Rich Fiber Culture
We think every knitter should visit Shetland. Inspire your work. Delve into the history of the people, culture, and fiber arts. View unparalleled scenery and thousands of sheep along with Shetland ponies, puffins and other shore birds.
Wool has played an important role in Shetland’s modern history. The islands are one of the few places in the world where wool has been continuously grown, processed, knitted and sold, for centuries. Every stage of production — from sheep to finished sweater — is evident.
A great deal of work has gone into preserving and reviving Shetland’s cultural heritage and wonderful museums abound, many rich with knitting and textile displays.
DATES & PROGRAMS:
• August 30 – September 6 Trip is Full
• September 6 – 13: Trip is Full
PRICING: $3,300 includes lodging, meals, knitting classes, local transportation, and site admissions.
TO REGISTER: If you are interested in this trip please sign up on our Wait List & Early Notification
A $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is due upon registration.
No-smoking Policy: Because considerable time is spent in an eight-passenger van, the Shetland Knitting Tour is a no-smoking trip. Smokers carry odors in their clothing and hair that can make other passengers uncomfortable. If you smoke, please do not register for this trip.
Questions? Contact .
LOCATION: Shetland, Scotland, UK
Shetland
THE EXPERIENCE: Join a small group of knitters and fiber lovers for a guided tour of Shetland with a focus on the rich historical and contemporary textile and knitting culture, including visiting mills and yarn shops.
LODGING: To be announced
HEALTH & FITNESS: While we do relax often, we also walk to sites for meals and tours. Details under The Experience.
PRICING: includes lodging, meals, knitting classes, local transportation, and site admissions. Details under Pricing.
TRAVEL: You make your own round trip flight arrangements to Shetland. Details under Travel.
TIPS FOR TRAVELERS: Read the Trips for Knitters Responsibility/Disclaimer Statement.
What to Expect
Shetland
We expect this to be an experience like no other, from the moment you board the ferry and start your tour knitting project.
This trip includes a visit to historic Lerwick and then touring on to the various Isles that make up Shetland. Also included is a visit to Jamieson Woolen Mills. Enjoy exploring and discovering the beauty of these rugged Isles. A knitting workshop will be held at our lovely B&B. Connect with the local folks, culture, and knitting of the stunning Shetland Isles.
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 2023, 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.
Aug 30 (Sept6)-Day 1: We board Northlink Ferry at 5:00pm; we start our knitting project.
August 31 (Sept 7)-Day 2: Our guide will meet you inside the ferry terminal when your ferry arrives. They will take you on a quick orientation tour of Lerwick, before heading to the extreme west of Shetland and visit the Jamieson’s of Shetland Sandness Mill, a must for any knitter. Here we will see how the mill operates and hear more about the working practices. Note: the shop in Sandness is currently closed but there will be free time for shopping at the Lerwick shop later in the week. Afterwards, we will head towards Bonhoga Gallery for lunch. Bonhoga Gallery was formerly a watermill but now houses a café, small art gallery and lovely gift shop with some interesting arts and crafts. 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 have dinner at the historical Busta House Hotel before returning to check into our accommodation for the evening.
Sept 1 (Sept 8) Day 3 This morning, we start of 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.
Sept 2 (Sept 9)-Day 4 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 will also call along Mackenzie’s Farm Shop, which also produce their own yarn, Aister Oo. Dinner will be in The KB in Scalloway this evening. .
Sept 3 (Sept 10) Day 5 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. We will be joined by Linda Shearer (Shetland Wool Week patron 2022) who will give us a workshop on lace knitting. We will have a light dinner before returning to our accommodation.
Sept 4 (Sept 11)-Day 6 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. Nita makes some of the best cake in Shetland. 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.
Sept 5-(Sept 12) Day 7: 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.
Sept 6 (Sept 13) Day 8: Arrive in Aberdeen early morning.
Health & Fitness: Shetland Islands
While we do relax often and have a coach to transport us around the islands, we also walk to sites for meals and on tours. Getting on and off the ferry must be manageable. We recommend being able to walk at least a couple of miles. If you doubt your ability to tolerate this much walking, please contact us prior to booking the trip to discuss what accommodations are available.
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: $3,300 includes lodging, meals, knitting classes, local transportation, and site admissions.
cancellation policy
• The $500 per-person non-refundable deposit is just that: non-refundable.
• All cancellations must be in writing. Email is acceptable.
• Cancellation does not necessarily result in a partial refund.
• 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 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 May 30. 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?
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.
• Cancellation does not necessarily result in a partial refund.
• 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.