Dreaming in Iceland

So we are a family of six, me Timo, my wife Jopsu, and our kids are Mimi 9, Muusa 7, Vili 5 and Iggy, who just turned 2. Our gang has always had a strong pull to be on the move. Luckily we’ve found work together in a field, which allows us to operate on the road. We run a creative studio Musuta Ltd. and work mostly in film and animation. Also we aren’t too afraid to stretch our comfort zone when it comes to planning where to go and what to do. This summer we decided to head to one of the rare covid-19 free places – Iceland. We packed our tents and other arctic camping gear into nearly bullet-proof cases and rented a big Land Rover Defender equipped to tackle the tricky mountain roads, river crossings, highlands and wastelands of Iceland. Off we were for a 6 week camping trip.

Taking a journey through the barren highlands is exactly like stepping into a lucid dream dropped off from the pages of a Haruki Murakami novel. People often say, that visiting Iceland is travelling to a different planet. I think a more fitting metaphor would be travelling to a different planet, all its moons, and then waking up in another solar system the next day.

What it does is, that it amplifies everything.  Arctic climate is harsh to say the least, and it will slap one in the face, multiple times in a day to be precise. It might go from sweating in a T-shirt in the morning – while wrapping up the campsite – to 90km/h winds by afternoon, with wet snow flying horizontally in one’s face. It is no wonder that the old Norse myths and Viking sagas had so many gods for the elements. Storms appearing from nowhere can feel godly indeed, while the nature and vistas are nothing short of divine. Cooking for 6 can be a feat at home, so when camping, needless to say, even more so. A family of six also means a lot of dishes. And doing those dishes becomes quite a different chore in the middle of nowhere. Usually the facilities are far or sometimes nonexistent and hot water, even though abundant in hot springs, rarely finds its way into the taps over at the highland campsites.

Washing dishes in cold stormy winds and freezing tap water became a kind of a meditation itself. Instead of shunning away from the cold water, dipping hands into the water, paying very careful attention to that sensation. Strangely enough, it made the process very enjoyable. Somehow the cold exhausts itself and looses its grip. What really underscores this, is the feeling of grabbing a towel to dry the dishes and hands at the end. A linen tea towel has never felt so comforting and warm ever. If a Lapuan Kankurit towel feels luxurious at home, in the cold, in the middle of the highlands it feels out of this world. Even writing this paragraph makes my nerves feel the sensation of cold hands grabbing the linen to rub dry a titanium cup. It is surprising, which moments are the ones, that remind you that you are an actual living being.

No matter how well prepared and geared up, arctic nature will put anyone on their knees if it wants to. In our 6 weeks we experienced quite a few storms. The most memorable one was, when we had been out of coverage for a while and had missed the storm alerts through the local weather service. While the girls were enjoying a hot spring down the stream from our campsite, I was met with the ranger asking if we were absolutely sure that we are able to withstand the coming storm in our tents. 90km/h winds + gusts in scope I don’t even want to guess with heavy rain was approaching our mountain region. Judging from how serious the guy looked, a quick decision was made to take up on the offer to evacuate our family to one of their huts. And being Iceland, those red cottages were the cutest, sharp roofed elf dwellings sitting on a dreamy, grassy hillside. In a matter of two hours everything had gone from serene cloudy summer afternoon to a full blow storm reminiscent of Thor having a very bad day at Midgard. When taking down our tents the storm had already flattened both of them, even though they are made to withstand extreme conditions.

When driving across the river to get to our cottage, the wind had already become so severe that a grown man could barely stay on one’s feet while trying to dash over the grass to our hut. Everything was wet and battered, together with our gear we looked like a gang of Hobbits drawn out of a washing machine. The storm felt like it was about rip our cottage to pieces, luckily it didn’t. The next morning, catching Mimi, wrapped inside a Tanhu wool blanket with one of her Harry Potters is the perfect symbol for any storm – what will come, will also pass. 

Iceland is a country of fire, ice and water – warm swimming pools and natural hotsprings – the latter, which can be nothing short of magical in the cold and harsh surroundings. But this time, braved forward by a friend of ours who is a keen ice swimmer, we started to take brazen swimming trips in the natural waters and lakes. It is difficult to describe that feeling of dipping into a natural pool under a waterfall running straight down from a glacier. Rebirth would be an understatement – dropping through the most translucent, turquoise liquid which feels so cold, that if it would stop flowing, it would freeze solid there and then. 

