When knitting enthusiasts encounter the tutorials and products of Aleks Byrd, oftentimes it’s their first exposure to something Estonian. This is both a great opportunity and a bit of pressure! Through her latest book and many in-person workshops, Aleks is teaching fans from all over about traditional Estonian knitting techniques, infused with a modern design approach.
In this episode of EstoCast, Aleks Byrd shares with us:
🧶 the importance of knitting as an artform
🧶 how she grew her passion for knitting into a successful business that shares Estonian traditions with the whole world
🧶 the ways in which illustration impacts her designs
🧶 why wool is such an ideal material
🧶 how local knitting traditions have been preserved in Estonia
🧶 what a väliseesti (diaspora Estonian) knitting pattern might look like
🧶 ...and much more!
Key things mentioned in this episode:
- Places you can find Aleks’ book Traditions Revisited: Modern Estonian Knits: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/traditions-revisited-modern-estonian-knits
-Knitting tutorials by Aleks: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/tutorials
-Events from Aleks’ book tour and beyond, including knitting workshops for Vogue Knitting: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/classes-events
-Eweknit, the Toronto store where Aleks’ book can be found: https://eweknit.co/
- Roosimine, a knitting inlay technique: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/blog/2019/6/2/roosimine
-Laine Publishing, the Finnish company that publishes Aleks’ books: https://lainepublishing.com/
- Knitting needle sizes: https://knittingknowledge.com/knitting-guides/knitting-needle-sizes/
-The creation of Kihnu troi (wool sweater) by master artisan Elly Karjam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bK3THnLO0E&ab_channel=EestiK%C3%A4sit%C3%B6%C3%B6
-Aleks’ Seli sweater pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seli-sweater
-Tõstamaa, one of the places in Estonia that has inspired Aleks’ designs: https://www.facebook.com/visittostamaa/
-Bath, England; where Aleks’ studied and currently lives: https://www.britannica.com/place/Bath-England
-Different types of British sheep: https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/mammals/native-british-sheep-breeds-and-how-to-recognise-them/
-Varieties of sheep found in Estonia: https://wellwoventales.home.blog/2019/08/02/native-sheep-of-estonia/
-A hat pattern from Alek’s site. https://www.aleks-byrd.com/patterns/elupuu
Socials:
➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca
➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events