2026 Shetland Wool Week Hat - Birsie Beanny
| Availability: | In stock (19) |
The official 2026 Shetland Wool Week knitting pattern, the ‘Birsie Beanny’ has been exclusively designed by Helen Robertson as the SWW Patron for 2026.
The patterns within the Birsie Beanny design echo different strands of Helen’s work – from her signature silver knitted tiaras to traditional Shetland lace motifs such as Liss Hols, once used by her Unst granny in her christening shawl. A heart motif from her Mariner’s Compass hat sits alongside a crown inspired by her lace tree of life designs. The slouchy shape of the hat was inspired by the style work in Stanley Cursiter’s portrait ‘The Fair Isle Jumper’ (1923).
Adding a playful touch are the optional toosks, inspired by the tassels on the Gunnister Man’s purse – an important historic local find – and the look of Shetland’s traditional taatit rugs. The toosks give the hat texture and personality; they are also what inspired its name, birsie means ‘hairy’ in Shetland dialect.
The Birsie Beanny was designed and is presented in four distinct colourways using yarn from four distinct Shetland Wool Companies, each reflecting Helen’s interests and inspirations. Our kit is the Sea Anemone version, drawing on the vivid colors of marine life.
To make the other versions using Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift, use the following colors:
Heddery Hills version reflects the shifting colors of Shetland’s landscape throughout the seasons. Celtic (790) - 2 balls, Sorbet (570) - 2 balls, Mimosa (400) - 1 ball, Lemon (350) - 1 ball.
Nostalgia looks back to a peerie gansey Helen wore as a child, threading memory and tradition through the design. Shetland Black (101) - 2 balls, Sholmit (103) - 2 balls, Natural White (104) - 1 ball, Mogit (107) - 1 ball.
Funky celebrates the bold and joyful palette available in Shetland yarns. 1 ball each of Dusk (165), Coral (540), Port Wine (134), Pumpkin (470), Peat (198), Splash (757).