Baltic Baa: Knitted Estonian Sheep Puppets

We love looking back through decades of Spin Off issues and resurfacing some of our favorite content. One of the reasons this project, a joint effort between designer Anu Kotli and spinner Carol H. Rhoades, was so popular is that Anu included four variations of patterns for the sheep’s sweater. Choosing between four traditional Estonian stitch patterns and adding in sheepy colors allows you to easily create your own take on this classic project. Current All Access subscribers can log in below to get the exclusive PDF download plus spinning notes from Carol.

Introduction from Carol H. Rhoades

On my first sight of Estonian animal puppets at a knitting retreat in Norway, I knew they would be lovely in handspun yarn. The designer, Anu Kotli, very generously gave me copies of some patterns, and I later knitted a rabbit for a friend with angora from her bunny. On all the puppets, the head shaping and the embroidery of the features are essential to the animal’s looks. Since Anu doesn’t spin but is an expert knitter, we decided that I would spin and she would knit for this project.

Meet the puppets, starting from the left: Kriimu, Kirju, Pilve, and Sini

Gallery of Finished Puppets

Several of our readers were inspired to make the Estonian sheep puppets after they were first published, and we wanted to share a few of their photos. See the “Letters” section in Spin Off Summer 2007 to read a note from each contributor and see even more submissions, and check out the Ravelry page for even more adorable inspiration!

Gallery of finished Estonian Hand Puppets, from various contributors as indicated

Spinning Notes

Although I wanted to spin Estonian wool for these sheep puppets, that wasn’t possible.