Hello folks, I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of this little series! Today’s part will be all about the sweet and talented Heini from Swoolify whose Instagram feed is filled with amazing neutrals and her home is incredibly cozy and full of Scandinavian vibes! She’s also Finnish like me and it’s wonderful to follow the journey of another maker from your own country (this is a special feeling because I don’t think we’re THAT many hehe). She’s so kind and creative and I always love seeing her beautiful pictures! So keep on scrolling to find out more about her and click the pictures to get straight to her Instagram!

The basics

Name: Heini
Home town: Espoo, Finland
Instagram: Swoolify
Describe your business in a few words: Cozy, chunky, simple, neutral colored and Nordic-inspired handcraft designs from the Northern part of the world. Opening my Etsy shop later this year!

10 questions

1. What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
– So difficult to pick just one! I don’t know the favorite but all Backstreet Boys’ songs and Shania Twain’s!

2. What were you like in high school?
– I was very social and always had some projects going on. I still am but now I just love being at home if I’m not at work! Hygge mode on!

3. How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?
– A few days of non-stop playing! But I still never hate any song.

4. What’s your favorite cereal brand?
– Probably Weetos (because chocolate best) even though I haven’t eaten those for years haha.

5. What life advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
– Hmm, I would probably say that you will have an awesome life ahead! Also stop being afraid of doing round off back handspring (gymnasts will know).

6. If knitting/crocheting didn’t exist what would be your go-to hobby?
– I love interior design as well, so maybe that! And gymnastics.

7. Do you have a lot of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects or do you always finish what you’re doing before starting a new one?
– I wonder how many agrees with the last one? I get excited very easily about new projects (especially when it comes to knitting) and I have to start doing it immediately. But I still finish most of my own projects eventually. This is why I need thick yarn and needles that knit fast so I’m ready with the project quickly…

8. If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would that yarn be and why?
– This is savage! Right now, probably Adlibris merino soft and quick! I love the colors (perfect tweed and oatmeal), thickness and the price (!!!) Drops Andes or Drops Nepal as close seconds because of the softness of alpaca (LOVE) and they knit up so beautifully!

9. What are your tips for taking good pictures of your knits?
– 1. Natural light. 2. Knits should “interact” well with a background and props. Only a few different colors in a photo. 3. I prefer white/light color background so that the knit is on point! 4. Photo editing makes a lot! I use VSCO. 5. Not showing too much stuff in a photo + wipe off the lens! I am still learning!

10. What has been the biggest and proudest moment of your maker journey so far?
– 100 % I must say that each and every compliment about my knittings I’ve received. I really appreciate every one of them and it makes me so happy to hear those! ️In the future, I hope opening my own Etsy shop would make another proudest moment!

5 favorites

Favorite thing about your home town?
– There are many beaches, it’s peaceful and next to Helsinki. Oops I said three things!

Favorite food?
– Can I say chocolate? No? Then it would be sushi.

Favorite person or people?
– My boyfriend who is always there for me and supports me!

All time favorite knitting or crochet project?
– My chunky blanket because it was just so extreme and different. More to come!

Favorite holiday memory?
– Sunset in Cambodia. That magical moment required nothing more than a sandy couch on the beach, a drink and course my better half! The little things.

xx, Kati

Hello everyone, it’s already time for post number 6 in my little maker series! In today’s post we’ll get to know Weichien from The Petite Knitter whose beautiful fair isle products and patterns are to die for! Her creativity is just out of this world and her pictures are incredibly beautiful. So keep on reading to find out more about her and click your way straight to her Instagram through the pictures!

The basics

Name: Weichien Chan
Home town: St.John’s, Newfoundland
Instagram: The Petite Knitter
Website/Etsy: Click here to Etsy shop!
Describe your business in a few words: A little side hustle that makes my day.

10 questions

1. What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
– Iris – Is that even from the 90s?

2. What were you like in high school?
– Awkward.

3. How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?
– I don’t usually overplay songs.

4. What’s your favorite cereal brand?
– Frosted Flakes.

5. What life advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
– Skip more classes.

6. If knitting/crocheting didn’t exist what would be your go-to hobby?
– Napping, I love naps.

7. Do you have a lot of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects or do you always finish what you’re doing before starting a new one?
– I’m a take-one-project-at-a-time knitter.

