Shetland Textile Museum Snippets

Hello everyone, today I thought I’d share some pictures from a quick visit I had a the Shetland Textile Museum last week. Also known as the Bod of Gremista the textile museum is a surprising building tucked into an industrial landscape on the outskirts of Lerwick. It was built in 1780 and since 2015 it has existed in its current form hosting exhibitions and a shop every summer season.

Downstairs there is a room with a large weaving loom and information about weaving and taatit rugs. The history’s of these crafts is Shetland is much less well known that that of knitting but there is a very good book about Taatit Rugs which came out a few years ago to tie in with an exhibition at the big Museum.

Upstairs I really enjoyed the ‘Fae the Laft’ exhibtion – its described on the Museums Facebook page as ‘treasured possessions of local residents, which might have been lying around “I’da laft” (in the attic), or at the back of a cupboard, unseen for some time. Many have an interesting story to them, so do come along and have a look’ There was a folder which told you about each item, this made for a fascinating read and I could have stayed much longer!

In the main room upstairs there was a display of both Fair Isle and Lace knitting, the Museum has a fabulous collection built up over many years and its fascinating to see what they have chosen to display. People also donate items for the exhibitions which really add to them.

Every day the Bod is open they have volunteers knitting, spinning or just available to chat through the items on display. If you are intrigued by knitting belts or Shetland knitting styles I would highly suggest visiting the Textile Museum to see them in action.

You might recognise the beret and scarf in the photo above which were chosen to be featured in the Vintage Shetland Project and named as the Helen Tait pattern. The book features mainly items from the Shetland Museum but this was one of the items from the Textile Museum.

Back downstairs there is also a shop which is filled with all kinds of textile items available for sale. It really has some of the best knitting and you can be guaranteed to find something very unique, knitters from all over Shetland put their items to the shop – many who don’t sell anywhere else!

And then when you come out – this greets you at the other side of the road, what could be better!

The textile museum is open:

Tues-Sat 12pm-5pm
The entrance fee is £3. A season ticket which gives unlimited access to the Museum for the season costs £5.

I hope you enjoyed these photos which offer you a glance into whats on offer at the Shetland Textile Museum. Happy Knitting!