Get Started with Roosimine Estonian inlay Knitting!
Fallen in love with roosimine yet? It doesn’t take much to fall for the beautiful embroidery looking inlay knitting technique from south western Estonia called roosimine (also sometimes called roositud). This knitting technique creates embroidery like patterns by making intentional floats in contrasting colors by cleverly weaving yarn while knitting. I’m a huge addict - constantly adding it to a new design because it is so fun and easy to knit while being super impressive looking. Never heard of this Estonian knitting technique? That is not super surprising as it hasn’t been seen outside of traditional Estonian knitting of gloves and stockings from its origin in the southwestern Estonian parish Tõstamaa until recently. You can learn more about the technique in this blog post and in my roosimine workshops.
If you are new to this knitting technique you might think it’s hard and not sure where to start, so let me help you with some beginner friendly projects to get you going. It is a great technique for playing with scraps you might have in your yarn stash or precious mini skeins as it doesn’t need much yarn. When you are learning a new technique it is nice to start with a small accessory project as it is a quick win. The kind of project you can finish in a day, a weekend or a week. All of my patterns include links to tutorial videos for roosimine and any other special knitting technique used so you are supported every step of learning a new knitting technique to successfully finish a brand new project.
ELUPUU HAT
Elupuu is the perfect quick project you can knit in a day or weekend. A classic beanie or toque hat knit in DK weight yarn with one roosimine motif in one colour- its simple and beautiful. It is my go to pattern suggestion for the person who wants the absolute easiest roosimine pattern. Just grab a skein of DK weight yarn or get creative holding two strands of thinner yarn together for the main colour of the hat and some mini skeins or leftovers from your stash for the roosimine and you’re ready to go!
HILJA MITTS
Roosimine looks great in multiple contrast colours which is not scary to knit. If you want to try adding a second contrast colour to the mix, try knitting Hilja. These long fingerless mitts or wrist warmers are great for playing with two contrast colours worked at the same time. Or if you like the look of these but want to keep it simple, you can always simplify by knitting with just one contrast colour. When using just one contrast colour for roosimine, I like to use a special multi coloured yarn - think of a marled fading yarn like Spincycle or a special tonal or speckled hand dyed to give the illusion of multiple colours.
VAHELDUS SOCKS
Are you a keen sock knitter? Roosimine has been traditionally used to embellish the outside legs of socks particularly knee high socks and stockings. The Vaheldus socks are an easy, fun and modern take on traditional roosimine socks with an easy to memorize roosimine pattern running down the outside of each leg of this cuff down sock pattern. You won’t get your rights and lefts confused wearing these socks as that beautiful roosimine will make sure you wear them correctly to show off that gorgeous inlay knitting detail. Get creative knitting these socks with 1 or 2 contrast colours for the roosimine the perfect chance to use those precious sock mini skeins and leftovers in your stash.
ROOSI GNOME
Something a little different than your average easy knitting pattern of hats, mitts, scarves, cowls and shawls- why not a cute gnome! The knitted gnomes started based on a cute holiday illustration I created of gnomes knitting stocking that then got transformed into a knitting pattern. Each year a new is created for the holiday season to introduce you to a new technique like Roosi Gnome the roosimine gnome with a touch of knitted braids. These gnomes can be knit with any weight of yarn in your stash to create different sizes and are a quick knit that can be finished in a weekend! The ultimate cute knitted gift and decoration. Roosi Gnome lets you explore roosimine knitting with easy small roosimine motifs in one contrast colour on the gnome’s hat.
Are you more of a garment knitter?
Sweaters can also be a great way to dive into a new technique motivating you learn something new for a fabulous new wardrobe staple.
SELI SWEATER & CARDIGAN
Probably my most well known roosimine pattern is Seli, available as a sweater and cardigan pattern. While this pattern uses two contrast colours for the roosimine, you are only actually using one at a time most of the time with only 3 rounds in the sleeve pattern repeat where both are used at the same time - easy! It is a really engaging knit where the sleeves are the most exciting part to knit - no dreaded sleeve island! This pattern is also a great gateway into other techniques like knitted braids used as accents on the hem and cuffs.
KILP
From my book Traditions Revisited - Modern Estonian Knits, Kilp is the pattern I use to roosimine as the easiest knit. The bold impact of a roosimine motif repeated on the front of the sweater is done in just one colour. You can get creative changing up the colour with each motif chart repeat for a super simple multi colour look. This sweater is also completely seamless and top down, my fave sweater construction so that you can try it on as you knit!
Now to get knitting!
You can purchase copies of any of the patterns above, apart from Kilp, from the shop or Ravelry as a pdf pattern. Purchase, download and cast -on!
Please note that Kilp is part of a book and only available with a purchase of the book either print or e-book
I love seeing your roosimine projects and hope you enjoy learning this beautiful Estonian knitting technique so be share to with me on Instagram @aleksbyrd and on Ravelry. If you have any pattern questions you can always send an email to hello@aleks-byrd.com
Happy Roosimine Knitting!
DIVE INTO MORE ABOUT ROOSIMINE FROM ALEKS BYRD
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