In Laine Magazine 30, we present designs from fourteen outstanding designers from around the world. Meet Maria Bach Jensen, Amy Baldwin, Aneta Bleyer, Meghan Haughton, Heli Hottinen-Puukko, Anniina Juuti, Sara Ottosson, Veta Romanenkova, Inese Sang, Megumi Shinagawa, Anna Syrjänen, Natascha Tulloch, Yiğitcan Vatansever and Karin & Stina Weststrand.
Maria Bach Jensen
Maria Bach Jensen lives on the west coast of Denmark, working full-time as a knitwear designer. Previously, she has worked as a graphic designer. Maria’s design style is Nordic and minimalistic, but often with extra details. She works with small elements of contrast in the form of colours, texture or graphic elements.
For this issue, Maria designed the Worker sweater inspired by traditional men’s workwear.
@sanastrik
Amy Baldwin
Last year, Amy Baldwin left her job as a software engineer to focus on her recovery, as she has chronic illness as a result of Long Covid. Now, Amy spends as much time designing knitwear as her health allows. Living in Brooklyn, New York, Amy is often inspired by the textures and colours of the city around her, as well as street styles and shop windows.
For this issue, Amy designed Oat: a classic, tailored sweater that is easy to dress up or down.
@theknittingfriend
Aneta Bleyer
Aneta Bleyer originally comes from Poland but has been living in Germany for nearly 20 years. She works as a part-time knitwear designer, while her other profession is nature and travel photography. Aneta’s knitwear ideas come from both the colours and textures of nature, and the clean lines and modern feel of city life. Her design style is classic with thoughtful details.
For this issue, Aneta designed Bothan: a relaxed cardigan with textures that echo the horizontal rhythms found in nature.
@knitting.adventures
Meghan Haughton
Meghan Haughton enjoys complex pieces that require attention and skill or learning from the knitter. Her style typically includes eye-catching motifs, whether that be lace, colourwork, or cables. Meghan comes from Winnipeg, Canada. She is a part-time knitwear designer and also works with a local yarn store called Purl and Hank.
For this issue, Meghan designed the Hestia sweater that features a striking colourwork motif on the upper half.
@pearlbyrae
Heli Hottinen-Puukko
Heli Hottinen-Puukko, who lives in Espoo, Finland, has studied, among other things, to become a textile crafts teacher and a vocational artisan in knitting and sewing. Nowadays she works in continuing education, and she describes knitwear design as “a wonderful passion hobby”. Heli enjoys challenging herself as a knitter — she wants to learn new things and experiment with techniques.
For this issue, Heli designed Lazybones: a classic, relaxed sweater featuring a simple lace pattern.
@kotonaknits
Anniina Juuti
Anniina Juuti comes from Kokkola, Finland. She is a full-time knitwear designer who grew up struggling to find clothes that worked for her body, which led her to training and working as a seamstress. A few years ago, Anniina got into knitting and brought that experience of garment construction with her. She designs patterns in a wide range of sizes, with shaping options that help the garments truly fit.
For this issue, Anniina Juuti designed the cabled Huurre vest with a contemporary silhouette and practical details.
@annijuutiknits
Sara Ottosson
Sara Ottosson comes from the city of Västerås in Sweden, where they work as a part-time knitwear designer, part-time prop maker and part-time restaurant worker. Sara is a “what if?” designer, constantly searching for new combinations, with a curiosity to learn and try, to mix ideas and techniques.
For this issue, Sara designed the Shape of Water beanie, inspired by streams in autumnal forests, as well as the marling possibilities of the bouclé yarn.
@handvarkat
Veta Romanenkova
Veta Romanenkova is Belarusian-American and currently lives between Latvia and Naples, working as a knitwear designer. Veta describes her design style as minimalistic, geometric and textured. She loves fashion, haute couture and the catwalk and is inspired by both current trends and older archives.
For this issue, Veta designed the Niti sweater, scattered in waves of timely asymmetrical cables.
@veta_velveta
Inese Sang
Inese Sang grew up in Latvia. After graduating from university with a degree in Chinese language and literature, she moved to Shanghai and later to Vancouver, where she now lives. Currently, she is a full-time knitwear designer. Each of her designs features a small surprise technique to keep the process engaging without being too overwhelming.
For this issue, Inese designed Limina, a striped triangular shawl that blends well with effortless street style.
@isangknits
Megumi Shinagawa
Megumi Shinagawa comes from Kobe, Japan, where she works as a full-time knitwear designer. A friend once told Megumi that her knits look like ‘fuki-yose’: a mixture of various types of small Japanese sweets and nuts. Megumi enjoys incorporating various techniques into a single garment, so she feels this example really suits her.
