Soothing Stitch: Knits for a Quiet Mind

It feels a little surreal to write the following words: My second knitting book is here!

Soothing Stitches: Knits for a Quiet Mind (and its Finnish version, Lempeitä silmukoita & mielenrauhaa) is filled with 12 meditative knitting patterns. You can find both garments and accessories in it – all inspired by different crystals.

This book has so much of me in it. It started as a simple idea… and turned into something truly special! When creating a shawl book based on the phases of the moon (A Little Book of Moon-Inspired Shawls, published in 2023), I opened the door to being inspired by the more mystical realms. So, I think it was just a matter of time before crystals, which have been a part of my personal toolkit for years, decided to serve as my muses for knitting patterns. They help me to focus on what I want to bring into my life or work through different emotions. To me, the stones are all about slowing down and grounding myself and I often combine them with meditation. With the help of the crystals, I wanted to create a collection that helps you pause and ground yourself, that gives you a sense of calm and peace. It’s been an incredible journey from sketching out the first designs to seeing them come to life. 

Inspired by the quiet energy of crystals, Soothing Stitches: Knits for a Quiet Mind contains 12 knitting patterns that encourage you to slow down. The collection, featuring both garments and accessories, explores simple yet beautiful constructions and stitch patterns, keeping your hands busy while your mind finds stillness. Woven among the pages are gentle words that echo the rhythm of knitting — poetic reflections and a touch of mindful meditation. 
 
Pick up your needles, take a deep breath, and cast on.

Welcome

I thought I would introduce myself here in honor of the website redesign and starting this journal. I’m Pauliina, also known as Lina, and I’m the designer behind Lina Knits. I have been knitting pretty much my whole life. Back in 2017 I decided to start designing my own patterns and my little business was born.

I had knitted accessories and even sweaters without a pattern a lot earlier, but at that point, I wanted to see if I could put my ideas on paper in a way that other people would be able to follow them, too. And once I started, I haven’t been able to stop! My head is always full of ideas that are just looking for the opportunity to get onto my needles.

Lately, what inspires me, on and off the needles, is nature – the seasons, the colours, the textures, smells and sounds, the way nature makes me feel. The things that can be found deep within myself that I may not even know are there, and the vastness of the universe. All of the subtle energies around us. Slowing down. Adventures. The night sky and the moon and the light that can be found in the dark. The cyclicality of life. The things that are but cannot be explained. The ordinary and extra-ordinary magic in this world. After publishing a book about the moon and starting a shawl series inspired by and named after pagan holidays, I think it’s already quite obvious. Nevertheless, maybe worth writing down.

To me knitting is very much about slowing down, soothing my soul, having a moment for myself to just be. Letting my mind work through its issues and then finding calmness. Feeling the yarn flow through my fingers, watching the finished knit emerge stitch by stitch. This is what I hope you will find, too, when working from my patterns. They are written from my heart to your heart, from my soul to your soul.

If any of this resonates with you, stick around! You can follow me on Instagram and YouTube, where I post videos about my designs, updates on Lina Knits and more general videos about knitting. And you can sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date. I write a letter about once a month with all of the latest news.

Much love,

Pauliina