Result for socks knitted in 4-ply knitting yarn from Rauma

It was in October last year that I wrote on my blog about a pair of socks knitted with the 4-ply knitting yarn from Rauma made of 100% wool from the Spelsau sheep. I have been using the socks on a daily basis since then. Indoors at home and at work, and outdoors in my winter shoes. I am rather amazed at the result. I did not think that the wool would last this long. This week the heel showed a small hole. The fabric was also a lot thinner at some places under the foot.

But, as I said, I have used them on a daily basis for more than four months. I think that the result is very good. There will be more socks knitted with this yarn now that I know that it is strong. I used thinner needles than was recommended. I wanted a denser fabric in my finished socks since I think that makes them a bit stronger.

Wrist-warmers with an Estonian touch

These are a pair of wristlets/wrist-warmers  that I made using a traditional technique often seen on Estonian mittens. The result looks like entrelac, but it is not. It is very easy (and fun) to knit. You need yarn in two colours. You only use one colour at a time. You change colour every fourth row.  All you have to do is to repeat *k2, yo, k2, k2tog*  and after 10-12 rows you will see you work starting to "spiral" and the the entrelac effect will be clearly visible. The finished fabric is very stretchy and well suited for wrist-warmers or cuffs.

Spinning BFL for twined knitting

Spinning yarn. It was a long time since I did that ... But I have now spun a yarn for twined knitting from Blue Faced Leicester. I used my Majacraft Little Gem wheel both for spinning (in S) and plying (in Z). I think that Little Gem is excellent for spinning yarn of this kind, but rather weak for plying. Next time I will use my Louet for plying.

Two natural shades, spun separately and then plied together. The contrasts turned out a little more pronounced than I had hoped for ... a total of 190 grams. I enjoy spinning, but there is no doubt that the result will be better if I do it on a more regular basis. More than two years since I spun my previous yarn.

Elongated Baktus in Grey and Blue

More Baktus-knitting. This, I think, is the last one this year. This time I wanted a Baktus with the same length as the other ones, but at the same time a smaller size. So, instead of making the increases and decreases every fourth row I made them every sixth row. This worked really well and I ended up with a shape that was what I wanted.

I used a total of 210 grams of 2-ply wool. Measurements are 236 x 31 centimetres
(94 x 12 inches).

Books on Latvian Knitting and textile traditions - part 3

"Latviešu Jostas"/ "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands" by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis

The book "Latviešu Jostas" (in English "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands") by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis is a fantastic book. It is in Latvian and English (English text by Vila Abele Wurstner). Published in 1982.

"Latviešu Jostas"/ "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands" by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis

"The patterns in this collection are only a part of the cultural wealth that Latvians can be proud of. It is hoped that this will enrich the next generations and others interested in continuing the Latvian ethnic heritage"

"Latviešu Jostas"/ "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands" by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis

- General requirements for weaving Latvian sashes, belts and bands (materials, tools and patterns)
- Braided and interlinked belts
- Striped and flowered belts
- Patterned belts and sashes
- Finishing
- Decorative belt weavings

"Latviešu Jostas"/ "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands" by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis

"It is vital for the serious craftsperson who wishes to reproduce an authentic sash, belt or band to adhere to the three principal characteristics identifying a Latvian textile. These color plates show the proper and distinctive coclor compositions in conjunction with the correct yarn weights. Most of them are actual size photographs of reproductions of the ethnographically correct designs. Except for plate 1, complete pattern drafts for all of these belts can be found in the pattern section of the text (...)"
There are LOTS of patterns in this book. If you are not a weaver you will still be able to use them or be inspired by the patterns when knitting.

"Latviešu Jostas"/ "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands" by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis

The book is 400+ pages. Charted patterns on page 162-392. It is simply amazing! If you ever get the chance to buy this book, don´t hesitate!

Maruta Grasmane:  "Laviešu Tautas Tērpi - Raksti - Izšūšana"

The book "Laviešu Tautas Tērpi - Raksti - Izšūšana" by Maruta Grasmane is all about traditional Latvian costumes, traditions and techniques. Texts only in Latvian (except for a Preface by editor Anna Šmite in English). My copy is from 2013, but I think that there is an earlier edition in 2000 as well.

Maruta Grasmane:  "Laviešu Tautas Tērpi - Raksti - Izšūšana"

"The author Maruta Grasmane has utilized her extensive experience in needlework and pedagogy to create a valuable source of information. Several books about Latvian folk costumes have been published before. The current work aims to present the splendour of the folk costumes from all 19 ethnographic regions of Latvia, and also to serve as  a practical handbook. The author´s goal has been to provide the reader with an opportunity to refer to the pages corresponding to the folk costumes of a given region, and to obtain the required information".

Maruta Grasmane:  "Laviešu Tautas Tērpi - Raksti - Izšūšana"