Knit Like a Latvian: Accessories: 40 Knitting Patterns for Gloves, Hats, Scarves and Shawls

By Ieva Ozolina

Knit yourself stunning Latvian accessories including gloves, hats, scarves and shawls with this collection of colourwork knitting patterns and charts from the author of Knit Like a Latvian: Mittens and Knit Like a Latvian: Socks.

Stranded colourwork knitting never goes out of fashion because the results are so beautiful. This is the third title in our Knit Like a Latvian series which looks at knitting patterns using traditional Latvian colourwork designs. This title features 40 patterns for gloves, hats, wraps and scarves all featuring a distinctive Latvian colour work design element. You can choose from gloves and fingerless mittens with selected colourwork details on the cuffs or an all over stranded colourwork design on a scarf or wrap for maximum impact.

Knitting has always played an important role in traditional Latvian culture: girls are taught to knit at a young age, and some schools still teach knitting as part of the curriculum. It is also traditional for brides to give socks and mittens as a gift to guests on their wedding day. This collection captures the essence of these stunning folk patterns and shows how you can mix these traditional designs with your contemporary wardrobe.

Author Ieva Ozolina has designed a range of accessories featuring traditional Latvian motifs and design elements such as Latvian braids to create this beautiful collection. The wider variety of projects and styles will give this title broad appeal and the accessibility of some of the projects such as the wraps and scarves make them suitable for less experienced knitters while the more detailed patterns for gloves will appeal to more experienced knitters. The size of the smaller projects means they don't use very much yarn and they make very portable projects for when you're on the move.

Knit Like a Latvian Accessories also looks at the stories behind the design motifs which are steeped in folk tradition - for example, if you include the sun motif design in your knitting it is thought that the item will offer extra warmth to the wearer - so you can understand the traditions behind the knitting.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David & Charles
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781446380727

Book preview

KNIT LIKE A

Latvian

…ACCESSORIES

40 knitting patterns for gloves, hats, scarves and shawls

Ieva Ozolina

CONTENTS

Introduction

Symbols Guide

Tools and Materials

Before You Begin

Projects

Mara Gloves

White Flowers Beret

Touch of Pink Fingerless Gloves

Orange Heat Ear Warmer

White & Red Gloves

White & Red Scarf

Blue Dots Fingerless Gloves

Purple Net Hat

Light Decor Fingerless Gloves

Bright Patterns Hat

Bright Patterns Scarf

Rust Gloves

Sea Wave Wrap

Wavy Gloves

Flower Dream Ear Warmer

Black & White Gloves

Black & White Hat

Zigzag Gloves

Snowflakes Ear Warmer

Meadow Wrap

Jumis Sign Gloves

Raspberry Beret

Raspberry Cowl

Mara’s Cross Gloves

Silver Net Hat

Morning Star Gloves

Sun Symbol Hat

Autumn Leaves Gloves

Autumn Leaves Hat

Autumn Leaves Scarf

Serpent Gloves

Hop Leaves Ear Warmer

Lilac Fingerless Gloves

Big Ornament Shawl

Pink Rose Fingerless Gloves

Pink Rose Hat

Burgundy Fingerless Gloves

Snowflakes Hat

White Braid Gloves

Chocolate & Berries Wrap

Techniques

Basic Techniques

Symbols and Abbreviations

Basic Glove Recipes

Special Techniques

About the Author

Thank You

Suppliers

References

INTRODUCTION

Dear knitters, thank you for choosing my book!

Many of you are already familiar with my books Knit like a Latvian and Knit like a Latvian… Socks. In this book, I continue the theme of beautiful Latvian patterns.

The book was written in a difficult and unusual time for the entire world, during the Covid-19 pandemic. This time has created many unfamiliar experiences and challenges for all of us. However, we have also learned from these experiences and hopefully, some of you enjoyed having more free time to knit. The demand for handicraft materials has grown rapidly around the world. This means that our hobby is still with us, it gives us a lot of joy and makes us stronger especially during tough times.

Latvian designs are used in each of the book’s knits. Latvia is a small country located in the northern part of Europe, on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The territory of Latvia has been inhabited since before our era, but the first evidence of knitted gloves and socks dates back to the 13th century. The humid coastal climate has promoted Latvian knitting traditions. Knitting is very common in Latvia, until recently it was taught in schools.

The patterns in this book use designs from different parts of Latvia. As Latvian museums and their archives were not accessible during Covid-19, I have used previously collected materials, images and books with carefully preserved historical heritage. It is a special pleasure and pride for me to introduce you to Latvian gloves, which have been knitted and worn in Latvia for several hundred years.

Although hats, scarves, and shawls are not part of the long knitting tradition of Latvia, I have created these patterns as my vision for a new use of traditional Latvian designs.

The purpose of this book is to help you knit beautiful accessories. Here you will find patterns for gloves, fingerless gloves, hats, ear warmers, scarves, cowls, wraps and shawls.

The book is intended for knitters with some knitting experience in multicolour knits. The book combines ancient Latvian designs with modern applications.

I hope you will find your perfect Latvian accessories within this book.

Good luck!

Ieva

SYMBOLS GUIDE

Here are some of the most common symbols featured in Latvian accessory patterns, with an explanation of their meaning.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

YARN

Natural 2-ply 100% wool is traditionally used for Latvian accessories. This is the best choice, because this yarn is most similar to hand-spun yarn, which was used in ancient times. Another reason to use wool yarns is the huge range of colours available.

All the patterns in this book are designed to be knitted with 2-ply 100% wool (350m per 100g). If you prefer more modern options, you can knit with 4-ply sock weight yarn (400m per 100g).

Each pattern provides information on the number of colours used, including the base colour.

Glove patterns will use a total of 75-100g.

Hats and berets will use a total 100-125g.

Ear warmers will use up to 35g.

Scarves and cowls will use a total of 250-300g.

Use the pattern