The school library is a central part of the new school building and has tables and some lovely comfortable chairs. It was decided that after the move the Maakin and Yakkin would take place in the library and this has been a great success. As well as the core group of knitters we now get people, visiting the library for other reasons, coming over to see the knitters and sometimes have a go.   Tanya, the school librarian, is herself a keen knitter and so she can also join in now. We have more staff members who can make it along, including Mandy Phillips who has taken up knitting and is already proving to be a natural. She has nearly completed her first fair isle scarf which is beautiful.

The AHS maakers and yakkers were delighted to welcome Genevieve White along for a visit at lunchtime just before the October holidays and the big move.   Genevieve chatted with some of the girls and revealed that she is trying to learn to knit so she has been invited to join the group any Thursday lunchtime she can manage to come along.  She wrote this lovely article which appeared in the November edition of the Shetland Life.

Our very own Donna Smith launched a new range of Shetland Wool from her own sheep and sheep from surrounding Burra crofts.  She had a stall at the Makers Market on the Saturday of wool week which was very busy.   It was great to see so many AHS maakers coming along and Rhiannon bought a hat kit so we’re looking forward to seeing the finished project soon 🙂

Rhiannon recently finished the fair isle headband she was knitting for her sister.  Freya has had a very constructive time and finished her fair isle phone case before quickly making a lovely cat made from two knitted squares and some clever sewing up.

Shetland Wool Week was as exciting as every this year again.  Unforunately for the Anderson High School Maakin and Yakkin group it came at a very busy time as the school was just about to move into its new building.  Therefore the group couldn’t take part as fully as it did last year however it didn’t stop a few keen members from going along to the hub at night to knit with some of the visitors and other local knitters.  The hoodies caused quite a stir once again, with a few people from America wanting to buy them.

Some of the group also went along to the Maakers Market on Saturday and bought some wool and other knitting related goodies.  Lots of the girls now prouldy wear their Wool Week T Shirts and have their knitting stored safely in their project bags.  Rhiannon couldn’t resist a Langsoond kit and is now busy knitting her cosy Langsoond hat.  Keep knitting Rhiannon – there’s a heavy hail shower on as I type so I think you’re going to need it!

Scotland’s Dementia Awards provides an opportunity for professionals and communities, who are committed to enhancing the health, well being and experience of people with dementia and their families, to have their work recognised and promoted.

There were five categories of awards this year and the Shetland branch of Alzheimer Scotland was nominated for one of them – Most Innovative Partnership. The nomination came about as a result of work they have done with their own knitting group which includes linking up with the AHS Maakin and Yakkin group.

Mrs Simpson and two of AHS’ maakers were invited to attend the ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday 21 September along with members of the local Alzheimer Scotland branch. Due to last minute travel arrangements, cost was going to stop the trip from happening. However Loganair stepped in and offered the lowest possible fare. With funding from the local Alzheimer’s branch and the AHS school fund that made the trip possible.

So on Thursday 21 September, Jayden Grant and Rhannon Taylor flew down to Glasgow, accompanied by Mrs Simpson. As the girls fastened their seatbelts and prepared for take off the pilot came over the tannoy announcing that there were two VIPs aboard. He proceeded to name the girls and told passengers where they were going and why. All the passengers then gave them a round of applause! The flight landed on time and the maakers headed straight for the Marriot Hotel in Glasgow to the awards ceremony which started at 2pm.

The ceremony itself was a very moving, uplifting affair with lots of personal stories and experiences. There were mocktails and canapés and representatives of all ages from all walks of life. The award the Shetland group were nominated for was Most Innovative partnership however it was HMP Shotts who won this category for very impressive work they had done with their prisoners. Everybody agreed that they were the deserved winners and were very proud to be runners up to such a strong initiative.

After the ceremony the girls were treated to a few hours shopping in Buchanan Galleries before having their evening meal and heading back to their hotel. They flew home the next morning and were met by Mr Paul Thomason, ex-Physics teacher who is now a pilot for Logainair. It is suspected he may have had sometime to do with the tannoy on the previous day! After a quick sandwich the girls arrived back at AHS in time for their afternoon classes.

Both pupils agreed they had a brilliant time and that it had really raised their awareness of how Dementia affects people’s lives and the great work being done to improve patients lives. Mrs Simpson said she was very proud of Rhiannon and Jayden who had been great ambassadors for the school. She also added the there had been quite a lot o knitting happening on the trip – even on the plane!

The girls are now busy completing a Shetland Wool Week hat – the Bousta Beannie, in Loganair colours. They will present this to Mr Hinkles of Loganair as a thank you present sometime during Wool Week.

Mrs Simpson and the girls would like to say a huge thank you once again to Loganair, Ann Williamson and Valerie Nicolson for making this trip possible.

Alyssa’s knitting skills will never cease to amaze.  Her latest creation is a beautiful allover with quite a traditional pattern.  However, once again she has put her own spin on it with a very unusual patterned bask and picot edging. We’re going to really miss seeing her new projects on such a regular basis 🙁

For the recent Intercounty one of our knitters decided to make a Shetland headband to help support her team.  Emma Sandison can be seen in the picture below with her super Shetland Headband.

Place your orders here 😉

The Maakin and Yakkin group say a very fond farewell to Alyssa Malcolmson and Emma Eunson who both left school in June.  These are two excellent knitters.  Alyssa has produced two beautiful (prize winning) allovers in her time with the group, along with many other garments.  Emma is also a prolific knitter and could always be seen sitting quietly knitting around the school.  They are both working on beautiful yoked jumpers at the moment, seen in this photo.

We wish them all the best with their future careers and hope very much that they will continue to visit us and take part in our “Tak your Sock” nights.

Rhiannon Taylor’s knitting skills continue to go from strength to strength.  Having finished her iphone cover she cast on a pin cushion on Wednesday 24th April during activities.  By the end of the day on Thursday 25th April she had finished.  Rhiannon picked the colours and pattern herself and completed the whole project with very little help from anybody.  Watch this space to see what her next project will be.