KOIGU MAGAZINE ISSUE 9
(R)
Koigu Wool started out as a small operation with Maie hand spinning and dyeing the fleece from the Landra flock. The name Koigu was chosen to honor Harry’s ancestral home in Estonia. Taiu helped her mother with the daily farm work, spinning and dyeing, and after graduating from the University, she put all of her energy into making the company economically viable.
In the end, the mother-daughter duo decided it was time to put the herd to pasture and outsource their wool, working closely with a mill that would spin the fine merino to their specifications. The resulting yarn was Koigu’s signature Premium Merino. This yarn was like nothing the knitting world had ever experienced before. Soft and light, the yarn became a superstar and demand skyrocketed. For the first 5 years, KPPPM was produced in the Landra farmhouse kitchen, though the operation grew so big, it was eventually necessary to build a 4500 square foot wool shed to house the yarn production. Today, the business is constantly growing. Koigu has added many additional yarns to compliment their Premium Merino: Kersti, a DK weight crepe, Mori, Othello, Sparkle, Chelsea and Lace. With demand as high as ever, the Koigu yarn is still dyed, hanked, labeled and shipped by the Landra women and a small handful of local employees. While they use the efficiency of machines where they can, every skein shipped from their warehouse is lovingly painted by hand and truly a unique work of art.
Koigu
®
magazine Issue 9
Contributors: Janice Sumpton, Monika Evans, Linda Pratt, Deborah Newton, Swaran Dhaliwal, Liz Nields Marji La Ferniere, Irina Poludnenko , Mary Stowe, Unjung Yun, Kathy Merrick, Melissa Leapman, Monika Haas, Lisa Doherty, Elke Schroder, Merike Hess, Dreanna Croft, Joanna Clayson, Kersti Landra, Maie Landra, Taiu Landra How to reach us for editorial, or pattern questions Email: magazine@koigu.com Manufactured and printed in Canada Koigu® Magazine, Issue No.9 Offices are Box 158, Chatsworth, Ontario, N0H1G0 Canada www.koigu.com ©All rights reserved. 2017 No part of this magazine may be copied or reproduced by any means without written permission from Koigu®. Recommended price - Single copies $12.95 US and Canada
T h re e B a g s F u l l knitting studio 1927 Cherry Lane Northbrook, IL 60062 847.291.9933
www.threebagsfullknittingstudio.com
Vintage, Timeless Designs
Koigu this year celebrates 25 years of it’s well known KPPPM and handpainted yarns. It also celebrates trend setting and timeless knit wear designs. The force behind the Koigu is the force behind the designs. Maie Landra graduated from the Ontario College of Art with a degree in drawing and
Above: Charlotte’s Web Shawl; Knit from a Painter’s Palette and Wrapped in Color; left Empress jacket Vogue Knitting Holiday 2009; below Jacket and Pants Vogue Knitting Fall 2007; right Modular Coat Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006
painting She explored watercolors, tapestries and now knitwear. Maie’s first instinct as a designer is to clothe the whole body - creating a complete presentation, not merely to accessorize. Her
“ Colour choice is personal ; there are no set rules for combining handpainted KPPPM colours. Trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid - allow the colours speak to you”....Maie Landra design process can form out of alchemy as her colours happen in the dyeing process. She loves to challenge the colours and while combining them they will change in personality.
Sometimes Maie gives herself technical challenges while designing. In turn a beautiful garment will develop from a forbidden technique and ignites her creativity - a “nono “ in the knitting world becomes a challenge. For example - in the late 90’s handpainted yarns were never to be knit in lace. However the Charlotte’s Web Shawl defied all rules and still today is knit and enjoyed. Above Oriental Jacket Knits from a Painter’s Palette; Left Colour Bands Sweater Vogue Knitting Fall 2002; Spirit Skirt and top Vogue Knitting Fall 2005 and Knits from a Painter’s Palette; Bottom Robe Dress Vogue Knitting Holiday 2003 and Knits from a Painter’s Palette
Left Jeans Pants and top Knits form a Painter’s Palette; Right Colour Vision Jacket Koigu Magazine 3; Viking Koigu Magazine 8; Below Allegra Dress Koigu Magazine 1
Flattering lines, an elegant drape and crisp finishing characterizes a Koigu original and Maie consciously designs to flatter many figure types. Line can be as important as colour in Koigu fashion. A simple idea is sketched on tiny piece of paper The creation of design happens when yarn is on the needles. Koigu is now three generation of Landra women, continuing the Koigu originality and style. The Landra women carefully pick unique creative designs to inspire the knitter
to challenge their creativity as they present in Koigu Magazines 1-9 Taiu’s daughter Kersti has added a new millennium vision and inspiration to the team. Kersti will be launching a new Magazine “ Vill “ which is a collaboration of designers, designs focusing on Koigu new yarns Chelsea and Othello. Let the creativity of colour inspire in you.