I have to say, that our kids truly embraced Iceland as one giant, natural playground. Still it was hard to believe one’s eyes, when our then 6 year old daughter Muusa was the first of us to take a dip. We were so happy for having found Nyyti towels. Even for 6 people – two bigger ones for adults and four smaller ones for the kids, our towels didn’t take up much space, dried fast for camping and were light enough to carry up and down dormant volcanoes for crater lake swimming trips, needless to say how luscious those were. Merely the contrast of a soft towel against a harsh backdrop can bring a feeling of soft comfort. Packing for such a trip as ours, is always a compromise. But the few luxury items we were able to pack from Lapuan Kankurit were transformed into almost supernatural items in the Highlands. Folding an Icelandic sweater after a long day’s hike into a pillowcase can make a massive difference in how luxurious the night in a tent will feel – and trust me, nights below freezing can make one cast some serious hindsight over one’s summer plans. 

It is hard to explain how trips like this, can be the most rewarding. Do you know how sometimes you might see a dream and the dream just sticks with you for years and years – some dreams even as far back as one’s childhood might seem so vivid and real decades after. A trip through Iceland will leave exactly that kind of an impression into the soul. I can still feel the cold rock atop a mountain under me and hear the rumble of a melting glacier wrapped in a blanket of fog. It feels like sitting in conversation with the sky, while taking a breath at the very last edge of the world.

Text & Photo Jopsu & Timo Ramu / Musuta

NYYTTI TOWELS, TRIANO TOWEL, TANHU BLANKET

Wild about greens

In summer, Finnish nature is filled with hundreds of edible plants, flowers, and herbs. Wild greens are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and have been used for centuries as food, and to promote wellbeing.

Picking and using wild herbs has become more popular than ever. This kind of wild green foraging, or hortoilu in Finnish, is a fun way to spend a day outdoors. Learning to identify wild plants gives us a new perspective on nature and its possibilities.

An easy way of getting started on wild green foraging is making your own herbal tea.

Many plants can be used as tea, with varying tastes and colours. Fermentation is a traditional microbial process used in tea manufacturing to improve the taste and remove bitterness. Fermenting hand-picked natural herbs creates unique, delicate flavours and improves the quality of the tea.

Making your own herbal tea is easy. Use safe herbs, such as raspberry, chamomile, or blackcurrant, and remember to consume in moderation. Make sure that you have identified the plant correctly before harvesting.

1. After picking the herbs, let them wilt for a couple of hours.

2. Take a handful of herbs and roll them gently between your palms. It is important to break the cellular structure of the leaves to ensure fermentation.

3. Place bunches of leaves tightly in a glass jar and close the lid loosely. Place the jar in a warm place and let it ferment for 48 hours, or even longer according to your preferences. During the fermentation process the leaves will start to smell sweet and turn brownish in colour.

4. Spread the fermented herbs over a linen towel and leave them to air-dry until they are crisp.

5. Enjoy! Your home-made herbal tea is ready to brew.

Designs for a lifetime

We believe that good design is all about making the right decisions.

This is why we have chosen to make timeless, environmentally friendly designs from high-quality and certified natural materials, in our own weaving mill in Lapua, Finland. Our talented designers help us choose the colour combinations, weaves and yarns, resulting in harmonious design. The artisan professionals in our weaving mill ensure that every product is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Thanks to these choices, every item we create is a classic that lasts a lifetime.

The most important choice still remains – the one made by you, our dear customer, partner and friend. Choosing us means that you have chosen not only a beautiful design, but also a sustainable future. Thank you for making good decisions with us!

HELMI TOWELS

USVA CUSHION COVER

USVA BLANKET

VIILU SAUNA COVER

VIILU SAUNA PILLOW

TERVA TOWELS

When being is enough

As Finland is the most heavily forested country in Europe, it’s no wonder that our myths and stories are saturated with forest spirits, elves and sacred animals. Our dense forests have given us food, remedies and a living for centuries–nature truly is the quintessence of Finland.

