On Saturday I (Ella) had the task of heading up to the Voe Show to Judge the Colourbox Competition. We have mentioned it many times before but in case you’re not sure what it is – every year we choose a selection of 8 shades of yarn and people have to use at least 5 of the shades in a Fair Isle garment or accessory. They then enter it into the Voe, Cunningsburgh or for the first time this year the Walls show. There are a number of these shows which go on all over Shetland in the Summer, filled with livestock, animals, vegetables, flowers, baking and our favourite of course – knitting!!
This years shades were 2ply Jumper Weight – 71, 118, 80, fc39, 82, fc22. 9097 and 9144 and as always I was amazed at the finished items! I wish I had got more pictures but I was busy judging and when I came back later the knitwear was full of folk so I couldn’t get near!
Voe always has an excellent amount of entries in the Colourbox and this year was no exception even though I would say the colour’s were a bit trickier than years before – but it is meant to be a challenge and to push people out of their comfort zones.
Apart from the colourbox, there were some amazing examples in the other knitting categories, everything is covered from 1ply lace to yokes and cardigans, mittens, gloves, scarves, machine knit and hand knit. Basically, every kind of Shetland knitting you can imagine!
Oliver was judging the fleece so I had a quick look in the tent to see what he had thought of the entries.
I thought I’d leave off with some more pictures from around the show, if you ever get the chance to come to a Shetland Agricultural show I would definitely take it as it gives you a great overview of Shetland Culture and it’s a great day out!
It is great to get back to the origins of Real Shetland wool and to see the passion and skill that still exists. Not only that but with the tremendously successful Shetland Wool Week not far away there is no better time to celebrate the Heritage of Real Shetland wool textiles!
Looks like it was a wonderful day and so great to have some a prominent presence for wool!
Thanks, Ella. It was almost as good as being there to see your pictures. The shawl was spectacular…do you know which wool was used? Thanks.
That lace shawl is amazing, and the colorwork entries are beautiful. Will you publish the winners’ patterns, perhaps? Especially now that everyone on Ravelry has knit Baable?
Thanks for all the photos from the Voe show ….I especially liked seeing all the pictures of the Colourbox competition. All the knitting is outstanding!
Wow, how lovely. I wish I were in Shetland again—-next time I’ll surely have to come to a fair such as Voe. The lace winning shawl is spectacular! And the winning jumper is indeed a grand success using all those colors and then using a lace pattern as well. I so hope that there will be a next time…
Very cool! loved the Oranges that kept turning up!