Newer-type Glove Wrist from Kihnu

Teacher: Riina Tomberg

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Riina Tomberg was born in Tallinn, Estonia, living in Saaremaa, Kuressaare. She graduated from Estonian State Art Institute (Estonian Academy of Arts) as a textile designer in 1981, Master degree in Estonian Academy of Arts folk art department in 2004. Riina participated in expeditions to Finno-Ugric people by the Estonian State Art Institute and Estonian National Museum in 1978-1986. Riina has participated in many national and international exhibitions of textile art since 1980.

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Since 1992, she has had a textile studio and knitting workshop Ruut & Triip OÜ in Kuressaare. Since 2000, Riina has been a lecturer in the UT Viljandi Culture Academy Estonian Native Crafts programme. Riina is the author of a book 'Vatt, Troi, Vamsa - Knitted Jackets from West Estonian Islands', published in 2006. She has conducted various workshops on Estonian traditional knitwear.
Riina describes her work as follows: "The inspiration for me lies in the traditional way of life, doing things with your own hands for yourself and the closest people around you. You would like to protect them not only from bad weather, but from anything bad that could come across. I would like to use that kind of thinking in my work, even in modern design."

In Kihnu island the knitting tradition is well survived and still living, being one of the most popular chapters in Estonian traditional knitting. Kihnu mittens and men's sweaters, trois are the most popular and vivid items of traditional Estonian knitwear.

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In the workshop, we ́ll knit the wrist warmer inspired by the Kihnu gloves but in a newer style. This style is characterised bt the use of various bright colours in a zig-zag pattern, combined with the well-known “kihnu vits”.

Participants will create their individual wrist warmer based on traditional rules and techniques. A pattern to complete a pair of gloves is provided. The needles used are size 1,5 and the yarn is 8/2 worsted wool, both included in the participation fee. Participants who have a suitable needle set can bring along their own needles. This workshop requires prior experience in knitting.