Welcome to our SWW 2024 programme.
This year, Shetland Wool Week runs Sun 29 Sept - Sat 5th Oct.
Find our event listings and opening hours below, along with information about visiting Hoswick (we're between Lerwick and Sumburgh – 20mins drive from both), our village Visitor Centre and the other artisan businesses you'll find here.
All events at Nielanell during Shetland Wool Week are free.
Open Studio at Nielanell
FREE, unticketed
- Nielanell, Hoswick
- Daily during Shetland Wool Week
- Sunday 29 September: 10am - 5pm
- Mon 30 Sept - Sat 5 Oct: 9am - 5pm*
- After SWW, Sun 6 Oct - Sat 12 Oct: 10am - 4pm
- Listing on SWW website
Come and hang out in our peerie emporium of colour and texture. Find out about the stories behind our collections of contemporary knitwear or just inhale some wool fumes...
Find out more about visiting the Nielanell knitwear studio, including access information.
* on Saturday 5 Oct we'll also be at the SWW Makers Market in Lerwick. Scroll on for details.
Behind the Scenes at Nielanell
TALK & TOUR
FREE, unticketed
- Nielanell, Hoswick
- Three sessions: Mon 30 Sept, Wed 2 Oct, Fri 4 Oct
- 2.30pm - 3.15pm
- Listing on SWW website
Join Niela and Katie for an informal chat and tour of the Nielanell studio and workshops. Hear about how collections often start with unexpected stories and peek behind the scenes to see various stages of the design and manufacturing processes.
Find out more about visiting the Nielanell knitwear studio, including access information. NB during this tour we will go into one of our workshops, which has one step up to the door.
After-hours visits to Nielanell
FREE, get in touch to book: info@nielanell.com
- Nielanell, Hoswick
- Date to suit you during Shetland Wool Week (except Sat 5 Oct)
- After 5pm
- Transport from Lerwick (or nearby) for up to 4 people
- Find out more, including access information
New for 2024. Join us on the evening of your choice for a private visit to our knitwear studio shop.
Katie will be your host, welcoming you in with a glass of something, for a deep delve (metaphorically and literally!) into the world of Nielanell.
Shetland Wool Week Makers' Market
FREE, unticketed
- Anderson High School, Lerwick
- Sat 5 Oct
- Café
- Listing on SWW website
Along with a brilliant selection of local makers, we'll be at the SWW Makers Market. It can get really busy, so if there's something you're particularly after do get there early. The Makers Market café is also a great place to relax and catch up with other woolweekers.
Hoswick Makkers' Drop-in
FREE, unticketed
- Hoswick Visitor Centre
- Sun 6 Oct: 10am - 2.30pm
- Café open (teas, coffees, cakes only)
- Transport: if you're coming by bus we can pick you up from the bus stop at Sandwick (a short drive from Hoswick) please get in touch to arrange.
We've organised special opening of Hoswick Visitor Centre for people still in Shetland on Sunday 6 October, the day after Wool Week ends.
Bring your knitting (makkin), crochet or spinning and relax with a cup of tea and a piece of cake. A lovely way to round off Wool Week! Niela and Elizabeth Johnston (tutor and organiser of Hoswick classes) plan to be there too.
The Nielanell studio and Karlin Anderson Jewellery will also both be open 10am - 4pm.
Hoswick Visitor Centre & Café
- Open daily during SWW, except Sunday 29 Sept
- Sunday 29 Sept: closed
- Mon 30 Sept - Sat 5 Oct: 10am - 4pm
- Café: snacks, teas, light lunches (kitchen closes 3pm)
- Sun 6 Oct: 10am - 2.30pm, open for our Makkers' Drop-in, serving teas and cakes only (see info above)
- Hoswick Visitor Centre
The village's former weaving shed, Hoswick Visitor Centre has local history displays, a craft shop and a café serving light lunches, teas, cakes and snacks. There is a small, new display on the history of weaving in Hoswick.
Hoswick is situated between Lerwick and Sumburgh airport, so the Visitor Centre is a useful stopping off point!
Access: ramp access, accessible toilet, parking outside.
Hoswick artisans
Nielanell is one of three craft-based businesses in Hoswick. Do visit our neighbours if you are in the village!
Shetland Woollen Co
- Hoswick
- Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 3.30pm
- Shetland Woollen Co
Our neighbours are an employee-owned firm who make wonderful, traditional knitwear. Very reasonable prices!
Karlin Anderson Jewellery
- Hoswick
- Open daily except Sun 29 Sept
- Sat 28 Sept: 11am - 5pm
- Sun 29 Sept: closed
- Monday 30 Sept - Friday 4 Oct: 10am - 6pm
- Sat 5 Oct: 11am-5pm
- Sun 6 Oct: 10am - 4pm
- Karlin Anderson
Karlin makes beautifully hand-crafted jewellery in her Hoswick workshop. Browse her designer collections or chat about a bespoke commission – Karlin is enormously experienced, having worked for prestigious jewellers in Glasgow and London before establishing her own studio and then returning to Shetland.
Getting to Hoswick
Nielanell is right in the centre of the village, on the main street – a few hundred yards from Hoswick Visitor Centre.
Driving
Hoswick is just off the main road that runs between Lerwick and Sumburgh Airport – Hoswick is about 20 mins drive from each.
There is ample parking in the village, with a charging point. You can usually also pull up right outside Nielanell.
Public transport
Sandwick (a short distance from Hoswick - 7 mins walk) is served by the bus routes running between Lerwick and Sumburgh. Some buses do stop in Hoswick itself: check timetables linked to below.
Buses from Lerwick to Sandwick take 30 minutes, then a 10 minute walk to Nielanell. Ask the driver to let you off by the Sandwick shop or Sandwick Hall.
Find bus timetables and information at Zettrans.
Please do get in touch if you'd like any advice on getting here.