8. If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would that yarn be and why?
– Sandnes Garn. Too soft and too pretty.

9. What are your tips for taking good pictures of your knits?
– Always find the light.

10. What has been the biggest and proudest moment of your maker journey so far?
– My very first market.

5 favorites

Favorite thing about your home town?
– Small, quiet and peaceful.

Favorite food?
– Sushi. Why not?

Favorite person or people?
– I tend to avoid people.

All time favorite knitting or crochet project?
– Anything fair isle really.

Favorite holiday memory?
– Every trip is memorable in its own way.

xx, Kati

Hi again folks, and welcome to the fifth part of my little maker series! In today’s post we’re going to meet Laurel, the woman behind the ahhhmazing brand known as Alabaster Purl. Laurel is incredibly sweet, kind and talented, and I love how she’s not afraid to get real about things when it comes to social media and life in general. Also while reading her answers, I realized we’re a lot the same (like really, a LOT): I was a total choir nerd as well and would basically throw a massive tantrum if I got anything less than an A at school. She also had the sweetest story behind her favorite 90’s jam and I’m crying just a little over here. So keep on reading to find out more about Laurel and once again I’ve added direct links to her Instagram on the pictures!

The basics

Name: Laurel Taylor
Home town: Homer, Alaska
Instagram: AlabasterPurl
Website/Etsy: Click here to Etsy shop!
Describe your business in a few words: cozy knits, winter warmth, handmade hygge

10 questions

1. What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
– For me, the 90s music is summarized with the Backstreet Boys. So cliche, I know. But listening to their music honestly became an escape. When I was little, my older sister went through radiation treatment for a brain tumor, and every day when we drove to the hospital for her treatment, we would put on “The Boys” and forget about our family chaos, even if just for a few songs.

2. What were you like in high school?
– I believe we are all very different between high school and adulthood. I am no exception. I feel like the core of who I am stayed the same, but back then I was much more outgoing, animated, and loud! I loved being in the spotlight (picture: a young, over the top  Leslie Knope). I think 29 year old Laurel would be annoyed by 16 year old Laurel. I was a social butterfly, an excellent student, the classic goody goody. Never skipped class, straight A’s, over achieving perfectionist (ok some things never change….).

I was a massive choir nerd. It was a huge part of my life my entire high school career. I went to as many honor choirs as I possibly could, and was in Swing Choir (honor choir) for two years. I was also chief editor of the yearbook, and adored any writing classes. Overall, it was a very non-traumatic time of my life.

3. How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?
– I’m going to summarize this with one word: Melanie.

My sister (Melanie) has ruined soooo many songs for me! She gets obsessed with one, and puts it on repeat….for hours. I remember walking into her room and begging her to change the song “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers. She wouldn’t. It’s been about 15 years, and I can finally listen to it again!

4. What’s your favorite cereal brand?
– Raisin Bran. Or lucky charms. This is a great peek into my life! I’m either a total health nut or completely lazy, horrible eater.

5. What life advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
– This isn’t real life!! As previously stated, I was a perfectionist student. I stressed out about my grades so much. Anything below an A made me feel like a failure. And drama. I felt any drama so deeply, so personally. But none of it matters now!! 

6. If knitting/crocheting didn’t exist what would be your go-to hobby?
– Repurposing furniture. My mom has always been a repurposing queen, and I love refinishing pieces and bringing them back to life. I wish I had more time for it!

7. Do you have a lot of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects or do you always finish what you’re doing before starting a new one?
– Generally, I work on one piece at a time. Unless I’m knitting something with extremely tiny yarn….then I get bored and cast on something with chunky yarn. I love instant gratification, and big knits are so rewarding. 

8. If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would that yarn be and why?
– Oh goodness this is such a hard one for me, mostly because I haven’t knitted with a bunch of different yarns yet! Confession: I have yet to order yarn from We Are Knitters! It’s on my list. Don’t you fret. Ok but for now, I would say Scarfie yarn by Lion Brand. I adore how these work up with the braided cable beanie, pattern by Prem Knits. 

