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Intro to Sami Knitting sampler

Virtual

Virtual Class: Intro to Sámi Knitting with Laura Ricketts

Date

Admission

The Sámi are Scandinavia’s only UN-recognized indigenous people and have a culture rich with fiber traditions. In our virtual Introduction to Sámi Knitting class, students will be introduced to traditional Sámi knitting, which was almost exclusively used to produce hand garments. We will view many images of mittens from the instructor's trips to northern Scandinavia and learn about the four characteristics that set Sámi mittens apart: cuffs, thumbs, decreases, and braids (with and without tassels). We will create a sample swatch by practicing each of these elements and leave with the knowledge to translate our skills into a full-sized pair of mittens. Scroll to learn more and view the class level and required materials list.

Skill Level

Adventurous beginner – intermediate: Students should be able to cast on, knit, purl, knit in the round, and do colorwork

Required Materials
  • Worsted weight, wool yarn — two accent colors and a main color (natural).
  • Needles to achieve a gauge of 5sts/in.
  • Ricketts recommends Rauma Vams PT knit on US 5 / 3.75 mm needles.

Instructor

  • Ricketts-Laura

    Laura Ricketts

    Laura Ricketts is a knitter, knitwear designer, author, and teacher with a master’s degree in education. She combines her love for history, literature, and textiles in her handcraft teaching.

    Bio