Shetland textiles have for centuries been loved and admired across the globe. With our characterful sheep and instantly recognisable styles of Fair Isle and Shetland Lace knitting, the Shetland islands have long been associated with a thriving local wool industry. At the heart of this industry is Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Woolbrokers, who have been buying and selling Real Shetland Wool since the 1930s. Today, Jamieson & Smith is run by a skilled and passionate team who continue to build on the company’s proud legacy. Inside this book, you’ll find out about the people who founded, built and sustained the Shetland Woolbrokers, and discover the history of this world-famous textile brand. To celebrate both our heritage and our future, we’ve commissioned ten handknit designs. Drawing on the distinctive legacies of Shetland Lace and Fair Isle knitting, worked in our yarns, and photographed right here in Shetland, these signature handknits unite the story of Shetland wool together with the rich textile heritage of the islands.

Wista Beanie designed by Sandra Manson, a classic Shetland Hat featuring Fair Isle Motifs and a swirly crown. Instructions are included for a corrugated rib or fold over 1x1 rib.

Paper copy of the Sletts Shawl, originally released in the 1980’s as ‘My Weekly Baby Knits Shawl L252’ and designed by Gladys Amedro this 2ply Shawl makes a beatuful Hap for everyday use or for a christening, the edging is worked first and then all the inside stitches are picked up and the four borders are worked at the same time in the round. ...

Laebrack: Shetland dialect, meaning the breaking of the waves on the sea shore.

Ponies is the second design by Mandy McIntosh for J&S’ New Directions collection. Vintage lines, feminine yet funky. This pattern combines colourful and fun intarsia work with the main body section done in st-st in natural undyed Shetland Supreme jumper weight.

The cowl is worked in the round throughout

A cheery Tea Cosy designed to cover the

Cockleshell Scarf pattern, a classic Shetland Lace motif. The cockleshell is a traditional design element found in Shetland lace knitting. It is characterized by curved shapes resembling the ridges on the edge of a scallop shell or cockleshell. The cockleshell motif became particularly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Shet...

A traditionally inspired Icelandic style yoke cardigan knit using our Shetland Aran Worsted, the cardigan is knit fully in the round with a steek, the sleeves are worked and then the yoke. Please note in the yoke there are a number of rounds where 3 colours are worked.

Hevdadale Tam and Scarf Pattern by Mary Henderson, a classic Fair Isle Tam and Scarf. Knit in Shetland Heritage, worsted spun this yarn makes for a soft and cosy knit.

Designed by lace designer Gladys Amedro for Jamieson & Smith, this square shawl is knit in 2ply Lace. It features a patterned centre, a deep patterned border and classic edging. The pattern contains both written and charted instructions.

Joseph Slipover designed by Sandra Manson, knit in 10 shades of 2ply Jumper Weight it is knit in the round up to the oxters then steeks are used for the armholes and neck.

Elizabethan Cowl pattern by Sandra Manson, knit in two shades of 2ply Jumper Weight this cowl uses two shades then inverted on the inside so you can wear it two ways!

Parrots of the Rainforest Mitts, designed by Sandra Manson. These bright and cheerful fingerless mitts feature corrugated rib and an all-over motif using 10 shades of 2ply Jumper Weight. The use an afterthought thumb.

Knit in the Worsted Spun Shetland Heritage yarn Tirval’s Toorie can be knit either as a Longer Kep style or as a Shorter Toorie. Both shapes feature a corrugated rib, traditional Shetland Motifs and a tassel to finish it off. Pattern contains instructions for both lengths.

A traditional Shetland allover Jumper for bairns (children) featuring steeks and classic Fair Isle Motifs.

Traditional Shetland Lace Jumper knit using 2ply Lace, Pattern includes instructions for short and long sleeves. Its uses three colours. Instructions are also included for long sleeves.

Beautifully patterned Ladies’ evening stole, made in 1ply, and designed by Gladys Amedro specifically for J&S Cobweb yarn.

Description:

Classic 1ply Shetland Lace Scarf knit in Cobweb, charted this pattern is a great introduction to Shetland Lace.

Classic Shetland Lace scarf which can be knit in either 1 ply or 2 ply lace. Fully Charted and great introduction to Shetland Lace.

Classic Shetland Lace scarf which can be knit in either 1 ply or 2 ply lace. Fully Charted and great introduction to Shetland Lace.

