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Tour Highlights

Welcome to Shetland! The Shetland Islands are situated off mainland Scotland, although closer to Norway - Shetland is the birthplace of Fair isle Knitting and the Knitting Belt!

Our Shetland Tours are fully immersive in knitting, culture, history and day to day living - an authentic experience not to be missed. Fair Isle, Shetland Lace and the Knitting Belt are all classes covered on this tour and you will discover what it means to create and work with the yarn produced on the island and understand why Shetlanders take so much pride in their craft!
Group of women taking scenic pictures of landscape

Master the Shetland Knitting Belt Enjoy a Gift of Your Own Handmade Leather Knitting Belt!

Discover one of Shetland’s most unique and fascinating knitting traditions as you learn to use the traditional Shetland knitting belt in a special hands-on class with a local Shetland expert. This clever tool, worn around the waist to hold a knitting needle steady, allows knitters to work faster and with less strain. This was a technique developed by Shetland women who needed to knit efficiently while managing busy crofting lives. During this fun and interactive session, you’ll try the belt yourself, learn the technique step by step and experience first-hand how this ingenious piece of knitting history works in practice.

To make the experience even more special, each knitter receives their very own handmade leather Shetland knitting belt, crafted on Shetland and gifted by us to take home. It’s not just a beautiful keepsake - it’s a working piece of living tradition that connects you to generations of Shetland knitters. By the end of the class, you’ll not only understand the history and technique, but you’ll leave with a unique skill, a handcrafted gift and a wonderful story to share with fellow knitters back home.
Knitting Belt

Learn Fair Isle Knitting with a Shetland Expert Discover a world of colourwork and patterns!

Step into the colourful world of Fair Isle knitting in the very place where this iconic technique was born. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn directly from a Shetland knitting expert who has grown up surrounded by the rich traditions of island knitting. Work with beautiful Shetland wool and explore classic colourwork patterns. Discover the secrets behind the famous Fair Isle style - from managing multiple colours to creating the distinctive repeating motifs that have made Shetland knitwear world renowned. It’s relaxed and friendly, filled with storytelling, laughter and inspiration as you knit in the heart of Shetland itself.

Fair Isle knitting has been part of Shetland life for generations, originally developed by island knitters who combined practicality with artistry to create warm, durable garments for fishermen and crofters. Over time, these intricate patterns traveled far beyond the islands and became a symbol of traditional craftsmanship across the world. Learning this technique in Shetland, guided by a local expert, connects you directly to that living heritage - giving you not just new skills, but a meaningful experience you’ll carry home in every stitch you make.
Table of knitting items

Discover The Art of Shetland Lace The making of very fine hand-knitted lace. Shetland fine lace is an extremely delicate knitted fabric made with soft Shetland wool spun into very fine yarn and knitted into intricate patterns.

For centuries Shetland Lace has been produced for Weddings and Christenings for centuries and Queen Victoria made the Shetland Lace Shawl so popular, knitters could not keep up with demand! A fine craft, the number of authentic Shetland Lace experts has dwindled over the years, however we have Shetland's finest Lace Knitting instructors on hand! The elegant stich is often produced on knitting belts and long needles for ease and our instructors will show you how.

Shetland Yarn! Jamieson & Smith, Jamieson of Shetland, Silly Fibre Sheep Co., Aister 'oo' and Langsoond by Donna Smith are just a few of the fine Shetland yarns you will have at your fingertips!

Shetland wool is organic and sustainable - it has been that way for centuries! Shetland yarn is generally wool spun and renowned for its durability and softness. Knitting with Shetland yarn is a joy, as garments improve after washing and wear! Shetland wool is perfect for projects with lots of colour, particularly Fair Isle. It is also wonderful for stranded and lace designs!
Stacks of yarn on shelves in various colours

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