Thanks to our strong connection with nature, we Finns have always acknowledged the forest as a powerful entity. Now there is also strong scientific proof that spending time in a forest is good for your body and soul. Time spent in the forest reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates your senses

Many of us are familiar with the most common outdoor activities, such as picking berries and mushrooms, camping or hiking, but there are also other ways of enjoying nature.

Forest bathing, metsäkylpy in Finnish or shinrin-yoku in Japanese, means immersing yourself in a forest. It’s a form of natural therapy where you experience your surroundings with all your senses: by touching, observing and breathing consciously. We Finns have always enjoyed the peace and quiet of the forest, but the actual method of forest bathing was first developed in Japan. With our mutual love of nature, it’s no wonder that forest bathing has become extremely popular in both countries.

Forest bathing practice consists of walking slowly through the woods, touching the trees and enjoying the sounds, colours and scents of nature. The most important thing is to slow down and create a connection with nature.

There are no rules for how long a forest bathing session should last. Even a couple of minutes can have a positive impact on our health. A twohour forest bath will definitely reduce stress levels and give you a sense of calm, peace and harmony.

Most people feel restored and refreshed after forest bathing. A slow, meditative walk gives us a chance to quiet our minds and truly concentrate. Feeling connected with nature is something that cannot be achieved via digital devices; it requires your actual presence in nature.

When slowing down and admiring the perfection in every natural detail, you have to agree that time spent amongst the trees is never wasted.

Text & Photo Katja Lösönen

MAIJA blanket

NYYTTI towel

The Intuitive Weave

The daughter of a textile artist, and granddaughter of a skilled craftswoman, designer Helmi Liikanen grew up watching her mother and grandmother experimenting with different weaves, dyes and materials. The valuable tradition of textile craftmanship passed on to the next generation as she became a textile designer.

“One of my most precious items is my grandmother’s vividly illustrated notebook from 1941, where she documents her remarks on weaves and weaving techniques”, Helmi says. “The notebook also became an essential part of my master’s theses, where I focused on developing new woven structures on linen material by means of hand-weaving.”

Helmi started co-operating with Lapuan Kankurit when she was still studying at the MA programme for Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design at the Aalto University.

“I trust my intuition when it comes to design. When studying, we students were constantly encouraged to try new things and to experiment with materials,” Helmi says. “To me this kind of learning-by-doing method was the best way to understand what weaving is really about. I think that skills are best learned through practice.” Lapuan Kankurit shares this point of view. “We’ve been admiring her weaving skills since the very beginning,” says Esko Hjelt, CEO of Lapuan Kankurit. “She works wonders with weaves and materials. It’s easy for us to work with a designer who understands the reality of industrial jacquard weaving, and not only the design side of it.”

Weaving as an experience is something that Helmi feels strongly about. “To me hand-weaving is an overall physical experience. Through the hands-on connection with my tools and materials, I can intuitively transform my ideas into new woven structures. It’s both interpreting tradition and creating something new at the same time,” Helmi describes. “It was stunning to witness how Lapuan Kankurit actually manages to maintain that same weaving magic even though they operate on a much larger scale.”

Helmi’s designs for Lapuan Kankurit, LEHTI and TULPPAANI, are both part of her studies at Aalto University. LEHTI, leaf in English, is a delicate design based on traditional honeycomb weave. TULPPAANI, tulip, is a fun and more experimental combination of different weaves and warp densities. “Designing shouldn’t be taken too seriously,” Helmi laughs. “Tulppaani was born out of the joy of playing around with weaves and materials.” Helmi is specific when it comes to materials too. “To me it’s important to create designs that not only look but also feel good. Touch is one of our most powerful senses – the physical connection also matters in design.”

As a designer, Helmi is inspired by nature and emotions. “Designing and being in nature have many things in common. In both it’s important to experience, observe and enjoy what you’re doing,” Helmi says. “To me, it’s all about the feeling.”

Text and Photo Katja Lösönen

Spring 2020

POLKU towel

KUMPU towel

LEHTI towel

TULPPAANI blanket

Embracing Positive Materialism

When you care for your things, they care back, says Hanna Linkola.

