Baltic Colorwork Mittens from Kihnu Island
Baltic Colorwork Mittens from Kihnu Island with Mathilde Yakymets-Lind
In the Baltic region of northeastern Europe, colorwork knitting with fine woolen yarn is used to create mittens and gloves with complex designs and intricate cuff construction. On tiny Kihnu Island off the coast of Estonia, knitters use the wool from local sheep to make high-contrast black and white patterns with protective motifs and vibrant pops of red at the cuffs. Rather than copying historical patterns, the islanders use a visual grammar of the mitten design to construct their own personal variations.
We will examine historical mitten examples and break down the elements to design our own Kihnu-style mittens. Then you will use traditional techniques to form the cuffs, including a two-color twisted cast on and Kihnu braids. Finally, you will knit the colorwork portion of the mitten and learn how to form the thumb so that it perfectly aligns with the pattern. Participants will learn how to work with very small needles (1.75-2mm) and fine yarn from Estonia.
This small group class is presented in collaboration with John C. Campbell Folk School and Lessonface. Participants should enroll at least two weeks before start to ensure materials kits arrive in time. If registering after this point, your kit may arrive after the first session. Students are invited to attend an optional Orientation and Closing Ceremony to connect with various online Folk School classes.
Class Materials
Your class registration fee includes a materials kit with a value of $50 shipped to your door. Residents outside the USA will pay the difference in shipping.
The kit includes:
Fingering weight wool yarn from Estonia in black, white, and red
1 pack of 2mm dpn knitting needles
1 pack of 1.75mm dpn knitting needles
Students will also want to provide:
Stitch markers if you prefer to use them
Age Range
14+
Skill Level
Intermediate / Advanced
Contact the Teacher
Send a direct message from the teacher's profile page with any questions you might have about the class.
About the John C. Campbell Folk School & Lessonface
Since 1925, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has transformed lives, and brought people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Since 2012, Lessonface has connected more than 30,000 students with over 2,500 great teachers for live music, language, and arts lessons online, delivering on our mission to help students achieve their goals while treating teachers equitably.
When
The class will meet for four weekly 2-hour live online sessions.
Enrolled students receive 60-day access to the video recordings of the classes.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before the class start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward.
Refund Policy: To cancel an enrollment or request a refund, contact [email protected]. For 30+ days before, we refund 95%. Between 30 and 5 days, receive a 75% refund. No refunds within 5 days of class start date. Materials kit fees are non-refundable.
Book 1:1 online lessons with Mathilde Yakymets-Lind on their Lessonface profile.
Mathilde Yakymets-Lind
Mathilde Yakymets-Lind is a fiber artist and folklorist who spins wool from heritage sheep and weaves historical textiles. They lived in Estonia for nearly four years and did hands-on research on Baltic wool crafts for their PhD in folklore, which they completed in 2023.