Swatching - twined knitting meets "Føroysk bindingarmynstur"

I had some ideas of using patterns from the book "Føroysk bindingarmynstur" for a project in twined knitting. There are lots of stitch patterns in this book that should work fine in mittens or caps. I just have to "get a feel" of how they present themselves in twined knitting, if they are fun to knit, if the result is satisfying and so on ... The true answer will be seen when the swatch is washed and dry.

I chose to knit the swatch in brown and white to get good contrasts. I am not sure that I will use this colour combination in coming projects.

It is nice to do some twined knitting again after shawl and socks.

Bertha Lace Shawl in Jeaba Blue and lifelines

In September we visited Liisa for a day of dyeing yarn with Jeaba. I dyed my yarn blue and decided that I would knit a shawl with it.

I don´t knit lace very often, but I think that it gives nice variation from knitting mittens and socks. I also enjoy the blocking process, since it is very special to see the transformation from that rather messy knitted fabric into the lace shawl´s distinct patterns.

The Bertha Lace Shawl is a pattern from Evelyn Clark. I am very fond of her patterns since I find the instructions easy to understand. Her charts are clear, and there are written instructions for those who prefer that. I prefer knitting lace from charts, I find them very helpful since they are so visual and they give the possibility to relate to previous rows in an easy way. In written lace patterns I often lose track of where in the pattern I am.

I knitted this shawl on  Addi Lace circular needles 4,00 mm, and used 220 grams of my 2-ply yarn. I still have about 180 grams left - will have to think about what to do with that ....

Lifelines: I also recommend  lifelines when knitting lace. It saves hours if something goes wrong and you have to frogg/rip back your knitting. Above you can see the lifeline placed on the previous row. Place your lifeline depending on the complexity of the lace pattern. I often use a nylon thread (the same kind that are used for holding stitches when knitting on a knitting machine), most wool yarns will stick and make trouble when you are to remove the lifelines. I  place a lifeline after the pattern repeats, after checking that everything is right. When placing it you just take a blunt needle for the thread and insert it through the stitches and yarn overs for the entire row. Take care not to wrap it around the needle or insert it through stitch markers. If you have to frogg/rip back your knitting the lifeline will now function as a stopper - holding all your stitches and yarn overs correctly so that all you have to do when picking up the stitches is to let the needle follow the lifeline the entire row. After that you can continue your knitting without having to spend hours trying to re-establish the correct pattern of stitches and yarn overs.

Season for socks

Now is the season for socks. These socks are called "raggsockor" in Swedish and I have knitted them since I was a child. The model is very simple, and you can mix colours and use left-over yarns.

I find it very relaxing to spend evenings knitting these socks. Since the model is very basic you can knit while chatting, listening to music, watching TV and so on, without having to worry about getting distracted.

And they are warm and cozy, too!

Pitsilised koekirjad - A book not often found, and other books on Estonian knitting

I found a copy of this book by pure chance the other day. It is out of print, can´t be found or you have to pay a zilllion to obtain one second hand. I had to pay, but it was a reasonable price. It contains a treasure of Estonian lace patterns:

Now then, talking Estonian lace, if you are a lace fanatic (or just like to see beautiful things) the following two books are highly recommended.

"The Haapsalu Scarf" and "The Haapsalu Shawl" by Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi. These books contain history, techniques, stitches and patterns - I think you need both of them.

I am also very fond the Kihnu Roosi books. "Kihnu Roosi - Kindakirjad" (language: Estonian only) is a fantastic book containing loads and loads of Estonian mittens knitted in black and white, some patterns are charted. "The letters of Kihnu Roosi - My history" (in English) has a broader view on traditional crafts and is 300+ pages of information and pictures regarding Estonian handicraft. "Roosi uses her private collection of handicraft items to speak in a simple and fascinating way about personal biographical facts, the exciting stories and legends of the island, customs related to religion, traditional creative practises, the way of life of the Kihnu people before and after World War II." The book has fantastic pictures but very few patterns.

"Elumõnu" by Ärmä Roosi (in Estonian only) is another fantastic book. It has beautiful pictures of handicrafts and contains a lot of pictures and charted patterns used for mittens and socks. Sadly a lot of the more informative aspects of this book are lost to me since I have no knowledge of the Estonian language.

Elo Lutsepp and Irina Tammis books "Eesti kindakirjad" and "Eesti sokikirjad" are nice books on mittens and socks, unfortunately only in Estonian. But there are lots of charts and pictures so if you apply yourself they are quite useful.

Aino Praakli´s books "Eesti labakindad ilma laande laiali" and "Estonian sock patterns all around the world" . Both books are in Estonian and English. The first book "Eesti labakindad ..." has fantastic charted patterns for decorating mittens in the traditional way. Note that the patterns are not for how to knit mittens. They contain charted motifs/patterns that you use when knitting mittens. So they are useful if you know how to knit socks and mittens and want to pattern them.

"Folk knitting in Estonia" by Nancy Bush is a classic and still easily available. It has history, traditions, techniques and patterns. A very good book to start with if you want to learn about Estonian knitting.
"Warme Handen - Estlandse wanten en polswarmers" (Warm hands - Estonian mittens and wrist warmers) by Carla Meijsen and Hilly van der Sluis is a book on Estonian mittens containing instructions, techniques and designs for thirteen mittens and wrist warmers in the Estonian tradition. This is also a very good book.

"Designs and patterns from Muhu Island -A needlework tradition from Estonia" by Anu Kabur, Anu Pink and Mai Meriste. 380+ pages of sheer beauty! "Muhu is a small island in the small republic of Estonia. Muhu handicraft has an unpredictable boldness in using colours and patterns" The book contains knitting, embroidery and crochet.

The book shows socks, mittens, caps, jackets, shirts, bridal aprons, ribbons and belts amongst many other items. Lots of charts. Highly recommended.

Finally "Ornamented journey" by Kristi Jõeste and Kristiina Ehin. This is a really good read about Estonian gloves. The book is about knitting gloves, personal texts and memories, folklore and old songs. No charts or patterns for mittens. Good photos of historical and modern knitted mittens. Very inspirational!

One more post about books on Estonian knitting:
Books on Estonian knitting and textile traditions

Wood and olive oil

Today is a rainy, cold October Sunday. I was knitting a shawl, made a mistake and had to do some frogging. When I was winding the yarn back into a ball I noticed that my "nystpinne" needed some attention.

About once a year I give my wooden "tools" a generous rub with olive oil. By tools I mean my nystpinnar and needles for nalbinding.

It is a swift process: rub on some olive oil. Leave for a couple of hours. Rub off any excess oil with a paper towel or a cloth, and you´re done.