Delve in the beauty of the Knitted Kalevala by Jenna Kostet and take a closer look at a sample of the patterns featured in the book. Knitted Kalevla is part of the Laine Books and Magazines Collection.
Knitted Kalevala includes 18 knitting patterns – sweaters, cardigans and accessories – inspired by Kalevala. Considered a national epic in Finland, Kalevala contains old poems full of Baltic-Finnic mythology, ancient symbols, mythical creatures and nature. These as well as other Finnish, Scandinavian and Baltic influences can be seen in the decorative colour work patterns of the designs.
This sweater is knitted from the bottom up, with a colour work pattern at the yoke. In the sample sweater, the pattern is knitted in just one contrast colour, but you can also choose to use different colours for each of the different sections – perfect for left-over yarn from other projects. Knitted from Icelandic wool, the sweater is weather-proof and perfect for the outdoors, but you can also choose to use a less warm yarn for indoor wear.
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This sweater is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. It has three-quarter-length sleeves, a cropped hem and dropped shoulders. The hem and cuffs are decorated with colour work. You can easily change the shape by lengthening the sleeves and the body, but please remember you’ll also need more yarn. The sweater was originally published in the autumn of 2020 and it is the most beloved of all of my Kalevala-themed designs.
This sweater has the colour work pattern from the original Suolaulu sweater knitted into the yoke of this bottom-up sweater. The snow crystal- and flora-themed sweater was born out of requests from knitters to turn the popular original sweater into a yoked version. Knitted from DK-weight yarn, this one is warm enough to wear during outdoor activities and the turtleneck collar offers protection from the wind. Worked at the yoke, the beautiful pattern looks like a statement necklace.
These mittens begin from the long, ribbed cuff, which can be folded. The colour work pattern features the leaves from the Suolaulu sweater. You can also easily turn the mittens into fingerless mitts. Just leave out the top-most floral pattern, the decreases and the tip of the thumb, and finish the top edges with a short rib.
This hat has a floral motif and begins from the rib. It has extra fabric at the top, creating a relaxed look. You can use odds and ends or mini-skeins for the colour work pattern or work it all in just one contrast colour.
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This cardigan moves the colourwork motif from the Pohjolan Neito Sweater from the yoke to the hem. The relaxed cardigan is worked in the round from the bottom up and then steeked. Knitted from DK-weight yarn, this cardigan is perfect as a jacket on warm spring and autumn days.
This is a warm top-down sweater with colourwork in the yoke, hem and cuffs. You can knit the sweater in three colours as instructed or use just a single contrast colour in addition to the main colour. The long, folded collar is worked last. This warm sweater is knitted in chunky-weight yarn and can be worn as an outer layer during frosty days.
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These socks begin from the colourwork cuff. The heel is reinforced and the toe is worked with star decreases. The sample socks are knitted in two colours, but you can also use a variety of odds and ends and play with colours.
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