July 2026 - Gudrun Johnston
July’s Beanie Brigade is inspired by cool ocean breezes on the hottest of summer days, sun-faded boardwalks, icy cold sweet treats and the timeless beauty of Shetland lace. This month’s featured pattern is the Norie Beanie by Gudrun Johnston, paired with a skein of our BFL Sport SW, a 100% Superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool known for its silky softness, beautiful drape, and exceptional stitch definition. At 287 yards per 100g skein, this DK-weight yarn creates a fabric that feels light and airy while still showcasing every textured detail of our chosen hat design.
The featured colorway, Freeze Pop Summah, is summer nostalgia dyed into wool. Swirling shades of icy aqua, bright turquoise, and poolside blue create a palette that feels refreshing, playful, and endlessly wearable. The tonal shifts move beautifully through the Norie hat patterns delicate lace stitch bands, highlighting the designs subtle texture and effortless slouch. Inspired by traditional Shetland lace but designed with a modern sensibility, the result is a slouchy, effortless beanie that feels timeless while somehow channeling all the best parts of 90s knitwear style. Norie is the perfect blend of classic and contemporary, making it a project you'll enjoy knitting just as much as wearing.
July 2026 Designer: Gudrun Johnston
We are especially excited to feature Gudrun this month! Her work is so deeply rooted in the traditions of Shetland knitting. Throughout her design career, she has drawn inspiration from the landscapes, colors, lace patterns, and knitting heritage of her ancestral home, translating those influences into patterns that feel both classic and contemporary. As you work through the gentle lace repeats of Norie, you are not only knitting a beautiful hat, but also connecting with a rich knitting tradition that continues to inspire makers around the world.
To celebrate this month's feature, we asked Gudrun some questions to learn more about her design process, Shetland heritage, and the story behind the Norie hat design. We hope you enjoy getting to know the designer behind the pattern and find a little inspiration along the way. So pour yourself something cold, find a shady spot, and cast on with us. We think Norie and Freeze Pop Summah are the perfect companions for a summer full of knitting. ✨🩵🧶
Q1. Hi Gudrun! You are amazing! Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into knitwear design?
A1. I was born in Shetland in the 1970s when my mum was designing knitwear (see pic below). I mostly grew up on mainland Scotland and didn’t reconnect to Shetland until my parents retired back there about 25 years ago. This coincided with me starting to get into knitting again (I had learned as a kid but only did it briefly) and then quickly on into designing. Naturally I was keen to explore the knitting traditions from Shetland and from the very beginning of my knitwear design journey I was incorporating aspects of my heritage in my creative process. That has continued throughout the years and Shetland pretty much informs all of my work now. It has also very much become a place I feel that I am from and I try to visit as often as I can.
Q2. The Norie pattern has such a timeless feel. What was the inspiration behind this design, and how did it come to life?
A2. Norie was part of my very first self-published collection. One of the first things I was drawn to exploring in Shetland knitting were the lace traditions. This entire collection uses different Shetland lace patterns in “modern” knitting styles of garments and accessories. I have always loved a slouchy beanie and Norie has plenty of that going on. I didn’t want it to be overly lacey in feel so chose to use a fairly simple Shetland motif in spaced out bands to add a bit of interest and to be accessible to those newer to lace knitting.
Q3. When you're beginning a new design, what usually comes first: the yarn, the stitch pattern, the construction idea, or something else entirely?
A3. It’s always different to be honest! All of these things are jumping off points for inspiration but they all end up informing each other whichever one was the starting point. With all my trips to Shetland it is often a color palette from there that I want to capture and that can be where I begin.
Q4. Growing up with strong ties to Shetland, how has that heritage influenced your approach to knitting and design over the years?
A4. At this stage everything I design is influenced by my connection to Shetland. I have spent so much time there absorbing the colors in the landscape, knitting with Shetland wool and understanding it’s particular attributes, and learning more and more with each visit about the rich knitting heritage.
Q5. What is one knitting tool or notion you simply can't live without?
A5. I actually don’t use a lot of knitting tools but one I am very happy to have is my Nostepinne. This is essentially a wooden stick for hand winding skeins into balls and I find it very calming and therapeutic to do this!
Q6. What does your creative process look like these days? Are you a careful planner, a swatcher, a sketcher, or do you prefer to let the knitting lead the way?
A6. It depends what I’m working on. If I’m creating something for a yarn producer or magazine then it usually starts with sketches and swatches that have come about from a mood board set up by that company. Then of course they set the deadlines! If I’m working on a collection, then things definitely have to be more carefully planned out and a stricter schedule followed. If it’s just a single pattern release, then sometimes those just jump on the needles and demand to be knit more spontaneously! However, there is always swatching that happens first!
Q7. What is one piece of knitting advice you wish every knitter could hear, especially those who may be newer to the craft?
A7. I think the only advice I would give is to not think you aren’t experienced enough to knit something. If the pattern is well written with good instructions and tutorials then I think any level of knitter should go for it! There are so many resources to tap into. But do always swatch!
Q8. Looking ahead, is there anything exciting you're working on that you'd like to share with our Beanie Brigade community?
A8. Yes! I am just wrapping up the final stages of a new book which will be published with Laine in September. This book is very Shetland and color focused with projects that have you play with shades and palettes in lots of different ways. All the garments are vests which I have really been into wearing recently. There are a few accessory patterns too!
Q9. What is your perfect knitting day? Paint us a picture.
A9. I would have a really fun colorwork project on the needles and a bunch of home renovations shows to watch while doing so and there would be a cozy fire going and snow falling outside!
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