KOIGU DYEING:
Art such as Koigu’s hand painted colorways doesn’t happen overnight. From start to finish, it takes three days to create a finished dye lot, and each one is a unique work of art -no two are ever exactly the same. There are many forces that can influence the final outcome of a dye lot: the personality and mood of the artist painting the yarn, feeling and thoughts, the weather, temperature and seasons. Dye lots are small, consisting of just one kilogram of wool (roughly 20 skeins ). The yarn is carefully painted, subjected to heat to fix the dyes, then rinsed and hung on rods to dry. Once the wool has dried, it is reeled into 50g skeins, twisted and labeled with a colour number and dye lot number.
1.Hourglass Jacket by Maie Landra Kersti Yarn 9(10) skeins K1005; 8(9) skeins K202
2. Lace Pullover with Zig Zag Border by Deborah Newton KPM yarn #2329(MC) – 7(7, 8) skeins, Color # 2128 (CC) - 3(3, 4) skeins
3. Betty’s Garden by Janice Sumpton Kersti yarn K701 15(16,17) skeins
4. Cabled Cardigan by Deborah Newton Chelsea yarn C454 10(11, 13) skeins
5. Gradient Feather and Fan Jacket by Swaran Dhaliwal, Michigan Fine Yarns A. K2409 3(3, 4,4) skeins; B. K2405 3(3, 4, 4) skeins; C. K2403 2(3, 3, 4) skeins; D. K2404 2(3, 3, 4) skeins.
6. Feather and Fan Open Jacket by Swaran Dhaliwal, Michigan Fine Yarns KPPPM yarn P924 – 8( 9, 10, 12)skeins
7. Kersti’s Cowl by Janice Sumpton Kersti yarn K742 – 2 skeins
8. Decalcomania by Unjung Yun KPPPM & KPM yarn 8 skeins #P721 8 skeins #4000
9. Boheme by Marji LaFreniere KPPPM & KPM yarn P710(A), P608(C) – 3 sks each; P426 (B), P480 (D), P 872 (E), P344 (F), P632 (G) – 2 sks each; P321(G), P121 (H), P230 (J), P804(K), P158 (L) – 1 sk each; KPM 4005 – 1 sk
10. Little Flies by Kathryn Merrick KPPPM & KPM yarn 5371 (A), 1103 (C), 2383 (F), 2339 (K), 5373 (M), P2185 (P), 2151 (S) – 1 skein each. P863 (CC1), P511 (D), P725 (E), P161 (G), P616 (H), P336 (J), P802 (L), P944 (N), P723 (O), P931 (Q), P940 (R), P326 (T), P913 (U) - 1 skein each
11. Bobble Sweater by Maie Landra Kersti yarn 7skeins K2339; 7 skeins K132
12. Hemingway by Melissa Leapman Kersti yarn 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) skeins of #K2339
13. Garden Scarf by Lisa Dougherty KPPPM & KPM yarn 5210 (A) 3005 (B), 1014 (C), 1180 (D), 2339 (E) – 1 sk each; P527 (F), P524 (G), P811x (H), P805 (I), P872 (J) – 1 sk each
14. Breckenvale by Melissa Leapman Chelsea yarn 9 (10, 10, 11, 12) skeins of #C492
15. Multicolor Pullover by Mary Stowe KPPPM yarn 10(11,12, 13) sks KPPPM in assorted colors
16. Tetris Cardigan by Monika Haas KPPPM & KPM yarn # 1055 (A): 6 skeins, # P614 (B) 6 skeins
17. Potpourri of Colour Shawl by Elke Schroeder KPPPM & KPM yarn 10 sks KPPPM in assorted colors -
18. Bubble Gum by Maie Landra KPPPM yarn 4 (4, 5, 6) skeins P133A
19. Puzzle Cardigan by Elke Schroeder KPPPM & KPM yarn 10(14) sks KPPPM in assorted colors
20. Daisy Stole by Unjung Yun KPPPM & KPM yarn #1160 (MC) – 10 skeins.1 skein each of P863 (CC1), P521 (CC2). P819 (CC3), P872 (CC4), P148 (CC5), P864 (CC6), P816 (CC7), P426(CC8)
21. Quite Biased Cape by Monika Evans KPPPM & KPM yarn 5345 (MC) – 12 sks; P349 (A), P801 (B), P459 (C) – 4 sks each
22. Smocking Stitch by Irina Poludnenko KPM 2239 2 sk Cowl and Mitts
23. Slip Stitch Cowl and Mitts by Irina Poludnenko KPPPM – Color #P632 (A): 2 sks for Cowl, 1 sk for Mitts. KPM – Color #5520 (B) - 1 sk each for Cowl and Mitts.
