Blog
Knit flock
Rams & Yowes Blanket by Kate Davies is now available as a kit. Woop woop. Knit your own 48 rams and 120 yowes. AND you'll have enough Shetland Supreme Jumper Weight to knit the Sheepheid Tam as well, so both patterns come together as a happy little package. x
Learn more
Jim Smith 16/5/1925 - 2/2/2012
We are saddened to announce the death of Jim Smith MBE, former co - owner of Jamieson & Smith. Jim passed away peacefully last week at his home Berry Farm, Scalloway, birthplace of Jamieson & Smith. Jim was one of Shetland's leading citizens of all time. He was most famous for his inventions including the first fish gutting machine, for which he received the MBE for service to the fishing industry. He built two aeroplanes at Berry Farm and flew them both, gaining his pilot’s licence. He also invented a turnip harvester and various other agricultural implements, and was a brilliant and respected breeder of Shetland ponies. Despite his exceptional skills, Jim remained a modest, humble person who left an indelible mark on all who met him. He was renowned for his charm and humour. The Smith family started the firm of J&S in the 1930s. They began buying and handling wool at Berry Farm before moving to Lerwick to the current premises in the 1950s. With the exception of a break for the war years, where Jim saw action with the R.A.F in the Far East, he spent most of his life involved in running their farms at Scalloway, Unst ( Uyea Isle ) and Pitmedden Farm, Aberdeenshire, as well as their other businesses - the Scalloway Meat Company, Shetland Marts (where he was a partner) and J & S. Jim and Eva’s ownership of J & S was extremely hands on. Their direct involvement helped to create one of the leading textile companies of its era. Jim’s experience of grading and sorting Real Shetland Wool was passed on directly to myself and the staff at Jamieson & Smith. The same business ethos is carried on to this day. This ethos is based on a profound respect for our suppliers and their wool. Jim's diverse skills are apparent all through J&S, even in the very fabric of our buildings - he took on much of the building work including site clearance, steel works, and concrete flooring for the middle wool store. In the 80s and 90s, when wool markets were at low ebb, Jim and Eva continued to invest in J&S. As the main wool buyers for the islands, this support was crucial for Shetland's wool producers. One could fill pages with stories of Jim’s involvement in J&S - perhaps another time. It is important to note that Jim and Eva still retained an active interest in J&S, despite the company changing ownership in 2005. In fact, just last tuesday - two days before his passing - Jim was enquiring into things at Jamieson & Smith and sharing his advice and experience. We take this opportunity to pass on our sincere condolences to Eva, not only from the staff past and present but also on behalf of all our suppliers, customers and clients. Oliver Henry 8/2/12 Image: Jim Smith o' Berry with one of the planes he built c.1964
Learn more
Smells like Up Helly Aa
For days before the galley actually burns, you could swear there's sometimes a whiff of Up Helly Aa in the air. As it got light this morning the smell was definitely there. The Peerie Shop's knitted helmets and Harry's mini Vikings in raging battle hint at what's to come. People peer over and peep out, crowds start to form in unlikely places and then the peerie bodies start to file in. Then there's a rumble and a roar and a sea of glistening helmets makes it's way into town (complete with the ultimate Viking accessory). First David Nicolson's Jarl Squad, followed by the Junior Jarl Squad. The galley, Per Ardua, watches over the festivities. Watch the beautiful Per Ardua being built here, then watch her burn here (we can't wait to see/smell her mast come crashing down in the flames). See a piece on the history of Up Helly Aa here. We'll be back on Thursday because we'll still be dancing tomorrow morning. Until then, three cheers for the smelliest, nosiest, craziest Tuesday in the year. x
Learn more
65 years, and into our 66th
In the Jamieson & Smith archives there are piles of notebooks with charted motifs over every page. They were made by Eva Smith of Berry Farm, where J&S first started, and they're brilliant sources of information and inspiration. Below is a picture of Eva that accompanies the introduction to Knit Real Shetland, which we're currently parcelling up to go to a US distributor (more on that shortly). In other news, we're back from our holidays (as of yesterday) and would like to say thankyou for reading our blog, and for supporting Jamieson & Smith in our 65th year. Here's to a brilliant 2012. x
Learn more
Toby's Christmas fashion
Toby has been sporting a new winter gansey today in Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper Weight. He's been so busy posing around that we couldn't get a very good picture, but you get the general idea. x
Learn more
Shetland Wool Week 2012: 8th -14th October
We can officially confirm that the Shetland Wool Week dates for 2012 are 8th - 14th October. Woooohooo! The full programme and list of events will be released and ready for booking in the New Year. Look forward to more classes, workshops, designers, patterns and tours. Have a nosy here for details of the 2011 events. x
Learn more
Stuff it
Our lovely bouncy new Real Shetland Wool filling. It comes in a Big Project Bag with just the right amount for a standard cushion.
Learn more
Wrapped up
New knitwear from Jamieson & Smith, photographed in the Lerwick Lanes. Supreme Stole in Fawn The Lerwick Lanes are part of one of two conservation areas in Shetland (the other is in Scalloway). The Lanes run up from the harbour to the Hillhead, where the Town Hall sits, and lead on to the rest of the town. Oliver was telling us the other day that the trees were planted on the steep slopes years and years ago to help drain the water and prevent flooding (seems obvious when you come to think about it!). Peep down Lerwick's crooked, narrow little arteries and see how they've changed during the last century here. x
Learn more
We're doing a little happy dance...
because Knit Real Shetland just went live in digital form. You can buy the eBook here, or a real shiny copy here. Some quotes about the book: "Knit Real Shetland is a total stunner. Utterly amazing, every last page of it." Kate Heppell, Editor of Knit Now magazine. "Tapping into the romance of the Shetland Isles, with their rustic landscapes and countless sheep flocks, this pattern book is a real escape from modern city living... The 15 designs have a slight vintage feel that fits with the island outlook, while presenting a luscious range of colours and styles that fit right into 21st century fashions... We love the Feathercrest Mittens (even the name makes us a little weak at the knees!) designed by Jared Flood, and autumn-toned Melby Jumper dress by Gudrun Johnson. In fact, there isn’t one item in this collection that we wouldn’t love to wear. Apart from, perhaps, the Osaka Tea Cosy. We’ll leave that to the teapot." Judy Darley, TheKnitter.co.uk. "It was a real honour to be asked to write the introduction to this book, celebrating 65 years of Jamieson & Smith. As well as super designs from names that are no doubt familiar to you, Knit Real Shetland also includes gorgeous patterns from designers you may not have heard of but should know: Mary Kay, Hazel Tindall, Lesley Smith, Joyce Ward and Sandra Manson – lovely women all, and talented Shetland knitters" Kate Davies, Textisles. And an inside peep...
Learn more