Our modern Fair Isle jumper, the Shetland Smookie is a hybrid of two classic garments: the fisherman’s smock and the Fair Isle sweater.
They say design what you love...well, I simply love smocks! This is my interpretation in knit of the canvas smock, worn by generations of seafarers, artists, and Sunday potterers.
Design
A really wearable sweater, with special Nielanell details: a stand-up neck and inset storm cuffs. Because the fabric is double-sided, some of our customers wear these seams-out!
Pattern & colour
The all-over pattern on the jumper is inspired by the colourwork traditions of Fair Isle, Shetland, and Nordic knitting. We make Smookie Fair Isle jumpers in very small edition colourways: once sold out they're unlikely to be available again.
Materials & manufacture
- 100% premium lambswool
- Reverse jacquard (double-sided fabric for extra-snuggliness)
- Made in the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Smookies are a very local production, being knitted in Hoswick by Laurence Odie Knitwear—just a few buildings down from the Nielanell studio.
Sizing & fit
One size
- A (underarm-underarm): 56cm
- B (back length): 60cm
- C (sleeve length): 55cm including cuff
On smaller figures the Smookie is a wee bit more tunic-like.
The pattern is ‘all-over’ (like traditional-style Shetland and Fair Isle sweaters), but the gentle trapeze shape of the Smookie gives a flattering fit.
NB measurements are approximate.
What you say
I have worn my Smookie almost every day of the pandemic lockdown. SO COZY! I will need another one just in case I wear this one out.
Customer, 2021
Traditional Fair Isle jumpers and modern Shetland knitting
Inspiration & design process
Like many seafarers, Shetland fishermen wore smocks or ‘smookies’ made from sacking or canvas. I started wondering how that shape would translate into knit.
‘Just a simple smock...’, I said. Of course there’s more to it than that!
I couldn’t have made these without the team at Laurence Odie who are all ultra-talented. Special thanks to Sarah and Tracy, the programmer and linker who helped me with prototyping.
