Our Shetland Trader Book 3 KAL kicks off today, and we couldn’t be more excited! Two months of hanging out with Gudrun Johnston, knitting some breathtaking designs, learning and enjoying one another’s company … and of course, some really juicy prizes. More on all that in a second, but first, let’s have a whistle-stop tour through the accessories that feature in Shetland Trader Book Three. These would be perfect if you’d love to join in the KAL fun, but don’t want to commit to a garment … and a great opportunity to try skills on a smaller skill and make something nice for yourself, or your handmade gift pile!

Smora

Gudrun is beloved for her many colourwork hat designs, and Smora, the only hat in The Shetland Trader Three collection, does not disappoint! With beanie and tam/beret options, this hat really packs a colourwork punch! Isn’t it cool to see how different it looks in each colourway? I love the gentle autumn colours of the beanie, and the bold graphic quality of the beret! A great project for building your colourwork confidence! You’ll find kits for both colourways in the online shop.

Tarra

Oh how I love the gentle swoop of Tarra! Tarra is a shallow shawl that can be worn as a scarf, with a squishy garter body and Razor Shell lace. This beauty takes just 2 balls of J&S 2ply Jumperweight or 1 ball of Shetland Supreme for the main colour, with 1 ball each of 3 contrast colours of 2ply Jumperweight, making it a really economical piece to knit. We’ve got kits (of course!) for this beauty that come in at £14.75.

Vatna

If you prefer a more generously sized shawl, Vatna is the older sibling to Tarra. Taking inspiration from Shetland haps, both designs offer so much opportunity for colour play … we can’t wait to see your versions! Vatna Kits are available in two colourways and cost £26.55.

Snaraness

And last but not least, the slightest offering from Shetland Trader Book Three, Snaraness! Inspired by photos of her mum in a lace headscarf, Snaraness features a simple lace pattern on a garter background and can be worn on the head or as a jaunty kerchief, as pictured here. The pattern is written for laceweight, but Gudrun notes you could easily knit it in a heavier weight for a warmer accessory. I love the idea of whipping up a few of these as Christmas presents. I know quite a few people who would enjoy a warm kerchief. You’ll need two ball of J&S 2ply Jumper Weight or 1 ball of Shetland Supreme if you’d like to try a heavier version. (The sample is knitted in J&S 2ply Lace Weight).

So, have you picked your Shetland Trader Book Three project yet? We are so excited to be kicking things off today over in The Knitalong Hub. Any design from Gudrun’s fabulous new book is eligible, and no purchase from our online shop is necessary for you to join in — though your purchases big and small do help us run knitalongs like this one! The folks over at Pom Pom have really kindly offered to sponsor some fabulous prizes and are offering a yearlong subscription to Pom Pom Mag for one lucky person! We also have a slew of fabulous runner up prizes: one £20 gift voucher for the Arnall-Culliford online shop; three single pattern downloads from Gudrun Johnston (via Payhip or Ravelry); two bundles of Take Heart and Wool Journey from Pom Pom Press; and eight eBook prizes from Arnall-Culliford Techniques (via our online shop).

As with all of our knitalongs, it’s the taking part that counts, so to be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is post at least one progress photo with the hashtag #ShetlandTrader3KAL in The Knitalong Hub topic!

We are SO excited to knit along with you this month, and as always, there will be plenty of cheerleading and help to be had. We have a whole page devoted to stranded colourwork video tutorials, and there’s always someone happy to lend a helping hand in the Hub! Big thanks to Gudrun and Pom Pom Press for their support of this KAL.

So, are you ready? Let’s cast on!

Photos © Ali Denney.