An insight to life and crofting on Fair Isle

Rachel Challoner of Barkland Croft gives us an insight to life and crofting on Fair Isle.
Rachel first came to Fair Isle in 2014, when she worked for a season at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory as Assistant Cook, before moving permanently to the isle in 2015. She runs Barkland croft, where she has 65 sheep, and knits and finishes for ‘Fair Isle made in Fair Isle’, one of the knitwear producers on the isle. She is in the process of getting her own wool spun from her pure Shetland sheep, which will hopefully be for sale in 2021.
Now more than ever we need your support. If you have enjoyed this video then please consider making a donation to help support us and the future of Shetland Wool Week.
localgiving.org/charity/shetl...
Thank you
The Shetland Wool Week Team
Shetland Amenity Trust, A Registered Charity
#shetlandwoolweek #shetlandwoolweek2020 #SWW2020 #SWWonline #bringingshetlandwoolweektoyou #shetlandknitting #textileheritage #shetlandheritage #fairisleknitting #hoswickwoolweek #rediscovershetland #knittersofinstagram #fairisleknitwear #fairislefriday #swwfairislefriday

[@soulsway]

Just happened across this lovely glimpse into your island life, Rachel. You, your animals and your world are so beautiful - you all look so fulfilled. Thank you and love from Yorkshire 💚

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

Wow you just put the biggest smile on my face. with all the beautiful sheep and the cat oh my gosh thank you so much for your podcasts I just subscribed and I can’t wait to watch all of them you are stunning amazing beautiful knitter beautiful person such an inspiration thank you beautiful animals.

[@annemarievisagie4581]

Loved this video and wish you happiness and success with your croft, Rachel. ❤

[@Zoe-yy7fg]

I love sheep and I love the nordic culture and landscape. Very nice video and very nice music. Many greetings from Germany 💚.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Hi Everyone. I’m so sorry - I omitted to credit the beautiful music that I used in this video. The tune is ‘Far Away’ and it’s taken from Fridarey’s album ‘Across the Waters’. I hope you like it as much as I do!

[@francesyounson1963]

The music is wonderful. I never get tired of hearing this song.

[@storyguardyarn]

I loved the song and was just going to ask you who it was by.

[@margaretestern1924]

Thank you so much for that information, Rachel! I like it very much!

[@ruth8756]

Yes!!!

[@suebrown436]

This was such a beautiful video Rachel and I am so full of admiration for everything you do - and for tending your lovely sheep so well. Your kitty on the sheep's back at the end was so very touching.

[@itsirkeel]

What a perfect video! Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse into your life. You seem capable of anything you put your mind to! Organist, crofter, knitter, creator... how dear and how fierce it all is. I felt transported. I've also knitted a sweater in a very nearly identical shade of green and with similar chunky cables!

[@barbararadzeviciusbondi4150]

Hello Rachel. So glad you've got your patreon up and running. I was thinking, we should adopt you. Your so hard working and kind to your sheep. Hugs from Sydney Australia.

[@psh4680]

Rachel, I just loved this video; the cat interacting with the sheep is so precious. I am amazed at what all you do and am so grateful that you share it with us.

[@barklandcroft3416]

PS H Thank you ever so much!

[@marybethdimarco3215]

Rachel, I believe your smile says it all. The warmth of love you have for all you’re doing to create such a full, wonderful life under the heavens.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Mary Beth DiMarco That is so very kind of you, Mary, thank you!

[@DanzEnglish]

I wish everyone a great life there.

[@joannfoster9082]

❤I loved everything about this video! Thank you from Washington (state), USA.

[@lizwilliams3711]

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this video. It gives such a sense of what your animals are like and what they mean to you. Thank you so much for sharing❤️

[@barklandcroft3416]

LIZ williams I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Liz, and thank you for your kind words!

[@sharonmayo5578]

Another great film of your life on the Croft. Never tire of seeing your beautiful Island and Sheep. Can't thank you enough Rachel for sharing your life with us and all the amazing effort you put in to do it. God Bless You.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Sharon Mayo Thank you so very much!

[@MrRodgers007]

In many ways this pandemic is bringing so many people closer together. I am a knitter in a tiny Doukhobor town in Saskatchewan Canada. I love to knit and enyoyed your video very much.

[@jacquelinewillson4232]

Rachel- thank you for sharing! Your life is fulfilling and full of beauty.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Jacqueline Willson Thank you so much, Jacqueline!

