Aleks Byrd’s book Traditions Revisted shone a light on Estonian knitting techniques and explored her Estonian heritage through traditional regional knitting styles and embellishments. It introduced knitters worldwide to the joys of stitches like roosimine, nuppud and fringes. These techniques were explored through Aleks distinctive style and she created a range of contemporary garments and accessories. These designs have been much loved and much knitted since the books publication in 2022. But now it is time to get your needles ready again because Aleks new book Kindred Knits is just around the corner.
Kindred Knits: Patterns from My Estonian Family Archive by Aleks Byrd. With this book Aleks has taken her inspiration from the old sketchbooks of her Estonian grandmother, Hilja, and some of her family’s heirloom crafts. It is an homage to previous generations and their shared love of craft.
“Knitting stitches many things together, far beyond the literal loops of yarn. In this book, it has stitched together generations of my family.” This book began with the discovery of craft filled sketchbooks belonging to her grandmother while clearing out her aunts flat in Tallin. Using these sketchbooks as a starting point Aleks incorporated her grandmothers ideas into her modern style.
Inside are 15 patterns covering you from head to toe; socks, hats, jumpers and cardigans. They feature an array of interesting techniques such as lace, cables and colourwork as well as the roosimine the traditional Estonian inlay method.
Let’s take a look at the designs inside and some yarn pairing possibilities from the shelves of Knit With Attitude.
Brackel. This large triangular shawl starts at the centre top and ever increases to form the large wingspan. Knit entirely in moss stitch which gives a pleasing texture and contrast to the roosimine bands that run in intervals across the shawl. The clever use of the roosimine makes the shawl reversible, it looks great from both sides. Knit with a crisp wool 4ply I would go for Pickles Pure Wool. The roosimine parts are worked in a heavier weight yarn but you don’t need much so I would choose two colours of the 50g Socks Yeah DK.
Duvernet. This top down jumper has an all over texture inspired by shingling. Rows of eyelets separate a simple pattern of knits and purls. Worked seamlessly with a drop shoulder shape. It is finished with a spilt hem that is slightly longer at the back. Knit in a worsted weight yarn I would choose Hey Mama Wolf Skadi.
Ilmarine. This jumper has an intriguing use of different fibres as well combining lace in a fun way. It is knit from the top down starting with a lace weight fluffy yarn. You then move to simple stocking stitch in a solid 4ply. For the fluff it has to be Fyberspates Cumulus and then I would pair that with Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply.
Kiri. The simple shape of this top down raglan jumper is heightened by the roosimine details that highlight the construction. They run along the raglan seams and down the sides of the body. The nice thing about roosimine is that it is worked as you knit which creates interest as you are working. It is knit in a worsted weight yarn which has 132m per 50g. That is making me think it is on the lighter side of a worsted so I would be tempted to try this in Pickles Mjuk Merino.
Maret. This stunnning colourwork jumper starts at the top with saddle shoulders. A button opening on the shoulder is a nice detail. The colourwork repeat is worked all over to the hem which features braided bands. The armholes are steeked to make the colourwork knitting of the body flow seamlessly. I would choose a nice grippy wool for this like Hillesvåg Tinde.
Orav Cardigan. This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the bottom and uses steeking. Full of texture the back and fronts feature twisted stitches which give a geometric design. Double moss stitch panels frame the sides and these carry on to the arms. It is knit in a sport weight but the Pickles Pure Wool is on the plump side of a 4ply and being a wool will give grip to the steeks.
Orav hat. This hat takes the Vikkel twisted stitch pattern from the Orav Cardigan and incorporates it into this brim up design. It looks like it will be fun to knit and a great way to test out the Orav texture before embarking on the cardigan. I think this would look great in the new Laine x Novita DK yarn.
Orav Vest. This vest completes the set of designs utilising the Orav stitch pattern. Sets of travelling stitches called Vikkel create the geometric design that reminds Aleks of acorns. Worked seamlessly from the bottom up and steeked for the openings. It is knit in the same yarn as the hat so I would choose Laine x Novita DK again for this.
Pätid slippers. These cosy looking slippers feature a beautiful section of roosimine Estonian inlay. This is a fun way of embellishing the fabric as you knit. They are worked from the toe up and finish with a folded brim. Knit in a DK held with a fluffy lace I would knit this in Socks Yeah DK paired with Fyberspates Cumulus. You need very small quantities for the roosimine so I would stash dive some scraps for that.
Pätid socks. These stunning toe up socks feature an array of different colour roosimine designs. The floral motifs are inspired by Aleks’ grandmother’s sketchbooks. Worked with a gusset and Fleegle Heel which I have not heard of before and looks very neat. For the main body of this sock I would go for Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply and then choose a bunch of the neon Socks Yeah for the roosimine.
Pitsiline. I love the interesting techniques and fibre combinations used in this cardigan. It is knit seamlessly from the top down and the lace panels are worked from the shoulder. They are then sewn down to the body of the cardigan. It’s designed to look like you are wrapped in a shawl. You can have some real fun with colour combinations. The base is done in a DK so I think the solid colours of Pickles Mjuk Merino would be good, then Fyberspates Cumulus for the lace.
Rahvuslik. This cardigan is knit from side to side and in doing so allows the roosimine panels to lie in dramatic vertical bands. By changing the background colour within the roosimine section it gives the allusion of applied ribbons. The sleeves are worked in the round from the body and the rib details are worked last. It’s knit in a worsted weight yarn on 5mm needles. I wonder if the plump Pickles Tjukk would work for this.
Rändaja. This all over colourwork cardigan has a quirky flip in the middle. By changing the main and contrast colours you get a clever inverted motif. The flower motif has a real vintage feel to it which you could play into with your colour choices. The body is knit as one and then steeked for the openings. A grippy yarn like Hillesvåg Sølje would be great.
Täppid hat. This hat utilises the same technique as the Pitsiline cardigan. It is knit from the top towards a folded brim and then the overlaying lace panel is knit back towards the brim. Knit in a combination of a DK and a fluffy lace. I would choose Socks Yeah DK for the main body of the hat and then Fyberspates Cumulus for the fluffy lace.
Täppid mitts. These fingerless mittens match the hat above. The base mitten is worked first and then the lace panel is picked up and attached as you knit it. I would go for exactly the same combo as above. Socks Yeah DK and then Fyberspates Cumulus.
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