Pattern Previews for Kindred Knits

Aleks Byrd’s  Kindred Knits: Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives is a captivating collection of knitwear designs inspired by the old sketchbooks of Aleks’ Estonian grandmother, Hilja, and some of her family’s heirloom crafts. The book features 15 patterns that are innovative and modern, yet rooted in tradition: an homage to previous generations and their shared love of craft.

Kiri

The name Kiri, meaning “pattern” in Estonian, reflects the simple pattern used to embellish this raglan sweater. It came from a hand-drawn chart on a sheet of paper stuck loosely in the pages of Aleks’ grandmother Hilja's sketchbooks. It was most likely drawn as a knit and purl textured stitch pattern that has now been given new life with Roosimine Estonian Inlay. Kiri is knitted seamlessly from the top down, with lines of Roosimine worked along the raglan shaping and on each side of the body.  

Yarn: Gepard Garn Woolia. 

Brackel  

This triangular shawl is inspired by a silky embroidery piece stitched by Aleks’ great-grandmother, Agnes Brackel. The texture of the cloth has been translated into a delicious Seed Stitch with stripes of Roosimine Estonian Inlay. The shawl is knitted flat, beginning with a Garter Stitch Tab. Stitches are increased on either side of Garter Stitch edging and shawl spine until wingspan measurement is achieved.  

Yarns: Rosa Pomar Mondim & WoolDreamers Mota.

Pätid Socks

These socks are inspired by the fanciful sock and slipper patterns that Aleks’ grandmother Hilja collected in her sketchbooks, as well as a pair of baby-size embroidered slippers (“pätid”) that were gifted to Aleks when she was born. This toe-up sock is embellished with Roosimine Estonian Inlay knitting that covers the instep and continues up the front of the leg.  The sock is worked with a gusset and a Fleegle Heel.

Yarns: Crafty Jak’s Boutique The Heartfelt Sock & Koigu KPPPM Demi.

Pätid Slippers

This pattern is a play on its sister pattern, the Pätid Socks. Aleks’ grandmother Hilja collected many clippings of decorated slippers in her sketchbooks, and one that stood out was a certain botanical intarsia slipper with a leafy motif that decorated the instep. This toe-up slipper is embellished with Roosimine Estonian Inlay knitting. The sole is worked in Garter Stitch, and a folded rib cuff finishes the leg of the slipper. 

Yarns: The Grey Sheep Co. Gotland DK, Gepard Garn Kid Seta & The Grey Sheep Co. Stein Fine mini. 

Rahvuslik

The Rahvuslik cardigan blends elements from two stunning vintage cardigans that Aleks found in her grandmother’s sketchbooks. They featured traditional-inspired colourwork patterns that accentuated the fronts and waist. The body of this cardigan is knitted flat working sideways. Each front features a stripe of Roosimine Estonian Inlay worked flat that runs from the shoulder to the base of the body.  The sleeves are knitted in the round from the armhole. A collar, followed by a button and buttohole band, are worked lastly.

Yarns: Koigu Origins Corriedale + Gotland & Koigu Origins Corriedale.

Orav Hat

Orav is a beanie-style hat — or a “toque” if you’re Canadian — knitted from the brim up. It incorporates a Vikkel twisted stitch pattern that Aleks’ grandmother Hilja used on a vest she knit for her husband Harri. This stitch pattern has been paired with some more textured stitches, such as Double Seed Stitch and a twisted stitch plait braid. The hat feels like a heritage knit that could be worn in the woods of Canada or Estonia — Hilja’s two home countries — while looking out for squirrels, which the pattern is named after.

Yarn: Les Garçons British DK.

Orav Vest

Aleks’ grandfather Harri was known to be fond of wearing vests — in particular, a vest knit by his wife Hilja, using a Vikkel twisted travelling stitch pattern that reminded Aleks of acorns. This vest is a modern recreation of the original vest, which Aleks’ mother has lovingly saved. It features the same gorgeous acorn-like stitch pattern that has been framed with interspersed sections of Double Seed Stitch and twisted stitch plaits for added texture. The vest is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up using steeking. 

Yarn: Les Garçons British DK.