For this issue, Megumi designed the Ihana cardigan, a garment that feels both classic and lovely, with some 1990s vibes.
@megcatknits
Anna Syrjänen
Anna Syrjänen lives in Helsinki, Finland. She works full-time in the software industry, but knitwear design has been her hobby and passion since she was a teenager in the 90s. Anna loves engaging knitting projects, and she enjoys designing lace and cable pieces that look more complicated than they actually are.
For this issue, Anna designed the soft, easy-going sweater Siipi sweater with an eye-catching lace pattern.
@annan_neuleet
Natascha Tulloch
Natascha Tulloch lives in rural New York, USA. She studied biomedical engineering and works as a prosthetist/orthotist, designing and making limbs and braces for military veterans. This also influence her knitting design; she is constantly thinking about how a garment interacts with the body, how it moves, and how structure and form work together.
For this issue, Natascha designed Menamu: a relaxed-fit raglan pullover with an easy-to-memorise stitch pattern.
@tullyknitworks
Yi̇ği̇tcan Vatansever
Yiğitcan Vatansever is from Istanbul, Turkey, and currently lives in Berlin, Germany, where they work as a full-time knitwear designer. Yiğitcan’s inspiration comes from many places: bold graphic artworks, their favourite series, movies and games, or their Turkish roots. Sometimes, it’s just a feeling, an urge to tell a story through their designs.
For this issue, Yi̇ği̇tcan designed the Offbeat scarf, featuring a unique, yet very approachable way of colour-blocking in brioche.
@pufidoknits
Karin & Stina Weststrand
Karin and Stina Weststrand are sisters who also live as neighbours in Gothenburg, Sweden. Karin works as a costumier at Gothenburg City Theatre, while Stina works as a scientific curator at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden. For their designs, they apply a modern construction with inspiration from vintage clothing, contemporary fashion and the world of plants.
For this issue, Karin & Stina designed Ljung: a straight, round-yoke sweater worked from the top down in a repeating textured pattern.
@theweststrandsisters
Learn more:
Laine Magazine Issue 30
Pattern Previews for Laine 30
Pattern Previews for Laine 30 on Ravelry
Meet the designers for Laine Issue 30
In Laine Magazine 30, we present designs from fourteen outstanding designers from around the world. Meet Maria Bach Jensen, Amy Baldwin, Aneta Bleyer, Meghan Haughton, Heli Hottinen-Puukko, Anniina Juuti, Sara Ottosson, Veta Romanenkova, Inese Sang, Megumi Shinagawa, Anna Syrjänen, Natascha Tulloch, Yiğitcan Vatansever and Karin & Stina Weststrand.
Maria Bach Jensen
Maria Bach Jensen lives on the west coast of Denmark, working full-time as a knitwear designer. Previously, she has worked as a graphic designer. Maria’s design style is Nordic and minimalistic, but often with extra details. She works with small elements of contrast in the form of colours, texture or graphic elements.
For this issue, Maria designed the Worker sweater inspired by traditional men’s workwear.
@sanastrik
Amy Baldwin
Last year, Amy Baldwin left her job as a software engineer to focus on her recovery, as she has chronic illness as a result of Long Covid. Now, Amy spends as much time designing knitwear as her health allows. Living in Brooklyn, New York, Amy is often inspired by the textures and colours of the city around her, as well as street styles and shop windows.
For this issue, Amy designed Oat: a classic, tailored sweater that is easy to dress up or down.
@theknittingfriend
Aneta Bleyer
Aneta Bleyer originally comes from Poland but has been living in Germany for nearly 20 years. She works as a part-time knitwear designer, while her other profession is nature and travel photography. Aneta’s knitwear ideas come from both the colours and textures of nature, and the clean lines and modern feel of city life. Her design style is classic with thoughtful details.
For this issue, Aneta designed Bothan: a relaxed cardigan with textures that echo the horizontal rhythms found in nature.
@knitting.adventures
Meghan Haughton
Meghan Haughton enjoys complex pieces that require attention and skill or learning from the knitter. Her style typically includes eye-catching motifs, whether that be lace, colourwork, or cables. Meghan comes from Winnipeg, Canada. She is a part-time knitwear designer and also works with a local yarn store called Purl and Hank.
For this issue, Meghan designed the Hestia sweater that features a striking colourwork motif on the upper half.
