RainbowMittens No1

Only in January 2026 I was learning Shepherd's crochet. And by MayDay 2026 I was having a workshop about it at annual Rovaniemi Craft Expo because of my job together with all the community colleges of Lapland. Each college had their own workshop around the same table. Next year I'll be there again. Next year the annual Craft Expo in Rovaniemi Lapland will be held 17.-18.4.2026. I will be there again on Saturday 17.4. showing up some other artisan work. You are always welcome to pop in and chat. We don't sell anything, we share only the information. There will be also craft/artisan small business to sell their products.

I designed and made these beautiful RainbowMittens No1 for the show in Rovaniemi. I used Novita 7 veljestä yarn (80 % wool, 20 % polyamide) (100 g = 200 m) for both blue and rainbow yarn. They are made by Shepherd's crochet.

Tomato Heel

I designed and knit Tomato Heel woollen socks for a child. I used Kotikulta's Tuokio yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) in red shade. The multicolored yarn in the stripes is the last left over yarn from Aurora socks. It is Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) and its shade is Aurora.

If you ever made German Short Row Heel, for sure you can make this. You make the short rows only to the half way and repeat it three times to get 3 short row reducing points.

This was my 1st time to knit Tomato Heel. I kind of liked it. It is suitable for children socks and for the ones who mainly rest when wearing these woollen socks. The name comes from it that the heel looks like a half of tomato!

Striped

I used Novita 7 veljestä "isoveli" (big brother) yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 130m) for these traditional styled striped men's woollen socks. Despite we are having a heat weave going on it wont last many days and in few months we all miss woollen socks around here! These ones are very thick and warm.

NB Mittens No2

Over a year ago I started to learn a new skill: needlebinding. I have now finished another pair of mittens. For these ones I used a stitch I think is called "Finnish stitch 1+2 F1 plaited" in English. I used Novita 7 veljestä "isoveli" (big brother) yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 130m). These mittens weight 90g (!!!) so they are very thick and warm. To be honest this yarn was not the best possible for the needlebinding project. I didn't like its quality and outfit in needlebinded mittens despite I love it in woollen socks. 

What I have learnt -so far- in needlebinding? Well, many stitches of course. But I think the most important lesson has been that it is ancient and slow but a clever technique. It is not a miracle you can't see these on sale at artesan markets so often. And if you do, no wonder they are expensive. I have also learnt that if you want to make someone happy who really can understand and appreciate all the trouble and time you use in making needlebinding, then it will be an excellent gift for them. I paid only 3€ for the yarn on sale. These are for a man for the Yule 2025 who really can appreciate and cherish them. So, it is a low budget gift if we don't count all those hours I used making them!

Dutch Heel No4 (var.)

I designed and knit this pretty pair of woollen socks. It is inspired by my Ireland Erasmus+ journey 2025 with my students and the visit at the IrelandsEye Knitwear factory. For the socks I used Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) in green shade and AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) which I plant dyed by fire weed. 

For the decorative knitting I used Single cable and mosaic stitch. In these socks you can find the mosaic stitches in the green stripes. To knit the mosaic stitches you use only the stripe shade so you knit by just one yarn (it is not Fair Isle). You knit the 1st row, then purl the 2nd. BUT you need just to slip the stitches between the stripes. It is very easy, just try it on.

For example in this version I knit on the 1st row "knit 4 - slip 2" and on the 2nd row "purl 4 - slip 2". 

I knit Dutch heel variation with seed stitch. Seed stitch is very easy and pretty. It is suitable for the beginners who want to learn to knit something else than just plain. You can use seed stitch just a little bit, only for few rows. Or you can do even double seed stitch for bigger surfaces. 

To get the seed stitch surface you just need to purl every stitch and knit every purl stitch:

1. knit-purl-knit
2. purl- knit-purl

Dutch Heel No3 (var.)

