Fair Isle with Marie

Marie’s knitting holidays offer you a unique opportunity to visit Fair Isle and get a feel for the extraordinary life people live there as well as learn something of the craft of Fair Isle knitting at its source. During your time with Marie you can explore Fair Isle patterns and techniques, looking at the yarns used, testing out different colour combinations and trying your hand at the flat-bed machine to produce your own piece of knitwear. During your stay at this lovely croft house, you will hone your knitting skills whilst enjoying good home-cooking, amazing views and relaxing into a rare kind of peace only found in dreams.

There is ample potential for keen knitters to do research, the house has a small library of books stocked with volumes on textiles, colour, knitting techniques and the history of the island. Local people are a great source of knowledge and your accommodation with Marie is located next to the Fair Isle museum which holds many artefacts and stories detailing the long-standing connection the islanders have with knitting.

This is a holiday like no other and Marie likes to get to know you a little before you arrive, they usually schedule a video call to discuss your expectations and options, so they can tailor a holiday that really fits your needs. With a maximum of 2 guests staying per week, you will have your hosts full attention and care. No two holidays are the same, Marie will customise your experience based on what you would like to get from your days with us on Fair Isle. There will also be opportunities to share a morning or afternoon with another specialist on the island, personalised to your interests.

Whatever the level of your ability and experience, a week at Taft will help you to delve into the design process and you will be able to produce some Fair Isle knitwear of your own to take home with you. Whilst basic hand-knitting skills are an advantage, no pre-existing experience of machine knitting is required.

You will stay in a traditional croft house. ‘Taft’ is located to the south of the island, with glorious views of the sea (a 10-minute walk away). The house was recently renovated and inside you’ll find a stylish, warm, uncluttered space with all the comforts of modern life. Meals are relaxed and communal, homemade meals eaten around the kitchen table and cups of tea can be taken by the fire. Allergies and special dietary requirements can be catered for but due to the remoteness of the location, some advance notice is necessary.

There is one bedroom for guests with 2 beds which can be configured as a double or singles. The bathroom is shared. Bookings are open to friends and partners but also people booking singly who are happy to take the opportunity of meeting a new knitting friend! Accommodation is all on the ground floor but there is no specific adaptation for those of limited mobility.

Marie Bruhat produces authentic Fair Isle knitwear using the traditional techniques of Fair Isle knitting, she has created a distinctive knitwear collection Lea x Sea, now available to buy online.

Her work embraces the authentic style of Fair Isle but with a modern twist. Each piece is individually handcrafted. Choose from Marie’s range of pieces or commission a bespoke garment, unique to you.