Classic Shetland Lace scarf which can be knit in either 1 ply or 2 ply lace. Fully Charted and a great introduction to Shetland Lace.

Fine lace christening shawl knitted in Cobweb Shetland Wool, available as a kit (with 4 x 25g balls of Jamieson & Smith Cobweb 1ply in optic white) from Jamieson & Smith Wool Brokers, Shetland.

Complex Shetland shawl uses 5 different lace patterns, including unusual Rose & Anchor. Knitting begins with the scalloped lace edging and works in towards the centre. Designed for Shetland 1 ply cobweb wool. Finished size 50” square.

Originally made for Oliver’s grandaughter, Lynsey, this Fair Isle ganzie is made in Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme Jumper Weight. A totally dye free, natural little sweater from the J&S archive.

Designed by Masami Yokoyama, this project is perfect for those new to Fair Isle knitting, or for those knitters who simply want to add a bit of kitsch to their kitchen! The tea cosy is knitted in the round using a steek to make holes for the spout and handle.

Square shawl with a knit-on lace edging. Designed for 6 x 25g balls of J&S Shetland 1 ply cobweb wool. Finished dimensions are 52” x 52”.

Made with four shades of our undyed Shetland yarn this unisex gansey showcases the amazing shades of the coloured Shetland Sheep and is functional, timeless and oh-so-cosy.

This is an updated version of the Circular Shaded Shawl which was originally knit in 2ply Lace, this version uses the Shetland Heritage Naturals, a slightly heavier light 4ply weight yarn which results in a beautifully warm and cushy wrap/blanket. Finished size is approximately 47” diameter. The pattern is fully charted and also written out.

This Hap pattern is taken from the Traditional Shetland Scarves and Shawls booklet (Bestway K133) This pattern is described as ‘one of the most widely known and characteristic of Shetland designs.. The white and brown scalloped stripes are said to be inspired by the incoming tide, washing in lines of seaweed.’

A Shetland Shawl designed by Gladys Amedro in the 1990s. It is featured as the Philip and Michael Shawl in the books.

Pattern is for a lightweight raglan sweater with corrugated ribs on the edging and a simple Sanquhar stranded pattern around the yoke area.

Adapted from the Jamieson & Smith archive by Sandra Manson. Released for Shetland Wool Week 2011, and now updated for using our Shetland Aran Worsted - this Icelandic inspired yoke is knit completely in the round with a circular yoke.

Inspired by a garment in the collection of the Shetland Textile Museum, this jumper is a great introduction to Gansey style knitting. Knit in Aran weight and from sizes 24-37”, this gansey is knitted in the round to the armholes, then the front and back are worked separately back and forth. The shoulders are joined and the sleeves are worked fr...

The inspiration for the hat came from elements of Oliver’s life, from which he drew sketches and illustrations. These were then interpreted into a design a pattern by his colleague Sandra Manson.

A traditional Shetland Allover Fair Isle Jumper, knitted in the round with steeks, designed by Sandra Manson. Available as a full kit from Shetland Wool Brokers LTD and as a PDF download here.

A classic Fair Isle jumper knit in the round using Fair Isle and steeks. Designed by Sandra Manson for Oliver Henry.

Pattern was only available online as part of a kit, but you can now download the pattern PDF on Ravelry.

Classic Fair Isle gloves with a traditional Shetland ‘Norwegian Star’ motif. Designed by Lesley Smith the contemporary colour choices made these a warm and stylish pair of gloves perfect for keeping your hands warm. There are 6 colours in the Fair Isle portion of the pattern and you will also need 2.5mm and 3.00mm DPN’s. They are shown with 202...

Errata: Page 84 Dec Round: Should read: k2, k2tog, “k8, k2tog, rep from “ to last 2 sts, k2. 140 sts

Traditional motifs knit in Aran weight yarn and Heritage colours form a

This vintage-inspired vest uses most of the Heritage colours to full effect with a simple chart and a flattering scoop neck.

Holding the Heritage yarn doubled makes these socks extremely cosy, they feature traditional motifs and colours.

Classic sweater featuring a graphic and modern take on traditional

A traditional Shetland sleeveless vest designed by J&S’s own Sandra Manson. This vest is knit in the round to the armholes, then you can choose to either cast on steek stitches at the armholes and neck and continue in the round (later securing, cutting and fastening down the steeks),or work flat in rows on the front and back separately. Ins...

