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.

Escorted Tour
Spirit of the Shetlands knitting holiday


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.



















Reasons to book

Shetland lace workshops with Kathleen Anderson

Shetland Fair Isle workshops with Hazel Tindall

Visits to local knitting and textile designers
Your expert guides


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
- Return flights from Edinburgh to Sumburgh with one piece of hold luggage
- Airport transfers
- Five nights at Lerwick Hotel on a half-board basis
- Coach travel as described in the itinerary including driver tips
- Guided visit of Jamieson's Sandness Mill
- Visit to the organic Uradale Farm with lunch
- Visit to the Shetland Museum & Archives with Textile Treasures guided tour
- Visit to the Shetland Textiles Museum
- Visits to local yarn stores and Shetland knitting & textile designers
- Two half-day workshops on Shetland Lace with Kathleen Anderson
- Two half-day workshops on Shetland Fair Isle with Hazel Tindall
- Yarn Kit
- Services of an experienced tour manager throughout
Availability
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
Itinerary
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Day1Arrive in Lerwick, ShetlandLerwick, 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.
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Day2Jamieson's Mill and knitting workshopSandness, 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.
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Day3Knitting workshop and Shetland Textile MuseumLerwick, 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.
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Day4Shetland Designer and knitting workshopCunningsburgh, 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.
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Day5Uradale Farm and knitting workshopUradale, 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.
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Day6DepartSumburgh, United Kingdom
After breakfast, transfer to Sumburgh Airport for your return flight to Edinburgh.
Accommodation


Lerwick Hotel
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.
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Availability
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.
* Price is per person, based on two sharing a room. Non-crafter discount: £50. Single traveller price: £1,925. Deposit: £250. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This tour is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands.