Traditions Revisited – Aleks Byrd

For a small country on the Baltic Sea, Estonia’s tradition and love for handicraft greatly surpasses its size. Estonian knitting is all about techniques, embellishment and regionality. Each knit tells a story about the knitter and where they live.

Aleks Byrd’s book Traditions Revisited – Modern Estonian Knits is an introduction to Estonian knitting, both traditional and traditional-inspired. It includes 19 patterns, ranging from mittens to sweaters, that blend seamlessly with modern knitting styles.

Aleks – whose roots are in Estonia, Canada and the USA – is a knitwear designer based in Bath, UK. In addition to knitwear design, she works as an illustrator and teaches Estonian knitting techniques around the world. In her designs, tradition and Aleks’ own, graphic style meet. With her book, Aleks wants to make traditional Estonian techniques accessible to everyone. At the same time, she builds a bridge between Estonian knitters and the international knitting community.