Orav Cardigan 

The Orav Cardigan is inspired by Aleks’ grandfathers — one from Estonia and one from the USA. As a heritage grandfather-style cardigan, it is a tribute to the two special men in her life. This textured cardigan is knitted seamlessly in the round from the bottom up using steeking. The body is worked in three textured stitch patterns: there is a panel of Double Seed Stitch on each side, and the front and back are worked in two twisted stitch patterns.  The sleeves are also worked in a Double Seed Stitch.

Yarn: John Arbon Textiles Yarnadelic Sport. 

Duvernet  

This sweater is named after Duvernet Avenue: the street Aleks’ mom grew up on in Toronto, Canada. Their house had shingling on the outside in varying warm brown tones that created a textured pattern — much like the fabric of the Duvernet sweater. This drop-shoulder sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down, with an all-over textured pattern combining basketweave with lines of eyelet lace.  

Yarn: John Arbon Textiles Yarnadelic Worsted.

Rändaja

The Rändaja cardigan was inspired by a photo of a gorgeous floral colourblock sweater found in Aleks’ grandmother’s sketchbooks. The flower motif had a folk-like feel, but what really caught Aleks’ eye was the colourblocking used within the stranded colourwork. It made it cool and a bit more modern for a design from the 1930s. Rändaja is a steeked  colourwork cardigan worked seamlessly from the bottom up. The four colour block panels are achieved by inverting the colours used in the colourwork pattern

Yarn: Magpie Fibers Quartet Fingering.

Maret

This sweater is named after Aleks’ great-aunt Maret, and it was inspired by a sweater likely knitted for Maret by her mother, Agnes. The original sweater featured a sewn-in zipper at the shoulder, which has been translated into a button opening on this simplified and modern mock turtleneck sweater. Maret is an all-over colourwork sweater featuring knitted braids on the hem. The sweater is knitted seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the neck and saddle shoulders. Steeks are placed to create openings for the sleeves. 

Yarn: Tukuwool DK.

Täppid Hat

This spotty lace hat is named Täppid, meaning ‘dots’ in Estonian. The lace pattern is one of many thoughtfully pasted in Aleks’ grandmother’s sketchbooks. Aleks has revisited this spotted pattern with a modern twist by overlaying the lace onto a Stockinette hat. The hat is knitted first using a DK-weight yarn from the crown down to the brim. The rib brim is joined to the body to create a folded brim.  After that, a layer of lace is knitted from the brim to the crown. 

Yarns: Sonder Yarn Co. Sunday Morning DK & Sonder Yarn Co. Halo.

Täppid Mitts 

The Täppid Mitts are the sister pattern to the Täppid Hat. Lace isn’t typically used for this type of accessory, but Aleks loved the idea of blending lace with a winter staple. It brings another modern use to a classic lace stitch that both she and her grandmother Hilja loved. The mitts are knitted first using a DK-weight yarn from cuff to top. A lace panel in lace-weight yarn is knitted flat and attached to each side of the mitt while knitting.

Yarns: Sonder Yarn Co. Sunday Morning DK & Sonder Yarn Co. Halo.

Ilmarine   

The lace stitch pattern of the Ilmarine sweater was found in one of Aleks’ grandmother Hilja’s sketchbooks, and the sweater was named after the area in Tallinn where Hilja grew up. Ilmarine is located right on the coast with a fabulous fish market nearby — the lace also reminded Aleks of fishing nets! The sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down with a lace section on top. The lace is worked in a lace-weight yarn and the rest of the sweater in a fingering-weight yarn.

Yarns: Säie Wool Silk Mohair &  Säie Wool Merino Sock.

Pitsiline  

Aleks’ grandmother Hilja loved lace and knitting lace shawls, and this pattern is inspired by the idea of wrapping a lace shawl around your shoulders — the name Pitsiline means ‘lacy’ in Estonian. The lace pattern is a simple design from Hilja’s sketchbooks. This cropped, cardigan-style jacket features overlay lace panels that evoke the shape of a triangular lace shawl. It is knitted seamlessly from the top down. The lace panels are knitted flat from the shoulders down into a tip and stitched to each front on the loose edges.

Yarns: Isager Jensen & Isager Alpaca 1. 

Learn more:
Aleks Byrd’s  Kindred Knits