PREORDER! Observations by Lotta H. Löthgren
Publication day is August 25th
Observations: Knits and Essays from the Forest is a knitted walk through the forest and the seasons. With a keen eye for the innate wonders of the natural world, Lotta H. Löthgren combines knitwear designs with notes of the landscape she calls home: a small village in the southeast of Sweden, nestled among forests and lakes. There, she spends her days writing, knitting, designing knitwear and hand-dyeing yarn. Observations includes nine knitwear patterns for long-lasting, wearable garments and accessories, along with essays about living a life close to nature. ”The patterns have been created in a quiet conversation with the land, drawing elements from the natural world and translating them into stitches and fabric,” Lotta says. Lotta H. Löthgren is a knitwear designer, writer and yarn-dyer living with her husband, children, dogs and chickens in a small village in the southeast of Sweden, where she also runs her own yarn shop. Lotta leads a small, quiet life close to nature and the changing seasons. As a designer, she loves to interpret natural elements into practical and wearable garments, perfect for her way of life.
The Badger Sweater
Badger is a playful and comfortable knit, with a relaxed fit to make the most of the softness of the yarn combination. The deep yoke has a wide colourwork pattern, and the roomy sleeves have optional colourwork on the cuff. The abstract pattern across the yoke as well as the colours and heavier yarn are a nod to the badger, this shy and compact creature that burrows out of our sight.
The Woodpecker Vest
Woodpecker is the perfect layering piece. It has a wide rib at the bottom, a light V-neck shape to the neckline, cables on each front and an overall textured pattern. The vest is intended to be worn open and has no buttonholes. The texture reminds me of the holes made by woodpeckers in old tree trunks, and the front cables of tree roots growing around each other and into the ground.
The Mushroom Sweater
This is a classic raglan sweater knitted seamlessly from the top down. The mix of knit and purl rounds in the colourwork creates an interesting and comfortable texture. The sample is made in a woollen-spun DK-weight yarn that is light and warm, with a high contrast colours. Choose a yarn with a rustic touch for the perfect outdoor sweater for mushroom-hunting or bird-watching.
The Dragonfly Sweater
This is a classic drop-shoulder crew neck pullover, knitted seamlessly from the bottom up. It has a wide colourwork across the body and on the top of the sleeves. The hem is split and slightly longer in the back. Dragonfly is a cosy piece for snuggling up by the fire or for a walk by the lake. The colourwork mirrors the sunlight through the dragonfly’s wings as it hovers by the reed.
The Lake Socks
Seen from the front, the Lake socks look like a classic rib sock but along the back, different textures swirl around each other — a cable, twisted stitches and a calliper pattern to frame the cable. A classic heel flap and the ribbed top ensure a good fit. The design speaks of the lakes that might seem calm, even though they are filled with life just below the surface.
Dusk Cardigan
Dusk is a loose-fitting, open cardigan with optional spine embroidery on the front edges. It is one of those comfortable pieces that you can throw over any outfit. The hourglass cables on the upper back, cuff and hem frame the large canvas of relaxing stockinette stitch, creating a reminder that there is time — time to add another stitch, another row, to the work we have at hand.
The Dawn Top
This top has a colourwork yoke with an arrow-shaped motif and comes in two lengths. Worked in a soft silk and wool blend, Dawn is easy to wear on its own or layered with a cardigan or shawl. The yoke is inspired by the shape of migratory birds leaving, and returning — cranes and geese streaming in a V-shape across the sky as summer turns to autumn and as winter turns to spring.
The Mushroom Hat
This little hat is a quick and fun project, and the perfect companion to the Mushroom raglan. The low yardage means you might even be able to make one with the leftovers from your sweater! It features the same colourwork and textured pattern and has four faux raglan seams to match the sweater. The length of the hat can easily be adjusted, turning the hat from a snug beanie to a more slouchy hat.
The Bat Shawl
The symmetrical, triangular Bat shawl is knitted from the centre top down. It features an easy colourwork pattern combined with callipers and slipped stitches, and can be worked in one or two, or more, colours. Using a lightweight, woollen-spun yarn makes it warm and airy, and perfect for layering with other knits. The calliper sections remind me of stylised bat wings — thus the name.
