Pattern Previews for Finnish Knits
Finnish Knits is a captivating one-off issue of Laine Magazine, dedicated entirely to Finnish knitwear design. Take a look at all the patterns below!
Jenny Ansah — Vuokko
“Vuokko” is the Finnish name for the anemone flower species, and the yoke of this sweater features colourwork and bobbles, mimicking anemones growing in drifts. Vuokko is knitted seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is worked according to the chart, and the body and sleeves feature stockinette stitch. The body is cropped, and there are two options for the sleeve length (the shorter version is shown in the photos).
Yarn: Tandem by West Wool.
Jenny Ansah (@kotikotoni) is an Afro-Finnish knitwear designer. She describes her designs as being “close to nature, with a classic twist”. They feature muted colours and plenty of details, such as bobbles, dip stitches and tiny cables.
Lee Esselström — Nietos
This sweater is a love letter to snow — “nietos” is Finnish for “snowdrift”. Nietos is knitted in Finnish wool: the rustic, warm and durable yarn is perfect for a classic, versatile and comfortable garment. Nietos features bobbles on the front, while the back and sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch, and the cuffs, hem and neckline in twisted rib. A small crisscross motif is embroidered on the raglan. The sweater is knitted from the bottom up
Yarn: Villava 180x3 (3ply) by Lankava.
Lee Esselström (@leeesselstrom) works as a designer, teacher and theatre prop maker, but the Finnish audience best knows her as the multi-talented crafter from the TV show Strömsö. Lee intends her designs to be both timeless and durable.
Henna Haarala — Olga
The colourwork pattern of the Olga socks was inspired by traditional motifs in lace doilies. The Olga socks are knitted from the cuff down, and a colourwork pattern is worked on the leg and foot. The designer Henna Haarala named the pattern after her mum’s nickname — the traditional name seemed appropriate for socks inspired by granny-style lace motifs!
Yarn: 7 Veljestä by Novita.
Henna Haarala (@rakkaudellahenna) works as an influencer and knitwear designer. She loves colourwork patterns worked in thicker yarns and gets ideas from feelings and nature — because of the way her autism works, she sees colourwork patterns everywhere!
Ronja Hakalehto — Taipale
This sock pattern combines retro colours from Finnish nature with some traditional Finnish colourwork patterns. The Taipale (Finnish for “journey”) socks are worked from the cuff down with a short-row heel. This is also a great pattern for using leftover yarns!
Yarn: Arwetta by Filcolana.
Ronja Hakalehto (@ronjahakalehto) is a full-time knitwear designer who creates timeless designs that you can wear both in the city and the forest — but she mostly enjoys the latter. Nature is also her primary source of inspiration.
Ronja Hakalehto — Hunaja
The Hunaja sweater — Ronja Hakalehto’s second pattern for this issue — is a relaxed and chic garment made with big needles and thick yarn. The cosy jumper features a stunning cable and lace motif on the centre of the front, while the rest of the body and the sleeves are worked in squishy double seed stitch. The sweater is worked from the top down, first flat and then in the round. The combination of thick tweed yarn and silk mohair is divinely soft, and the colour reminds you of honey — “hunaja” in Finnish.
Yarns: Aran Tweed and Silk Mohair by Isager.
Anna Heino — Aila
This timeless, simple top works especially well over a dress or a classic buttoned shirt. Aila was inspired by the yarn: the smooth, worsted-spun yarn has a beautiful drape, making it perfect for knitted tops. The top is worked from the top down, first flat in pieces and then in the round. It features cables on the front that run in line with the i-cord straps.
Yarn: Wilhelmi Kampalanka by Vuonue.
Anna Heino (@kassapuoti) runs her own yarn shop, Kässäpuoti, specializing in Finnish wool. She prefers to use rather simple techniques in her designs without compromising the look of the garment — so that they are easy to make without actually looking easy!
Anna Johanna — Crowfeet
This monochrome sweater reflects the sometimes barren black-and-white scenery of the winter months: leafless trees against the snow, with a couple of crows sitting on the branches. Although the inspiration came from nature, the design’s overall look turned out to be quite urban. Crowfeet is worked top-down seamlessly with raglan increases. It has a relaxed fit and long sleeves. The sweater has an all-over colourwork pattern with little crowfeet, and the hem pattern features feathers.
Yarn: Vuona by Jalovilla.
Anna Johanna (@_.annajohanna._) is a knitwear designer and author known for her playful, elaborate and often romantic colourwork knits.
Veera Jussila — Ruutuloikka
Colours and slipped stitches are prominent features in the Ruutuloikka sweater. Ruutuloikka (Finnish for “hopscotch”) is worked in mosaic knitting, with one colour at a time, making it a great choice for those not drawn to stranded colourwork knitting. The slipped stitches give a nice texture to the fabric. The raglan-sleeve sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. You can choose as many colours as you like, which is why Ruutuloikka is also a great scrap yarn project.
Yarn: Vuona by Jalovilla.
Veera Jussila (@kasityokekkerit) is a knitwear designer who also creates sewing patterns, runs workshops and teaches. She loves colours, scrap yarns and combining them.
Susanna Kaartinen — Vakka
This slipover was inspired by traditional baskets woven from birch – “Vakka” is Finnish for a wooden or woven basket. The slipover is worked from the bottom up, both flat and in the round. It features a basketweave pattern and cables on the sides. Vakka is a garment with subtle visual interest, making it a versatile wardrobe staple.
