Why knitwear designer Anna Tanskanen unravels her work

“As a knitter, one of the best decisions I’ve made involves unraveling. I had knitted an almost knee-length cardigan that didn’t suit my body type in the end. I was terribly upset because it had consumed a lot of yarn and taken a couple of months of work.

For a long time, the cardigan sat on the shelf until I decided to make something else with the yarn. Ultimately, unraveling it was a relief because it allowed me to get rid of a garment I couldn’t use. I found a wonderful pattern, and now I wear the new cardigan regularly.

Since then, I’ve found it easier to unravel my work than before. If I have any hesitation while knitting about whether the end result will be good, I sleep on it. If I’m still unsure after considering, it’s better to unravel and start a new project. Fortunately, most high-quality yarns can handle being unraveled.

It brings me joy to wear the knitwear I’ve made. I’m always wearing something handmade, and I haven’t bought sweaters or hats at a store in years.

This gray, long cardigan is one of the largest pieces Anna has made. She initially knitted a different cardigan with the yarn, but because it didn’t suit her style, she unraveled it and made this one instead. You can follow Anna on Instagram @anjuknits.

This hat, designed by Anna, is knitted with five strands of silk mohair yarn. It features a double rib. The end result is plush and warm.

Anna fell so in love with a pattern designed by PetiteKnit that she knitted a vest for herself and sweaters for her children with it. The yarn is 100% soft wool. “It’s wonderful that the kids happily wear the clothes I make. They get to influence the colors and styles.”

Knitting is my own time when I can focus solely on the craft and myself. After a workday, it’s nice to knit a simple stitch that doesn’t require much concentration. At the same time, I might think about a summer vacation or design my next knitting pattern.

When I want to take my mind off everyday matters, I start working on a cable knit. It demands focus and effectively pulls me out of daily routines.

Knitting is like meditation. I relish how soft the yarn is or how well a pattern matches a specific yarn. When the morning starts off sluggishly, it feels so good to sink my fingers into soft cashmere or fluffy silk mohair.

I knit every day for anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours. I have children aged 2, 8, and 11, and many people ask how I manage to knit so much as a working mom. Often, I knit in the evenings after the kids are asleep, or I might knit on my commute to work.

There have been times when my friends have invited me out for the evening, but I’ve chosen to stay home and spent time with my knitting instead.

Anna is working on the most labor-intensive knitting project she’s ever undertaken. This dark green dress features a flared hem that reaches the knees. Knitting the long-sleeved dress will take her a couple of months.

Designing a new knit inevitably involves unraveling. Anna may unravel an unfinished piece multiple times to get it exactly as she wants. “When I finally find the right gauge for the yarn and a suitable pattern, the feeling of accomplishment is fantastic.” Anna regularly designs knitwear for the Finnish Kotona. This swatch is from Anna’s ‘Marja’ yoke sweater.

My grandmother taught me to knit before I even started school. I began by making scarves for my dolls. During my school years, I only did the mandatory projects in craft classes.

My passion ignited when I was on parental leave with my two oldest kids and was looking for something to do for myself. I started knitting socks and hats. Knitting allowed me to be present for the children as they played together. I began sharing my projects on Instagram and followed talented knitters from whom I learned a lot.

I also started test knitting, which involves proofreading and knitting someone else’s pattern and providing feedback. Through that, I learned to make sweaters. Still today, almost every test knit teaches me a new technique.

Anna never buys yarn randomly for her stash; she always knows beforehand what she’s going to make. She also prefers to finish one project before starting another. However, if she has something big on the needles, she might knit a hat as a side project. Anna tries to get by with as few supplies as possible. She winds yarn skeins using a wooden yarn winder. She only buys new needles if she doesn’t already own the right size.

Anna thinks a good knitting needle is comparable to a good pen. Both are more enjoyable to use, and you get neater results when the tip is sharp. The bamboo needles from Japanese company Seeknit have just the right tip.

A yarn swift makes it easier to wind skeins. This gray cable-knit sweater is made from Danish wool yarn that produces beautiful textured patterns. Anna especially enjoys textured and cable knitting.

Last summer, I was searching for a very specific striped sweater pattern but couldn’t find the perfect one. Then I saw the live broadcast of a yarn shop where they introduced a new linen yarn in exactly the shades of white and dark blue I had envisioned for my sweater. I was incredibly inspired and ordered the yarn.

I cast on the stitches, began knitting, and entered a flow state where I just knew what my sweater would be like. It turned out wonderfully. I made two of them and wore them all summer.

Sending the pattern to a few knitters for test knitting was incredibly nerve-wracking: what if others couldn’t make my sweater? Luckily, the fear was unfounded. It was an immense feeling of success that I was able to create the garment I had dreamed of and a pattern that allows others to knit it too.

I published the pattern on Ravelry, a community platform for knitters, where I had previously shared some hats and socks I’d designed. The sweater immediately reached the top ten most popular patterns on the day it was released. I was thrilled that the knit drew so much interest. It inspired me to design more of my own patterns in the future.

Anna’s striped sweater is included in her collection of important photos. Named the Sea Blouse, the sweater has a lace yoke knitted from cotton yarn at the neckline and a striped section with raglan increases knitted from a linen blend yarn. “When I wear the sweater, many people ask me whose pattern I used.”

This charming little bag is knitted with Danish wool yarn using a pattern by PetiteKnit. “I love Danish fashion, and PetiteKnit is one of my favorites,” Anna says.

I choose yarns based on the season. In the summer, I knit with linen or cotton yarns. On winter days, I like to work with more rugged wool yarn.

I tend to stick to fairly subdued colors. To some, beige may be just beige, but I see so much variation in it. I prefer gray to be as neutral as possible, though, without any hints of yellow or red. Even these small details matter when it comes to my hope that a handmade knit will be my favorite even years from now.”