Lovikka Mitten Workshop

20880 Olinda Trail North,Scandia MN 55073

16 September, 2023

Description

In this 4-hour workshop, students will learn how to knit a mitten in the Swedish Lovikka style. Lovikka is a town near the Arctic Circle with a renowned tradition of mittens knit with embroidered embellishments around the cuff. This mitten is knit in the round on double-pointed needles using a single ply yarn (one skein of undyed imported Swedish Lovikka yarn is provided for each student). Students will learn about the interesting history of the Lovikka knitting tradition and knit, embroider, and learn how to "full" (lightly felt) a mini version of the Lovikka mitten. (The mini mitten is a young child's size, but the pattern provided will also include an adult-sized mitten that may be knit at home.) Skill level: The student should know how to knit in the round on double-pointed needles. Student Age: 16 years and over. Supplies needed: Size 9 double-pointed needles (preferably in a set of 5), a small stitch holder, stitch markers that clip (not solid rings) or safety pins (at least a dozen), and a tapestry needle. Materials fee (included in class fee): $20 per student for the knitting yarn, pattern, and embroidery yarn. Wendy Johnson is a fiber artist, spinner, weaver, dyer with her own dye line, teacher, and author of "Yarn Works: How to spin, dye, and knit your own yarn," and contributing designer of Swedish-themed knitting patterns found in three additional books published by Quarto Publishing/Voyageur Press/Creative Publishing International, and over twenty knitting patterns mainly inspired by her Swedish heritage and published through her Saga Hill Designs label. Wendy has a strong interest in all things related to her Nordic heritage, including all types of Swedish textile arts. Her expertise is in flax (linen) production and linen work. She has taught at the Weavers' Guild of Minnesota, Ingebretsen's Needlework Shop, and Three River's Park District, as well as through the City of Plymouth, Parks and Recreation Program. She is a 2022–2023 recipient of the American Swedish Institute Teaching Tools Grant, in which she is focused on educating others about Swedish flax history, flax production from stalk to fiber, and spinning flax to linen.