Helen Robertson wears the Birsie Beanny, the official hat pattern for Shetland Wool Week 2026.
Photograph: Shetland Wool Week / Kirstie Clubb
What a delight to be in the room last week when Helen Robertson was announced as the 2026 Patron of Shetland Wool Week.
Helen – who grew up in Shetland, surrounded by a family of knitters – is an accomplished artist and maker in several disciplines.
A playful inventiveness and a deep interest in Shetland's history and language are both features of Helen’s work, combined with the heritage skills that she uses and shares as an experienced and generous teacher.
In addition to the native Shetland wool that she has knitted with since her earliest years, and which she now designs patterns for, Helen’s work also includes knitting with wire – making jewellery, larger objects, installations and public artworks.
Colour suggestions are given for yarn by four Shetland producers.
The Birsie Beanny
As patron, Helen has designed the official hat for Shetland Wool Week 2026. The SWW hat is perhaps the most visible aspect of the patron’s role each year!
The Birsie Beanny has striking colourwork and a slouchy shape (inspired by the hat in a 1923 painting by Stanley Cursiter).
The original, large-scale motifs in this hat are inspired by Fair Isle knitting, the patterns created in Shetland lace knitting (whether in wool or wire!), and shape and colour from the natural world.
The pattern is available in digital and printed formats with four suggested colourways designed by Helen.
Buy the Birsie Beanny hat pattern here.
Colourways in native Shetland wool
Heddery Hills pack by Uradale Yarns
Funky yarn pack by Jamieson & Smith
Spot the toosks! Sea Anemone yarn pack by Jamieson's of Shetland.
Nostalgia colourway by Foula Wool (see pattern for quantities).
An unusual design feature
The hat pattern includes a very Helen feature.
Birsie is the Shaetlan word for hairy. Hairiness can be added to your hat via the (optional) fringed 'toosks'! See the Sea Anemone colourway above.
These toosks are a further reference to Shetland's textile heritage: the tradition of taatit rugs; the tassels on the 17th century Gunnister Man's purse.
Helen wearing our Rani long cape in Hoswick, by the Gospel Hall.
Back in the mists of Nielanell history, Helen worked with us in the studio shop. And she has been such a good friend to us over the years.
Congratulations, Helen!
Further information on Helen and her work
- Helen Robertson in conversation with Shetland Wool Week.
- Helen’s online and in person knitting classes.
What’s Shetland Wool Week?
Shetland Wool Week is an annual celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep breed, the Shetland textile industry and the local farming community.
The festival takes place in the autumn and has become an international event in the fibre arts calendar. Workshops, classes, talks, tours and exhibitions take place throughout the Shetland Islands and are attended by local people and visitors from all over the world.
Each year, a Patron is chosen in recognition of their skill and contribution to Shetland wool, textiles or farming.
The hat
Every year the appointed patron designs the official Shetland Wool Week hat pattern, using Shetland wool, colourwork techniques and motifs that are often inspired by traditional Fair Isle knitting.
The patron’s hat pattern is knitted and worn by many of those who attend events at Shetland Wool Week. Seeing the hat of the year en masse – in a multitude of colourways – at the opening event is always a marvel! But many people who are not attending in person also knit the pattern.
Shetland Wool Week at Nielanell
At Nielanell, Shetland Wool Week is a wonderfully busy time of year. Our knitwear studio in Hoswick is open daily and we also run behind the scenes talks and tours of our studio and workshops. Katie and Niela of Nielanell are tutors at SWW, with workshops as part of the main programme.
Along the road, Hoswick Visitor Centre has a broad range of classes taught by expert tutors from Shetland and further afield.
The day after SWW ends, we host a relaxed makkers’ drop-in at the visitor centre. This is a great time for us all to catch up with each other before visitors depart.
Browse our 2025 Shetland Wool Week programme to get a flavour of the what’s on at Nielanell.
