Ieva Ozolina - Knit Like a Latvian: Socks: 50 knitting patterns for knee-length socks, ankle socks and legwarmers

KNIT LIKE A

50 knitting patterns for knee-length socks, ankle socks and leg warmers

Ieva Ozolina

Dear knitting enthusiast, thank you for choosing my book!

Latvia is a small country located in Northern Europe, by the Baltic Sea, smaller than Scotland and with less than half as many inhabitants. The damp and windy coastal climate has always created a need for warm clothing, which is why Latvia is steeped in a rich heritage of knitting traditions.

The first records of knitting in Latvia date back to the 13th century, but we suspect that Latvians have knitted for much longer than that.

Every region in Latvia has its own unique way of knitting socks. Winter socks were knitted using sheep's wool and summer socks from linen or cotton. The socks werent only necessary for warmth, but were also worn as an accessory and a form of expression.

Socks for daily use were bright and made with wool. For practical reasons they were a solid colour at the bottom of the foot because this part deteriorated the fastest and had to be reknitted.

In ancient times, yarns were dyed with natural, plant-based pigments, using ingredients like roots, flowers and even mushrooms to colour the wool.

Women complemented their clothing with stockings that were decorated with traditional symbols and colourful patterns, both partially and all over the sock. Particularly elegant were the lace stockings for women.

I have been looking for samples of authentic socks all over Latvia and have had help from the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, Madona Local History and Art Museum, Kuldiga District Museum and Liepaja Museum, who all kindly agreed to share their carefully preserved historical collections with me.

However, this is not a history book. This is a practical knitting book in which I have combined Latvian knitting traditions with a modern perspective and application.

I hope you find your perfect pair of Latvian socks within this book.

Good luck!

Here are some of the most common symbols featured in Latvian sock patterns, with an explanation of their meaning.

THE SIGN OF GOD In ancient Latvian mythology, God was not just the father of the Gods, he was the essence of them all. This symbol represents the sky, as a roof over the Earth.
THE SIGN OF MRA The deity of earth and water and all the creatures within. Mra is the protector of women, especially mothers, and children. She is goddess of the Earth.
THE SIGN OF LAIMA Goddess of destiny. Laima determined the destiny of people. The name Laima derives from the word laime, which means happiness or luck. The sign is thought to bring luck.
THE SIGN OF THE STAR The star protects from evil. The simplest form of star is a basic cross shape, created by lines crossing at right angles, which symbolises fire and the light. A cross in Latvian folklore has six or eight stars and is one of the only surviving symbols to still honour the winter ceremonies and celebrations.
THE SIGN OF AUSEKLIS (MORNING STAR) The usher of the new day. Auseklis is thought to protect people from the forces of evil that roam at night.
THE SIGN OF THE SUN The Sun is the dominant feature of Gods heaven. The Sun is the goddess of fertility, and also the patron goddess of the unlucky. The sign of the Sun is the most frequently used element in Latvian design.
THE CROSS OF MRA (CROSS OF CROSSES) Related to fire, home and productivity (fertility). It guards, blesses and brings happiness.
ZALKTIS (SERPENT) Zalktis was the guardian of wealth and well-being, and therefore had to be protected and cared for. Zalktis was thought to be a sacred animal, and had access to worldwide knowledge. The sign of Zalktis symbolises wisdom, ancient arts and sacred crafts.

In ancient times sock knitters used tiny metal needles, but now we have so many options: steel, aluminium, bamboo, resin or wood. Any of these are suitable for sock knitting and you can use your preferred option.

We traditionally use five double pointed needles for knitting Latvian socks, and all the socks and stockings shown in this book have been knitted with double pointed needles ranging in size from 1.53.5mm.

For knitting some stockings, we used 2 or 3 different needle sizes to create the leg shaping, using larger needles for the calf and smaller ones for the ankle and foot.

Natural, 100% wool, 2-ply wool is traditionally used for Latvian socks and stockings. This is the best choice for knitting authentic socks, because this yarn is most similar to hand-spun yarn, which was used in ancient times. Another reason to use wool yarns is the huge range of colours available.

Most socks and some of the stockings are knitted with 2-ply 100% wool (350m per 100g).

If you prefer more modern options, you can knit with 4-ply sock yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (400m per 100g). This yarn is similar in thickness and is much softer, more durable and flexible, which makes socks or stockings last much longer.

Some of socks in this book are knitted with 6-ply sock yarn (375m per 150g).

Each pattern provides information on the number of colours used, including the base colour.

For most socks with a coloured leg or cuff, the foot is worked in the base colour and total amounts required will depend upon the length of the foot and the leg.