Welcome to the Heritage Sweater Collection Knit Along (KAL)!

The Heritage Sweater Collection KAL is being hosted by our dear friends at Koigu and is a celebration of their history, Estonian knitting and the gorgeous colorwork sweaters designed by Koigu's co-founder, Maie Landra, during the 1980s and 1990s. There are 10 patterns being featured during the event, and we have all the details for each one below, along with the KAL schedule and how to participate!

The Schedule

The Heritage Sweater Collection KAL event will cast on August 27th and bind off November 3rd. (Remember that you can always work at your own pace!)

Don't forget to mark September 21st, October 5th and November 3rd on your calendars to join the virtual check-ins that include raffles and a finished object fashion show!

See below for the full schedule!

The Kits

Koigu is offering kits for each sweater in at least three different color palettes for sizes XS-5XL. Preorders will be open July 14-28 to ensure a timely delivery for the start of the KAL on August 27th.

Each sweater kit will include:

🐑  Enough skeins of Koigu yarn to complete the sweater in the set size range
🐑  A printed sweater pattern and QR code to a digital PDF version
🐑  A KAL information sheet with access via QR codes to KAL instructional videos and Zoom meeting link
🐑  Materials will be packaged in a clear zippered project bag

The Sweaters

All of the sweaters highlighted in this event feature all-over colorwork designs by Koigu's co-founder, Maie Landra. The patterns are worked bottom-up, seamed and use charts for the traditional Estonian motifs. Instructional videos will be available.

Koigu Sheep

The hand-drawn KOIGU Sheep logo, created by Maie, is a graphic representation of the brand's essence. Its flowing, organic lines poetically honor the legacy and vision of Koigu Wool Designs.

Yarn: Koigu Jasmine DK 100% Merino

Color Options:

(A) Heli - Brown neutrals
(B) Kiiri - Gray neturals
(C) Ilo - Pink, Blue, Cream

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Medallion

Embroidery from Muhu folk costumes is among the most iconic and vibrant in Estonian textile heritage. Translating those richly detailed medallion and symbolic motifs into knitting brings the spirit of Muhu into modern woolwork while honoring its cultural roots.

Yarn: Koigu Chelsea Aran 100% Merino

Color Options:

(A) Mari - Light Blue & White
(B) Siiri - Variegated Yellow & White
(C) Ulle - Coral & Tan

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Garland

Inspired by Harjumaa, a historical region in northern Estonia (including Tallinn), knitting patterns from this area are known for their geometric symbolism. These patterns, often found in neutral palettes of black, white, grey, and natural wool tones, were highly valued for their symmetry, clarity, and protective symbolism.

Yarn: Koigu Corriedale & Corriedale/Gotland DK/Light Worsted

Color Options:

(A) Priit - Green & Neutrals
(B) Markus - Blues & Neutral
(C) Leia - Lavendar, Gray & Barn Red

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Autumn Harvest

Inspired by a Mitten pattern of the Halliste region of Estonia is renowned for its bold and intricate folk mitten patterns, especially in the Viljandi County area. Halliste mittens often feature symmetrical, high-contrast motifs using red, black, and white, with diamonds, stars, trees of life Inspired by a mitten pattern from Estonia's Halliste region, known for its bold and intricate folk mitten patterns. Halliste mittens, especially from the Viljandi County area, often feature symmetrical, high-contrast motifs in red, black, and white, including diamonds, stars, and trees of life.

Yarn: Koigu Corriedale & Corriedale/Gotland DK/Light Worsted

Color Options:

(A) Asko - Red, Periwinkle, Gray
(B) Aliise - Variegated Pink/Yellow, Yellow, Gray
(C) Kaia - Fuscia, Blue, Gray

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visions of Spring

In Estonian knitting, the "Tollakiri" and "Ohvrikirstukiri" motifs, seen on socks and mittens, are ancient symbols of protection and spirituality. These designs are deeply rooted in pre-Christian beliefs and have been passed down through generations. A crossed star or multi-pointed shape, found throughout Estonia (notably in Viljandi, Seto, and Saaremaa), symbolizes ancestral connection, blessings, and remembrance. In southern Estonia (Mulgi, Võro), a stylized eight-pointed star or a square-cross within a grid is common on dowry items, representing offerings made to gods and spirits.

