This hat celebrates the links between Shetland and New Zealand. The Shetland Society of Wellington had it's centenary in 2022. In Wellington, Shetlanders were mostly fishermen and many lived in Island Bay. Shetland maintains a strong craft tradition, particularly focussed on wool and knitting which was a significant contributor to Shetland incomes, especially in the 19th century.
These days Shetland hosts an annual Wool Week celebrating Shetland craft. For each Shetland Wool Week a new hat knitting pattern is issued to celebrate that year's festival. My design for our centennial linked to that tradition. It was made and worn by many of our members. The design links Shetland and New Zealand. It has the sea with whitecaps - common to both, the rocks and peat of Shetland, the ferns and green of New Zealand bush, then common to both, the sky with clouds or stars.