Smookie jumper
Our modern Fair Isle inspired jumper, the Shetland Smookie is a hybrid of two classic garments.
Niela took inspiration from both the Fair Isle sweater and the fisherman’s smock (in Shetland, the latter is called a smookie) to create our warmest jumper.
You’ll see Smookies out and about in the islands, being worn by present day Shetlanders, and many have also flown away to other parts of the world – always keeping their wearers cosy.
Design
A really wearable sweater, the Smookie includes lots of Nielanell attention to detail.
Complimenting the all-over pattern, the stand-up neck is knitted in a speckled birseye; inset storm cuffs fuse function with a delightful bit of stripyness (plus an opportunity for a contrast colour).
The knitted Smookie fabric is double-sided, designed to create a very warm jumper.
Pattern & colour
The all-over pattern of the jumper is inspired by the colourwork traditions of Fair Isle, Shetland, and Nordic knitting. We make Shetland Smookie jumpers in very small edition colourways: many are unlikely to be available again, once they are sold out.
Materials
- 100% premium, Scottish-spun lambswool
- Reverse jacquard (double-sided fabric for extra-snuggliness)
Manufacture
Made in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.
The Smookie jumper is a very local production:
- All our design happens at Nielanell, Hoswick.
- Each Smookie jumper needs seven panels, which are knitted for us in Hoswick by our neighbours at Shetland Woollen Co – located just a few buildings down from the Nielanell studio.
- In the Nielanell workshop, the seven panels (fair isle, stripy and bird’s eye patterns) are then transformed into a wearable jumper using linking, which is a skilled knitting process in itself.
- The newly linked jumper then returns to Shetland Woollen Co (we walk along the road with a woolly bale!) for special washing and brushing processes.
- Final hand-finishing is done back at Nielanell by our in-house team.
Our knitwear is made in very small batches, slowly.
We are committed to sustaining and being part of UK knitwear manufacturing – and Shetland’s place in this.
Sizing & fit
One size
- A (underarm-underarm): 56cm
- B (back length): 60cm
- C (sleeve length): 55cm including cuff
On smaller figures the Smookie is a wee bit more tunic-like.
The pattern is ‘all-over’ (like traditional-style Shetland and Fair Isle sweaters), but the gentle trapeze shape of the Smookie gives a flattering fit.
NB measurements are approximate.
Availability
Smookie jumpers are highly sought after. If you'd like to hear when they are back in stock please sign up for our newsletter, which features stock updates and Shetland knitwear studio life.
What you say
I have worn my Smookie almost every day of the pandemic lockdown. SO COZY! I will need another one just in case I wear this one out.
Customer, 2021
Traditional Fair Isle jumpers and modern Shetland knitting
Inspiration & design process
Like many seafarers, Shetland fishermen wore smocks or ‘smookies’ made from sacking or canvas. I started wondering how that shape would translate into knit.
‘Just a simple smock...’, I said. Of course there’s more to it than that!
I couldn’t have made these without the team at Shetland Woollen Co who are all ultra-talented. Special thanks to Sarah and Tracy, the programmer and linker who helped me with prototyping.
Shipping costs
- UK (excluding NI) P&P: £8 per order.
- EU, EEA, Northern Ireland: we have temporarily suspended shipping to countries within these areas and are currently working to reinstate it. Find further information below. Please do get in touch with any queries.
- USA P&P: £20 per order. Please see important information on international orders, including USA, below.
- Rest of World P&P: £20 per order. Please read information on international deliveries below.
- Collection from Nielanell, Hoswick: free of charge (choose this option at checkout).
SHIPPING METHOD
- UK: we use Royal Mail. Items over a value of £100 will be sent using Special Delivery. This is a signed for, insured service.
- International: parcels are sent using a Royal Mail tracked service.
Customer service
Please DO get in touch if you have queries about any of our pieces. We endeavour to extend, to our online shoppers, the personal service we give here in Hoswick.
We have lots of happy customers both inside the UK and around the world and frequently correspond by email or telephone prior to a purchase being made.
