Meet Ivar Asplund
I ended up meeting quite a few people in Sweden almost by accident. I had been given names of several designers by the Sticka! organization (they are sort of like the Swedish knitting guild, and I’ll get back to them in another post). In one instance, the person I contacted wasn’t going to be in the country when I was in Stockholm, but she gave me the name of someone she said I absolutely needed to meet — Ivar Asplund. He was described as a really interesting designer, and that was certainly an understatement. His recent book of knitting patterns Sticka Flätor features scarves, hats, shawls and sweaters that showcase gorgeous cables and textures, but what I really appreciate about his design are the relaxed and comfortable lines of his garments. Each of his sweaters immediately looks like it is about to be your next favorite “live in” garment, and while the patterns are anything but ordinary, they are not difficult to knit. And good news for those of you who don’t read Swedish (including me), the book is currently in translation, and will be issued in English this fall.
Here Ivar is wearing a sweater of his own design worked in two-end knitting technique (tvåändstickning)
Photo by Johanne Ländin
Ivar’s book reminds me of some of the cookbooks I’ve bought just because they were so beautiful and were bound to give me inspiration. I find myself sitting down and savoring the pages one-by-one without any particular plan to pick up my needles. It’s a lush publication, with wonderful photographs, meticulous illustrations and precise drawings of his cable construction techniques. In my opinion, it will be a classic that you’ll want not only on your shelf for reference, but will turn to again and again for its well-crafted patterns.
As a child, Ivar learned to knit when his Grandmother began to teach his sister. He asked to be taught as well, and in the end, it was he, rather than his sister, who became a knitter. He credits his grandmother not only for the teaching, but her guidance that pushed him to explore and grow as a knitter.
While patterns in two-end knitting (tvåändstickning) do not appear in Sticka Flätor, they were the examples he brought to show me when we met. His designs draw strongly on historic examples, and are beautifully made.
The sweater he is wearing (above) is a very special example of the tvåändstickning technique that would be nearly impossible to turn into a commercial pattern. If you look closely, while the raised patterns have similarities, they do not repeat. Beyond that, this sweater tells an eloquent story of its maker. It has the elegance and perfection that Ivar brings to all of his designs. It blends art, craft and a deep understanding of the mechanics of knitting that are all of the hallmarks of a master.
In addition to knitting and design, Ivar also works at a local yarn store — Litet Nystan (in the Stockholm neighborhood of Mariatorget, and a quick walk from the subway stop) where he also teaches classes. You’ll also find him as a regular instructor at Handarbetets Vänner — a school of advanced textile craft, as well as craft festivals and knitting venues around Sweden.
Part of our discussion was talking about teaching, since that is important to both of us. Like me, Ivar is very interested in giving his students a strong grounding in knitting technique. Once a beginning knitter understands and internalizes the basics, they are off and running on their own adventure. The fact that they also get to make something beautiful, warm, and from their own hands is all added benefit.