North Wind Knits

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.

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.

Inspired by the beauty of nature, these patterns for sweaters, cardigans and accessories let the yarn speak through texture, structure and thoughtful design.

Modern techniques, top-down construction and refined details make knitting a joy and the finished pieces a delight to wear.

At the heart of the book is the wool of the native Finnish sheep – a durable fibre with deep roots and plenty of character.

You’ll also find tips for swapping yarns while keeping that beautifully rustic feel on your needles.

For Annika Konttaniemi, who also created Arctic Knitting – The Magic of Nature and Colourwork, knitting is both personal and shared.

Her patterns grow from walks through the subarctic forests and from knitting retreats, where skills, stories and connections are exchanged through the simple joy of working together.