From the Shetland Islands, north of mainland Scotland, Jamieson's of Shetland has carried on a tradition of craftsmanship closely tied to local wool for generations. Through Fair Isle knitting, Shetland wool and an exceptionally rich colour palette, the Scottish company has developed an unmistakable identity.
For our first selection at Flâneurs, we have chosen to focus on two styles: a Fair Isle Scarf and a Crewneck Saddle Shoulder Sweater. Two different expressions of Shetland knitwear, available in a wide range of colours.
A history rooted in Shetland
The story of Jamieson's of Shetland begins in the early 1890s in Sandness, on the west coast of the Shetland Islands. Robert Jamieson bought and traded knitwear handmade by islanders, selling it beyond the archipelago.
Over the generations, the family gradually specialised in Shetland wool. During the 1970s, they pursued an ambition that would become a defining part of their story: producing yarn made from 100% Shetland wool. After several years of research, the company's first all-Shetland yarn was produced in 1978.
In 1981, Jamieson's opened its own spinning mill in Sandness. This brought the different stages of wool processing under one roof: preparing and dyeing the fleece, blending colours, carding, spinning, twisting and winding into balls.
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This understanding of the material remains central to the company's identity. To this day, Jamieson's remains a family business specialising in Shetland sheep's wool and the knitwear made from it.
Shetland wool at the heart of Jamieson's
Shetland sheep have lived on the islands for centuries, and their wool is an integral part of the islands' textile history. It is valued for its balance of warmth, lightness and durability, as well as its naturally distinctive texture.
At Jamieson's, this wool is also the foundation of an extensive exploration of colour. The Spindrift yarn range, traditionally used for Fair Isle knitting, comes in a particularly broad palette, opening up countless possibilities for colour combinations and contrasts.
This richness of colour is reflected in the pieces we have selected at Flâneurs.
Fair Isle: a Shetland knitting tradition
No introduction to Jamieson's would be complete without mentioning Fair Isle. This knitting style, traditionally associated with the Shetland Islands, is recognisable by its geometric patterns and multicoloured designs.
The patterns can be particularly intricate, with numerous combinations of shades creating regular, strikingly graphic designs. Jamieson's carries on this tradition, using modern knitting techniques to reproduce these patterns with precision.
Fair Isle is therefore about more than pattern alone: it reflects a distinct Shetland textile tradition in which colour and wool play a central role.
The Fair Isle Scarves
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The Fair Isle Scarf draws on traditional Shetland knitting through a sequence of geometric patterns and colour combinations. Knitted from 100% Shetland wool, it offers an easy way to bring the distinctive character of Fair Isle to an outfit.
We offer it in several colour combinations, each giving the same patterns a different expression.
Discover the Fair Isle scarves
The Crewneck Saddle Shoulder Sweaters
Alongside the graphic patterns of Fair Isle, the Crewneck Saddle Shoulder Sweater offers a more understated approach. This classic 100% Shetland wool sweater is knitted in Scotland using a 3-ply yarn, with saddle shoulder construction that naturally defines the shoulder line.
Its plain design allows the texture of the wool and the depth of the colours to stand out. From natural shades to deeper or brighter tones, we have deliberately chosen a broad palette to offer different takes on this Shetland knitwear classic.
One of Jamieson's distinguishing qualities is its approach to colour. Working with the same material and craftsmanship, a wide palette can completely change the character of a single style.
For this selection, we have chosen a variety of colours ranging from natural, muted shades to deeper, bolder hues.
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Why Jamieson's at Flâneurs?
We chose to stock Jamieson's of Shetland for the close connection between its material, its home and its craftsmanship. The company has worked with Shetland wool for generations and continues to produce its yarns and knitwear on the islands.
Our selection deliberately focuses on two pieces: the Fair Isle Scarf, which highlights pattern and colour, and the more understated, timeless Crewneck Saddle Shoulder Sweater. Two different styles sharing the same material and origins.
Available in a wide range of colours, they offer a chance to explore the different sides of Shetland knitwear while remaining true to the identity of Jamieson's.