estonia

It escapes me how I heard about Melissa Gower and craft cruises http://www.craftcruises.com/
but the idea of combining travel and knitting was irresistible. Melissa helped to find me the perfect roommate – Dominique. Check her blog at www.dominiqueknitting.blogspot.com


Monkeys are rampant in north country. Do you like the Estonian variety?

When we weren’t exploring in port, Merike Saarnit taught us Estonian knitting. Merike is of Estonian descent – she has an infectious passion for Estonia and for knitting . Check out her website http://www.liisu.homestead.com/
One of the biggest highlights was a walking tour in old town Tallin by Merike. We heard a lecture by Riina Tomberg, author and knitwear designer. Her book, Vatid, Troid, Vamsad – Knitted Jackets from West-Estonian Islands will waken the designer in you – so you can knit your own Estonian jackets and sweaters.




We visited countless traditional shops full of wool and linen, ate in an outdoor cafe, met Merike’s father’s cousin, drank the local liquor, Vana Tallin, took a local bus, and visited a shopping mall to buy local music for Dominique’s daughter. I bought an exquisite fine china mug made by a local artist – a pale green glaze with bursts of a pearlish green. The product of a special abalone shell? It transports me to the bottom of a tropical sea.



Who knew about Estonia? Lots of folks I’m sure, but not most geographically challenged Americans. I loved Tallin. I found this pencil roving in one of the traditional shops.