Grand Shetland Adventure Knits - Gudrun Johnstone and Mary Jane Mucklestone

I'm currently knitting my third Christmas Stocking of the autumn and planning post Christmas gift knitting projects - Gudrun Johnston and Mary Jane Mucklestone's beautiful Grand Shetland Adventure Knits has got a couple of things in it that are high up my list to try. There are socks with a new to me heel construction, a couple of really lovely looking jumpers, and a whole lot of photographs from my part of Shetland which are obviously a personal attraction.

Grand Shetland Adventure knits is published by Laine so has high production values throughout, and is available either direct from the publisher or from good local yarn stores. I'm a fan of both Mary Jane and Gudrun's designs and particularly like having a collection that features both of them to add to my knitting library of books (which also has previous books by both of them). It would be a great present for any knitter in your life with an interest in Fair Isle or Shetland lace - simple mitts and hats are a great place for less confident knitters to start and there's plenty of variety.

I bought my copy from Jamieson and Smith also known as The Woolbrokers, partly so I could get some of their new 5 ply sports weight at the same time to have a play with (likely one of those post Christmas projects now) because it saved on postage - which I suppose is classic girl maths. Both the Woolbrokers and Jamieson's of Shetland do a really good mail order service, but it's already time to think about last posting dates, not least because the weather at this time of year can seriously disrupt ferries and planes meaning things just don't move. 

Jamieson's of Shetland has DK which is what I'm using for my Christmas stockings and I love their heathered colours, they also have an excellent range of DPN's. The Woolbrokers sell cones of yarn, they're oiled for machine use so take a little extra washing but they're exceptionally good value and again something that would make an amazing present for a knitter. A 500g cone will do you a serious project. The heritage natural shades are particularly gorgeous. They also have an excellent range of books along with glove and mitten boards.