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Monday, March 26, 2007

Estonian Sock Knitting workshop, part 1

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to participate in our annual knitting guild retreat. We had a really great time. Our workshop leader this time was Nancy Bush, Queen of Estonian Knitting.
On Saturday, we learned how to make an Estonian inspired sock. Usually, the gauge for these socks is a lot smaller than what we were working on (at least 8 sts/in vs. our 6 sts/in). But for the sake of a 6 hour workshop, we worked on Dk weight yarn and size 3 needles.
We started at 10 am, had lunch, dinner, and other munch breaks, and I actually managed to finish my sock at around 8 pm.
Here's a blow by blow of how my sock grew.

Here, you can see the Double Start Cast on, and the braid called Kihnu Vits (a braid from the island of Kihnu):


Next, Roositud patterning or inlay begins on the sides of the sock, and mock cables down the top/instep:


Completion of the Roositud Patterning; what looks like embroidery, is worked in as you go; on the right side of this part of the sock, you can see the 1x1 rib that is worked down the back of the sock.






You can find descriptions of all these techniques in Folk Knitting in Estonia. All charts are (c) Nancy Bush.

My finished sock on my phat leg; the heel is what we now call a Dutch heel. The toe is a Round Toe (please refer to Folk Socks).




Top of the leg/instep shows mock cables. They stop before toe shaping.



Ain't it a beauty? Now I must go off to make the second one....
More about Nancy Bush and her work in a later post.

3 comments:

AlisonH said...

That is a gorgeous sock, and between you and Stephanie aka Yarnharlot, I am going to have to learn how to do that braiding, especially. It's still in the realm of "I don't get it," and we can't have that, now, can we?

Kristine said...

Can you feel the jealousy radiating your way? Oh, don't misunderstand, I'm mostly extremely happy for you that you got to spend a whole day in the radiance of my personal knitwear Goddess, but also yeah, some jealousy. :)

I'm being stronger about the lily of the valley bumps; I'll post about it soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Karin,
I am reading! Sorry to hear about your dad. It is very hard to be away from the action and not knowing what's going on as it is happening. Come visit us soon!
Teri