Delivery times
- Most items should be available immediately.* If not, we will contact you to tell when the item will be available.
- We aim to send out your order just as soon as possible and within a week of ordering.* If you need an item sent immediately, just let us know and we will be delighted to try to help you.
- Please note, you can also choose to collect your order from Nielanell, Hoswick, using the click-and-collect option. This option is not available during holiday periods.
* Special orders and pre-orders: if your item is a special order or a pre-order, we will inform you of the lead time, where possible, when you order. For pre-orders made through our website, please read the information on the individual product page.
International (any destination outwith UK)
- For many destinations outside the UK, it is likely that there will be customs charges or tariffs payable. In many cases, customers are responsible for any customs charges, taxes or tariffs applicable in their own country. Please see information for specific destinations below. For further information, get in touch with your local customs office so that you know what to expect
- Customs charges and taxes vary between countries. Unfortunately, we are not able to predict what they might be.
- EU, EEA, Northern Ireland: shipping is suspended to these areas, please see notes below.
- USA: customs charges now apply to parcels arriving from the UK. We are still sending to the USA. Please see our full notes below.
- Issues with customs can delay delivery. Please do place orders in good time, particularly for Christmas or other special occasions.
- Please read our full returns policy before making an order.
- Returns can become expensive for international customers, so don't worry about asking questions before you order! We'd love to help you choose the right garment – please just get in touch if you’d like any information or help shopping online.
EU, EEA and Northern Ireland
We have temporarily suspended shipping to customers in the EU, EEA and Northern Ireland.
- We are working to reinstate this service.
- If you’re planning a visit to Shetland and were considering having a purchase from Nielanell shipped home, we advise that you plan to take any knitwear home with you. Please get in touch with any queries, including checking what we have in stock (our knitwear is made in small batches).
- If you were planning to buy a piece of our knitwear online, or have any queries, do get in touch.
We are so grateful to all our customers in the EU, EEA and Northern Ireland. For your patience and support – thank you.
USA
We are continuing to ship to the United States.
NEW TARIFFS
- All parcels arriving in the USA from the UK now have tariffs applied, which must be paid before the goods arrive at US customs.
- The tariff payable will be shown when you checkout with us online.
- The level of tariff is subject to change by US customs at short notice. The tariff shown at checkout is likely to fluctuate as US customs adjusts its tariff rates.
SHOPPING WITH US
- Pay at checkout: at checkout, you'll see the tariff itemised.
- Royal Mail: we are using a Royal Mail service, which allows us to pre-pay the duty on your order when we ship it.
- No extra charges: with duty pre-paid, your parcel should clear US Customs with no issues.
- Timings: please do bear with us while this system develops and changes. It’s quite likely that your parcel might take longer than usual to reach you.
If you have any queries at all do get in touch.
Thank you so much for your continued support and custom.
Nielanell knitwear is designed to last
Here are a few recommendations to help ensure your garment lives a long and happy life:
- Less is more when it comes to washing, many people find quality knitwear can be worn without washing for a long time (feel free to use our advice as a reason to do less laundry!).
- Hand-wash your garment.
- We suggest that you hand-wash your garment using liquid for woollens, or flakes at 30 degrees or less. Harsh detergents are likely to ruin your knitwear.
- We cannot be responsible for shrinkage or other damage to knitwear caused by washing in a machine.
- Do not wring.
- Do not tumble dry.
- Dry flat on a rack or in the fresh air, and steam/press very lightly*.
- Alternatively, you can dry clean the garment.
*Don’t iron Rigg pieces. We also recommend that you do not stretch out the textile when drying. Lie the piece flat, but with a bit of a crumple to allow for the natural spring in the fabric to contract. No need to steam or press.
Each piece of Nielanell knitwear is individually knitted by our manufacturers and then finished by hand in-house.
Many of our collections are made in very small edition colourways, with a constantly changing selection.
If you’re looking for something in particular, that you can’t see on the website, please do get in touch—we often have more colourways in stock that don’t make it onto the website!
NB Please treat garment measurements as approximate, knitwear can be difficult to measure and each item will differ slightly.
