Jenna Kostet’s stunning designs in Knitted Kalevala III have been inspired by different poems in Kalevala and combined with mythology and traditional symbolism. The 18 patterns in this book comprise classic yoke sweaters as well as modern colourwork knits and simpler projects that are suitable for knitters less familiar with colourwork techniques.
Hiiden ruuna tulisuu
Hiiden ruuna tulisuu is a cropped sweater knitted from the bottom up, featuring short raglan sleeves and a colourwork pattern at the hem. If you prefer, you can knit a longer body and sleeves — just make sure to have some extra yarn on hand.
Yarn: Tukuwool Fingering. Sample shown in colourways Mantu (MC) and Sake (CC).
Oravat samoelevat
My idea with the Oravat samoelevat sweater was to use all kinds of pieces of scrap yarn to create a simple yet striking colourwork garment. Inspired by 1930s Depression-era clothing styles, the sweater is tight-fitting. The colourwork motif features squirrels playing.
Yarn: Vuonue Pentti. Sample shown in colourways Poltettu oranssi (C1), Vaalea oliivi (C2), Tummansininen (C3) and Viininpunainen (C4).
Käärmeen synty
Käärmeen synty is a top-down knitted sweater featuring stranded colourwork throughout the entire garment. The hem is worked in two sections with a deep ribbing. If you prefer a more fitted sweater, choose one size smaller than you would normally wear.
Yarn: Tukuwool Fingering. Sample shown in colours Sysi (MC) and Auri (CC).
Pohjolan isäntä
The Pohjolan isäntä socks feature a colourwork motif imitating traditional folk embroidery patterns, with small cables in the ribbing adding a finishing touch. The colourwork pattern could also be knitted using several different colours.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Sisu. Sample shown in colourways Brown 3880 (MC) and Red 4228 (CC).
Myrsky
Myrsky is a top-down raglan-sleeved sweater featuring simple colourwork and textured knitting. The sleeves are meant to be generously long.
Yarn: Isager Jensen. Sample shown in colours 101 (MC) and 81 (CC).
Tiera
The yoke features an intricate snowflake pattern influenced by traditional Scandinavian knitwear motifs. The high collar will keep you warm in the winter, and while you wait for spring to arrive, you can wear it and recite the origin words of frost to try to protect your seedlings from cold spells.
Yarn: Vuonue Usko. Sample shown in colourways Vaaleanharmaa (C1) and Ruoste (C2).
Sisar
Sisar is a soft and dreamy sweater knitted from Finnish wool and adorned by a colourwork yoke and details in the cuffs, body and hem.
Yarn: Jalovilla Vuona. Sample shown in colourways Luumu (MC) and Olki (CC).
Soitellen sotahan
Inspired by Kullervo’s story, this vest is like a piece of armour that you can put on when you want to feel brave and confident. The colourwork pattern in the hem and the asymmetrical cables are real eyecatchers, and the garment is also a quick knit thanks to the thick yarn.
Yarn: Rauma Garn Vams. Sample shown in colours Reinlav Melert 306 (MC), Mosegron Melert 406 (CC1), and Myr Melert 307 (CC2).
Väinämöinen
Väinämöinen is a bottom-up sweater featuring colourwork on the body and sleeves. The sweater is well suited for both men and women. You can knit it either as a relaxed fit or a more fitted version, depending on the size you choose.
Yarn: Idän kehräämön Strösseli eko-tweed. Sample shown in colourways Musta (MC) and Vaalea (CC).
Hauki
In the unisex Hauki sweater, colourwork fishes swim up and down across the whole garment. You could use scrap yarn to create them, or you could make it playful and keep changing the background colour as you go.
Yarn: Tukuwool DK. Sample shown in colourways Manna (MC) and Blue Hour (CC).
Väinämöisen soitto
Väinämöisen soitto socks are started from the cuff, and the entire sock is decorated with stranded colourwork. The heel flap is worked in a reinforced stitch pattern, and the toe is shaped with a wedge decrease. The sample socks are knitted using three colours, but you can also incorporate leftover yarns from your stash into the colourwork.
Yarn: Aara Aatos. Sample shown in colourways Puolukka (C1), Koru (C2) and Latvus (C3).
Taistelu Sammosta
Taistelu Sammosta sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. The sweater features loose 3/4-length raglan sleeves and a large, striking stranded colourwork motif at the hem.