Yarn: La Bella 8ply by Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill.
Susanna Kaartinen (@sanna_and_co) is a Saami designer who comes from Finnish Lapland but lives in Australia. Her style combines clean lines with interesting details.
Meiju Kallio — Lempi
The Lempi Sweater and Hat are decorated with heart-shaped cables. “Lempi” means “favourite” in Finnish, but it is also an old-fashioned word for love. The Lempi jumper is a classic sweater with a modern twist, worked in a combination of cables and stockinette stitch. It is knitted from the top down: first, the back and front flat, and then the body in the round. The Lempi Hat is worked from the bottom up, and the ribbed brim is folded double when worn. The pompom adds a nice finishing touch.
Yarn: Shelter by Brooklyn Tweed.
Meiju Kallio (@meijuknits) is a knitwear designer and author known for her soft, delicate and feminine style. Her knits often combine challenging techniques and a satisfying knitting experience.
Henna Ketonen — Hiesu
This cosy hat combines two different ribbed stitch patterns and is worked with three yarns held together: one strand of bouclé and two strands of silk mohair. Hiesu is knitted top-down: the top part is worked in 3 x 1 ribbing, while the folded edge is worked in 1 x 1 ribbing. The size of the hat is altered by needle size and gauge.
Yarns: Säie Merino Boucle DK and Silk Mohair by Säie Wool or Love and Hieno by Aara Yarn.
Henna Ketonen (@imsowool) has a day job as a high school history and social studies teacher, but she also designs knitwear patterns as a hobby. Henna likes a modern and rather minimalistic look in her designs and values practicality and comfortability.
Jenna Kostet — Magia Naturali
In the 17th-century witch trials in Finland, magic was categorised as either demonic or natural — referred to in Latin as “magia naturali”. This colourwork sweater features motifs and symbols that remind us of the art of healing with plants and spells. Magia Naturali is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up. The hem at the front and back is first worked flat, creating slits on both sides.
Yarn: Tukuwool DK.
Jenna Kostet (@ihtiriekkoknits) is known for her knits inspired by Kalevala, considered a national epic in Finland. Jenna has studied ethnology and folklore, and her work is often inspired by history and tradition.
Niina Laitinen — Mielenrauha
The designer Niina Laitinen wanted to create a sock pattern that would be particularly pleasing to knit. The Mielenrauha socks (“peace of mind” in Finnish) capture your focus and knit up fast. The socks are knitted from cuff to toe, and each pair is mirrored. The leg and instep feature a cable-and-lace pattern, while the sole is worked in stockinette stitch.
Yarn: Janne by Gjestal.
Niina Laitinen (@niinalaitinendesigns_) is a knitwear designer whose work often includes textured stitch patterns combining cables and lace, but she also likes to design colourwork in bolder shades.
Paula Narkiniemi — Ridge Forrester
This sweater got its name from the designer’s childhood TV favourite, the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. The main character Ridge could have worn such a cosy turtleneck at his cabin in Big Bear! This polo-necked sweater is decorated with just a few large cable turns on a simple ribbed surface. Ridge Forrester has dropped shoulders, a loose fit and snug-fitting ribbing on the cuffs and collar. The sweater is knitted top down.
Yarns: Säie Merino DK and Silk Mohair by Säie Wool.
Paula Narkiniemi (@poolaknits) creates timeless knits with a playful twist. She works as an entrepreneur, consulting companies on marketing communications, as well as producing content and designing knitwear.
Laura Pajula and Liisa Saarenmaa — Hielo
These colourwork shorts were inspired by snowflakes and ice crystals. The Hielo shorts are a versatile piece for the colder months — or if you live high up north, for any season! The shorts are knitted seamlessly from the waist down and shaped with increases and short rows. The wide, elastic waistband provides a comfortable fit.
Yarn: Pentti Kampalanka by Vuonue.
Laura Pajula and Liisa Saarenmaa are twin sisters known for their brand Neuloosisko (@neuloosisko). Laura is a handicrafts teacher and Liisa a medical doctor. They are inspired by beautiful but easy-to-knit colourwork patterns and new ways of shaping knitted garments.
Tiia Reho — Malva
This understated yet intriguing knit combines traditional and contemporary elements. It has a relaxed silhouette and slits at the hem, cuffs and high collar. The neckline slit is a modern take on the shape of the traditional Finnish Luotolainen sweater. Malva is worked from the top down, first flat and then in the round. The ribbings are worked with only one strand of yarn, creating a contrast against the otherwise marled fabric.
Yarns: Felted Tweed by Rowan and Mohair by Nurja.
Tiia Reho (@sysivilla) works as a medical doctor and designs knits in her free time. She likes simple designs that still have a little edge.
Veera Välimäki — Usva
This shawl is an ode to textures and comfort knitting! The shawl features easy and familiar stitch patterns: garter stitch, brioche and moss stitch. The outcome is beautiful and versatile in all its simplicity. Usva is worked in bias as a triangle. You can easily modify the size by starting your bind-off after the desired section. “Usva” is Finnish for “mist”.
Yarn: KiMo Sock by Laurel Knits.
Veera Välimäki (@veerarain) is one of the leading knitwear designers in the world, whose designs are known for their simple, clean lines with modern details.
Learn more: