At Bonhoga this week, to coincide with Wool Week, we are delighted to have an exhibition of knitting work by some very talented primary school bairns from across Shetland.
ShetlandPeerieMakkers is a project which aims to secure the future of Shetland’s wonderful hand-knitting culture, through group knitting tuition delivered by skilled volunteers in primary schools across Shetland. Managed by the Brough Lodge Trust, the successful pilot scheme is now in its third year and in eight schools, and following new funding from LEADER and an anonymous private investor, ShetlandPeerieMakkers hopes to expand to twenty eight primary schools over the next four years.
Through the tutor led sessions, the PeerieMakkers learn Shetland knitting techniques using Shetland yarns. The small group sessions are delivered in a fun, child-centred way, encouraging expression and individuality in each piece of knitting produced. The pieces exhibited at Bonhoga are a sample of the many wonderful pieces created by the children, they show achievement by age, and are a combination of finished pieces and work in progress.
ShetlandPeerieMakkers would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the project to date, including all the volunteer tutors, steering group members, Head Teachers, SIC Education Department, Shetland Arts and Jamiesons of Shetland for all wool donated.
