Finnish designers

Hey

I am a artisan seamstress, a Bachelor of Clothing Design and Production, a master patternmaker (EAT) and soon also a vocational teacher.

I am inspired by pattern shapes and size charts. I don't look for instructions; I create them myself.

My craft career began in the first grade, when a message came home that the crochet hook could be left at home. In junior high, I challenged my teacher by asking if a round rug could be woven on a loom. She said no, so I went and wove a round Christmas tree rug.

As a master patternmaker, I have created a new method for drafting basic garment patterns, because existing methods do not account for the three-dimensionality of bodies.
The world of knitwear captivated me 10 years ago when I received my mother-in-law's old knitting machine. In my knitwear, I leverage my patternmaking expertise and design my knitwear patterns myself.

I love clothes that withstand both time and changes in size. You usually can't find such clothes in stores, but by making them yourself, you get exactly what you want.

Contact: Katsi@kom-palvelut.com

@knitsbysaija

I'm Saija Söderlund, a knitwear designer and passionate knitter. Knitting became a part of my life as a child, guided by my mother. For a long time, I knitted almost exclusively socks and mittens: small, practical projects that were quick to finish and brought much joy to me and to everyone I enthusiastically gifted them to.

Nowadays, the projects I knit for myself mostly focus on garments, especially sweaters and cardigans. Both in my designs and in the patterns I choose to knit from other designers, elegant office wear combines with the comfort and casualness of wool garments. My knitwear always reflects a desire to achieve subtle elegance, balanced by the natural roughness of handmade crafts.

The idea of a career as a knitwear designer has been with me for a long time, as a dream and a quiet plan. Eventually, I realized that instead of waiting for the right moment, designing and publishing patterns could very well be done alongside everyday life. Knitting and designing my own knitwear are among my most important forms of creativity, and therefore the best way for me to recover from the stresses and demands of daily life.

As a designer, I felt the need to return to my roots. That's why, for now, I design wool socks, honoring the knits that have brought me the most joy over the years. What particularly fascinates me about socks is how a small project can bring joy for years to come.

I strive to design my patterns for easily accessible materials or those that can be easily replaced with similar yarns. This way, the threshold to start a new project remains as low as possible.

Perhaps you have a ball of yarn waiting in your closet that would be perfect for one of my sock patterns. I hope you enjoy knitting them as much as I enjoyed designing them!

Contact: saijasoderlund@gmail.com

@sukkapoikadesigns

I am Oliver Kultarinta, better known in the knitting world as @sukkapoikadesigns. I started crafting at around 10 years old, inspired by my great-grandmother. My great-grandmother was always making something with her hands, which greatly fascinated me.

It all started with crocheting chain stitches, and after a while, I moved on to knitting squares. Soon enough, I made my first pair of mittens (excluding the thumbs) from rather thick yarn, and the feeling of accomplishment was wonderful and unique. That's when my journey into the captivating world of handicrafts began.

Nowadays, all visual and creative work is truly my passion and my resource. I still knit, but with high school, fabric printing and pattern design have greatly risen alongside knitting. I also do printmaking, ceramics, and photography. Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to do visual and creative work.

I feel that all hands-on making is valuable and wonderful. I consider it very important that today we maintain the magnificent handicraft tradition and support the existence of craft culture.

The human ability to create something concrete with their hands is a topic that greatly fascinates me, and at the same time, it also gives me hope alongside all other negative major themes, such as wars and conflicts.

I strive for a very unique and distinctive design. My design goal is eye-catching, timeless, and versatile knits. I pay great attention to materials so that the time- and effort-consuming knit or other garment genuinely withstands time and use. I often favor contrasting and bright colors in my work, but I can also use natural and very neutral shades. The use and mixing of colors are important factors for me in all creative endeavors.

I believe that by cherishing handicrafts, we build and maintain a responsible, valuable, and sustainable world!

Contact: sukkapoika.neuloja@gmail.com

@ompelimoflow

I am Heidi Virtanen, a basic engineer and custom tailor.

As a child, my dream was to make Barbie clothes, and 30 years later I decided to fulfill that dream 😉

In my day job, I build online stores for domestic micro-entrepreneurs. TaidonTupa is also my handiwork. I graduated as a custom tailor last summer and am now studying to become a Craft Master.

For me, simplicity of patterns and good design are important. I am busty, and I have never found well-fitting clothes in stores. Even standardized patterns drawn to measurements don't work for my body. Now, as my master's thesis, I aim to create a basic pattern for busty women (cup size K).

TaidonTupa sells my simpler patterns, such as the yoga mat bag.

Contact me: heidi@dikigai.fi