Hubert has single handedly managed to clip around 500 sheep, against all the odds including a wet summer! The clip is now finished, and so we have two new batches in process. A white batch is being spun as we speak and will hopefully be on the shelves in about 4 months’ time. A coloured batch (Shetland Black, Moorit, Stekket and Sea Saat) is being sorted right now. It never ceases to amaze me how striking the natural colours are when you see the fleece lying in large mounds during the sorting process. 

Our three new dyed shades are doing well.

Gronska is a dark forest green; the name coming from the old Norse for lush green patches in the landscape. This shade blends well with Deepdale, Whaalwick and Mousawater.

Hedder Berry is a rich and zingy purple; the name comes the purple berries that grow in the heather here in Shetland. The berries are sharp and acidic but as children we gathered and ate them thinking we had found great riches! This shade blends well with Yatlen, Linga and Klingrabanks. It also works well with the blues. 

Sky Gaa is pale peach; a Gaa is the Shetland word for a halo around the sun or the moon. In the past, before modern weather forecasting, Shetlanders often read signs in the sky to predict future weather.  A Gaa or a rainbow spot of colour near to the sun usually indicated some change in the weather. This shade blends well with Ayre, Sea Saat and Tactigill and is designed to offer a good contrast to the darker shades. 

The Eksis Mitts and Da Fish Hat are our two new kits available. 

Eksis Mitts are a colourful and fun knit to remind us of those summer days and bright yellow dandelions. Shetland has lots of species of dandelions but there are a couple of native species that are only found in our islands and nowhere else! Eksis is the Shetland name.

Da Fish Hat is a fun design inspired by Shetland’s nautical heritage. The blue shades in this kit have all been inspired by the colours of the sea. Take Deepdale for an example with its turquoise waters!

We are thrilled to announce that our first finished Murrister Wirset knitwear items are now available on the website! Providing finished pieces has been a long-held dream, but meeting demand as a solo hand-knitter was always a challenge. Now, in partnership with my friend Christine, we are proud to introduce the Murrister Snood. 

Each piece is individually crafted using a traditional hand-frame knitting machine, a historic mechanism that bridges heritage skill and artisanal precision.

The hand frame knitting machine became the backbone of domestic textile production in the 1960’s and still holds a special place in my heart. I remember my father, a fisherman, using this exact type of machine during stormy days when he couldn't go to sea. He would knit the bodies for traditional yoke jumpers, and my mother would then handknit the Fair Isle yoke. It feels right to celebrate the hand-frame knitting machine today, honouring its vital place in the rich history and development of Shetland knitting.

The Murrister Snood is made exclusively from our own brand Murrister Wirset yarn, which is spun from 100% hand-selected native breed Shetland wool, the resulting fabric is exceptionally lightweight, beautifully uniform, and incredibly soft against the skin.