I have designed and knit one more pair of socks. This is a variation of traditional Dutch Heel No1 (trad.) woollen sock. I use this style especially for the hard use woollen socks. The difference is the sole part. The stronger knitting continues from the heel to the toes. It makes the sole warmer and more durable. I used different shades of Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) also for this pair.

Dutch Heel No2 (var.)

I designed and knit a traditional style woollen socks with the variation of the traditional style heel. I used Kotikulta's Tuokio yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) for the basic red shade. For the purple stripes I used left over Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m). And for the light purple shades I used left over Lankava's Alli yarn (75% wool and 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m). Alli yarn is from the disappointing trial of seeking new woollen sock yarn. By the way, since that it still has not happen. The heels last, when you have a proper yarn for it! Alli socks are the 1st and so far the last pair of which the heel has not last in daily use!

These socks have a variation of the traditional Dutch Heel. It is as strong as the original version but creates a bit different look. 

In this variation of The Dutch Heel (trad.) you make it all just a different rhythm in the following difference:

    1. row: purl

    2. row: slip 1st one, knit-slip-knit until knit the last one

    3. row - purl

    4. row: slip 1 st one, slip-knit-slip until knit the last one

    repeat 1-4 rows

Dutch Heel No1 (trad.)

I designed and knit a traditional style woollen socks with the traditional style heel. I used different shades of Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m).

Notice that this heel is not exactly the basic plain Dutch Heel. This is the thicker and stronger version of it and how we traditionally make it here up in the North. This version lasts in a hard use also. It is made like the Dutch Heel but in the following difference: 

1. every 2nd row - purl
2. every 2nd row slip-knit-slip until there is just 1 left and that one you always knit

AAW Fair Isle Socks No 9 (short leg)

For the Christmas I designed and knit one more pair of AAW Fair Isle Socks No 9. The leg part is shorther but otherwise they are similar. I used AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the leg part Fair Isle design and Novita 7 veljestä (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) for all the dark green parts.

I used plant dye for the AAW Fair Isle stripes. I used garden lupine and nettle to make the shades. I really love to work with our own yarn!

NewEnd

Do you remember BlanketNo4? I did it 9 years ago!!! Can you believe how the time runs?! BlanketNo4 is still here. Injured and fixed. Someone (dear Pii) ate (accidentally) a piece of it when chewing a bone meanwhile laying on the blanket. 

At the end everything ends up to animals when old and used enough. BlanketNo4 ended up to dogs privilege to use because in cold season when having my nap I allow them on sofa with me to warm me up. I always used BlanketNo4. So, the dogs learnt it is ok to lay on it. So, they sometimes lay on it without me. And that lead to the accident and moment I noticed there was a hole in the blanket.

No panic. Almost everything can be fixed. And well planned is half done. So, after planning it well and thinking a lot I took my scissors and cut off approx 35 cm from the end of the blanket where the hole located. Then I gently unpick the last 1-2 rows of crochet stitches and used a big plastic tapestry needle to take a thread through the remain and opening stitches to catch them.

Then I used white Novita's 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) to crochet the new end for the blanket. The original yarn is Sirdar's Babouska yarn. (52% wool, 39% acrylic, 9% nylon) (50g=115m) and after 9 years we still have the blanket also in human use. The Babouska yarn seems to be a real bargain.

AAW Fair Isle Socks No8

I designed and knit one more mixed methods woollen socks. Also for this pair I used plain and plant dyed AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) and Novita's 7 Veljestä (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) yarn. Novita's yarn is the brown and grey one in foot part and a bit in the leg part. 

There are three shades of AAW. The light one is the natural shade. Pale yellow I dyed by the fresh nettle roots and the yellow one by the dried hop cones. 

AAW Fair Isle Socks No7

I designed and knit a pair of fair isle style woollen socks. These are thank you gift for a hunter that brings moose bones for our dogs. In Finland woollen socks are always considered as a very special gift. if you ever receive a pair be grateful.

