen the following day.

QUESTIONS? Contact

Those staying at Cornerstone B&B can enjoy Grace’s hospitality.

Elizabeth & Anthony are the owners and managers of Glen B&B. 

Subject to change. For 2024, we’re adding a tour and shopping at Uradale Farm, producers of organic Shetland yarn, and a workshop with Linda Shearer(Shetland Wool Week Patron), knitwear designer. Class with Terri Laura, Wilma Malcomson granddaughter.

Day 1

 We will meet our guide inside the ferry terminal when our ferry arrives. They will take us on a quick orientation tour of Lerwick and have a short visit to the town centre.
Afterwards, we will depart to meet Terri Laura for a class on steeking.

We will then travel to the Northwest corner of Shetland. Here will see the spectacular cliffs at Eshaness. We will have time to look around and take photos of this dramatic coastline, which was formed through volcanos and ice ages. We will finish the day with a visit to the Tangwick Haa museum and see some of Shetland’s earliest examples of knitwear.
We will have dinner at the historical Busta House Hotel before returning to check into our accommodation for the evening. 

Day 2 

This morning, we start off by heading to St Ninian’s Isle to stretch our legs. The spectacular beach is a tombolo and connects the mainland of Shetland to St Ninian’s Isle. Your guide will tell you all about the St Ninian’s Isle treasure.
We will depart for the Crofthouse Museum, where you will be able to take a walk back in time and see what life was like in Shetland in the 1800’s. 

Continue heading South to Sumburgh, where we will have some lunch before visiting Sumburgh Head. Here we will have the chance to take in the beautiful views and visit the fascinating Sumburgh Lighthouse Visitor Centre. You will have free time here to walk amongst the various exhibits, including the marine life centre. 

Afterwards, visit the little hamlet of Hoswick. Hoswick Visitor Centre has an interesting display about Shetland’s weaving history. You will also have some free time in Hoswick to visit the two knitwear shops: Nielanell’s and Laurence Odie’s and Karlin Anderson’s bespoke jewellery workshop. 

After our day’s touring, we will head to Lerwick to have dinner at Fjara. 

Day 3 

This morning, we will visit the five-star Shetland Museum and Archives. Here we will be joined by a member of staff who will give us an in-depth talk about the knitting heritage and displays that are available. You will have free time to look around and browse the gift shop. We will have our lunch in the newly opened café, The Dowry at Hay’s Dock. 

After lunch, we will visit the Shetland Textile Museum. Volunteers will be happy to tell you about the displays available, which cover many aspects of Shetland’s Textile Heritage. The building itself is also of interest. It is the birthplace of Arthur Anderson, who was a cofounder of the P&O shipping company. 

We will then head to Cunningsburgh and join Wilma Malcolmson (2020 and 2021 Patron of Shetland Wool Week) and hear her talk about using colours and enjoy seeing the wonderful displays in her workshop.
We make our way to Burra to visit the weaving studio of Deborah Briggs and hear about her inspiration and approach to weaving. 

Dinner will be in Da Haaf in Scalloway this evening. 

Day 4 

This morning, head to Uradale Farm, where you will be met by the owners and given a tour of the farm. There will be time to purchase some of the organic Uradale Yarn. After Uradale, we return to Scalloway and have Sunday lunch in the Scalloway Hotel before heading into Lerwick. **This would be revised to Sunday Teas if possible and price adjusted accordingly. 

We will be joined by Linda Shearer (Shetland Wool Week patron 2022) who will give us a workshop on lace knitting.
We will have dinner before returning to our accommodation. 

Day 5 

It is going to be a busy day as we head to the very north of Shetland (and the UK) to the island of Unst. The journey will involve a lot of time in the bus and requires two ferries there and two ferries back.
On our way there, we will stop over for cake and coffee in the Old Haa Museum on the island of Yell. The Museum itself houses a lot of local history and has a textile display. 

From here, we continue to Unst, where we will have time to view Bobby’s Bus shelter and the Viking Unst project before lunch. Viking Unst includes a Viking longship and example of a Viking longhouse.
Lunch will be at the quaint Victoria’s Vintage Tearoom, where there are also craft items for sale. 

After lunch, we will spend time in the Unst Heritage Centre and see the wonderful lace knitting displays there.
We will make our way back to the Shetland mainland and have dinner in Frankie’s, which is the UK’s most northerly fish and chip shop. 

Return to our accommodation for the evening. 

