Welcome to The Woolly Thistle

Shetland Wool Week

Welcome, Shetland Wool Week enthusiasts! We’re so glad you’re here. The Woolly Thistle is proud to be the U.S. partner for Shetland Wool Week, bringing a bit of Shetland to your needles.

You can find the official Bersie Beanny Print Pattern Booklet exclusively through us, along with SWW hat kits in both Jamieson’s Spindrift and Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight—everything you need to join in the celebration!

SWW Hat Print Pattern
The pattern cover for Birsie Beanny Hat Pattern 2026 Designed by Helen Robertson

What is Shetland Wool Week?

Shetland Wool Week, held the last week of September for the last 12 years, is a vibrant celebration of the islands’ rich textile heritage. This world-renowned festival brings together knitters, spinners, weavers, and wool enthusiasts for a week filled with workshops, exhibitions, tours, and community gatherings. From hands-on classes in traditional techniques to open studios, talks, and cozy teas, Wool Week offers something for everyone—whether you’re an experienced maker or simply inspired by Shetland’s creative spirit.

Each year, the announcement of the Shetland Wool Week Hat and Patron brings a special kind of excitement to the knitting world. The chosen design captures the spirit of Shetland—honoring tradition while offering something fresh to cast on—while the Patron, a respected voice in the fiber community, helps tell the story behind it all. Congratulations to Helen Roberston, designer of the Birsie Beanny!

While you may not be attending Shetland Wool Week this year, you can enjoy the joy with us in so many ways!

Free Shetland Wool Week Mini Course

Let The Woolly Thistle bring a piece of Shetland Wool Week to your inbox! Join us as we celebrate Shetland’s rich knitting heritage, exploring the wool that makes it all possible, discovering the island’s talented designers, and savoring the beauty of Fair Isle tradition without leaving home. This free mini-course is short and sweet but brimming with inspiration. We’ll explore why Shetland is so beloved by knitters worldwide. If you’ve ever wished to dive deeper, this course is for you!

Sign up for Mini Course

Your US Source!

At The Woolly Thistle, we proudly bring the beauty of Shetland (and beyond) to your needles. With nearly a decade of curating the finest woolly yarns, we honor the farmers, producers, and small mills who keep these traditions alive. By sourcing directly and shipping from the US, we make it simple for knitters everywhere to enjoy authentic, high-quality yarns with fast, affordable delivery and caring customer service—your trusted source for all things woolly.

Authentic Shetland Products

Authentic Shetland Products at your doorstep fast!!

Birsie Beanny in J&S 2ply

Kits in Jamieson & Smith colorway, Funky plus alternate TWT curated colorways!

Birsie Beanny in J&S

Print Pattern Booklet

Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson

Shop the 2025 Annual

Birsie Beanny in Spindrift

Kits in Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift colorway, Sea Anemone

Birsie Beanny in Spindrift

Buggiflooer Beanie

by Alison Rendall

Buggiflooer Beanie in J&S 2ply

Hairst Hap Hood

by Gudrun Johnston

Shop Yarn Sets

Aal Ower Toorie

by Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers

Aal Ower Toorie in J&S 2ply
Shetland Wool Week right to your inbox!!

Free Mini Course

Bring the magic of Shetland Wool Week straight to your inbox with The Woolly Thistle! Step into the heart of Shetland’s knitting heritage—where world-class wool, visionary designers, and timeless Fair Isle traditions come together. No passport required, just pure inspiration delivered to you.

This free mini-course is overflowing with stories, techniques, and the beauty of Shetland that knitters everywhere cherish. Whether you’re new to Fair Isle or already captivated by its charm, this is your chance to connect more deeply with what makes Shetland so extraordinary. Don’t just admire it from afar—experience it with us!

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scenic Shetland with a croft and sheep grazing, water in the background
Shetland Wool Week 2026 Birsie Beanny hat pattern booklet on a wooden surface. Cover shows a woman wearing a handknit colorwork hat.
Birsie Beanny Hat Pattern 2026 by Helen Robertson - Print Pattern Booklet
Birsie Beanny Hat Pattern 2026 by Helen Robertson - Print Pattern Booklet
Shetland Wool Week

Birsie Beanny Hat Pattern 2026 by Helen Robertson - Print Pattern Booklet

$ 9.95
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The official 2026 Shetland Wool Week Hat Pattern is the Birsie Beanny designed by Helen Robertson! The Woolly Thistle is delighted to partner with Shetland Wool Week to be your US source for these print pattern booklets. This year’s hat design showcases beautiful Shetland-inspired colorwork in a timeless, wearable style. Whether you’re joining the global cast-on or knitting at your own pace, this pattern is a joyful way to take part in one of the most beloved knitting traditions of the year.

As the US source for the official printed pattern booklet, the print pattern is ideal for knitting on the go, marking up notes, or keeping as part of your Shetland Wool Week collection. Pair it with your own yarn or one of our curated kits and enjoy being part of the excitement.

Pattern Booklet is 8" x 11"
Print Pattern Book only - no digital download.
All pattern instructions are written in English.

