It’s time, the release date has come for The Art of the Sea, Laine’s most recent publication. The book is think and heavy, filled with pages of patterns inspired by characters created by Finnish artist and writer, Tove Jansson. This year marked the 80th anniversary since she first published her comic strip featuring the Moomins and all their wonderful acquaintances. Eighty years of storylines, illustrations, books, films and plays, no wonder this knitting book is the size it is. Truth be told, I am hesitant to say knitting book, this is a offering, a tribute to Tove Jannson and to those who have been touched by these stories.

I must admit right away, that I did not grow up with the tales from Moominvalley. My mother, Wendy, who is a retired elementary school teacher, introduced many books and series during our childhood but never the Moomins. I was twenty-six, living in London, when I met a man from Finland at a brewery one night after work. A couple dates went by and I remember telling my housemates about my new Finnish date and they exclamed, “Finland! I love the Moomins!”. Turns out almost everyone in the UK grew up reading and watching them on TV.

Now, on to the design. After gathering inspiration from Laine’s mood board, I decided to use Tove Jansson herself as the muse behind my design for the book. There are many photographs of her wearing knitwear so I decided to think of a piece that I could see her in while at the summer cottage. It may be the summer months but I wanted a hearty sweater that would easily keep the wearer cozy against the strong archipelago winds and sea spray.

My proposal was for a relaxed, Johnny collared pullover. I noticed that collared sweaters and shirts were often featured in Tove Jansson’s wardrobe. The texture I picked for the front was Wheat Ear Rib, a faux cable worked over three stitches. The hem, cuffs and collar are worked in slipped stitched 1x1 ribbing.

For yarn, Laine and I decided on Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter. It took a couple of weeks for the yarn to make its way to Finland and during that time, BT announced the end of their yarn production. I was surprised, as I’m sure many of their long time followers felt the same. Before the yarn was on my needles, it did cross my mind if I should continue in this direction, using discontinued yarn before the book even made it to publication. However, after some thought, I knew I wanted to use Shelter. Fully committed, I was excited to cast on one last design with BT yarn.

Shelter yarn arriving, colour Woodsmoke.

During the test knitting phase, I began to refere to this pattern as Shelter Sweater. In the beginning it was only a way to differentiate between the two sweaters I was knitting at the time. However, when it came time to pick a name, Shelter, began to feel just right. It’s a little nod to the various places of shelter in Tove Jansson life, her studio and well known summer cottage come to mind as safe places for freedom of expression. Then there’s Moomintalo, the iconic, blue tower-like home to the Moomins, a place known to welcoming everyone inside, adventures and dreamers alike. Plus, it’s a little homage to the yarn itself.

Shelter is worked from the bottom up. The body is started in the round and then separated when the underarms are reached. While working the front, the left and right sides are separated when the v-neck opening is started. After the shoulders are seamed together, stitches for the sleeves are picked up and worked in the round. To finish the opening, stitches picking up along each side and a band of ribbing is worked. When the bands reach the shoulder seams, more stitches are picked up around the neck for the collar.

Ten years later, after that chance meeting in a London pub, I’m drafting this blog post from a frost covered Helsinki. That same Finnish man made me coffee this morning, which I had in one of my Moomin mugs. The lunch bag I brought to the studio is decorated with a Moomin scene. Soon, I’ll leave the studio to collect Neil from daycare, where they have nicknamed him Nipsu, after a small, curious creature who was adopted into the Moomin family. My life is very much surround by the Moomins. I may not have grown up with them but I am starting to learn about their world through the eyes of my toddler and I’m looking forward to this journey into Moominvalley.

The Art of the Sea is available in English and Finnish, along with digital copies as well. Head to Laine’s web shop or ask your local yarn shop if they’re planning on stocking this collection. Twenty-two other designs can be found alongside Shelter. In total there are 15 sweaters, 1 cardigan, 3 vests, 1 poncho, 2 scarves, 1 pair of socks.

Thank you to Laine for including me in this treasure of a collection. Plus, many thanks to the amazing team of test knitters while helped finalize this design. This was my entry back into knitwear design after my maternity leave and what a piece to start with! Some of the test knits can now be seen on Ravelry. Take a look there if you’re looking for the right substitute yarn for your Shelter. If you have enough of BT’s Shelter in your yarn stash, then you are very lucky!

PihlaLija, violetar, kseacrist and eveilletts’s Shelters on Ravelry.

Shelter on Ravelry