Day 6 

Check out of your accommodation and travel to Lerwick, where we kick the day off with visiting Jamieson and Smith Wool Brokers, where you will hear all about sorting and grading wool, before having some time to browse in the shop.
We will then have lunch in a town centre café before having some free time to explore Lerwick and get some last-minute purchases before your return ferry to Aberdeen. 

Please note: Itinerary may happen in a different order as advertised, subject to availability. 

What Is Included

• 6 lunches at a variety of venues
• 5 dinners in some of Shetland’s finest food establishments
• Tour at Uradale Farm
• Trip to Unst, Shetland’s most northerly island
• Class with Linda Shearer
• Class with Terri Laura
• Coffee and cake at the Old Haa, Yell
• Visit to Jamieson and Smith Wool Brokers
• Visit to Deborah Briggs’ Studio
• Visit to Wilma Malcolmson’s Studio
• Trip to Sumburgh Lighthouse Visitor Centre and RSPB Nature Reserve
• Coffee and cake at Hoswick Visitor Centre
• Visit to St Ninian’s Isle
• Free time to explore Lerwick and visit some local yarn stores
• Shetland Wool Heritage Talk at the Shetland Museum and Archives
• Entrance to:o Old Haa Museum
  o Unst Heritage Centre
  o Sumburgh Head Visitor Centre o Crofthouse Museum
  o Shetland Textile Museum
  o Tangwick Haa
• Not Included:
• Airfare
• Reservations for Northlink Ferry
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Spending Money

Participants are responsible for arranging airfare to Aberdeen. Participants are responsible to make reservations on Northlink Ferry. They are to meet at the Northlink Ferry at a designated time, about 2 hours before the 5pm or 7pm departure time on the first event day. They either arrive early the day of and meet up at the ferry or the prior to start day and go ferry to meet up. 

Northlink Ferry leaves for Lerwick from the Aberdeen Ferry terminal at approximately 5 pm or 7pm, arriving in Lewick the following day at  7:00 am. Jolene will pick us up in a van at the Northlink Ferry terminal at 9:00 am, we stay on the ferry until this time giving the guest time to purchase breakfast and get ready for the day.

Guiding people on the ferry an important role of the TFK. Tickets are purchased online by guest. There is a choice of rooms a person can purchase.  Food is available on the ferry for purchase and depending on the choice of room this maybe included on ticket.

Project is begun on the Ferry and guest meet on the upper deck in eating area where tables are available

Departure from Lerwick is on the 5:00 pm or 7 pm on the Northlink Ferry arriving in Aberdeen the following day.

PRICING: Per person $3875.00 includes lodging, meals, knitting classes, local transportation, and site admissions. For Spring trips Final Payment due February 1, 2024. For Fall Trips final payment due April 30, 2024

Register Now →

cancellation policy

• The $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is just that: non-refundable.
• All cancellations must be in writing. Email is acceptable.
• Cancellations within 60 days of start date of event may result in a partial refund only if the space is filled. This does not include the deposit as the deposit is non-refundable.
• There is no refund for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start date of event.
• If a participant is reimbursed through insurance, Trips for Knitters will not process an additional refund.
We strongly urge participants to purchase travel insurance to cover airfare and event expense in the event of cancellation. Please read our Tips for Travel Insurance.

Read the Trips for Knitters Responsibility/Disclaimer Statement

How much does this trip cost?

Pricing is based on room choice (except for Buffalo WY) and whether you choose private or shared. All prices are per person. See Pricing. We recommend reserving your space with the non-refundable deposit as soon as possible as the spaces will go quickly.

When is payment due?

After making your non-refundable deposit, your payment for the trip will be due January 30 for a spring trip and May 30 for a Fall trip. An invoice will be sent to you two weeks prior to due date. See Pricing.

What will my expenses be?

The cost does not include airfare, transportation to/from airport or from another city, alcohol, personal items, and any optional activities. For Buffalo WY, lodging is arranged directly with the hotel and is at the participant’s expense.

I’m not a really experienced knitter so will I be able to do the project?

We plan projects that are accessible by knitters at various levels of experience, complexity in knitting, and interest. For those not as confident in their knitting, this can be a great time to move past some of your apprehension with experts to help you along. We also believe that it’s your knitting and if you choose not to do the project or to do it a different way, that’s fine. We want you to make the most of your knitting in your way, and it’s different for all of us. You still get the project yarn, whether you knit it or not!

What is the schedule like?

