Yarn

when an unexpected opportunity for a couple of days back home in Shetland presented itself I couldn't resist the opportunity so I'm currently sat in a window overlooking a harbour in a howling gale watching a ferry plough back and forth and couldn't be more content. It's a shame it's only a flying visit (unless the flying gale seriously affects flights out - but when are travel arrangements ever upset when you don't actually want to leave?) but I've had plenty of time in the local bookshop and exploring the manifold delights of my preferred wool emporium. Jamieson's shop is but 50 or so yards from The Shetland Times Bookshop and their range of colours is glorious.

It was choosing stuff for my sister from them last summer which made me think I should try knitting again myself so my strategy today was to basically pick up as wide a palate of colours as I could, including some I wouldn't normally look at, to have some fun with over the next couple of months. I'll be back in Shetland for a proper visit the summer when I'll choose colours with more purpose but for now it's all about having a good play.

I also bought a book of Fair Isle patterns  - the initial experiment was so satisfactory that the dirt of colour work is something I really want to explore. The Shetland Times was my idea of heaven as a child when it was the only bookshop I knew and it's still a really great place to find something
interesting. They are particularly good on things with a local interest - maritime, knitting, local writers, Viking saga's, local history, as well as doing what all good small independent bookshops do -
making the most of limited space with a really interesting range of books. I had no trouble finding something to suit my requirements and am only sorry not to have more time here to catch up with a few people.