Description
Sunday, 26th July 2026, 9:30am
Duration: 3 hours
Aleks Byrd is coming back to Australia! After her hugely successful teaching tour in 2023 following the release of her book Traditions Revisited – Modern Estonian Knits, she’s back with her new book Kindred Knits – Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives. Get the chance to meet and learn from Aleks as she teaches some of her favourite deceptively easy Estonian knitting techniques.
A vikkel is a twisted or traveling stitch pattern used in Estonian knitting that creates a narrow cable pattern without the use of a cable needle. These patterns create beautiful textures and even braids that add dimension to your knitting.
Students will knit a small swatch exploring these elegant techniques.
What You’ll Learn
Vikkel twisted stitch patterns
Creating cables without a cable needle
Traveling stitch techniques
How to add dimension and texture to your knitting
You’ll leave with a swatch showcasing these elegant techniques and all the skills to add vikkel stitches to your own projects.
Recommended Patterns for This Class
Once you’ve mastered vikkel, you’ll be ready to tackle patterns like:
Caloroso Shawl | Truuduse Socks | Orav Cardigan* | Orav Vest* | Orav Hat*
*Currently exclusive to Kindred Knits
What Makes This Workshop Special
Vikkel stitches are one of the signature techniques of Estonian knitting – they create intricate cable-like patterns that look complex but are deceptively easy once you know the technique.
Learning from Aleks Byrd, author of Traditions Revisited – Modern Estonian Knits and Kindred Knits – Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives, means you’re learning these heritage techniques from one of the world’s leading experts.
Bring your copy of Kindred Knits (or grab one in-store) for signing!
What to Bring
US 6 / 4mm needles for knitting small circumference (DPNs or circular needles for magic loop)
Stitch markers
DK-weight yarn in a light solid colour, approx 20g
CLASS KITS AVAILABLE!
We’ve teamed up with Circus Tonic Handmade for exclusive class kits – Hannah’s bringing the best of her colourwork colour sense! 2 x 50g skeins (oatmeal and grey) plus 5 x 20g minis with great colour pops and interesting contrasts, all DK/8ply non-superwash (perfect for colourwork!). Choose your minis in Autumn hues, Blues, Pinks/Reds, or Greens. Just pop in the notes if you want the kit wound and ready for using in the class.
Purchase your kit here [LINK]
Homework
Students will be given instructions to have their swatch cast-on to continue knitting in the workshop.
What’s Included
Expert tuition from Aleks Byrd
Printed handouts
Tea and coffee throughout the session
Skill Level
Advanced beginner / intermediate knitter – students should be comfortable to knit and purl in the round, cast-on, bind-off, and reading from charts.
About Your Instructor: Aleks Byrd
Aleks Byrd is a knitwear designer with roots in Estonia, Canada, and the USA. Her passion is creating modern patterns with a connection to the past using little-known traditional techniques for unique wearable designs that are fun and rewarding to knit for all levels of knitters.
Her portfolio includes patterns published in The Knitter magazine and Laine Magazine. Her books Traditions Revisited – Modern Estonian Knits and Kindred Knits – Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives bring together her designs and teaching as an introduction to Estonian knitting, both traditional and traditional-inspired. Aleks teaches sold-out workshops all over the world – most notably at Vogue Knitting Live in New York.
Make It a Weekend!
Book all three Aleks Byrd workshops and save 10%!
Saturday: Intro to Estonian Knitting (6 hours)
Sunday AM: Vikkel – Twisted Stitches & Braid (3 hours)
Sunday PM: Ladderback Jacquard – Beautiful Long Float Colourwork (3 hours)
Just select the Full Weekend option on our Classes and Events Page to book.
Workshop Perks
One of the great benefits of attending our workshops is the 10% discount on all in-store purchases on the day of your class*!
This discount is also extended to any class materials purchased in advance.
*excludes gift vouchers and Circus Tonic Handmade class kits
Important Details
When: Sunday, 26th July 2026, 9:30am
Duration: 3 hours
Joining us for both Sunday sessions? Let us know when you book if you’d like us to arrange lunch for you between classes.
Please note: there will be no entry to the class after the first 10 minutes to minimize disruption for other participants
Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Cancellations More Than 10 Days Prior to Workshop Date: Cancellations or date changes made more than 10 days before the scheduled workshop will receive a refund minus a non-refundable 10% booking fee.
Cancellations Less Than 10 Days Prior to Workshop Date: No refunds or date changes will be provided for cancellations made less than 10 days before the workshop. Ticket holders may transfer their booking to another person who will attend in their place.
Late Cancellation Waiting List Option: In the event of a cancellation made less than 10 days prior to the workshop date, if the workshop is at full capacity, Yarn Trader will attempt to re-sell the ticket from any existing waiting list. Should the ticket be successfully re-sold, a refund minus the 10% booking fee will be issued to the original ticket holder.
General Terms:
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to [email protected]
Refunds will be processed within 14 business days of the cancellation request
Ready to master Estonian twisted stitches? Spaces are limited—book your spot below!