 "I wish people looked after their senses", says Hanna Linkola, concept designer for the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC). After transitioning from art director of a large department store to her current career, Hanna started realising how distant our culture sometimes is from nature. "I'm worried about the amount of plastic objects and dead surfaces in the world at the moment", she says. Places like online stores focus on how things look, but Hanna says that we should also understand how they feel when you touch and use them. Aesthetics and how things feel are essential to Hanna. She recognises materials through touch and often handwashes her textiles. Owning fewer items and taking better care of them helps us appreciate our things and the nature behind them. "I call it positive materialism", she says. To Hanna, that means respecting and understanding nature as a source of all materials and things. "I don't like the word 'consumer'. I'd rather see myself as a user. It's environmentally friendly to care for your things."

The relationship with nature is what draws Hanna to Lapuan Kankurit. She has admired them for decades for their aesthetics, sustainability, and transparency. "All elements align with them", she says. "Their textiles feel strong, natural, and trustworthy. Linen and wool are beautiful materials." One of FANC's aims is to protect the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. When Hanna visited the Lapuan Kankurit store in Helsinki, an opportunity for cooperation presented itself. The association's specialist Kaarina Tiainen had designed a pattern that Hanna thought would work beautifully as woven textiles.

The cooperation led to the SAIMAANNORPPA products, which combine the craftsmanship of Lapuan Kankurit with a deep understanding of nature. "I would love to see the norppa pattern become as popular in fashion and textiles as the leopard print. It's a very beautiful and inspiring pattern: organic, alive, and timeless. Each seal has a unique pattern, and the textiles replicate that uniqueness." The covers for each SAIMAANNORPPA hot water bottle are cut from a different piece of fabric, replicating the unique rings that are found on each seal.

To Hanna, nature holds knowledge that we can't even fathom. That's why she stays close to nature, even in Helsinki. She often walks in the parks around town and frequently visits the nearest national park Nuuksio. Her house plants also serve as a channel to soil and nature. "Nature is a work of art in itself. Nature is the source of all creativity and life. Nature is not only intelligent, but also immensely wise and powerful", she describes. "Destroying nature means destroying vast amounts of knowledge that we aren't even aware of yet. That's just stupid", she adds. "Luckily we are awakening to the many benefits of nature right now. It feels good to hear that in the UK, doctors can prescribe nature to patients suffering from anxiety and depression." Nature hugely benefits both physical and mental health. Hanna's relationship with nature brings peace and quiet into her life. "I become aware of my stress once I'm surrounded by nature. I see my mind racing and have the opportunity to calm down. Being in touch with nature heals better than any man-made medicine."

Text Aino Hyyryläinen Photo Katja Lösönen

Autumn 2019

SAIMAANNORPPA towel

KASTE bathrobe

SAIMAANNORPPA sauna cover

Classics in the Making

Natural materials are dear to designer Anu Leinonen.
Her bath products have become Lapuan Kankurit classics.

When designer Anu Leinonen travels to her cabin to work, the surrounding nature immediately takes effect. "I can feel my energy changing here", Anu describes. "The surrounding nature centres my thoughts." Work days at the cabin begin with a morning swim and necessary breaks are taken as walks in nature. "Working here is peaceful and focused, so I often concentrate on planning and designing here", says Anu, who also uses birch bark in her crafts. The forest surrounding her cabin is not only a source of inspiration, but also a treasure chest of available materials to gather.

Anu has worked with Lapuan Kankurit for years, and is one of their house designers. "My cooperation with Lapuan Kankurit began as a set of coincidences", she says. Before, she had designed clothing for a French company in Paris and upon returning to Finland, decided she wanted to do something different. "I went swimming and really wanted to have a light-weight towel to throw on", Anu says. Such a towel did not exist, until she was introduced to Lapuan Kankurit and began designing bath textiles for them. "I had previously used a lot of linen and wool in my own collections", she says. "Working with Lapuan Kankurit is a natural progression to my previous work." Her work for Lapuan Kankurit has also been awarded: the KASTE pattern was given the MUOTO 2012 award. Anu's designs at Lapuan Kankurit are known for their aesthetically relaxed and soft shape. She often begins designing by exploring colours and trying the patterns out by hand. While many designers work on computers, Anu says that doing by hand comes to her more naturally. "That way, I can see what my idea would look like on an actual product", she says. Ideas will circulate in her mind for years before she actually begins working on them. Testing out yarns gives her the opportunity to see the stripes and surfaces concretely. When she has sketched her idea and made examples, Anu discusses their realisation with Lapuan Kankurit. "We dye the shades and test out weaves." Weaving the prototype often reveals what elements need to be rethought, and Anu says that this stage of work often comes with pleasant surprises. "When we encounter challenges, solving them leads to new discoveries. It's interesting to see the entire process of weaving linen fabrics."