Yarn: Kehrätär Lieko. Sample shown in colours Light Turquoise (MC) and Plum (CC).
Kave
The yoke of the Kave sweater features a healer woman’s assortment of curative herbs. The pattern is knitted using a combination of alpaca and silk-mohair yarns, which gives the finished garment an ethereal look.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Alpakka Ull and Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka and Lang Lace held together as the contrast colour. Sample shown in colourways Grey 1053 (MC), Dark Green 8581 (CC) and Green 16 (CC).
Mieli käyä metsolassa
Mieli käyä metsolassa is a top-down knitted sweater with long, loose sleeves, a short body, and a stranded colourwork yoke. You can also knit a longer body but make sure to reserve more yarn. The sweater is knitted using a combination of fingering-weight yarn and silk mohair.
Yarn: Vuonue Wilhelmi in colourways Tumma Eucalyptus (MC) and Maitokahvi (CC) and Lang Lace in colourways Dark Green 98 (MC) and Light Grey 23 (CC). The yarns are held together while knitting.
Tulen vihat mittens and socks
The colourwork motif in the Tulen vihat socks and mittens represents flames or sparks. It’s a good idea to select colours that have a strong contrast. The pattern is also ideal for using up scrap yarn.
Yarn: Vuonue Tarmo. Shown in colours Pinkki (C1) and Tumma vihreä (C2).
Aurinko ja kuu
Aurinko ja kuu cardigan is worked flat and features an easy stranded colourwork pattern throughout. The neckline and front edges are finished with double knitting. The cardigan has a relaxed fit and features loose, long sleeves.
Yarn: Istex Lettlopi. Sample shown in colours Dark Grey Blue 9418 (MC), Mimosa 1703 (CC1), and White 0051 (CC2).
Puolukassa
The Puolukassa socks feature a motif inspired by a forest full of berries. The pattern is a good choice for scrap yarn, and you can also make the legs longer if you feel like it.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Sisu. Sample shown in colourways Light Green 9041 (C1) and Dark Green 8063 (C2) and Red 4228 (C3).
Learn more:
Knitted Kalevala III
Pattern Previews for Knitted Kalevala III
Jenna Kostet’s stunning designs in Knitted Kalevala III have been inspired by different poems in Kalevala and combined with mythology and traditional symbolism. The 18 patterns in this book comprise classic yoke sweaters as well as modern colourwork knits and simpler projects that are suitable for knitters less familiar with colourwork techniques.
Hiiden ruuna tulisuu
Hiiden ruuna tulisuu is a cropped sweater knitted from the bottom up, featuring short raglan sleeves and a colourwork pattern at the hem. If you prefer, you can knit a longer body and sleeves — just make sure to have some extra yarn on hand.
Yarn: Tukuwool Fingering. Sample shown in colourways Mantu (MC) and Sake (CC).
Oravat samoelevat
My idea with the Oravat samoelevat sweater was to use all kinds of pieces of scrap yarn to create a simple yet striking colourwork garment. Inspired by 1930s Depression-era clothing styles, the sweater is tight-fitting. The colourwork motif features squirrels playing.
Yarn: Vuonue Pentti. Sample shown in colourways Poltettu oranssi (C1), Vaalea oliivi (C2), Tummansininen (C3) and Viininpunainen (C4).
Käärmeen synty
Käärmeen synty is a top-down knitted sweater featuring stranded colourwork throughout the entire garment. The hem is worked in two sections with a deep ribbing. If you prefer a more fitted sweater, choose one size smaller than you would normally wear.
Yarn: Tukuwool Fingering. Sample shown in colours Sysi (MC) and Auri (CC).
Pohjolan isäntä
The Pohjolan isäntä socks feature a colourwork motif imitating traditional folk embroidery patterns, with small cables in the ribbing adding a finishing touch. The colourwork pattern could also be knitted using several different colours.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Sisu. Sample shown in colourways Brown 3880 (MC) and Red 4228 (CC).
Myrsky
Myrsky is a top-down raglan-sleeved sweater featuring simple colourwork and textured knitting. The sleeves are meant to be generously long.
Yarn: Isager Jensen. Sample shown in colours 101 (MC) and 81 (CC).
