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Shetland knitting holiday
6 Days
From £1,675
In association with TS Tours
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304 Quote ref: PRIMA HEARST SHETLAND
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304
Quote ref: PRIMA HEARST SHETLAND
Email us
Join knitting experts Hazel Tindall and Kathleen Anderson for lace and Fair Isle knitting workshops as you discover the breathtaking Shetland Islands

Specially designed for knitters, this Stitchtopia knitting holiday is the ideal opportunity to meet like-minded knitters and indulge in your favourite hobby. Our talented knitting experts will be on-hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to get those needles clicking!

Join knitting experts Hazel Tindall and Kathleen Anderson for knitting workshops as you discover the breathtaking Shetland Islands, whose past is interwoven with a rich history of wool, textiles and inimitable Fair Isle technique.

On this six-day holiday, draw knitting inspiration from the coastlines and powerful landscapes, whose diverse colour pallet provides the perfect backdrop to your creative pastime. Learn how the world-famous Shetland wool is farmed, woven into yarn and then transformed by the locals into beautiful hand-crafted items.

In the company of like-minded knitters, who share your passion for knitting, enjoy four half-day workshops. Under the professional guidance of the 'World's Fastest Knitter' Hazel Tindall, and the ever-talented Kathleen Anderson, you'll learn traditional Shetland Fair Isle and lace knitting techniques.

To read more about this trip:
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Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Shetland lace workshops with Kathleen Anderson

From a family of experienced shawl knitters, Kathleen will show how to lace edges, pick up, knit on, finish and graft in her workshops

Shetland Fair Isle workshops with Hazel Tindall

Born and raised in Shetland surrounded by knitters who depended on the craft, Hazel will teach you Fair Isle knitting

Visits to local knitting and textile designers

Discover local designers, visit the Shetland Textiles Museum and organic Uradale Farm, and take a guided tour of the Shetland Museum
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Tour brochure
PDF
Download a PDF tour brochure

Your expert guides

Hazel Tindall
Knitting expert
World's Fastest Knitter 2004

Hazel Tindall was born and raised in Shetland, surrounded by knitters who depended on the craft to earn an income. Speed and efficiency were key - something Hazel picked up from an early age and has carried throughout her career. In 2004, Hazel was recognised as the World's Fastest Knitter, knitting an impressive 255 stitches in 3 minutes! Hazel has designed countless patterns, contributed to various publications, recorded two instructional knitting DVDs and knitted thousands of Fair Isle-inspired pieces. Her main ambition is to help fellow knitters produce high quality knits as efficiently as possible - a nostalgic goal inspired by her childhood.

Kathleen Anderson
Expert knitter
Knitting champion and fine lace shawl creator

Coming from a family whose women are talented knitters, Kathleen began knitting at a young age. Her speciality lies in knitting fine lace shawls, the first of which she knitted some forty years ago. She has won many prizes exhibiting at the Annual Royal Highland Show, including the prestigious Championship Award for the best craft item in show, which she has won five times. Her shawls have sold all over the world, including a commissioned shawl for the arrival of Prince William and Kate's first born, Prince George, and a commissioned stole for the widow of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.

Price includes

  • Stay five nights half-board at the Lerwick Hotel
  • Fly return from Edinburgh to Sumburgh**, plus airport transfers, coach travel and tips.
  • Take part in two half-day knitting workshops with Kathleen Anderson and two half-day workshops with Hazel Tindall, plus yarn kit provided.
  • Visit Jamieson's Sandness Mill, organic Uradale Farm (including lunch), Shetland Museum & Archives, Shetland Textile Museum, plus meet local knitwear designers.
  • Enjoy the services of an experienced tour manager.
  • Receive a free bottle of Champagne.

Availability

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: PRIMA HEARST SHETLAND
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Lerwick, Shetland
    Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom

    Meet your Arena Travel Tour Manager at Edinburgh Airport for your flight to Sumburgh Airport. On arrival, board the coach for a visit to Sumburgh Head RSPB Reserve to see if you can catch a glimpse of the puffins. Continue to the Lerwick Hotel, your base for the next five nights.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Jamieson's Mill and knitting workshop
    Sandness, United Kingdom

    This morning you'll visit Jamieson's Mill in Sandness. Jamieson's is Shetland's only commercial mill that completes all the processes of yarn production under one roof.

    This afternoon you'll enjoy your first Fair isle knitting workshop with local tutor Hazel Tindall. Hazel has been knitting for over 50 years and is passionate about continuing the long tradition of knitting on the Shetland Islands. Hazel will be designing a project for you based on her extensive knowledge and experience in Fair Isle knitting.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Knitting workshop and Shetland Textile Museum
    Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom

    This morning you'll have another chance to get creative with Hazel Tindall, who will hold the second of her Fair Isle workshops in the hotel. This afternoon you'll visit the Shetland Museum & Archive, Shetland Textile Museum and enjoy a spot of retail therapy at Jamieson & Smith wool shop in Lerwick.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Shetland Designer and knitting workshop
    Cunningsburgh, Shetland, United Kingdom

    This morning's workshop with Kathleen Anderson is a great chance for you to learn and hone your skills in lace knitting. Kathleen is from a family of experienced shawl knitters and during her workshops you'll investigate the elements of shawl construction - lace edges, picking up, knitting on, finishing and grafting. Kathleen will create a project for you to enjoy!

    This afternoon you'll enjoy the scenery on today's excursion which takes you to Shetland Designer to see the unique knitwear designs of Wilma Malcolmson - one of Shetland's foremost designers. You'll continue to Hoswick with its popular Visitor Centre and shop selling alternative Shetland knitwear. The inventive, contemporary designs are those of local designer Niela Kalra, 'Nielanell'. Her knitwear designs are vibrant and contemporary, and you'll have time to browse through the yarn and stylish collections.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Uradale Farm and knitting workshop
    Uradale, Shetland, United Kingdom

    This morning you'll join Kathleen for your final lace knitting workshop before today's visit to Uradale Farm. After a light lunch in the family home you'll learn what farming and crofting life in Shetland is really like. You\ll have the chance to look through the farm's fleeces and see the organic unbleached, dyed yarns along with the undyed yarns that reflect the natural colours of Uradale's flock.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day
    6
    Depart
    Sumburgh, United Kingdom

    After breakfast, transfer to Sumburgh Airport for your return flight to Edinburgh.

    Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

Lerwick Hotel

0
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom

Comfortable Shetland hotel overlooking Brewick Bay

Nestled on the shoreline, the comfortable Lerwick Hotel enjoys a fabulous location with stunning views over Brewick Bay and the island of Bressay. During your stay there's every chance of seeing seals basking on the rocks just a stone's throw from the hotel. There's no better view than from the hotel's restaurant where you'll enjoy hearty breakfasts and three-course dinners bursting with the freshest Shetland flavours. Just a 10-minute walk from the hotel is the town centre and harbor of the Shetland Islands' capital.

Lerwick Hotel operates a 24-hour reception desk and bar service, and also 24-hour room service. The comfortable Club Lounge is a great place to grab a relaxing coffee or chat amongst other members of the group. There is also great cuisine on offer at the Bay Brasserie infused with local ingredients and of course catches fresh from the bay itself.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Arena Travel
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Arena Travel. Arena Travel, with its portfolio of top experts, is one of the UK's leading special interest holiday companies. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL protected and financially bonded.

For general information, click here.

To view TS Tours as agent for Arena Travel’s supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:
Tripsmiths
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Availability

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: PRIMA HEARST SHETLAND
Email us