Knitting Traditions of Estonia

This morning, we will tour Tallinn Old Town on foot. The Old Town is divided into two areas, the Lower Town and the Upper Town. During our exploration of the Upper Town, we will visit the St. Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, Toompea Castle and the Dome Church, Tallinn’s oldest church, before soaking up spectacular panoramic views from the Kohtuotsa viewing platform.

In the Lower Town, we will see the Danish King’s Garden, the Town Hall Square, the picturesque Viru Gates and the famous Katarina Guild with open studios and shops of local crafts women. We will also visit the Estonian Handicrafts House, where folk traditions exist alongside more contemporary items, and you will be able to purchase authentic Estonian handicrafts.

This afternoon, enjoy your first workshop with Aleks Byrd in the hotel.

Today we will visit the Estonian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, which showcases Estonia’s rural architecture and way of life. During our guided tour, you will be able to explore farmsteads, fishing and inland villages, churches, windmills and the schoolhouse, all of which represent how families lived in the 18th to 20th centuries. There will be handicrafts to view and traditional Estonian dishes available to try at the Kolu Inn.

We will then visit the Lõng ja Lõngad yarn shop and nearby Karnaluks before returning to the hotel for a second workshop with Aleks.

After breakfast we will leave Tallinn and drive to Haapsalu, located on the west coast of Estonia. Haapsalu is the birthplace of Estonian lace knitting and, during our visit, master lace knitters will explain and show how traditional lace knitting is done. We will also learn how to knit the famous "nupp" lace stitch used in Haapsalu lace shawls which creates a bobble like stitch on a little swatch. There will also be time to shop yarn and books from the lace centre's shop. Lunch is included at a local restaurant today.

We will then continue to Pärnu where we will check into our beachfront hotel for the next three nights.

Early departure from the hotel for our full day visit to the unique island of Kihnu – often referred to as the ‘womens island’ as there are very few men. After making the one-hour ferry crossing, we will travel around this tiny island with UNESCO heritage status, by open top truck taking in the sights including the Kihnu Museum to learn about the unique culture and traditional textiles including lots of knitwear. We will also meet master knitter, Elly Karjam, who specializes in the unique Kihnu fisherman’s sweater called a ‘troi’ that is knit with unique knitted braids and colourwork.

Lunch is included today and there will be time to meet other local master knitters as well as shop local yarns, knitwear and textiles before returning to the mainland by ferry late afternoon.

Today we will spend the day in the parish of Tõstamaa – home to Roosimine inlay knitting.

We will visit the Tõstamaa Handicraft Centre and meet with master knitter and traditional folk costume expert Anu Randmaa, who is responsible for bringing back the forgotten Roosimine inlay knitting technique. Whilst at the centre, we will participate in a traditional Roosimine knitting workshop with master knitters before returning to the hotel. Lunch and dinner are included today.

This morning, we will visit Kauni Design, an Estonian knitwear and yarn brand run by husband and wife team Kauni and Carlos. The brand sells beautiful ready to wear colourwork knits using their own yarn in addition to selling their own special yarn. Their unique yarn is made of wool from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania spun on old Soviet machinery to create unique ombre colour changing yarns.

During our visit, we will meet designer Kauni Sillat and hear how she creates her colourful designs as well as the story behind the unique Baltic yarns they create. There will also be an opportunity to purchase the colour changing yarn prior to enjoying a delicious Spanish inspired lunch prepared by Carlos, inspired by his Spanish and Latin roots.

After lunch, we will depart Parnu and drive to Nidu Village where we will visit Alpakafarm, home to nearly 200 animals including alpacas, llamas, guanacos, goats and sheep. During our visit, you will be able to meet some of the animals and hear how the fleece from the alpacas is used before continuing to Tallinn.

Today Aleks final workshop will take place in the hotel.

The afternoon is at leisure. You might like to explore Tallinn independently, go shopping or simply relax in the surroundings of your hotel prior to our included dinner this evening.