Anu has also visited international trade fairs with Lapuan Kankurit. She says that the textiles' high quality and the company's vision have paid off, and have clearly been noticed internationally. "It gives me loads of positive energy to witness how high quality and ecological focus matter to people more each year", she says. Sustainable designs made from authentic natural materials are sought for.

Text Aino Hyyryläinen Photo Katja Lösönen

Products:
USVA scarf 
KIVI bathrobe
KIVI towel
RUOSTE tablecloth/blanket 

Woven Together

Lapuan Kankurit is a small, tight-knit family business woven together by skill and community.

The clang of weaving machines fills the air.
The weaving mill in Lapua, Finland is the focal point of the company, where the magic of creating new textiles is always present.

The thirty people at the weaving mill all work together as a team, much like family members. And that is what Lapuan Kankurit ultimately is: Jaana and Esko Hjelt are fourth-generation weavers who carry on long-lasting traditions as well as keep their gaze pointed forward. The concept of their business is based on own production, product development, and technical innovations. In recent years, the company has invested in growth and new machinery. However, the traditions of family business still continue at the weaving mill, and each individual plays an important role in creating the high-quality products Lapuan Kankurit is known for. Communication between people is easy, as everyone gathers around the table to discuss work over a cup of coffee.

Authenticity and traceability inspire everyone at the weaving mill. Colleagues work close together and the entire process from design to finished product feels tangible. Every Lapuan Kankurit product is a joint effort of their own weaving and sewing mills, and the high quality their products are known for stems from the highly skilled professionals at work. Some have been in the textile industry all their life, while others have learned their craft through apprenticeship training.

Teaching young people the craft of weaving is important to the company: while many big textile companies tend to decentralise their production, thus creating a long global chain, Lapuan Kankurit wants to keep craftsmanship alive by making products in their own mills. Creating a product begins with design, and Lapuan Kankurit is proud to work together with talented designers from Finland and Japan. Introducing young up-and-coming designers to the weaving mill also keeps craftsmanship and skill alive.

High-quality, traceable materials are the core of all Lapuan Kankurit products. The company weaves with natural, authentic materials from European spinning mills.

70 percent of product wholesale prices go to cover material and production costs, and the company believes that is what all textile companies should strive for. Fair compensation and ecological materials keep the textile industry sustainable.

Just as the employees in the Lapuan Kankurit family know each other, they also want clients to know who created the products they buy. When clients know who created the products they buy, the textiles are used carefully and even passed down generations. Lapuan Kankurit believes that is the way towards creating a better tomorrow.

Text Aino Hyyryläinen Photo Katja Lösönen

Gathering around the breakfast table

What better way to begin a beautiful day than by enjoying a delicious breakfast?

In Finland, breakfast time is filled with wonderful flavours and natural ingredients. Enjoying a hearty breakfast offers a moment's pause before the hustle and bustle of the day and keeps you full well into lunchtime.

Coffee and tea are the staples of breakfast and Finns love their warm drinks in the morning. A steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea is both comforting and energising. The scent of coffee lingering in the air wakes up the rest of the family and invites everyone to gather around the table.

Finnish breakfast often consists of open sandwiches, porridge, dairy products, and fresh fruit and berries. Rye bread is common in many Finnish homes, as are Karelian pasties. They are rye-crusted pasties filled with rice or mashed potato that are often served with munavoi, butter mixed with chopped hard-boiled eggs and seasoned with salt.

Summer in Finland might be short, but its flavours last all year round. Many Finns still pick their own berries for the freezer or boil seasonal fruit into jam. Bilberries, lingonberries, raspberries, and strawberries are a staple in many Finnish homes and give an energising boost to mornings everywhere.

Although breakfast is everyday routine, it also has a place in Finnish celebrations. Christmas Eve morning is welcomed with rice porridge and birthdays often begin with enjoying breakfast together. In May, mothers across the country pretend to be asleep while the rest of the family prepares breakfast for them – a beautiful start to a beautiful day.

Models The Åman Family
Text Aino Hyyryläinen
Photo Katja Lösönen