For this pair I used plain and plant dyed AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) and Novita's 7 Veljestä (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) yarn. Novita's yarn is the brown one in foot part and a bit in the leg part. 

There are three shades of AAW. The light one is the natural shade. Pale yellow I dyed by the fresh nettle roots and the yellow one by the dried hop cones. 

AAW Fair Isle Socks No6

I have finally been able to finish His sock for Yule 2023. I keep going on my own design theme. I used AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the leg parts and Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamidi) (100g = 200m) for the decoration and foot parts in two different shades.

AAW Fair Isle Socks No5

I designed and knit more some warm. I did it before for me&myself and for her. This pair is for my mother-in-law but let's not tell it to her. I don't watch much TV but when I do I knit. Is it the same with you?

Again, I used AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the leg parts and Novita 7 veljestä Lapintaika yarn (75% wool, 24% polyamidi, 1% polyester) (100g = 200m) for the decoration and foot parts. I have already started to knit a new pair, it will be for him.

AAW Fair Isle Socks No4

Before I made something WarmForMe. Now I designed and knit something warm for YoungLady. She is taller than I am and has longer tights than I have. To add the length I just added three rows between each decoration pattern. If you compare these two pairs, you can see easily what I mean. This is an excellent and easy way to stretch out the length: to leave some space between figures.

I used AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m) for the leg parts and Novita 7 veljestä Lapintaika yarn (75% wool, 24% polyamidi, 1% polyester) (100g = 200m) for the decoration and foot parts.

AAW Fair Isle Socks No3

At spring I finally always have time to knit woollen socks for me for the next winter season. Here is the pair I designed and just finished for myself. 

These socks are extremely warm for two reasons: They reach all the way up to my knees and the leg parts is made of AAW (50% our own ethic produced arctic angora wool, 40% ethic produced FinnSheep wool, 10% nylon) (100g = 238m). Angora wool is 7 x warmer than sheep wool. 

For the decoration and foot parts I used loose ends of StarDustSet made of Novita Tähti yarn (74% wool, 25% polyamidi, 1% polyester) (100g = 200m) and Novita 7 veljestä Lapintaika yarn (75% wool, 24% polyamidi, 1% polyester) (100g = 200m).

Collar for Skater

I designed and knit a collar for Christmas. It is for a figure skater princess to keep the neck area warm in practice before the show. I decorated it by crocheting the lower edge.

I used Novita's 7 veljestä Lapintaika yarn for the knitting. (100g = 200m) (75% wool, 24% polyamidi, 1% polyester). I love the whisper of bling bling in the yarn.

More stripes

This pair of woollen socks is thank you gift from our dogs to a hunter who brought them moose bones this autumn. The base yarn is Novita's 7 Veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m). For the light shade stripes I used OOW (25% arctic dog wool and 75% Finnsheep wool

ForHunter

It is Father's Day to come so I designed and knit a pair of long woollen socks for my father-in-law. He is a hunter and loves long woollen socks I knit for him every year: either for the Father's Day of Christmas. I usually knit easy designs which I can perform almost eyes closed to be able to concentrate on lectures or something else at the same time. 

What is special in these socks is the material. I used OOW (25% arctic dog wool and 75% Finnsheep wool) for the legs of the socks. The stripes of the legs and the yarn for the other parts of the socks is Novita's 7 Veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m).

ArcticCircleSocks 2

I made another pair of ArcticCircleSocks. Also now I used Novita 7 veljestä yarn (75 % wool, 25% polyamide) (100g = 200m) for these my own design socks. The shades are middle grey and Napapiiri (= Arctic Circle). The design is very easy and simple. Notice the difference to previous ArcticCircleSocks 1: The heel is different.

Also this pair is going to be a Christmas gift for someone. Woollen socks are very popular -and desired- gift among Finnish people! No matter you'd be able to knit, it is lovely to receive a pair of socks. They are always needed, even on the summer season!