Finishing date: April & August 2022. First photographed by Isak Rydhäll in January 2023 in Bagarmossen, Stockholm. Second time photographed by Katja Malmborg & Natalia Salazar in July 2023 in Siikainen, Finland.
THE SECOND PHOTO SESSION
We already photographed them once, the matching 1940s style cable-knit vests, in Cecilia and Isak’s snowy garden. Knit in Swedish and Norwegian wool.
This is what I’ve realized, though, after a year and a half in Bergen: Time in Stockholm is always tight. If I want something while I’m there, I can’t be precious about how it is done. Natalia and I gathered at Cecilia and Isak’s for our yearly fantasy-TV-and-breakfast-all-day-day. Taking advantage of being in the same place, we took some low-key photos of our matching vests too.
But originally, Natalia had a plan. Already when we started talking about the designs, a long time ago: A photo shoot with a WWII Land Girls theme, at Natalia’s family farm in Finland. In July, on Natalia’s birthday, we made it happen.
It’s exciting, when an idea can be realized!
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This might all look idyllic and calm, but behind the scenes it was chaos. I attached the camera to an old milk cart and all photos with both of us in were taken with the self-timer. Running back and forth to the milk cart camera stand, I’m a blur in many photos from not having made it back into position on time, Natalia laughing at me.
The mosquito situation was also insane. About halfway through the shoot, Natalia’s mom joined us. Her job became using a branch to try to wave away mosquitos from our faces between shots. It didn’t work very well. We were both covered in bites by the end.
Oh, all the suffering we go through for our ideas.
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Intention went into choosing the yarn for these vests: I wanted to use wool from Nordic sheep breeds. Keeping low intensity grazing in our Nordic mosaic landscapes is important, to maintain both cultural heritage and biodiversity. Buying local wool is a way to support these practices.
I bought the wool for Natalia’s vest first. It’s made by Öland Ullcentrum, a small craft spinning mill on the island of Öland, Sweden. They use local wool from Gotland sheep and other local breeds.
By the time I needed yarn for my vest, I had just moved to Norway. On my second day in town, I happened upon what would become my favorite yarn store in Bergen. There, I bought the green yarn from Hillesvåg, a local spinning mill that uses wool from Norwegian sheep.
It felt symbolic, in a way, as part of my transition: Our vests have the same design, the wool is made from similar local producers, but our localities have changed – and so, we have a Swedish and a Norwegian vest.
THE FIRST PHOTO SESSION
Let me just say: Weathering the snow storms of life is so much easier with a good friend by your side. Also: Small acts to show you belong together is a way to create meaning in a world that feels completely random and sometimes just terrifying.
Here’s the matching bestie set I made for me and Natalia. Cable pullover vests in fine wool, hers from Swedish Gotland sheep spun by Öland Ullcentrum. Mine the first piece I made after arriving in Norway, knit in wool from Norwegian pelssau sheep spun by Hillesvåg wool factory just north of Bergen. Both yarns dyed on grey wool, which I love. It makes the color come alive.
Katja Malmborg 