[@sjain8111]

thanks for introducing your woolly charges, some wearing beautiful knit collars! All the animals though are a pleasure to see and look as happy as possible, keep us posted on the yarns

[@HinterlandIT]

Love how the cat just hangs out with the sheep 😺

[@pandrew3146]

My goodness you are so talented. Loved your video.😊❤

[@Angelwool]

a BEAUTIFUL life!

[@annies8075]

Wow what a busy and very interesting life you lead. Love how your cat interacts with the sheep. Many thanks for a lovely video 💜

[@gonnermleggies4813]

Such adorable sheepies!! I love this video. It makes me happy so see the love you have for your work. Such fulfilling things you do.

[@IThoughtIKnewHowPodcast]

What a lovely glimpse inside your life on Fair Isle, and so good to see Blossom doing so well!

[@barklandcroft3416]

I Thought I Knew How Podcast Thank you so much, Anne! Blossom is such a fighter and has such a big heart - I love her to bits!

[@tootscarlson]

I’ve not seen a spinning wheel painted like that before. It’s really lovely.

[@fenixrizin2354]

Love how you love your animals...you seem a very kind, nice person leading a lovely life many would envy 👍👍🥰

[@rayofcreation3996]

Wow! Thank you.

[@laightnightknits4358]

What a lovely video. Your spinning wheel is so cool and your sheep names are brilliant. What a lovely croft! ☺ It is lovely to get an insight of how you spend your time on Shetland! ☺

[@barklandcroft3416]

Laight Night Knits Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@tklingert]

What an adorable video. Your still photos are stunning. Oh and I loved your green sweater with all those wonderful cables.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Teri Klingert Thank you ever so much! I knitted the sweater last year - it is called ‘Brora’ by Marie Wallin and I just love it!

[@sfelthings]

Absolutely inspiring ❤️❤️❤️

[@erryte]

this makes me happy, you have a beautiful life :)

[@Lynne-G]

What a lovely video .. loved all the names of the sheep and your tour of the croft and the awesome photos at the end. Thank you for sharing

[@barklandcroft3416]

Lynne You’re so welcome, Lynne, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@juliannphillips8695]

What a lovely video tour of your Croft. I visited Shetland a few years ago and left a piece of my heart in those fields. Look forward to hearing about your yarn. Thank you for this video.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Juliann Phillips Thank you so very much! Shetland definitely has that effect on people - it’s an amazing place!

[@aroletefrito]

This is one of the most inspirational videos I saw in time... Shetland is my favourite place in the entire world 😍

[@ruth8756]

Hello Rachel, how awesome is Fair Isle and your animals, beautiful knitting and amazing scenery!!! I am in Cleveland, Ohio, USA but I am originally from Costa Rica in Central America. I am a hand knitter, a newbie weaver. I am starting to knit with two strands of color, really would like to learn to make simple fair isle. It is so beautiful!!!! You do so many great jobs!!! Thank you for that and for sharing about your part of the world. I too love animals!!

[@MsOscara]

Beautiful fleeces!

[@br6480]

Absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

[@clareoreilly9873]

Thank you so much for taking the time out from your very busy life to share your story. I honestly don’t know how you find the time to fit it all in. Take care.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Clare O'Reilly Thank you so much, Clare! There are certainly days when I wish there were a few more hours, but we muddle along and eventually get there!

[@meletcl]

Oh I have just been on a journey to an island far from me with beautiful rugged vistas, and a glimpse into your busy life Rachel. Your love for your flock and other critters is obvious. Thank you for sharing Fair Isle and the magical music. I was surprised that you wore a mask when in church. I thought surely the pandemic hadn't reached your corner of the world but I guess it knows no borders. Best wishes this holiday season and for 2021.

[@manishbouri9966]

I am from kolkata india nice vlog thank you by by

[@Smarrrrrt]

Thank you very much for such a wonderful video!

[@Mindfulnessification]

I love watching this and so appreciate the work you are doing on your Croft! I hope to visit next summer! I am making plans! ❤️🐑❤️

[@jeanlong1400]

That was wonderful! Thank you so much. You seem so happy in your work and life as do your animals. Beautiful to watch 🥰

[@barklandcroft3416]

Jean Long Thank you ever so much!

[@white_clover767]

Rachel, I think I just fell in love with your life. Gives me so much confidence to farm in Fugloy alone while my husband is away. Also pushes me to do more with my time. That childrens book i keep meaning to write needs to get going.

[@earniebernie]

Love this!!!

[@heatherchristie8953]

Thank you for making this film for us! I loved it so much - I love how close you are to your sheep too. x

[@barklandcroft3416]

Heather Christie You’re so welcome! The sheep give me so much happiness!

[@Bobbieliz]

Thank you so much for this video. So lovely.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Barbara Hermsmeyer I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Barbara, thank you!