9. What are your tips for taking good pictures of your knits?
– Use natural light! And don’t be afraid to set up/stage your photos. I used to snap the crappiest photos of my work, because I would take the photo as soon as it was finished, even if it was at 11pm (hello, darkness, my old friend). So be patient and wait for good lighting. 

10. What has been the biggest and proudest moment of your maker journey so far?
– Every December, I have a booth at a market in my wonderful town of Hood River. I prepped literally all year for it, in between custom orders. I think I took 70-75 items this year, and sold every single hat. I only had 12 items left over, and was able to sell 10 of them on Etsy. I’m just absolutely floored by the support my group of friends and little town has shown me! 

5 favorites

Favorite thing about your home town?
– The ocean. I miss it every day. The sound. The smell. The salt. It’s part of my soul. I dream about it constantly. I could stare at the waves all day, it mesmerizes me, like looking into a fire.

Favorite food?
– Once again, this is almost impossible for me! I. Love. Food. So much. Avocado toast, bacon and eggs is probably my favorite breakfast. Second breakfast? Yes please. A scone. Elevensies? Don’t mind if I do. 

Favorite person or people?
My husband. He inspires me daily with his creativity and drive. He has always been supportive of my knitting habits, and is my sweet photographer for my finished products when I’m modeling them. He loves me when I’m wearing my cranky pants, and makes me laugh so much. We are mutually weird and I’m so happy he’s my partner. 

My momma. She is my twin. No really. We have the same birthday. She is my source of creativity, taught me how to shop the sales, and how to be a straight up girl boss. She’s sweet and salty and I hope to be just like her when I grow up. 

All time favorite knitting or crochet project?
– Big knits are the most rewarding time wise, but I’m obsessed with cable knitting!!

Favorite holiday memory?
– Making cookies with my mom and sisters for Christmas! It doesn’t feel like Christmas until the baking happens. Specifically, ginger snap cookies.

xx, Kati

Happy end of April folks, ahh I can already feel the summer! In today’s post we’ll get to know Lisa from Purlmore a little better, she is such a sweet girl and aside from our passion to knitting we’re also deeply in love with coffee and all things Finnish (yaaass girl). Seeing her colorful pics on my feed always makes me extremely happy and her beanie skills are to die for. Keep on reading to find out more about Lisa’s sweet personality and click your way straight to her Instagram from the pictures!

The basics

Name: Lisa
Home town: Vienna
Instagram: Purlmore
Describe your business in a few words: No business (yet), just a very passionate knitter who may be turning it into a business eventually (not in the next yrs though, I’m a busy student).

10 questions

1. What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
– I was all about Christina Aguilera! Until I hit my teenage years and took a turn into Indie Alley.

2. What were you like in high school?
– My friends had called me the “reasonable” one (we were quite a crazy bunch, so at least one of us had to be), I did like to get good grades and help out others. Looking back I also went out a lot in my last two years of school. I was quite a party, hitting the dance floor kinda girl back then. Oh, how times have changed!

3. How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?
– I don’t listen to radio, so a song doesn’t get ruined for me… I can basically listen to the same song for months until I’m done with it, but that also means that it easily happens that I have no clue about current music or I hear a song for the first time when everyone else is already sick of it.

4. What’s your favorite cereal brand?
– Verival, awesome Austrian (and healthy!) cereal

5. What life advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
– You’re doing great! Just don’t let the next four years in the new school bother you so much, you won’t remember them anyway. And your current best friend you think you’re about to lose because of it: Don’t worry, you’ll still be close in 17 years time!

6. If knitting/crocheting didn’t exist what would be your go-to hobby?
– Pole Dance, just because that’s the second hobby I have. But if I had to choose something I’m not doing at the moment, I think I really would go into drawing maps. It may sound a bit odd, but I really love drawing maps of all kind. From simple “How to get from A to B” to “Funky Map of Europe”. I just really love maps!

7. Do you have a lot of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects or do you always finish what you’re doing before starting a new one?
– I tend to finish what I cast on, but recently there have been projects showing up unplanned and now I’m sitting in between 3-4 WIPs. Also this year I started doing pattern testing, and those are always spontaneous which I completely love about them.