You can purchase this pattern in a kit with the yarn, just be sure to select the With Pattern option! Birsie Beanny Kit in J&S or the Birsie Beanny Kit in Spindrift!

Ready to make Shetland Wool Week Hats?

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Birsie Beanny by Helen Roberston, handknit colorwork hat shown with balls of J&S 2ply yarn.
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Jamieson & Smith
from $ 47.95
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift
Jamieson's of Shetland
from $ 71.95
Aal Ower Toorie design, knitted colorwork hat with a tassel, showing the top back view.
Aal Ower Toorie by Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Jamieson & Smith
from $ 54.95
Bonnie Isle Hat Yarn Set in Jamieson & Smith by Linda Shearer
Jamieson & Smith
$ 54.95
View all
9 products

Get into the spirit of Shetland

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Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight Yarn - COLORS
Jamieson & Smith
$ 6.95
Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift - Colors
Jamieson's of Shetland
$ 9.75
Cones of Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight Yarn
Jamieson & Smith
$ 94.95
Jamieson & Smith Shetland Heritage Yarn in variety of colors. Neutrals, reds, and blue yarn in oval-shaped wooden bowl.
Jamieson & Smith Shetland Heritage Yarn
Jamieson & Smith
$ 6.95
View all
72 products
Birsie Beanny by Helen Roberston, handknit colorwork hat shown with balls of J&S 2ply yarn.
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply
Jamieson & Smith

Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson in Jamieson & Smith 2ply

$ 64.95
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The wait is over! The Shetland Wool Week 2026 Hat has been revealed! The Birsie Beanny by Helen Robertson is here, and we couldn’t be more excited to cast on.

As your US source for Shetland Wool Week, we’re offering kits with all the yarn you need, plus the option to include a Official 2026 Shetland Wool Week Birsie Beanny print pattern booklet for easy knitting wherever you are. Join knitters around the world, choose your colorway, and get your kit today to be part of the excitement!

We are expecting the original J&S colorway, Funky, soon. You can use the "Click to Notify Me" button, and we'll send you an email as soon as it's in stock! 

This year’s design celebrates Shetland tradition with beautiful colorwork and timeless style. At The Woolly Thistle, we’re thrilled to offer curated yarn sets to help you join in the fun. Alongside the official colorway (which we'll have soon), we’ve created additional colorways, so you can get started on your first Birsie Beanny right away. 

These Kits Include:

  • 4-6x balls of Jamieson & Smith 2-ply Jumper Weight Yarn (quantity depends on your colorway selection; each kit include 125g - 300g of wool) 
  • A small TWT tote bag
  • A TWT stitch marker - Selection Varies
  • Print Pattern Booklet (Optional - make your selection)

About the Designer:  Helen is an experienced textile artist, designer and knitting tutor who loves drawing her Shetland heritage into her work, always with a contemporary twist. Passionate about building community through craft, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with knitters around the world through workshops and online teaching. Helen's designs have appeared in many books and journals, and her work can be seen in the Shetland Juseum and Archives, Unst Heritage Centre and the Shetland Textile Museum, as well as in private collections worldwide. We are delighted to have her as this year's Shetland Wool Week patron. - Shetland Wool Week

Colorways in Jamieson & Smith 2ply:

Designer Original / Funky: Yarn A: FC14, B: 9144, C: 134, D: 73, E: FC13, F: 71, (1 ball each)

Mareel: Yarn A: 54, B: 1283, C: FC21, D: 43, E: 27, F: 52 (1 ball each)

Banksflooer:  Yarn A: 82, B: FC6, C: 96, D: 1280 (2 balls of Yarn A, 1 ball of others)

Glansin: Yarn A: Shetland Black Supreme 2005, B: 203, C: 1A, D: 2 (1 ball of each, Yarn A is Shetland Supreme 50g ball)

Shetland Sunrise: Yarn A: FC37, B: 101, C: 95, D: 90  (2 balls of Yarn A, 1 ball of others)

Glisk: Yarn A: Shaela Supreme 2003, B: 21, C: FC15, D: 18 (1 ball of each, Yarn A is Shetland Supreme 50g ball)

Skrotti: Yarn A: Gaulmogot Supreme 2006, B: 9113, C: 72, D: 9097 (1 ball of each, Yarn A is Shetland Supreme 50g ball)

Löm: Yarn A: Yuglet Supreme 2009, B: FC34, C: FC22, D: 123 (1 ball of each, Yarn A is Shetland Supreme 50g ball)

Blett: Yarn A: Moorit Supreme 2004, B: FC11, C: 121, D: 118 (1 ball of each, Yarn A is Shetland Supreme 50g ball)

This hat is designed to use 4 or 6 colors. We've made additional colorways for both options. Please refer to the photos and colors listed for each colorway to make your selection. 

Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight Yarn; Made in UK. 100% Real Shetland Wool. See our full selection of Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight Yarn here! 

As always, it is important to manage gauge to ensure you will have enough yarn. If you are worried, you can purchase an extra skein of the main color! Please remember that every effort is taken to represent the true colors of the yarn and that monitor settings will vary. 

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