In Finnish mythology many places in nature have their own spirits and beings. The area of Varsinais-Suomi was partly submerged during the Stone Age, and the earliest settlements were located on islands and the coastline. Their inhabitants represented Pit-Comb Ware culture and northeastern European hunting culture; they fished, foraged and hunted for seals, for agriculture and husbandry was yet to be discovered. As the ground rose, grove-like forests sprung in the region, and the spirits residing therein were offered sacrificial gifts to ensure good hunting fortune. Groves and other sacred spaces were the churches of ancient Finns, used for sacrifice to the gods and for asking those deities for favours. Such sites are plentiful in the Varsinais-Suomi region, including cup stones which may have been used for sacrificial purposes. The region’s cup stones date back to the Iron Age (500 BC to 1150 AD).

Finnish mythology contains many deities and supernatural beings connected to forests and hunting. They were believed to protect those wandering in the woods or guarantee a good catch. The ruler of the forests, collectively known as Tapiola, was Tapio, and his wife was Mielikki. People spoke to Mielikki pleasantly and sang to her so that she would grant a good harvest. Sometimes she manifested to people as an old person dressed in a grey fur-like coat of beard lichen. Especially Western Finnish folklore also speaks of forest maidens who might appear to men spending the night in the woods. These maidens were beautiful, long-haired women whose backs were hollow or resembled a tree trunk.

The Mielikki Sweater is knitted from bottom to top, the sleeves are knitted separately and joined before adding the yoke. The recommended yarn is a Finnish alternative to the Icelandic Lettlopi, a yarn called Manta created by the Vuonue company from Paimio in the Varsinais-Suomi region. You can replace it with any yarn with properties similar to Lettlopi. The acorns and foliage in the yoke are reminiscent of the kingdom of Mielikki and Tapio, and oak happens to be the official tree of Varsinais-Suomi.

As you knit, adhere to the principle of yarn dominance; in other words, pick up the dominant yarn (the colour forming the decorative shapes) always from underneath the base colour. That way the contrast will be better. Long runs (of over 5 loops) are best tied so that they wouldn’t tighten the pattern or hang behind. The surface of the Manta yarn will even out in the finishing stage when you wet the garment.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL)
Bust circumference: 89 (93, 98, 102, 107, 111) cm
Sleeve length: 42 (43, 44, 46, 48, 50) cm
Body: 42 (43, 44, 45, 46, 47) cm

Yarn recommendation: Vuonue Manta
 720+180 (880+200, 1050+240, 1220+290, 1400+320, 1520+360) m
or  4+1 (5+2, 6+2, 7+2, 8+2, 9+2) balls