24. Kids Bobbles Pullover by Liz Nields KPPPM & KPM #P227 (MC) – 4(6, 8) skeins, 1skein each #1530(A) and #1000 (B)
25. Kid’s Cardigan by Liz Nields Kersti #K884 (MC) – 4 (5, 6) skeins, 1skein each of #K1240 (A) and #1520 (B)
Full Service Koigu Local Yarn Stores Australia Yarn & Co PtyLtd www.yarnandco.com Yarn Glorious Yarn, www.yarngloriousyarn.com.au Canada - Alberta Pudding Yarn www.puddingyarn.com British Columbia Art of Yarn www.artofyarn.com Black Sheep Yarn Ltd www.blacksheepyarns.ca Mad about Ewe www.madaboutewe.ca Three Bags Full www.threebagsfull.ca Ontario Ewe Knit www.eweknit.com Passion Knit www.passionknit.ca Purlin’J’s Roving Yarn Company www.purlinjs.ca Shall We Knit www.shallweknit.ca Unraveled www.unraveled.ca Quebec Espace Tricot www.espacetricot.com France Laine et Tricot www.laine-et-tricot.com L’Oisive the www.loisivethe.fr Korea Knit Café Co Ltd www.knitcafe.co.kr My Knit www.myknit.com Netherlands Schouten Handwerken www.schoutenhandwerken.nl United Kingdom Fig Tree Yarns www.figtreeyarns.co.uk Loop www.loopknittingshop.com Love Knitting www.loveknitting.com Skein Queen www.skeinqueenyarns.co.uk Tall Yarns’n Tales www.tallyarns.co.uk Japan Amirisu www.amirisu.com Switzerland Ain’s Yarn Design www.ains-yarndesign.ch Sweden Strikk www.strikk.se Spain Club de la Aguja www.clubdelaaguja.com Germany Die Mercerie www.diemercerie.com
Rainbow Knitting Designs www.rainbow-knitting-design.com
Finland Riikka Piika Ky www.riikkapiikka.fi
United States - Alaska The Hive on the Creek www.thehiveonthecreek.com Arizona Jessica Knits www.jessicaknits.com Califorinia Atelier Yarn Marin www.atelieryarns.com
Ewe- Baa Street Yarns www.ewe-baastreetyarns.com Kitterly www.kitterly.com Uncommon Threads www.uncommonthreadsyarn.com Wildfiber www.wildfiber.com Colorado Colourful Yarns www.colorfulyarns.com Shuttles Spindles and Skeins www.shuttlesspindlesandskeins.com
Connecticut Marji’s Yarncraft www.marjisyarncrafts.com Georgia
Strings and Sticks Yarn Shoppe www.stringsandstitches.com
Illinois Mosaic Yarn Studio Ltd www.mosaicyarnstudio.com
Three Bags Full Knitting Studio www.threebagsfullknittingstudio.com
Indiana Knitting off Broadway www.knittingoffbroadway.com Massachusetts A Great Yarn www.agreatyarn.com Flock www.flockack.com Webs www.yarn.com Michigan Michigan Fine Yarn www.miknitboutique.com Minnesota Linden Yarn & Textiles www.lindenyarn.com Northfield Yarn www.northfieldyarn.com Montana YarnScout www.yarnscout.com New Jersey Pins and Needles www.pinsandneedles.biz The Blue Purl www.thebluepurl.com New York Adirondack Yarns www.adirondackyarns.com Chiagu www.chiagu.com Knitty City www.knittycity.com Purl www.purlsoho.com String www.stringyarns.com The Knitting Place www.theknittingplaceny.com Nebraska Personal Threads Boutique www.personalthreads.com Nevada Jimmy Beans Wool, www.jimmybeanswool.com Oklahoma Loops Knitting www.loopslove.com Pennsylvania Sewickley Yarns www.sewickleyyarns.com Texas Gauge www.gaugeyarn.com Hill Country Weaver www.hillcountryweavers.com Virginia Got Yarn www.gotyarn.com Washington Churchmouse Yarns and Teas www.churchmouseyarns.com
Great Yarn www.greatyarns.com Little Knits www.littleknits.com Washington DC Looped Yarn Works www.loopedyarnworks.com Wisconsin Needles’n Pins www.needlesnpinsyarnshoppe.com
Michigan Fine Yarns You Knit, We inspire
Feather and Fan Open Jacket by Swaran Dhaliwal, Michigan Fine Yarns
37519 Ann Arbor Rd Livonia MI 48150 Phone: 734-462-2800 micustomboutique@gmail.com www.miknitboutique.com
Largest selection of Koigu in Michigan
Michigan Fine Yarns You Knit, We inspire
Gradient Feather & Fan Jacket by Swaran Dhaliwal, Michigan Fine Yarns
37519 Ann Arbor Rd Livonia MI 48150 Phone: 734-462-2800
micustomboutique@gmail.com
www.miknitboutique.com
Largest selection of Koigu in Michigan