Reservations 877·97·CRAFT  (877·972·7238)

12-Day ~ Baltic Knitting Cruise (August 2015)

Holland America Line


Start Date:

   

August 7, 2015

   

End Date:

   

August 19, 2015

Baltic Knitting Cruise (August 2015) ~ Knitting Cruises Description

12-Day Baltic Knitting Cruise w/ Merike Saarniite & Lily Chin

 

Join Craft Cruises on our most popular knitting cruise itinerary. Every country within this region has a long knitting tradition; many modern knitting techniques, including fair isle and lace, can trace their roots to the countries that surround the Baltic. A number of today's leading-edge knitwear and crochet designers call Northern Europe home. The region also hosts some of the most notable yarn stores in Europe. With its rich history, cruises in the Baltic combine spectacular natural scenery with stops in sophisticated cities noted for their iconic architecture, beautiful cathedrals, and cutting-edge design trends. Classes with Estonian expert Merike Saarniite will expand your knitting skills and provide an opportunity to spend time with other knitters. Explore in port with your trip leader, Lily Chin, who will point out all the best yarn shops along the way.

 

Merike's onboard knitting program will focus on Estonian knitting techniques. She holds dual citizenships for Estonia and the US and she teaches throughout the US. Merike is highly regarded as an expert spinner, weaver and dyer.  Merike will be teaching such popular favorites as Estonian Stitches, the Perfect Finished Selvedge, Darn It, 3-2-1 Roundabout, Reversible 2-Color Surprising Stitches and Estonian Lace Elements.

 

Among the ports of call, Estonia, a favorite destination on prior Craft Cruises trips, is well-known for its Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union, Eesti kasitoo. This non-profit brings together organizations and individuals to preserve and develop traditional Estonian hand crafts, keeping this part of their culture alive and serving as a source of income and subsistence for Estonian craftspeople throughout the country. Other ports include St. Petersburg, home of the renowned Hermitage Museum; Helsinki, named the World Design Capital in 2012; Stockholm, a city of islands filled with bridges and fairy-tale architecture; and Copenhagen, where the work of fabulous knitting designers Bente Geil, Marianne Isager and Hanne Falkenberg can be found in many knitting shops. 

 

2015 Baltic Knitting Cruise Highlights

 

  • In Copenhagen, visit Sommerfuglen, the largest yarn store in Denmark and enjoy a trunk show with Bente Geil
  • Take a historical walking tour of Copenhagen and have lunch at Cafe G, a popular hangout for local knitters
  • Shop for kits by popular Danish designers such as Bente Geil, Marianne Isager and Hanne Falkenberg at prices below those of the US
  • Take the train into Berlin or stay in the quaint port town of Warnemunde where you can walk on the beach, eat fish and chips with a pint of beer or take the train to Rostock to shop for yarn at Prunkist
  • Explore the treasures of St. Petersburg including the Hermitage, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Pushkin Palace, and Catherine's Palace among others
  • In Helsinki visit Menita, the largest yarn store in Finland
  • Shop for 100% Finnsheep Wool dyed naturally with plants and mushrooms from Leena Riihivilla's open air stand at the waterfront market 
  • In Estonia experience the coolest "Old Town" in modern Europe, Tallinn, which has retained its medieval character and is home to some of the best design studios and art galleries in Europe
  • Shop for locally-produced lace shawls and a wide range of knit-wear at the Estonian handwork union craft guild stores
  • Enjoy a yarn crawl in Tallinn with Merike where you'll shop for linen and wool at the lowest prices in the region
  • Spend two days in Stockholm with plenty of time for sightseeing and shopping for Swedish yarn
  • Enjoy a Swedish summer smorgasbord with locally-sourced ingredients