Published May 2, 2024

Knit Along with Grand Shetland Adventure Knits!

By Caitlin Johnson

We have a new reason to be excited when it comes to Gudrun Johnston and Mary Jane Mucklestone's book, Grand Shetland Adventure Knits! Their publisher Laine Publishing has just announced that they're hosting a knit-along featuring projects from this fantastic book!

The Grand Shetland Knit-Along begins on May 17th and runs through August 2024. You're welcome to knit any design from the book using any yarn you like! The two featured designs are the Ling V and Riggies Cardi, but all projects are welcome.

As a stockist for this inspiring book, which is based around the authors' Shetland travels and knitting expertise, The Woolly Thistle is happy to offer a rich shopping experience as you choose your knitting project for the GSAK Knit-Along. Read on for details about all the woolly yarns and kits we offer to accompany your own Grand Shetland Adventure!

Ready-to-purchase Kits at TWT

Starting April 29th, we have brand new kits available on preorder for the Riggies Cardi by Gudrun Johnston and the Ling V Sweater by Mary Jane Mucklestone. These are expected to ship on or before May 13th and each come in a great variety of colors!

Shop Riggies Cardi Kits

Shop Ling V Sweater Kits

Remember, the pattern is only available in the Grand Shetland Adventure Knits book, so be to order your copy if you don't already have one!

Shop Grand Shetland Book

We also have several other designs from the book already assembled in kits - the Peerie Shop Cardi, Snow Treasures Gloves, Heritage Yoke, Swatchtastic Flower Hat, and Bousta Socks. Browse all our products related to the book at our collection here!

Yarn Suggestions for Other Patterns

For planning other projects from the book, we have plenty more suggestions and options! The Ravelry page here has all the details of yarn and colors required for each pattern. Read on for our suggestions!

The Staneydale Scarf is knitted in Biches et Buches Le Petit Lambswool - just two skeins can be purchased from our shop!

The Cake Fridge Hat uses 6 colors of Shetland Spindrift yarn - shop your favorite colors here! Just one skein of each color needed.

The Virdek Shawl from the cover uses 8 skeins of Shetland Spindrift in a single color.

The Downstairs Socks are knitted in J&S 2-ply, which you know we carry in our shop! You'll need 4 different colors and either 1 or 2 balls of each, depending on the size.

The Island to Island Vest calls for a sport weight yarn, and we've seen lovely versions knitted in J&S 2ply jumper weight! At a gauge of 28 stitches for 4 inches, there are lots of possibilities! Here's Thistler Renee A's version in Retrosaria Vovo:

We're also dreaming of one in Scottish Yarn Festival 4ply or Wooldreamers Cautiva or Finullgarn! Endless possibilities - plus you could double dip for our upcoming Vest Knit-Along starting on May 31st!

The Flooers Cowl calls for a lace weight yarn held double, so close to a fingering weight gauge. You can't go wrong with something like Scottish Yarn Festival 4ply or our Rambler yarn!