EstoCast – Episode 14: Aleks Byrd

(In English/inglise keeles)

Listen here or on your favourtie podcast platform

When knitting enthusiasts encounter the tutorials and products of Aleks Byrd, oftentimes it’s their first exposure to something Estonian. This is both a great opportunity and a bit of pressure! Through her latest book and many in-person workshops, Aleks is teaching fans from all over about traditional Estonian knitting techniques, infused with a modern design approach.

In this episode of EstoCast, Aleks Byrd shares with us:

 🧶 the importance of knitting as an artform

 🧶 how she grew her passion for knitting into a successful business that shares Estonian traditions with the whole world

 🧶 the ways in which illustration impacts her designs

 🧶 why wool is such an ideal material

 🧶 how local knitting traditions have been preserved in Estonia

 🧶 what a väliseesti (diaspora Estonian) knitting pattern might look like

 🧶 …and much more!

Key things mentioned in this episode:
– Places you can find Aleks’ book Traditions Revisited: Modern Estonian Knits: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/traditions-revisited-modern-estonian-knits 

 -Knitting tutorials by Aleks: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/tutorials 

 -Events from Aleks’ book tour and beyond, including knitting workshops for Vogue Knitting: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/classes-events 

 -Eweknit, the Toronto store where Aleks’ book can be found: https://eweknit.co/ 

 – Roosimine, a knitting inlay technique: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/blog/2019/6/2/roosimine 

 -Laine Publishing, the Finnish company that publishes Aleks’ books: https://lainepublishing.com/ 

 – Knitting needle sizes: https://knittingknowledge.com/knitting-guides/knitting-needle-sizes/

 -The creation of Kihnu troi (wool sweater) by master artisan Elly Karjam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bK3THnLO0E&ab_channel=EestiK%C3%A4sit%C3%B6%C3%B6 

 -Aleks’ Seli sweater pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seli-sweater 

 -Tõstamaa, one of the places in Estonia that has inspired Aleks’ designs: https://www.facebook.com/visittostamaa/ 

 -Bath, England; where Aleks’ studied and currently lives: https://www.britannica.com/place/Bath-England

 -Different types of British sheep: https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/mammals/native-british-sheep-breeds-and-how-to-recognise-them/

 -Varieties of sheep found in Estonia: https://wellwoventales.home.blog/2019/08/02/native-sheep-of-estonia/

 -A hat pattern from Alek’s site.  https://www.aleks-byrd.com/patterns/elupuu