The Art of the Sea: 23 Knitwear Designs Inspired by the Moomins

Achtung, das Buch ist auf Englisch!

For eighty years, the Moomins have charmed readers with their warmth and whimsy. The Art of the Sea, a special Laine publication, celebrates Tove Jansson’s beloved universe through 23 beautiful knitting patterns inspired by her characters, artistry and philosophy—timeless creations to wear, treasure and share across generations.

The Moomins have been part of our imaginations for eighty years — mischievous, tender, endlessly curious. Their creator, Tove Jansson, gave us not only unforgettable characters but also a philosophy of life: the courage to be yourself, the joy of companionship, and the quiet beauty of nature’s rhythms.

The Art of the Sea: 23 Knitwear Designs Inspired by the Moomins celebrates that legacy through the art of knitting. With 23 patterns by 18 international designers, it translates the atmosphere of Moominvalley into stitches: garments and accessories that carry the warmth of Moominmamma’s embrace, the wit of Little My, the independence of Snufkin, and the salt-tinged breath of the northern sea.

The idea was born from childhood encounters with Jansson’s stories and the magic of discovering her world through art. Bringing it to life has been one of our most heartfelt projects at Laine, a tribute to both the Moomins’ enduring relevance and Jansson’s timeless creativity.

The patterns are created by the following designers:

Pauliina Leisti, Fiona Alice, Maja Kløvdal, Alma Bali, Marie Régnier, Charlotte Stone, Julia Wilkens, Soumine Kim, Camille Romano, Dee Hardwicke, Lotta H. Löthgren, Maaike van Geijn, Paula Pereira, Sari Nordlund, Kaori Katsurada, Jihyun Seong, Olga Putano and Karoline Skovgaard.

Celebrating the artistry of Tove Jansson, The Art of the Sea bridges courage, freedom and belonging with the craft of knitting. Inspired by her spirit, the book offers creations that echo her philosophy and quiet elegance.

Created with 18 international designers, this special collection presents lasting, innovative patterns that explore cables, textures, stripes and colourwork. Each piece is a tribute to the Moomins’ enduring legacy — garments and accessories to wear, treasure and pass on.

The Art of the Sea is rooted in memory: childhood encounters with the Moomins, moments of recognition and belonging, stories that felt like home. This book transforms those echoes into timeless knitwear, carrying imagination into every stitch.

”I remember the general store in my hometown, where, near the cash register, I found my first Moomin comic book. The black-and-white drawings opened a secret world: a place beyond the ordinary, thrilling and mysterious, yet held together by the gentle safety of Moominmamma’s apron strings.”

Jonna Helin