Saterglantan Knitting Course 2010

The recent course "Knitting with Traditional Swedish Patterns and Techniques" held at Saterglantan School in Insjon, SE was amazing! Rich in history, technique, inspiration; and, conducted in Swedish. The course instructor, Karin Kahnlund, apprised me frequently of what she was lecturing of. After some translation attempts before taking the course and a shallow familiarity with knitting techniques and history, I did get the "jist" if it. Did I mention that I do not speak Swedish? No.

Karin provided countless examples and samples, then put us to work each day. It was mostly open-ended in work; however, the focus was studying an area (or two) in Sweden each day and learning of the history and techniques unique to the area.





These were samples and patterns for samples provided by Karin. I spent most of my class work time translating the patterns so I could make sure of accurate details.





And, did some knitting!










I am currently working on completing samples and blocking them. Many of my knitting ideas take the shape of fingerless gloves, so am excited about this work!

The yarn primarily used was Kunst Strikkegarn. It easily spit splices and blocks magically and has lovely, bold colors, including gray.

Saterglantan, SE

When you arrive at Saterglantan (in Insjon, SE) you see this cheerful sign! This can only mean good things to come!

A friend and I had registered to take a one-week course (short course) "Natural Dying". We arrived the evening before the course was to begin. When we got to the train station (by train), there was an expansive gravel parking lot. We were EARLY. A few factors played into our next experience: There was no "station" or any businesses to inquire of our ride (prepared for 3 hours later), it was the weekend following Midsommer, so still considered a holiday day. It was a warm sunny afternoon.

I inquired of a family (also in the parking lot) if they knew about arriving at Saterglantan. Puzzled, the wife said there were no taxis, etc. and promptly volunteered her husband to ride us the 3 kilometers there. Which he did. Shining armour was donned and we were off!


Each meal looked like this. Serving pieces were HUGE pottery bowls with carved wooden ladles, beautiful platters with cheeses and meats, etc. Always fresh food. Later, this came to be known, that the vegetables were local and FRESH.


This was my Princess Bed (which I considered fit for a princess).


And this was what we did in Natural Dying class. It might look complicated, which it was. Our instructor, Mia Olsson, guided us through the processes--washing and mordenting the yarn; gathering and preparing a variety of leaves and bark and roots, crushing cochenile, soaking lichen, mixing indigo; rinsing and washing and rinsing and whahlah, beautiful colored yarn (next time)!

Oh, and did I mention shopping at the Butiken?