Aleks Byrd’s Kindred Knits: Patterns from My Estonian Family Archives is a captivating collection of designs inspired by her grandmother's old sketchbooks and her family’s heirloom crafts. The patterns are innovative and modern, yet rooted in tradition.
The book features 15 knitting patterns, ranging from socks and hats to sweaters and cardigans, worked in a variety of techniques — including lace, cables and colourwork, as well as Roosimine, the traditional Estonian inlay method. The designs are innovative and modern, yet rooted in tradition: an homage to previous generations and their shared love of craft.
Aleks Byrd is an illustrator and knitwear designer with Estonian, Canadian and American roots. She is particularly well-known as a moderniser of Estonian knitting traditions. Aleks has introduced techniques such as Roosimine and Vikkel to knitters around the world. Kindred Knits is her second knitting book: her innovative debut, Traditions Revisited, was published by Laine Publishing in 2022.