Nielanell - a Shetland treasure trove

I had a friend at Primary school called Sadie. She had corkscrew curls and lived with her mum in a higgledy-piggledy house nestled in a deep valley. The first time I visited her home, Sadie took me up rickety old steps to the attic. She showed me a battered wooden chest with thick leather straps. This ancient kist, when opened, revealed a cornucopia of fancy dress costumes. Overwhelmed with choice, and very excited about my new wardrobe, I couldn't decide what to try on first!

I realised the only thing to do was to wear several outfits at once, stylishly layered of course, and accessorised with tarnished gold necklaces and a wide-brimmed felt hat with an enormous pink bow. We pretended to be other people all afternoon, tottered around in a drunken manor in towering high heels, sipped imaginary tea, put on funny voices and giggled a great deal about nothing in particular.

My visit to Nielanell's studio workshop - specialising in knitted textiles and located in the pretty village of Hoswick - rekindled memories of my time with Sadie. It's been years since I'd thought about Sadie and me.

Nielanell's assistant - V, greeted me and was on hand to help me choose a present. She was brilliant! Together we pulled knitwear out of antique cabinets, capes off vintage mannequins, draped scarves and cardigans on the amber velvet sofa and talked colour and design! V was very happy for me to explore Nielanell's treasure trove and layer jewelled garments to my heart's content. Wonderful.

I found the loveliest pressy for a friend - a poncho (called a crocodile cape) in stunning shades of deep pink and wine rose; perfectly raspberry rippled together. V also showed me an intriguing jacket - it can be worn upside down! Ideal for my trips to New Zealand!

Gorgeous, contemporary, innovative, quirky, confident, ever so slightly cheeky, garments with, described by Nielanell, an 'urban bohemian edge'. Nielanell showcases adaptable artwear with attitude, designed and made in Shetland.

The shop is open from May to September (V told me they will open out of season, if you call ahead). I have my eye on a scarf - richly woven in saturated shades of blue. Another trip to Hoswick is planned in near future!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Nielanell is one of the creatives featured on the newly launched Craft Trail Leaflet (look out for signs as you travel around). Download the leaflet here or pick up from the Visitor Centre, Lerwick (and other outlets). I had a really fun time pressy buying. Many thanks to V for excellent customer service.