I’m already a day behind in blogging!
Jen and I had a full day yesterday, starting with an excellent workshop called Effective Colourwork with Terri Leask (terrilaura on Instagram). Terri is an engaging and knowledgeable instructor, and her passion for knitwear design is evident. Her grandmother is Wilma Malcolmson, designer of Katie’s Kep (my favourite Wool Week hat design) and the founder of knitwear company Shetland Designer—so it seems it’s in Terri’s blood.
We did a fun exercise with colour, learning great tricks and tips in the process. (I’m working on a plan to bring this sort of event to you!) We also met fellow Canadian and beautiful-bag maker Devon (two_cozy_chicks on Instagram). She was so much fun and such a kind person! We hope we’ll see her again this week (and we’re both looking at ordering one of her bags!).
After the class and some lunch, we visited Jamieson & Smith yarn shop. It truly can be overwhelming if you don’t have a pattern in mind (which I know people sometimes feel at Yarn It! too). I captured this photo of all the Shetland Wool Week hats over the years (above cones of yarn equal to 20 or 40 balls!):
One of my goals for this trip was to explore at least one part of the island I hadn’t yet seen. I’d read about Eshaness and seen photos, and Jen was game for anything, so after yarn shopping, we did the hourlong drive to this more northerly part of Shetland. We got so lucky with the weather!
In this more rural area, the sheep and Shetland ponies roam freely, so we saw several grazing close to the road. They’re very good at moving away at the approach of a car, fortunately, but it did slow me down some knowing one could be around a bend.
We stopped at Frankie’s for the “most northerly award-winning fish and chips in the U.K.” (it was excellent!) and headed back to Lerwick, where I left Jen to attend Gudrun Johnston’s book launch.
Gudrun was interviewed by Jana(?) from Laine Publishing about the book and patterns. I quite enjoyed the interview and purchased the book despite some misgivings about adding that weight to my suitcase (which was already up there, as I did overpack a bit!). I look forward to reading more about Fair Isle knitting and Gudrun’s Shetland connection. 
All in all, it was a great day, and we were both ready for a good night’s sleep by its end.
Beautiful pics Cathy.
If you get a chance, a trip to Hoswick is well worth your while. It’s not far from Lerwick. Check out Nielanell knitwear.