I picked up Knitwear from Finland from my local library, not knowing anything about it. Upon closer look I saw that the book includes “Designs by Minna Metsänen Inspired by Niina Laitinen.”
I didn’t know what any of that mean. It turns out Niina Laitinen is a Finnish designer, almost exclusively of socks (you can find her on Ravelry) and the book is made up of designs, mostly for sweaters but also some other projects, using stitch patterns and colorwork designs from her socks.
So here for example, a cable and lace pattern called Anemone becomes an allover pattern for a sweater. Mystery, a pattern from knee socks, turns into a pair of mittens. A pair of kimono-clad ladies makes a stunning stranded knit blanket called Cherry Blossom Time, worked in the round and steeked.
As you might imagine from that description, these patterns are not for beginners. There are some single color patterns but they all include charts, and often several charts, to complete. That’s not to say they aren’t well worth the work, they just aren’t the projects to choose if you are new to stranded colorwork, cables, lace or knitting from charts.
There are 21 patterns in the book, including 9 pullovers (as well as a tank top with lace edging and an allover colorwork dress), three cardigans, two pairs of mittens, a beret, three shawls or scarves and the aforementioned blanket. The sweater patterns include five or six sizes.
It should be noted that the yarns called for are all from Novita, which is from Finland and might not be easily available if you live elsewhere.
Some of my favorite patterns include Soulmates III, a chunky pullover with a mirrored cable pattern on the front and Seedlings, a slim fit dress worked in bands of stranded knit flowers in different colors.
I don’t love the photos in the book because I don’t feel like you’re always getting to see the whole picture of a design. Even that cable sweater I like only has two pictures, and neither one is from the front. One sweater only has three photos, one showing the top half of the sweater not quite straight on, while the other two are also from the side and feature the model carrying a huge bouquet of dried grass for some reason.
The shawls and scarves aren’t photographed flat and the one photo of the beret that shows the top is cut off at the top.
I think some of the photos from the original book on Ravelry are better than the ones in the book, so check that out to get a sense of what the patterns look like. The publisher also has a sample and a video flip through on their website.
If you like intricate designs, whether lace, cables or colorwork, you’re sure to find something you’ll want to knit in this book.
About the book: 190 pages, hardcover, 21 patterns. Published in English in 2025, Search Press. Suggested retail price $29.95.