8. If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would that yarn be and why?
– Oh this is a difficult one, I haven’t tested out a lot of different brands yet. But so far I’d probably stick with The Fibre Company. I don’t like working with acrylic yarn and appreciate high quality natural fibres.

9. What are your tips for taking good pictures of your knits?
– Google Search is the source of any of my knowledge! I’m still far away where I want to be with my pictures and I’m still figuring out “my thing” but at the moment I kinda just go with it and do my best. But there’s two things I can recommend:

First: if you can, plan ahead! I have a very limited amount of time with good lighting in my apartment, so I usually take loads of pictures at once and then spread them over a few days. Meaning, I don’t “worry” everyday what to post and what pictures to take and get annoyed with crappy lighting. Yes, it does kinda take out the spontaneous part, but you’ll see, it gives you so much more mind space to think about your knitting
Second: Be proud of what you post. Don’t just put out content because you feel like you have to. If you feel stuck and without an idea what to post, look back at previous shots you’ve taken. You’d be surprised on how a picture you didn’t like at first, all of sudden sparks interest again (for this one I actually have to give credit to Melissa from @woodsandwool) ️

10. What has been the biggest and proudest moment of your maker journey so far?
– Getting to know other makers. I usually knit at home or on the train, so it doesn’t really support me in being social, but this account helped me a lot. I was part of a project with Tanisha from @aboundlesssea, I got to meet Ali from @fordexplorerknits and show her a bit of my city, I’ve had hugely inspirational chats with Anja from @peonyandthyme, getting my lazy self kicked of the sofa by Meagan from @b.r.crochet and get my exercises in, being crazy knitting ladies who also have a thing for science with Sara from @whatsaraknits and being asked to be on this blog is just another thing for me to truly feel honoured. I have met so many amazingly talented, strong, kind and inspirational human beings in this “knitstagram world” and being part of this community gives me an amazing feeling of being inspired and supported. For this I am so grateful!

5 favorites

Favorite thing about your home town?
– Its honesty. Vienna is a beautiful city with friendly people. But they are not shy in showing their opinions (mostly in a sarcastic and slightly passive aggressive way ). It’s based on giving and receiving, if you’re polite, they’ll be polite. If you’re a pain in the ass, they will let you know that you are (often in the most hilarious passive aggressive way, oh I truly love this city’s humor). Be respectful and you have the most amazing time here!

Favorite food?
– This list could be long, but it’s pretty much anything my husband cooks (kitchen is his territory), from something completely new we both haven’t tried before to never-getting-boring-comfort-food. But the best comfort food is bread. Simple, home-baked bread. It is amazing how only water, flour and a bit of salt can create something so delicious.

Favorite person or people?
– My husband. He is my person, my best friend. The person who makes me wanna be the best version of myself and who loves me even when I’m at my worst. Six years ago he put my life into teamplayer mode and I am grateful for this every single day.

All time favorite knitting or crochet project?
– Hats, but I have enough now. So I need something new! Maybe mittens to go with all of my hats? No, seriously. I don’t really have a to go to project (yet). I am a full-time student and knit what I feel like knitting or what my wardrobe lacks (currently a gold-yellow summer sweater is in the making).

Favorite holiday memory?
As a child: Finland. Two times. Kuusamo in winter (-30℃ and dog sledging over frozen lakes) and Helsinki in late summer (surprisingly warm +15℃ and pure sunshine while walking around Suomenlinna).
As an adult: Road trip through Germany. This does not sound exciting at all, but driving over 3500km and hitting 23 cities in 13 days while sleeping in the car definitely does! It was a cheap way of testing ourselves on our road-trip-compatibility and now we can plan even better and greater trips once we are able to take the time off again.

xx, Kati

Hi guys, it’s time for the third part of the series! In today’s post, we’ll get to know Lauren who is the sweetest and most wonderful girl you can imagine! Her Instagram is a constant source of inspiration and her photography skills are out of this world – seriously, her feed is one of the most beautiful ones around. I could’ve chosen all of her pictures for this post but for the sake of the reading experience, I decided not to. So keep on reading and click your way to her Instagram through the pics!

The basics

Name: Lauren Tran
Home town: Westminster, CA
Instagram: Laurenmychelle
Website/Etsy: Click here to Etsy Shop!
Describe your business in a few words: Cozy and casual handmade knitwear.

