Why I’m excited about learning Estonian Inlay (Roosimine) with Tanis Gray

You already know that Tanis Gray is coming to teach Estonian Inlay at Crazy for Ewe, and a lot of you have signed up simply because Tanis is such a fantastic teacher. But I want to share with you a little bit more about the technique and why you'll love it.  Hint: it’s not some random gimmick you’ll learn once and never use again.

What is Roosimine Anyway? A Technique with Deep Roots and Modern Appeal

Roosimine is a fascinating colorwork technique developed centuries ago in Estonia, which is why it is also known as Estonian Inlay.  Unlike traditional colorwork, Roosimine lays strands of contrasting yarn across the surface of your fabric. The result is a unique and textured design that looks graphic and modern.  Like many knitting techniques that have been rediscovered, Roosimine blends the best traditional craft with contemporary design sensibilities.

Roosimine is surprisingly versatile and can be added to all kinds of projects.  Think about it as you would stranded or mosaic knitting--a way to take your knitting to the next level with texture and color. And you’ll be ahead of the curve as this striking technique is starting to appear everywhere. 

You probably remember seeing Pollinate on the cover of Rowan 75 and didn't know it was Roosimine! 

Roosimine is a growing trend in knitwear (everything old is new again)

As I said, Roosimine is everywhere.  But don’t just take my word for it—check out these other gorgeous patterns by  Florence Spurling that feature the technique:

The Adelia Tee showcases a lace and Roosimine together.  

Her Elodie shawl 

Isn't the Farah Shawl exciting! It looks so fun to knit!

The Liko sweater

And the Adelia shawl

Roosimine socks too

Another designer who has made a big splash with Roosimine is Sara Prieur who has a whole book of socks embellished with Estonian inlay

Aleks Byrd - the Queen of Roosimine

But probably the most famous is Aleks Byrd who plays to her Estonian roots, weaving Roosimine into new patterns to create modern and unique designs with a connection to the past. As a knitting ambassador for modern traditional Estonian knitting, Aleks has shared her knowledge of the little-known traditional techniques by putting a fresh twist on them for wearable designs.  Like these

Beautiful, no?  Check out more of her Roosimine designs here.

There are lots more patterns on Ravelry that you can see here—from hats and socks to sweaters and shawls—showcasing this technique.

Learn to do Roosimine with Tanis Gray

Not everyone knows how to do this technique. it’s becoming popular but as you know, learning a new thing can be tricky. That’s why I invited Tanis Gray here to show you how.

Tanis has a knack for making even the most complex techniques easy to understand. In these very special workshops, you’ll not only learn how to do Roosimine, but you’ll also gain insights into color theory, that will make incorporating color into your projects easier and more intuitive.  

So, if you’ve signed up for the class, or are thinking about it, know this: Roosimine is a growing trend in the knitting world, that you have a very special opportunity to learn from one of the best.  With Tanis Gray guiding you, you’re guaranteed to come away with new skills and fresh inspiration.

See you in class,

Ellen