Scenic view of a rural landscape with houses on a grassy hillside in Shetland.

Knitting patterns with Shetland roots

I’m Gudrun Johnston, a designer born in Shetland and now living in the U.S. My patterns are inspired by Shetland’s traditions and written with clear, friendly instructions.

HERITAGE

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CONNECTION

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ACCESSIBILITY

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Gudrun Johnston as a toddler being held by her father, who has his other arm wrapped around her mother. They stand in front of a stone house in Shetland.

Gudrun Johnston as a baby, wearing a colorful striped hat and sweater sitting on rocks outdoors.

Where I come from

I was born in Shetland but mostly grew up in mainland Scotland. Later in life my parents returned to the islands, and I spent longer and longer stretches back there. That time allowed me to explore the knitwear heritage that is intrinsic to this part of the world. It also meant a reconnection to my mum’s own work as a knitwear designer.

Watch the story behind my mum’s knitwear designs.

Knitted fabric with a Shetland shell lace pattern and colorful Jamieson's of Shetland yarn on a textured surface

Gudrun Johnston sitting on a wooden bench against a stone wall by the sea in Shetland. She holds her knitting and has a cup of coffee next to her.

How knitting found me again

I learned to knit as a child, then set it aside for years. When my daughter lost a beloved blanket, I decided to try my hand at knitting her a replacement. That small act re-opened the door to all sorts of inspiration and curiosity.

I began knitting constantly, sharing online, and soon discovered the global knitting community. What started as blogging and experiments slowly became full-time work. I was fortunate that the timing of all this coincided with my parents return to Shetland.

The Shetland Trader

The name began with my mum, who used it for her own Shetland-inspired knitwear business in the 1970s. I kept it to honor her and the islands that shaped us.

Gudrun Johnston's mom wearing a patterned sweater, featuring a Shetland shell lace pattern.

Black and white photo of a Gudrun Johnston's mom holding a newborn Gudrun indoors.

Black and white image of a model wearing a short knitted dress with colorwork details standing against a stone wall.

Vintage-style black and white photo of a woman wearing a Shetland shell lace sweater.

Today, The Shetland Trader is how I share patterns, stories, and connections that tie back to Shetland while moving forward in fresh ways. It is a thread that links my family, my heritage, and every knitter who picks up one of my designs.

Learn More about our history on YouTube

Book titled 'The Shetland Trader' by Gudrun Johnston with a scenic view of the Shetland sea and islands through a window.

With the right support, most knitters can make what they love.

How I write patterns

I do not rate patterns by difficulty. My patterns are detailed and straightforward. I explain choices, link to videos where helpful, and aim to remove guesswork so you can knit with confidence. They are written to be accessible and size-inclusive.

Shop Patterns