Traditional Shetland style fingerless mitts with a Norwegian star motif and seeding on the palm. The thumb is placed using the afterthought thumb technique and it is finished with ribbing instead of individual fingers.

Originally released in the 1980s as ‘My Weekly Baby Knits Shawl L252’ and designed by Gladys Amedro this 2ply Shawl makes a beautiful Hap for everyday use or for a christening. We have recently redeveloped this pattern and it’s now available in written and charted form. Knit in Shetland Supreme 2ply Lace in White and the pattern updated to mode...

Peerie Sheep kit by Sandra Manson, these fun little Sheep are inspired by the lambs we see running around in Shetland every spring.

This pattern was developed from a vintage pattern by Sandra Manson and was featured in the Peoples Friend Magazine in March 2016. Knit using the Shetland Heritage Yarn it makes a brilliant first Hap pattern. The centre is knit first and then each four sides are picked up from the centre and knit individually. The edging is either knit separatel...

Natalia Yoke designed by Sandra Manson for Jamieson & Smith, this is a classic yoke for bairns available in four sizes: 22”,24”,26”,28”.

A great set for beginner and advanced Fair Isle knitters alike, the Sissal Hat & Mitts by Sandra Manson uses Shetland Supreme and 2ply Jumper Weight together with a subtle but interesting colour scheme and a traditionally inspired motif, You will also need:

Please note this pattern was extensivly updated and re-edited in November 2023.

Hairst Cardigan by Sandra Manson

The Lace Ella jumper is part of Sandra’s 2013 collection for J&S, it can be knitted in either Supreme Lace or Shetland Heritage yarns which each produce different, beautiful results. It would be considered an advanced Lace pattern

This gorgeous lace dress has a round neck with front opening and set-in sleeves. It’s knitted in the round to the yoke, using a variety of lace patterns with scalloped hems and picot neck edging. It was designed by Sandra Manson, and we would class it as an advanced lace pattern.

Description:

Inspired by textiles from the Shetland Museum & Archives Collection, the inspiration for Jamieson & Smith’s Shetland Heritage range of yarn.

This pattern has been based on a garment in the Shetland Museum’s Textile Archive. This new design has been created to use Jamieson & Smith’s Shetland Heritage yarn, and tries to recreate the spirit of this sampler of traditional OXO motifs. The front and back of this new version are the same, where the original was different on both sides....

This kit features a hat, mittens and neckwarmer pattern, it is a replica of a set J&S employee and knitter Sandra Manson gifted Dr. Alexander Kumar. Jamieson & Smith is proud to have had these wool garments accompany Dr. Alexander Kumar during his 2012 stay at Concordia Station, an Antarctic research station. Alex spent nine months at t...

The scarf is knitted in two pieces, and grafted together.

This pattern is worked on a garter stitch background, so its reversible.

Rosebuds and climbing ivy adorn this delicate lace scarf by one of Shetland’s most distinguished fine lace knitters, Ina Irvine.

This shawl was inspired by the range of natural shades of Jamieson & Smith‘s Shetland Supreme 2 Ply Lace yarn, and designed by the wonderful Kieran Foley of knit/lab.

Sizing

Originally released as the Shetland Shoulder Shawl CW101, Updated and rereleased in 2011 with charts and renamed as the Eva Shawl.

Suggested colours:

Fun Shetland hat featuring anchors, boats and flags. It was designed to celebrate the Tall Ships Race which came to Shetland in 2011.

Simple Rib Scarf

Kergord Scarf pattern designed by Mary Kay, a traditional 1ply Shetland scarf. Mary is one of the best Shetland Lace knitters of recent years.

please note this pattern was redeveloped in 2023, previously the yarn used was Shetland Chunky, the pattern now calls for Shetland Aran Worsted.

Circular Shaded Shawl

Fine Lace Stole and Scarf

Heirloom Christening gown designed by Gladys Amedro, featuring different Shetland Lace motifs and knit in 1ply Cobweb.

Shetland Lace Baby Shawl knit in 1ply Cobweb. The edging is worked then the four borders then the middle is knit and attached at the same time.

Designed by Gladys Amedro, this set is designed to compliment shawl CW112. Please note the abbreviations used in this pattern are by the Designer and not the same as modern lace knitting abbreviations. The pattern is written out row by row - not charted.

When you purchase this pattern it now contains both the original written version and the new (2021) charted version.

This beautiful heirloom robe matches kit CW103 (lace christening shawl). The pattern is written out row by row with no charts.