10 questions

1. What’s your favorite 90’s jam?
– Anything NSYNC or Backstreet Boys! There are so many songs I love, though, so it’s too difficult to pick!

2. What were you like in high school?
– I was super shy and introverted! I was also pretty academically-focused and only joined sports (tennis) for a few weeks because my parents made me. My AP classes stressed me out too much. I was still bubbly and had lots of friends, but social interaction always tired (and still does!) me out. I was so passive and always avoided confrontation! I think I was such a dork. It didn’t help that I lugged around a huge guitar case for my music class!

3. How many times does it take for you to listen to a song that you love before you actually hate it instead?
– I don’t often hate the songs that I listen to obsessively. I just lose the interest. Usually, I just move onto another song or genre for a while!

4. What’s your favorite cereal brand?
– Kellogg! I love cereal so much, but I hardly ever eat it for breakfast… I eat it basically any time that isn’t in the morning!

5. What life advice would you give to your 10-year-old self?
– Don’t be so quiet!!! Stand up for what is right and don’t ever dumb yourself down for anyone’s friendship.

6. If knitting/crocheting didn’t exist what would be your go-to hobby?
– Baking/cooking would be what I would do instead! I’ve always had a passion for food. Although… reading has always been my first love. I think if I wanted a hobby that involved more movement on my part, it would be baking and cooking. Reading would be more of a soothing and restful hobby.

7. Do you have a lot of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects or do you always finish what you’re doing before starting a new one?
– Oh, boy. I have tons of unfinished knitting/crocheting projects! I always resolve to finish the ones that have deadlines approaching first, but I always seem to start another one… If I’m super stressed, I’ll usually knit/crochet monogamously until that deadline passes and then return to my plethora of projects. I love being able to have variety and to change things up. Sometimes working with a certain weight of yarn gets boring for me! It’s nice to have some quick projects and some with lighter-weight yarn.

8. If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would that yarn be and why?
– This must be the hardest question ever!! It was super hard deciding… It might have to be Crazy Sexy Wool by Wool and the Gang because it’s just so squishy, unbelievably soft, and so luxurious-feeling! I love big and quick knits.

9. What are your tips for taking good pictures of your knits?
– Always have natural lighting! I take my pictures right underneath a window. I usually take a few on the weekends so I can post throughout the week, since I normally don’t get home before it gets dark. I love white backgrounds, so I always take them on my blanket. I also try not to filter my pictures too much because I find that it takes away from the quality.

10. What has been the biggest and proudest moment of your maker journey so far?
– My biggest and proudest moment of my maker journey must be actually opening up my etsy shop. It took months of debating back and forth, as well as a lot of preparation for the grand opening. It seemed, at the time, a culmination of all my efforts. Opening up an etsy really led me outside of my comfort zone! I had no idea how to run a small business, let alone even deliberating about actually opening one. When my shop went live, it was the best feeling. A tangible piece of evidence showing this is how far I’ve come.

5 favorites

Favorite thing about your home town?
– Nearby lots of yummy food places and the beach! It’s not too far from anything that I want to do, and I really do take that for granted most of the time!

Favorite food?
– Pasta is probably my favorite because they’re so versatile! They are such a comfort food for me. I love pasta in soups, sauces, stir-fried, etc… the possibilities are endless!

Favorite person or people?
– My boyfriend is my favorite person because he makes me feel so loved and awesome. He never invalidates my feelings, always is super supportive of whatever I’m doing, and is my moral support and crutch. He’s also the one who encouraged me to open my etsy! He’s my person.

All time favorite knitting or crochet project?
– The Calla Cowl I designed for Darn Good Yarn because it was the first big designed piece I’ve ever made AND written a pattern for! It’s going to always be special because it really showed me that maybe I don’t suck at writing patterns. I also loved being able to design it however I liked, adding lots of aspects just on a whim and just because I wanted to add them.

Favorite holiday memory?
– Thanksgiving. My uncle always made it such a special event. It was him from whom we created all of our Thanksgiving traditions. Even though he is no longer with us, I’ll always remember feeling so wonderful and full of love and thankful around this time of the year.

xx, Kati