The Island and the Forest
Ön och Skogen
The Island and the Forest
Ön och Skogen
Books

The Island and the Forest: A Knitted Correspondence

Erika Åberg & Lotta H. Löthgren

The Island and the Forest: A Knitted Correspondence is an exchange of letters and knitwear patterns between two Swedish designers: Erika Åberg and Lotta H. Löthgren. The collection includes 12 patterns designed to be timeless and practical. The chapters in the book flow through the four elements and the shifting seasons. In their letters, Erika and Lotta reflect on both the little things in their life and the big questions.

$44.00
Version Hardcover
Language English
Description

The Island and the Forest includes 12 knitwear patterns designed to be timeless and practical. “The book you’re holding is our attempt at interpreting our surroundings: the landscape, its atmosphere and the weather, in the shape of stitches,” say Erika and Lotta.  

The Island and the Forest: A Knitted Correspondence is an exchange of letters and knitwear patterns between two Swedish designers: Erika Åberg on the island of Gotland and Lotta H. Löthgren in the forest in the southeast. The chapters in the book flow through the four elements — earth, water, fire and air — the shifting seasons and the natural world. In their letters, Erika and Lotta reflect on the little things in their life and how they draw out the big questions: meaning, creativity and belonging.

Erika Åberg is a knitwear designer and writer living with her family and dog on Gotland, an island off the east coast of Sweden. Erika is deeply rooted in Scandinavian craft and her designs are based on the love of nature, wool and island life. She leads wool and walking tours to destinations such as Gotland, Shetland and Iceland. The Island and the Forest is her eleventh book. 

Lotta H. Löthgren is a knitwear designer, writer and yarn-dyer living with her family, dogs and chickens in a village in southeast Sweden, where she also has a yarn shop. As a designer, she loves to translate the natural world into wearable garments. Lotta’s first book, Observations: Knits and Essays from the Forest, was published by Laine Publishing in 2023. 

Learn more:
Pattern previews for The Island and the Forest
Pattern previews for The Island and the Forest on Ravelry

222 pages
12 patterns: 3 sweaters, 2 vests, 1 cardigan, 1 shawl, 1 hat, 1 pair of fingerless mitts, 1 cowl, 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of mittens.
The size range for the garments is approx. 29" to 61" / 75 to 155 cm chest measurements.
Hardcover  with a specific binding style called Swiss binding.
Print only, no digital download code available (Note: A separate digital book will be available through Laine’s online shop on April 16, 2026.)
Language: English and Swedish
ISBN: 978-952-7580-81-3 (English) / 978-952-7580-82-0 (Swedish)
Weight: Approx. 767 g / 1.7 lb
Dimensions: 264 x 175 x 22 mm
Printed in Latvia.
Publication day: April 16, 2026.

Shipping

Shipping costs vary depending on the shipping method and package weight. The final shipping cost is calculated at checkout after you add products to your cart.

We use the following shipping carriers:

Finland: Posti, Matkahuolto
Europe: DHL
Rest of the world: FedEx

We offer free shipping on orders over:

Finland: 50 €
Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania): 70 €
Europe: 70 €
Europe Non-EU (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, UK): 80 €
USA: 200 €
Rest of the world: 150 €

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Many of our publications are also available as digital downloads. Digital editions are delivered instantly as PDF files — no shipping required. After purchase, you will receive an email with a unique download link. The file can be downloaded to your computer, phone or tablet.

If the PDF file is updated, you will receive an email with access to the latest version. Due to the nature of digital products, we do not offer refunds for digital purchases.

Worldwide delivery

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Orders are usually dispatched within 2–4 business days. During sales and promotional campaigns, processing times may be slightly longer. If there are unexpected delays, we will contact you as soon as possible.

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Note for customers in the United States

We will continue shipping to the US after the new tariff regulations take effect on 29 August.

Based on the information currently available, books and magazines will remain exempt from tariffs, while yarns, planners and notebooks may be subject to import tariffs.

In accordance with U.S. regulations, any applicable tariffs or import duties are assessed by U.S. authorities and are the responsibility of the importer at the time of delivery. These charges are determined by law and are outside our control.
We hope that the texts and garments will land softly with you and inspire you to knit, to reflect over and wonder at the places we live in; the island and the forest.
We do what knitters always do: use two thin sticks and a long thread to create a garment that didn’t exist before. From the earth to our hands.

“Yarn and wool, the seasons and the elements; earth, water, fire and air. We have talked, written, met, knitted and sent photos, sketches, text messages, watercolours and thoughts between us. It has been an incredible journey.”

Erika & Lotta

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