Yarn: Koigu Cheers Merino/Lincoln Blend Light Worsted

Color Options:

(A) Rein - Variegated Red, Tan, Yellow & Natural
(B) Piibe - Variegated Greens & Neutrals
(C) Tonu - Variegated Blues, Purples & Neutral

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Winter Enchantment

Inspired by Estonian folk belt patterns, or vöö (also known as kõlavöö), offer a wealth of geometric inspiration for knitting. These traditional belts, often created using tablet or inkle weaving, are characterized by their prominent squares, diamonds, chevrons, and X-shaped motifs.

Yarn: Koigu Jasmine DK 100% Merino

Color Options:

(A) Elvi - Blues
(B) Luule - Pinks & Neutrals
(C) Kusta - Coral, Brown & Neutrals

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Signs of Summer

Inspired pattern "Ubalekiri" is an Estonian term that refers to a stylized, abstract decorative pattern, often used in folk art, weaving, and folk knitting. It's sometimes translated loosely as “bean script” or “bean motif”, from uba meaning “bean” and kiri meaning “pattern” or “script.”

Yarn: Koigu Jasmine DK 100% Merino

Color Options:

(A) Kuno - Dark Teal, Light Green, Yellow, Gray, White
(B) Otto - Dark Red, Orange, Yellow, Gray White
(C) Timmo - Dark Green, Teal, Light Blue, Gray, White

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mystique

Halliste County, located in southern Estonia within Viljandimaa, is celebrated for its rich mitten-making heritage. These mittens are distinguished by their striking geometric patterns, intricate designs, and strong symmetrical balance. The patterns found in Halliste mittens are a testament to the region's vibrant cultural identity. Beyond their practical use, these mittens served as significant symbols of heritage, prosperity, and skilled artistry, particularly when included in dowries.

Yarn: Koigu Cheers Merino/Lincoln Blend Light Worsted

Color Options:

(A) Niina - Variegated Burgundy & White
(B) Peep - Rainbow & Off White
(C) Siim - Variegated Greens

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Squares & Diamonds

Diamonds: Symbolize fertility, protection, and the feminine principle. Often associated with the "field" or "womb" in Estonian symbolism. Squares: Represent stability, earth, and order. Sometimes used to enclose other motifs, like crosses or stars, symbolizing protection. The pattern is inspired by an old Estonian pattern from the thirteenth century.

Yarn: Koigu Corriedale & Corriedale/Gotland DK/Light Worsted

Color Options:

(A) Age - Original Fuscia & Neutrals
(B) Huko - Blue Variegated & Neutrals
(C) Sven - Green Variegated & Neutrals
(D) Taimi - Yellow & Neutrals
(E) Mihkel - Denim Blue & Neutrals

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Snowflake

This design beautifully blends traditions, drawing inspiration from both Northern Scandinavian snowflake motifs and Estonian embroidery. It unites two rich textile heritages: the crisp geometry characteristic of Nordic knitwear and the floral, symbolic, and decorative elegance found in Estonian folk embroidery.

Yarn: Koigu Chelsea Aran 100% Merino

Color Options:

(A) Talvi - Blue & White
(B) Mati - Orange & Tan
(C) Vello - Indigo & Off White

The Community

Join in or follow all the activity on Instagram and Facebook! We have a private make along group on Facebook where you can chat with others working on the project. Additionally, you are always welcome to come knit with us at Community Night on Tuesdays from 6-8pm!

We also encourage you to connect with Koigu on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and/or Pinterest. And, if you haven't already, we highly recommend visiting their website - www.koigu.com - for inspiring patterns, gorgeous yarn, and images of their beautiful farm!

About Maie Landra and Koigu

Koigu (pronounced KOI-goo) is the name of the farm that co-founder Maie Landra (shown in the throwback photo at left) and her family have operated since 1972. It is named in honor of the large farm - now a small village - in southern Estonia where Maie’s late husband Harry spent his childhood. The family believed in continuing the farm’s legacy and found their home in Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada.

Maie began by using her handspun yarns in detailed woven tapestries, but found that knitting allowed for more time to expand and experiment. Maie’s daughter Taiu returned to the farm after completing a degree at the Ontario Agriculture Business, with the aim of making the fiber business viable. The mother-daughter team tried their hand at a variety of products before determining that working with a commercial wool mill was going to be the best way forward.

You can learn more about Koigu, its history and its products in our Stash Dive with MFY article.

As you work on your projects, we would love if you share your progress by tagging us on Instagram and/or Facebook @michiganfineyarns and using our project hashtags #michiganfineyarns #MFYkal.