Charting Estonian Lace
Estonian lace is famous for its nupps — tiny bobbles formed by knitting and purling several times into the same stitch. Estonian lace charts use specific symbols for nupps and a denser symbol set than Shetland lace.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
What makes Estonian lace distinct
Heavy use of nupps for textured surface decoration. Larger, more ornate motifs than Shetland lace. Often combined with intricate cable-like elements that produce a three-dimensional surface texture.
Reading nupp symbols
A nupp is shown as a single shaded cell in the chart. The instruction "(k1, yo) 3 times into next st, k1 = 7-stitch nupp" describes a 7-stitch nupp. On the wrong-side row, all 7 stitches are purled together as one stitch.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Tension on nupps
Nupps tighten the row above significantly. To keep the row even, work the nupps loosely and consider going down a needle size for the rows containing nupps. Block aggressively to set the nupps into shape.
Famous Estonian patterns
Haapsalu shawl, lily of the valley, butterfly, and traditional pine-cone are all classic Estonian motifs. Each combines lace eyelets with substantial nupp clusters.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| yo | yarn over |
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
Tips
- Work nupps loosely — the wrong-side decrease is impossible if the nupps are too tight.
- For 7- or 9-stitch nupps, use a smaller needle just for the nupp row.
- Block aggressively to set the nupps and open the lace pattern.
In depth
Estonian lace is one of the most technically demanding lace traditions in hand-knitting. The combination of fine yarn, large nupps, and intricate charting makes Estonian shawls a multi-month project even for experienced knitters. The reward is a piece of textile art that survives for generations.