One of the most fascinating concepts in Finnish mythology is ”folk” , väki. To the ancient Finns this term had many meanings: it was a multitude of entities or supernatural beings that manifested as or could cause illness or award powers to others. Everything was thought to possess a folk, including people.

The folk of a place or creature could be very territorial and could infect a trespasser with what was known as “angers” or wrath. If one angered the earth folk, for instance, one might end up tripping and scratching one’s knee. This injury acted as a gateway through which angers could be transmitted to the person, and ridding oneself of them required spells and rituals of appeasement.

Folk were not always unambiguously evil or good — they could be both. The powerful folk of women could contaminate fishing nets which belong in the men’s realm and rob them of fishing luck if the woman made the mistake of stepping over the net. On the other hand, a woman could bless the cattle being let into pasture by showing her genitals; the women’s väki would then protect the livestock from forest-dwelling predators.

Väki sweater is knitted from Finnish Lieko thread designed by the textile artist Maisa Tikkanen. It is knit bottom-up, with a drop-shoulder with stranded colorwork at the hem and a simple lace motif for the sleeves. The design of the jumper symbolises the Power — the folk — that every plant, element and being contains. The colorwork pattern represents great strength growing from underneath a small plant.

To get the right size, choose one with 3–5 centimetres/1.25–2 inches positive-ease.

Yarn: Kehrätär Lieko, 100% finnish wool. Fingering
Main color 920 (1020, 1122, 1260, 1420, 1590, 1770, 1950) meter/ 1006 (1115, 1227, 1377, 1552, 1738, 1935, 2132) yds AND
Contrast color 100 (110, 122, 144, 155, 166, 177) meter/ 109 (120, 133, 157, 169, 181, 193) yds.
Needles: Circular needles and double pointed needle 3mm (US 2,5 ) and 3,5mm (US 4 ). 40-80 cm/ 24-32 inches or longer and DPNs to work smaller circumference. Use a longer needle if working in magic-loop.
Tools: Stitch markers, left over yarn
Sizes: Bust circumference 83 (92, 101, 111, 120, 129, 138, 148) cm / 32.5 (36.25, 39.75, 43.75, 47.25, 50.75, 54.25, 58.25) inches
Length from hem to armpit 36 (37, 39, 42, 44, 46, 50, 52) cm. / 14 (14.5, 15.25, 16.5, 17.25, 18, 19.5, 20.25) in. Sleeve length 36 (37, 37, 38, 38, 39, 39, 40) cm / 14 (14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15.25, 15.25, 15.75) inches
Recommended gauge: 26 sts x 30 rows = (10 X 10)cm/ (4 X 4 inches) with 3,5mm (US4) needle

Before you measure, please take the time to wash and block your swatch in the same manner that you will wash and block your sweater.