[@cbsmall19]

Thank you for sharing your life. I love all the hats you wear, both figuratively and in real time ; ) Can’t wait visit Shetland Wool Week next year!

[@barklandcroft3416]

Carol Small Thank you so much, Carol, fingers crossed for SWW 2021!

[@nancys5996]

Why do a lot of sheep have a color painted on their back or I noticed some with a spray painted number. Thank you for the fabulous video and all that you do to keep the traditions alive.

[@ginny8549]

Wonderful video. Looking forward to hearing more about your yarn.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Ginny Thank you so much!

[@noreenkellett3863]

Loved this video, your animals are so sweet and scenery amazing. Seems an idyllic life

[@barklandcroft3416]

Noreen Kellett Thank you so much, Noreen! I think it certainly can look idyllic when the sun shines!

[@noreenkellett3863]

@@barklandcroft3416 Yes I am sure it may very well be less than idyllic when the wind blows cold, but beautiful non the less.

[@knittingdoula]

Anyone else start Googling "homes for sale in shetland" after they watch videos like this? Just me? Cool. :)

[@tess1433]

That was lovely, thank you.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Tess Brady You’re so welcome!

[@marielchan5147]

Thank you for sharing. It's so beautiful!

[@sarahlurie9398]

Very beautiful,thank you

[@barklandcroft3416]

Sarah Lurie You’re so welcome!

[@marilyn1228]

I love that foolish little puddy!

[@jacquelinepirotta]

That was marvelous! Your life looks hard but so interesting - thanks for sharing.

[@barklandcroft3416]

JPknits1 You’re so welcome - thank you!

[@SulphurS16]

I love how sage hayd a fair isle ganzey

[@susanmyrawills]

wow, you are amazing in all you do!

[@barklandcroft3416]

Susan Wills Aw thank you so much!

[@neckozeusa]

Beautiful video...thanks for sharing it with us. Song on the end is magic...who is singing that and what is name of that song?

[@northpole9311]

Nice......

[@stans945]

You do such enjoyable videos.

[@barklandcroft3416]

Thank you so much!

[@Oxford322]

Gorgeous!! Thank you 🙏I never realized how adorable sheep are ! Are the personalities similar to dogs ( meaning do they get attached to humans etc ? ) I’ve never known anyone w sheep so it may seem stupid but I wondered

[@neelamprasad7665]

It’s beautiful and thanks for sharing. Do you sell the finished pieces. I would love to have one.

[@wellwoman4685]

Love Sage

[@barklandcroft3416]

Instagram Wellwoman123 Hehe, me too!

[@theresalee9392]

❤

[@annjenkinson7988]

Rachel is it possible to buy a jumper from your for myself I would be happy to benefit from the history of Shetland and the traditions thank you so much

[@helenramsey9395]

Loving it, thank you for this! Missing Shetland this year and this is consolation 🥰 Your green/pink hat and scarf are beautiful, the colours really suit you, is there a pattern? Or is it one of the Fair Isle made in Fair Isle designs? Thanks

[@barklandcroft3416]

Helen Ramsey Thank you so much, Helen! The green/pink colourway/pattern is one of my own designs. There isn’t a pattern available yet, but I’m hoping to release it in the future!

[@iloveharrold]

Very interesting. Did you line the kep?

[@ambrosiabeacon3107]

Nice video......Do all 65 sheep have names ? and how do you remember them all?

[@iloveharrold]

What is the broken down building in the background?

[@dobspatto4830]

So what is crofting. And can people have a holiday. Or even put a caravan somewhere on your land and pay rent every year for it. I love Scotland. Dobspato Newcastle Upon Tyne England. Thank you.

[@dobspatto4830]

Hi can a person have a short term rental a carvan to lurn crofting. It would be intesting for my two daughters Phoebe and Sophie. And a place to visit on holiday time's. Until one day they become Crofters themselves. How much would it be for a caravan or building to live in in the summer months or even longer. Thank you. Dobspato Newcastle Upon Tyne England.

[@michelinetaylor5174]

Lovely....Really enjoyed watching.Would love to know name of song and singer

[@barklandcroft3416]

Hi Micheline. I could have sworn I’d put the information on one of the slides in the video but think I must have edited it out by mistake! I’ve just added a comment with the details on - so glad you liked it!

[@rehrerrobin6025]

Lovely video, do you need a helpful room mate!

[@jeanmccullough7737]

Did she have rickets which is lack of calcium

[@ambrosiabeacon3107]

Will you knit me a Shetland Woolie ? Name you price ...and make it high !