Tvåändsstickning in Sweden
Two-end knitting (tvåändsstickning) is sometimes called twined knitting. That designation is actually incorrect as a textile term (twining actually means two elements twisted around a third), and stems from an incorrect translation by Robin Hansen in 1989 of the book Tvåändsstickat .
But while I would advocate for either using the Swedish term (as we use other non-English terms in knitting — such as Entrelac), or the direct English translation of two-end knitting, it is likely to continue to be called twined knitting by many, and a pattern search will inevitably lead you to designs with all three designations.
So what is it? Tvåändsstickning is a knitting technique where yarn is pulled from two ends of a single ball, or from two different balls (as seen in the example above). Rows are formed by alternating the two yarns, and twisting one over the other between stitches. Ordinarily the yarn is a fine weight (fingering) and should be 100% wool, and when knit on small needles, produces a very dense, compact fabric. The knitting itself is a rather slow process, but enjoyable and meditative if you aren’t in a hurry.
After spending quite a while researching and trying to master the technique, I decided I needed to go to the source to learn more, and signed up for a week-long class at Sätergläntan Institute in Insjon, Sweden. With its rustic cabins and brightly lit classrooms, the Institute is a wonderful spot for exploring and learning traditional Swedish handcrafts.
My class, taught by probably the best-known expert in tvåändsstickning, Karin Khunlund, was quite an intense week of grappling with Swedish and hands that became increasingly stiff through 8-hours a day of knitting. If it sounds for one second like this wasn’t the least bit fun, let me assure you that this was knitting heaven. I’d spent enough time studying ahead of time to get the gist of everything Karin said, and would get the occasional help from one of my classmates if I needed some translation.
It was my goal not to interrupt the class to get help even when I was confused, and I was lucky that the person I happened to sit next to on day one had been an exchange student from Sweden to the US during her high school years. What a lucky break! Carina absolutely kept me up to speed, while knitting twice as quickly as I could go.
Karin with Solveig 
Ingrid 
Inga 
One of Inga’s mittens
In addition to Karin’s incredible collection of historic hats, socks, mittens, gloves and jacket sleeves, Sätergläntan’s museum collection, housed in their library, provided endless inspiration for our “next projects.”
Carina and Karin in the Sätergläntan Library collection.
Historic mittens 
My first baby-sized mitten took nearly 4 days to complete, and I was quite determined to reach the point of completing both the increases for the thumb gusset and the decreases for the top. The bind-off is also quite interesting — The Knäppa av (literally “snap off” — as in snapping the fingers) comes when you reach “just the right spot.” This pattern has no measurements, but relies on the knitter to figure out exactly where that “right spot,” occurs. The bind-off takes both of the yarns through the top stitches, and because they are worked in three passes, makes a closure just as dense and tight as the knitting of the entire mitten.
Founded in 1923, Sätergläntan is a residential craft school offering 3-year programs in metal working, wood working, weaving, and sewing. In addition, they offer week-long and some shorter classes, particularly in the summer months. In addition to course descriptions, their website features a link to their boutique, which carries yarn, needles, books and a wide variety of items crafted by their students. It is truly a magical place!