@pearlbyrae
Heli Hottinen-Puukko
Heli Hottinen-Puukko, who lives in Espoo, Finland, has studied, among other things, to become a textile crafts teacher and a vocational artisan in knitting and sewing. Nowadays she works in continuing education, and she describes knitwear design as “a wonderful passion hobby”. Heli enjoys challenging herself as a knitter — she wants to learn new things and experiment with techniques.
For this issue, Heli designed Lazybones: a classic, relaxed sweater featuring a simple lace pattern.
@kotonaknits
Anniina Juuti
Anniina Juuti comes from Kokkola, Finland. She is a full-time knitwear designer who grew up struggling to find clothes that worked for her body, which led her to training and working as a seamstress. A few years ago, Anniina got into knitting and brought that experience of garment construction with her. She designs patterns in a wide range of sizes, with shaping options that help the garments truly fit.
For this issue, Anniina Juuti designed the cabled Huurre vest with a contemporary silhouette and practical details.
@annijuutiknits
Sara Ottosson
Sara Ottosson comes from the city of Västerås in Sweden, where they work as a part-time knitwear designer, part-time prop maker and part-time restaurant worker. Sara is a “what if?” designer, constantly searching for new combinations, with a curiosity to learn and try, to mix ideas and techniques.
For this issue, Sara designed the Shape of Water beanie, inspired by streams in autumnal forests, as well as the marling possibilities of the bouclé yarn.
@handvarkat
Veta Romanenkova
Veta Romanenkova is Belarusian-American and currently lives between Latvia and Naples, working as a knitwear designer. Veta describes her design style as minimalistic, geometric and textured. She loves fashion, haute couture and the catwalk and is inspired by both current trends and older archives.
For this issue, Veta designed the Niti sweater, scattered in waves of timely asymmetrical cables.
@veta_velveta
Inese Sang
Inese Sang grew up in Latvia. After graduating from university with a degree in Chinese language and literature, she moved to Shanghai and later to Vancouver, where she now lives. Currently, she is a full-time knitwear designer. Each of her designs features a small surprise technique to keep the process engaging without being too overwhelming.
For this issue, Inese designed Limina, a striped triangular shawl that blends well with effortless street style.
@isangknits
Megumi Shinagawa
Megumi Shinagawa comes from Kobe, Japan, where she works as a full-time knitwear designer. A friend once told Megumi that her knits look like ‘fuki-yose’: a mixture of various types of small Japanese sweets and nuts. Megumi enjoys incorporating various techniques into a single garment, so she feels this example really suits her.
For this issue, Megumi designed the Ihana cardigan, a garment that feels both classic and lovely, with some 1990s vibes.
@megcatknits
Anna Syrjänen
Anna Syrjänen lives in Helsinki, Finland. She works full-time in the software industry, but knitwear design has been her hobby and passion since she was a teenager in the 90s. Anna loves engaging knitting projects, and she enjoys designing lace and cable pieces that look more complicated than they actually are.
For this issue, Anna designed the soft, easy-going sweater Siipi sweater with an eye-catching lace pattern.
@annan_neuleet
Natascha Tulloch
Natascha Tulloch lives in rural New York, USA. She studied biomedical engineering and works as a prosthetist/orthotist, designing and making limbs and braces for military veterans. This also influence her knitting design; she is constantly thinking about how a garment interacts with the body, how it moves, and how structure and form work together.
For this issue, Natascha designed Menamu: a relaxed-fit raglan pullover with an easy-to-memorise stitch pattern.
@tullyknitworks
Yi̇ği̇tcan Vatansever
Yiğitcan Vatansever is from Istanbul, Turkey, and currently lives in Berlin, Germany, where they work as a full-time knitwear designer. Yiğitcan’s inspiration comes from many places: bold graphic artworks, their favourite series, movies and games, or their Turkish roots. Sometimes, it’s just a feeling, an urge to tell a story through their designs.
For this issue, Yi̇ği̇tcan designed the Offbeat scarf, featuring a unique, yet very approachable way of colour-blocking in brioche.
@pufidoknits
Karin & Stina Weststrand
Karin and Stina Weststrand are sisters who also live as neighbours in Gothenburg, Sweden. Karin works as a costumier at Gothenburg City Theatre, while Stina works as a scientific curator at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden. For their designs, they apply a modern construction with inspiration from vintage clothing, contemporary fashion and the world of plants.
For this issue, Karin & Stina designed Ljung: a straight, round-yoke sweater worked from the top down in a repeating textured pattern.
@theweststrandsisters
Learn more:
Laine Magazine Issue 30
Pattern Previews for Laine 30
Pattern Previews for Laine 30 on Ravelry