Tiera
The yoke features an intricate snowflake pattern influenced by traditional Scandinavian knitwear motifs. The high collar will keep you warm in the winter, and while you wait for spring to arrive, you can wear it and recite the origin words of frost to try to protect your seedlings from cold spells.
Yarn: Vuonue Usko. Sample shown in colourways Vaaleanharmaa (C1) and Ruoste (C2).
Sisar
Sisar is a soft and dreamy sweater knitted from Finnish wool and adorned by a colourwork yoke and details in the cuffs, body and hem.
Yarn: Jalovilla Vuona. Sample shown in colourways Luumu (MC) and Olki (CC).
Soitellen sotahan
Inspired by Kullervo’s story, this vest is like a piece of armour that you can put on when you want to feel brave and confident. The colourwork pattern in the hem and the asymmetrical cables are real eyecatchers, and the garment is also a quick knit thanks to the thick yarn.
Yarn: Rauma Garn Vams. Sample shown in colours Reinlav Melert 306 (MC), Mosegron Melert 406 (CC1), and Myr Melert 307 (CC2).
Väinämöinen
Väinämöinen is a bottom-up sweater featuring colourwork on the body and sleeves. The sweater is well suited for both men and women. You can knit it either as a relaxed fit or a more fitted version, depending on the size you choose.
Yarn: Idän kehräämön Strösseli eko-tweed. Sample shown in colourways Musta (MC) and Vaalea (CC).
Hauki
In the unisex Hauki sweater, colourwork fishes swim up and down across the whole garment. You could use scrap yarn to create them, or you could make it playful and keep changing the background colour as you go.
Yarn: Tukuwool DK. Sample shown in colourways Manna (MC) and Blue Hour (CC).
Väinämöisen soitto
Väinämöisen soitto socks are started from the cuff, and the entire sock is decorated with stranded colourwork. The heel flap is worked in a reinforced stitch pattern, and the toe is shaped with a wedge decrease. The sample socks are knitted using three colours, but you can also incorporate leftover yarns from your stash into the colourwork.
Yarn: Aara Aatos. Sample shown in colourways Puolukka (C1), Koru (C2) and Latvus (C3).
Taistelu Sammosta
Taistelu Sammosta sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. The sweater features loose 3/4-length raglan sleeves and a large, striking stranded colourwork motif at the hem.
Yarn: Kehrätär Lieko. Sample shown in colours Light Turquoise (MC) and Plum (CC).
Kave
The yoke of the Kave sweater features a healer woman’s assortment of curative herbs. The pattern is knitted using a combination of alpaca and silk-mohair yarns, which gives the finished garment an ethereal look.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Alpakka Ull and Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka and Lang Lace held together as the contrast colour. Sample shown in colourways Grey 1053 (MC), Dark Green 8581 (CC) and Green 16 (CC).
Mieli käyä metsolassa
Mieli käyä metsolassa is a top-down knitted sweater with long, loose sleeves, a short body, and a stranded colourwork yoke. You can also knit a longer body but make sure to reserve more yarn. The sweater is knitted using a combination of fingering-weight yarn and silk mohair.
Yarn: Vuonue Wilhelmi in colourways Tumma Eucalyptus (MC) and Maitokahvi (CC) and Lang Lace in colourways Dark Green 98 (MC) and Light Grey 23 (CC). The yarns are held together while knitting.
Tulen vihat mittens and socks
The colourwork motif in the Tulen vihat socks and mittens represents flames or sparks. It’s a good idea to select colours that have a strong contrast. The pattern is also ideal for using up scrap yarn.
Yarn: Vuonue Tarmo. Shown in colours Pinkki (C1) and Tumma vihreä (C2).
Aurinko ja kuu
Aurinko ja kuu cardigan is worked flat and features an easy stranded colourwork pattern throughout. The neckline and front edges are finished with double knitting. The cardigan has a relaxed fit and features loose, long sleeves.
Yarn: Istex Lettlopi. Sample shown in colours Dark Grey Blue 9418 (MC), Mimosa 1703 (CC1), and White 0051 (CC2).
Puolukassa
The Puolukassa socks feature a motif inspired by a forest full of berries. The pattern is a good choice for scrap yarn, and you can also make the legs longer if you feel like it.
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Sisu. Sample shown in colourways Light Green 9041 (C1) and Dark Green 8063 (C2) and Red 4228 (C3).
Learn more:
Knitted Kalevala III