Fauld Up Da Feddums by Lise Sinclair

Fauld up da feddoms an stow dem awaa
Turn da tide nu til a flaow
Lat da wind clear his ert an da sails fill
My ain hert, du’ll fin
Dy ain coors heem
Hentin da horizon on a white ship’s keel

We’ll screev anidder line o da teil
On dis duy’s page – clean aes sail
Blyde, da blue sky liftin

Fer isna fer
Time shifts aa an nauthin
Laeves wis dew an staurs makkin new
Constellations ida riggin

This poem and Lise's love for life inspired me to embark on a project to bring light to the outer isles of Shetland. Emerging from the Covid pandemic, Shetland Arts had combined with Orkney and the Western Isles to attract money available through Culture Collective for arts projects in the isles. 

I re read Lise's poem and it made me think of the lighthouses blinking at each other across the sea. Although we were separated by sea and covid restrictions it was reassuring to see the steady reliable banks of the lighthouses. 

Shetland is made up of around 100 islands but only 9 inhabited isles with no fixed link to the mainland of Shetland. I decided to travel to them all and deliver my Knit Your Own Lampshade Workshop. I began in Unst, the most northerly isle in the UK and the island I have closest connections with as my Mam is from there and where I spent most childhood summers.

I was delighted with how many folk come and with their warm reception. Evaluation of a project such as this is always a challenge, however after taking my photos of knitters with their finished lamps I realised that this visual record would be perfect. The photos captured the joy of gathering together with neighbours as well as the pride in achievement. 

Note Anna's makkin belt! I was delighted to run the class in the Unst Heritage Centre - a place you must visit if you get to Shetland. Shetland Lace knitting originated in Unst and they host the most amazing examples of early lace as well as contemporary patterns to start you on your lace knitting journey. 

The project funding meant that the project had to run between Dec and the end March - the trickiest time for travel with Shetland due to the prospect of icy roads and high winds leading to cancelled ferries.  I was glad to have complete the Unst leg before Christmas 2021.