At Trips for Knitters, we provide a balance of activities, knitting time, workshops and special events. Count on time during each day for relaxation as well as social time, great meals, and interesting local exploration. We never leave our lodging early in the morning and we never miss a meal! Specific trip schedules are listed in The Experience.

How do I get specific questions answered?

Contact us.

How do I register?

Register Now → or Contact Trips for Knitters by email or phone to check availability and to register for the event.

Can I bring my husband, friend, family member who is not a knitter?

For these events, we charge everyone the same, so that person sharing your room will pay the same amount as you, but you will each pay the shared room rate, which is less than the private room rate. Please read our Notes for Non-Knitters, which pertains to any non-knitters traveling with you. Non-knitters participate in all activities as they choose, including day trips, meals and tours.

How do I connect with other  participating knitters?

We’ll put everyone in touch electronically, facilitating email communication.

What should I bring?

We recommend traveling light. Once you have registered, you’ll have access to Tips for Travelers, which includes a packing list.

I am on a specific diet. Can my dietary needs be met?

Most likely, but contact us to discuss. We can accommodate most diet issues with advance notice. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are generally not a problem.

Do we have to assist in meal preparation or clean up?

You do not have to prepare meals or clean up. You do not have to make your bed! It really is a relaxation trip with a light schedule and lots of time for knitting, connecting with others, learning and doing what you want.

What are the physical requirements of the trip?

We want every knitter to enjoy their trip and make every effort to ensure Trips for Knitters are accessible to as many people as possible. For specific trip details, see The Experience, above.

Some of the trips are more physically demanding and may not be suitable for everyone. Contact us if you have questions or wish to discuss the amount of walking, stair climbing or other physical demands, especially if you have back, knee, or hip issues.

To gauge your level of fitness, we suggest you honestly assess your ability to walk 1–5 miles at a reasonable pace. If you become short of breath, experience cramping or spasms, or find that this exacerbates a medical condition, you may not want to register for the trip. Contact us if you have questions about the physical demands of any trip.

While age is just a number, we need to screen participants over 75 years old to discuss the physical and mental demands of the trip. Send an email and a good time to call and discuss. We hope you’ll qualify without hesitation, but we want to be sure you are up to the trip before you register, pay, and embark on travel.

Please let us know if you have any mobility or medical issues which may affect your ability to fully undertake the event as described. We accept no liability for mobility or medical issues that we are not told about prior to the trip. Advise us of any changes after registering and before the trip takes place.

Any questions or concerns, we’re here to discuss in confidentiality. We want the best outcome and enjoyment for every participant of Trips for Knitters events.

I have physical limitations and wonder if I’ll be able to manage this trip?

Feel free to contact us to discuss whether this trip is appropriate for your limitations.

What if I need to cancel for some reason?

• The $500 per person non-refundable deposit is just that: non-refundable.
• All cancellations must be in writing. Email is acceptable.
• Cancellations within 60 days of start date of event may result in a partial refund only if the space is filled.
• There is no refund for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start date of event.
• If a participant is reimbursed through insurance, Trips for Knitters will not process an additional refund.
• We strongly urge participants to purchase travel insurance to cover airfare and event expense in the event of cancellation. Please read our Travel Insurance Tip.

Read the Trips for Knitters Responsibility/Disclaimer Statement

We want every knitter to enjoy their trip — we make every effort to ensure Trips for Knitters are accessible to as many people as possible. Some of the trips are more physically demanding and may not be suitable for everyone. Contact us if you have questions or wish to discuss the amount of walking, stair climbing or other physical demands, especially if you have back, knee or hip issues.

Please let us know if you have any mobility or medical issues which may affect your ability to fully undertake the event as described. We accept no liability for mobility or medical issues that we are not told about prior to the trip. Advise us of any changes after registering and before the trip takes place.

To gauge your level of fitness, we suggest you honestly assess your ability to walk 1-5 miles at a reasonable pace. If you become short of breath, experience cramping or spasms, or find that this exacerbates a medical condition, you may not want to register for the trip. Contact us if you have questions about the physical demands of any trip.

While age is just a number, we need to screen participants over 75 to discuss the physical and mental demands of the trip. Send an email and a good time to call and discuss. We hope you’ll qualify without hesitation, but we want to be sure you are up to the trip before you register, pay and embark on travel.

Any questions or concerns, we’re here to discuss in confidentiality. We want the best outcome and enjoyment for every participant of Trips for Knitters events.