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In the case of Susanna Kaartinen, the answer is that she found inspiration in the vast, rugged and beautiful landscapes and wilderness of our island state.
And within weeks, concepts for a Sanna & Co. Tasmanian inspired knitwear pattern collection was born.
Releasing today, the Tasmania Collection, features four stunning new designs: the Pepperberry Jumper, Bay of Fires Scarf, Pepperberry Mitts and Snow Gum Cowl.
The collection also includes project bags by Wendy from Keep Your Knit Together and yarn and pattern kits worked in close collaboration with fibre artists from Tasmania or with Tasmanian Connections!
We were honoured to work with Susanna on the Pepperberry Jumper, which, as the name suggests, was inspired by the Tasmanian Mountain Pepperberry's foliage, berries and flowers.
Susanna chose a stitch pattern which incorporates both colour and texture to really capture the feel of the plant. The pattern is worked top down, in the round at a sport weight (5 ply) gauge.
Back in April we spent a fun-filled three days together in the Louie & Lola Yarns dye studio, testing, dyeing & swatching colourways for a range of Pepperberry Jumper Kits.
I think in total I developed nearly 50 colourways during this time for the four colour kits - whilst Susanna swatched a multitude of potential colour combinations - until we were both 100% satisfied.
Prior to our time together, Susanna extensively tested a variety of our yarn bases, before determining that the Pepperberry Stitch worked best when knit in a combination of two contrasting yarns.
Together we developed six Pepperberry Jumper kits, with the main colourway dyed on a new to us 5 ply, worsted spun base, Seafarer Sport, milled by John Arbon Textiles in the UK, featuring 90% British breed wools & 10% Mulberry Silk.
For the three contrast colourways, we used our Polwarth Fingering base, a delightful woollen spun, 100% New Zealand Polwarth base, milled by Wild Earth Yarns in New Zealand.
Both yarns are non superwash wool bases, but the differing spinning methods and fibre contents create a very interesting contrast which really brings the Pepperberry Stitch to life.
Our Pepperberry Jumper kits are now available dyed-to-order in our shop.
I was fortunate enough to test knit the Jumper in our Midlands kit and I can definitely say it was a highly enjoyable and fast knit, with the end result being a pretty, feminine yoked sweater which I will wear with pride.
SHOP PEPPERBERRY JUMPER PATTERN
In addition to the Pepperberry Jumper, we collaborated with Susanna on yarn for the Snow Gum Cowl, which features the same graphic colourwork motif that you might have already seen in the Snow Gum Vest pattern that is included in the upcoming Laine 10th Anniversary Issue.
This motif was inspired by the twisty and bendy tree trunks and branches, so common in the Tasmanian bush.
This motif was inspired by the twisty and bendy tree trunks and branches, so common in the Tasmanian bush.
The Snow Gum Cowl is a great skill builder project, with folded edgings and a colourwork motif with shaping to create the curved shapes.
Susanna used our lofty Polwarth DK base for both of these designs and we are excited to share that we now have available to order, kits for the Snow Gum Vest and Snow Gum Cowl.
The next pattern in the collection is the Bay of Fires Scarf is inspired by the coastal landscapes of the East Coast of Tasmania.
It is an interpretation of the shapes, colours and textures along the coastline: rocks, cliffs, water, mist. A shallow triangle shape, the scarf is worked from end to end with a striking scalloped edge along one side and an all over garter stitch stripe pattern that alternates 4ply Merino yarn with 2ply Suri silk yarn.
Susanna collaborated with Susan from Ash and Eve Designs on this the Bay of Fires Scarf, made even more special by the fact that Susan grew up on the East Coast of Tasmania! Together Susanna and Susan have developed four beautiful colourways, available now in the Ash & Eve Designs shop.
Rounding out the Tasmania Collection, the Pepperberry Mitts are the perfect taster project to the Pepperberry Jumper.
They are a really fun, quick knit, featuring the same Pepperberry dip stitch pattern and twisted stitch details.
Susanna partnered up with another Tasmania based dyer, Sarah from Bombed Yarns, who has dyed three gorgeous and incredibly vibrant colourways on a non superwash 4ply Australian merino base.
SHOP PEPPERBERRY MITTS PATTERN
If you’ve ever wondered why two yarns of the identical weight and fibre composition can feel and behave entirely differently on your needles or hooks, the answer usually comes down to the fibre preparation method used: woollen versus worsted.
Understanding the difference is like knowing the secret personality of your yarn—and it’s the key to matching the right base to your dream project. Let's break it down together!
The Bendigo Project is a passion project of some of our favourite Aussie designers, which has become an annual event featuring an online make-along, which begins in March and ends with a meet up at Australian Sheep and Wool Show in July.
