We're raising funds to continue running the ShetlandPeerieMakkers knitting groups, which support and encourage young knitters in Shetland
by knit starter in Lerwick, Scotland, United Kingdom
We would do even more to continue encouraging knitting skills in Shetland by:
Helping to sustain Shetland's knitting culture
Shetland's wonderful culture of hand knitting needs nurturing if it is to remain vibrant for future generations. The Brough Lodge Trust has decided to contribute by taking action and this page explains what you can do to help.
The story so far...
ShetlandPeerieMakkers is a successful ongoing project to bestow the skills and knowledge of Shetland hand knitting through supported guidance in a familiar, and intergeneration setting within Shetland. Begun in 2015 by the Brough Lodge Trust, it is delivered by expert volunteer tutors, who provide free hand knitting tuition to children who join ShetlandPeerieMakkers’ knitting groups in local communities. To support the development of skills the tutors use the ShetlandPeerieMakkers “Sockbox”: a complete resource of equipment and support documents including an unique tuition method (the Sockbox Recipe), researched and designed in Shetland by the project working group.
The ShetlandPeerieMakkers groups have thus far been hosted in local primary schools, therefore involving the school as well as the wider community.
A way forward...
By 2020, we intend that all communities in Shetland, where there is a demand and qualified tutors available, will have a ShetlandPeerieMakkers knitting group. To date, we have an estimated average uptake of 25% of the targeted age group participating, and we wish to see this increase. The ShetlandPeerieMakkers method of passing on Shetland hand knitting skills and knowledge has seen an average of 72% of those children involved in a group becoming accomplished Shetland knitters.
The project is currently financed through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas Shetland LEADER Programme 2014-2020 and the London fashion house Alexander McQueen. However, our current funding stream ends in mid-2020 and we are therefore raising funds to keep our ShetlandPeerieMakkers groups going from strength to strength after August 2020.
How you can help...
Because Shetland knitting means so much to people in Shetland and around the world, we believe that we should launch an appeal to support the project. We will be extremely grateful for any contribution you can make and, accordingly, we want to thank you with a gift.,
Whatever you pledge will allow us to buy materials for the ShetlandPeerieMakkers groups and support our expert volunteers, who give up their time each week to share their skills with the next generation of Shetlanders. By next summer, there will be up to 100 volunteer tutors involved in the project.
The rewards we offer to thank you for your generosity
Our rewards are a thank you for your donation. Naturally the value of the reward may be less than the value of your donation and that is because, although some rewards have been donated, we need to pay for others at cost (and to cover crowdfunding and credit card expenses) before we benefit from your generosity. Rewards include beautiful Fair Isle headbands kindly donated by volunteers and members of Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers as well as Shetland-made child sized knitting belts, the same as are used by our 'peeriemakkers'.
Below, you will find the list of all rewards, with weblinks.
We will dispatch all awards in November. If we experience a delay for the headbands and knitting belts due to demand, we let you know when to expect the reward. Please also note that we have limited quantities of some awards.
If you do not wish to receive a reward please tell us by sending an email to [email protected]
Pledges and Rewards
Pledge amount 15 GBP:
Hazel Tindall's Mittens Pattern
A knitting pattern of mittens from the world's fastest knitter since 2004, Shetlander Hazel Tindall, knitting specialist and instructor, based in Shetland. http://www.hazeltindall.com/
Pledge amount 20 GBP:
Janette Budge ShetlandPeerieMakkers hat pattern
A knitting pattern of the “ShetlandPeerieMakkers’ hat from Janette Budge, one of our expert volunteers and Shetland Knitwear Designer, and Tutor. https://www.janettebudge.com/about/
Pledge amount 30 GBP:
Hand knitting Project Bag
A “ShetlandPeerieMakkers” hand knitting project bag, which includes a glossary of Shetland dialect knitting words translated into English
Pledge amount 45 GBP:
Fair Isle Headband
A Fair Isle Headband handknitted with Shetland Wool by members of Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers as well as volunteers. One size fits all. https://en-gb.facebook.com/SGSWD/
Pledge amount 75 GBP:
Hand knitting belt for children
A colourful Shetland made hand knitting belt as used by children for the project Makkin belt sample
Pledge amount 120 GBP:
Accommodation in a Camping Böd (limited number)
Three nights for four people in a Shetland Böd in 2020. This is basic accommodation for those who want a simple holiday. Anyone familiar with English "camping barns" will have a good idea of what to expect. Choose between eight different locations in Shetland. Dates are subject to agreement by Shetland Amenity Trust and the reward recipient. The offer includes free accommodation only, not utilities, travel or any other related costs. http://www.camping-bods.com/.
Limited number of reward(s) = 1
Pledge amount 240 GBP:
Accommodation at Bressay Lighthouse (limited number)
Three nights in one of the Bressay Lighthouse keeper's cottages in 2020. Located on the island of Bressay, the cottages provide a tranquil and peaceful retreat that is perfect for a family holiday or enjoying a getaway with friends. The cottages sleep up to six people, with two double bedrooms and one twin room (bed linen and towels are provided). Dates subject to agreement by Shetland Amenity Trust and the reward recipient. The offer includes free accommodation only, not utilities, travel or any other related costs. http://www.shetlandlighthouse.com/bressay-lighthouse
Limited number of reward(s) = 1
Pledge amount 300 GBP:
Luxury Accommodation weekend in Lerwick, Shetland (limited number)
A weekend (2 nights) for two persons with breakfast at Brentham House, Lerwick, Shetland, during 2020. Travel to and from Shetland not included. http://www.brenthamhouse.co.uk
Limited number of reward(s) = 2
ShetlandPeerieMakkers would like to thank you for your support.
Your pledge will help to make it possible to preserve the craft of Shetland Knitting for future generations.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.