North Viljandimaa Mittens

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Teacher: Merike Saaremets

Merike Saaremets lives in Suure-Jaani, Viljandi county. She graduated from Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics specialising in native textiles in 2013, from UT Viljandi Culture Academy native textile curricula in 2014 and a master's degree in heritage technology in 2017. Her research focused on the mitten heritage of Suure-Jaani parish and Northern Livonia. Merike has conducted courses for handicraft enthusiasts (mittens, pick-up belts, and traditional shirts). She has prepared textile exhibitions and given consultations.

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For centuries, the Estonian peasants knitted mittens to protect their hands from the cold. From the mitten heritage of North Viljandimaa, there are more than a hundred pairs of gloves and mittens, single mittens and mitten fragments mainly from the 19th century, in the museums. These mittens have a combination of characteristic traits clear enough to speak of North Viljandimaa-type mittens. The dominating colour combination of these mittens is white with natural sheep tones or indigo blue.

As part of the workshop, the participant will get an overview of the characteristic features and working techniques of the North Viljandimaa mitten type. Cast-on techniques, twisted braids, typical wrist colorwork patterns, and variants of the final cast-off are covered. At the end of the workshop, a short mitten wrist is knitted, and the mitten and thumb patterns are selected.

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The participation fee includes the yarn and needles. These yarns are (indigo) blue or sheep black and natural white 8/2 yarns. We will use no. 1.25 or 1.5 needles (5 pcs), if you wish, you can bring your own needles. The workshop is suitable for advanced knitters, preferably with mitten knitting experience.