Jamieson & Smith

Last night we were treated to the most astonishing display of the Northern Lights here in Norfolk. I was so overwhelmed as I have always wanted to see them and had always thought I would have to go at least to Scotland before I could, if not Iceland. But no, they came to us. This has not lessened my desire to visit Shetland, however, which has become stronger since I have become almost obsessive about Shetland wool and the amazing things you can knit with it. In my heart of hearts, even though I know it will be mad, I would really like to visit during Shetland Wool Week, which happens every year in September.

The pattern for the Shetland Wool Week hat, the Islesburgh Toorie, was launched last week and we are planning a knitalong of it starting on 1 June. In the frantic assessment of what colours we have available that might work, it occurred to me that you might be interested to know about the supplier of the lovely Shetland wool that we stock.

The main thing about Jamieson & Smith that I like is that, trading as Shetland Wool Brokers Ltd, they purchase Shetland wool from over 700 of Shetland’s crofters and farmers and transform it into a variety of products, including yarn, knitwear, blankets and carpets. The company was founded in the 1930s in Scalloway on the east coast of Shetland, and remained a family business until 2004, when it merged with a Yorkshire company. Despite the merger, Jamieson & Smith is staffed by Shetlanders and remains a stand along company in that the profits generated by the business go back into the Shetland economy and are passed on to the wool producers. I love this ethos – such a positive thing in this greedy world.

All of products that Jamieson & Smith make are made from 100% Real Shetland Wool from sheep born and bred on the islands. The most popular yarn that we stock is their 2 ply Jumper Weight which comes in 25g balls and is mostly used for colour work – jumpers, hats and so on. The wool is amazing to knit with – it is slightly ‘sticky’ so perfect for colour work, and when you wash it, it becomes very soft. They have at least 90 colours in this wool, in addition to the natural colours which range from dark brown to white and we currently have in stock at least 35, with some more coming. And because Philippa in their sales office is such a lovely and helpful person, I am really happy to order to order for customers using the shade cards which I hold. So for example one of my customers knitted an entire coat in tomato red 2 ply jumper weight, from 500g cones which I ordered for her.

I have mentioned in a previous blog my desire to knit an heirloom lace shawl in Shetland wool, and that is mostly why I stock their 1 ply and 2 ply lace weight yarn. It’s a dangerous thing, owning a yarn shop. In addition, they have just released a 5ply yarn for guernseys (I have the shade card for those as well) and I have plans to knit a traditional gansey from one of their lovely blues. One day.

Last but not least, and quite coincidentally, I also stock West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland wool which is actually Jamieson & Smith wool. Who knew?

So, as previously mentioned, we will be casting on the Islesburgh Toorie on Saturday 1 June at 2pm. If you are interested in joining us let me know or pop in to choose your colours (there are 5 in the hat). For those of you who might want to learn to knit fairisle but need a confidence boost, we are offering a 3 hour workshop in the morning of the 1st to get you started and show you the techniques involved in knitting stranded colour work. You can book a place on the course here. The cost of the course includes the yarn, needles and pattern as well as tuition. I am very much looking forward to starting this project I must say. I rather love the ram’s heads you can see in the pattern. Also, the colours reflect the ones in the photo of the Northern Lights at the top of this post. Coincidence?

And if anyone is up for a trip to Shetland, let me know.