“Ancient Symbolism in Contemporary Patterning” with Merike Saarniit
Trained as an anthropologist, artist, and historian, Estonian American Merike Saarniit is also a hand dyer of beautiful yarns and a passionate knitter. She teaches workshops internationally on Estonian stitches and patterning.
As Merike has explored Estonian knitting, she has also been developing a logical and fascinating theory of the origins of the rich and diverse patterning of Estonian arts and crafts, found not only in knitting, but woven sashes, woodwork, and metalwork. In April, she will share her discoveries with us.
As Merike says, anyone who has ever taken a knitting--or weaving, or any--pattern and changed it to make it their “own” can relate to this. Anyone who has never done so will, hopefully, be inspired to do so with their next project!
Merike will also share some really really old Estonian folk songs that have been traced back over a thousand years - sung a capella by some old grannies (on CD).
What are the colors you love? Learn how to combine them and choose accent colors successfully. Then learn how to paint your yarns in a no-mess, low-stress, highly gratifying method. The stitches explored are ideally suited for hand painted yarns and your swatches will turn into beautiful hats, which you will design to be as elegant or funky as you (or your colorway!) desires. The design utilizes the stitches you¹ll learn as well as a great two-needle no-gauge method for the crown, worked on circulars.
What knitter doesn’t have odd lots of yarns leftover from one project or another (including yarns purchased on impulse and never used!)? Bring some or all and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
What knitter doesn’t have odd lots of yarns leftover from one project or another (including yarns purchased on impulse and never used!)? Bring some or all and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
Imagine discovering several unusual cast-ons that can morph into a decorative edge which becomes part of an intricate border pattern that can include stitches that travel, bobble, braid, and otherwise delight the fingers and the eyes. We’ll explore many border options before knitting one of the dramatic stranded patterns for what is considered the official sweater of Estonia: the Kihnu Troi. Then we’ll see how to apply our stitches and develop a personal pattern for a miniature sweater (with a bear attached, if desired), hat, socks, or mittens.
What knitter doesn’t have odd lots of yarns leftover from one project or another (including yarns purchased on impulse and never used!)? Bring some or all and see how painting coordinated colors, over-dyeing, and stitch pattern selection can turn your odd-lot stash into an inspiring collection of yarns ready to knit into a vest, hat, scarf, afghan, or your own unique project.
