JC09 Lace Estonian Style

with Merike Saarniit

While working a swatch that can grow into a lovely scarf, we’ll explore those unusual stitch manipulations (including simultaneous decrease/increase elements and nupps of course) that can make any lace project even more special. Participants will be provided both traditional and contemporary edging choices along with a pattern adapted from a traditional shawl. The swatch itself can be used to sew onto a canvas tote for a lovely project bag. Worked in multiple repeats, the same stitch pattern provided can also be worked into a shawl. Both heirloom traditional Haapsalu style shawls and scarves as well as contemporary examples of lace knit Estonian style from the instructor’s collection will be displayed during class.

Skill level: Must be comfortable with lace knitting (increases, decreases and working from charts).

Participants bring: An assortment of yarn and appropriate size needles with which you are comfortable using.

About the instructor: Merike Saarniit teaches workshops in spinning, knitting, dyeing and weaving in the US and globally, thanks to a traditional Estonian upbringing (in the US) resulting in learning needle crafts early on. Learning to spin in the 1980s, resulted in Merike buying a sheep farm and starting Carolina Homespun to sell fiber crafting supplies. Her “Invitation to Spin” kits popularized high whorl spindles and the “park and draft” method which she still teaches. She was a featured hand dyer in the book Handpaint Country. The farm and shop sold in 2000, she moved to Meadows of Dan, VA where she now designs knitwear and is working on a book.