Shetland Wool Week Printed Pattern 2025

Aal Ower Toorie

The Aal Ower Toorie, designed by Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters Weavers and Dyers member Rachel Hunter, takes inspiration from Chris Morphet’s ‘Allover’ exhibition, which ran from September 2024 to February 2025 at the Shetland Museum and Archives.

Morphet’s photographs from 1970s Shetland clearly depict the strong design and vibrant colours of vintage Fair Isle knitwear, the essence of which the Guild wanted to capture. Building on the allover theme they have replicated a 1930s pattern from the Guild’s publication, A Shetlander's Fair Isle Graph Book, as the basis for the toorie.

The design is based on a diamond grid, making it a continuous allover design – horizontally, vertically and diagonally. The name ‘Aal Ower Toorie’, not only signifies that it is based on an allover design, but is also a tribute to Guild members, who reside “aal ower” Shetland!