The newest shawl from Taiu is here! The Muhu shawl is inspired by the traditional woollen skirts of the Estonian costume from the Muhu region with its beautiful colourful stripes. The skirts were woven and would make use of the yarn that was available making each skirt’s patterns and colours unique. These costumes are still used in Estonian celebrations around the world such as the Song and Dance Festivals.
Each region in Estonia has a different pattern for their traditional folk costumes. The Muhu skirt pattern from the island of Muhu in the Baltic Sea off the coast, is one of the most unique and popular.
On the island, originally all of the yarns were dyed with natural elements like flowers and the blacks, greys and whites were from the variations of sheep’s wool. Taiu’s grandma was taught there should always be white or natural wool in every pattern as this is consistent across all traditional Estonian textiles.
Muhu skirt. Source
In this intermediate pattern, you start with your brights and use your darker colours as a secondary, and as you get closer to being done your shawl, you switch over from dark to lights.
The twists in the pattern are inspired by the Estonian twisted braid and much of the knitting is done in open lace. To make the triangular shape of the shawl, you increase on one side every other row.
The Muhu Pencil Box
You can knit the Muhu Shawl with only one pencil box of KPPPM! The pattern is available to purchase below.
The Muhu pencil box is available at:
Mosaic Yarn Studio - Carrying alternative Estonian inspired Pencil Boxes.
