Skall Knit
We’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of Skall Knit, a book that invites readers into the thoughtful, tactile world of SKALL.
Long envisioned by its founders, the book is both a collection of timeless knitting patterns and a meditation on presence, care, and slow-making. With stories rooted in childhood memories, collaborations with trusted creatives, and a focus on natural materials, Skall Knit is designed to be lived with—touched, used, and cherished over time.
Interview EMILY PETRUCCIONE
Introduction NICOLE GAVRILLES
Images courtesy of SKALL STUDIO
GENESIS OF THE BOOK
First, we are so excited for the launch of this book! What initially inspired you to create Skall Knit, and why did it feel like the right moment for the brand to bring it to life?
Thank you, we are very proud to share Skall Knit with the world. The idea has lived with us for a long time. Ever since we founded SKALL, we’ve dreamed of creating something lasting and tactile, something that could live outside the digital world. This book felt like a natural extension of what we already do: design with care, work with our hands, and invite people into a slower, more thoughtful rhythm. Now, more than ever, we believe there is a need to reconnect with the process behind what we wear.
What was the actual process of making the book like – how long did it take from idea to finished product?
It’s been a deeply personal journey that unfolded over the course of about 1 year. From the first notes and sketches to the final printed page, every detail was considered, just like when you knit a sweater stitch by stitch. We worked closely with trusted collaborators, including photographer Rasmus Weng Carlsen and designer Sofie Winding, to create a book that feels as calm and honest as the knitwear itself.
Before diving in, can you give us a preview of the world of Skall Knit—what can readers expect to see, learn, and take away from it?
Skall Knit is more than a book of patterns. It’s an invitation into our universe, where design presence and nature meet. Readers will find 14 patterns, both new and classic, alongside stories from our childhood, reflections on craftsmanship, and a repair guide to extend the life of the pieces they create. It’s a book meant to be lived with: touched, used, and returned to over time.
CHILDHOOD, INSPIRATION, & PHILOSOPHY
You open the book with childhood memories from Læsø, running along the shores in hand-knitted sweaters. How did those early experiences shape your approach to knitting and the patterns you included?
Læsø is where our love for knitwear was born. It’s where we first experienced the warmth and comfort of handmade sweaters, pieces made with love by our mother. That connection to nature, family, and slow-making has stayed with us ever since. Many of the designs in Skall Knit are inspired by those memories: of salt air, quiet shores, and the feeling of being wrapped in something made just for you.
Mindfulness, presence, and slowing down are recurring themes. How did you decide to weave these ideas into the book alongside the technical patterns?
For us, knitting is as much about presence as it is about making. Each stitch invites you to slow down, to be in the moment. We didn’t want the book to only be about finished garments. We wanted it to celebrate the journey, the process of making. That’s why the book includes personal reflections and calm imagery, creating a space for readers to breathe, pause, and reconnect.
Many of your patterns are intricate yet accessible. How did you balance creating designs that challenge experienced knitters while still welcoming beginners?
It was important to us that Skall Knit could meet readers wherever they are in their journey. Some designs, like a simple pair of mittens or a child’s sweater, are perfect for those just starting out. Others, like the Sophie knit or pieces with intricate cables, offer a gentle challenge for more experienced hands. We’ve included detailed instructions and step-by-step guidance to ensure that every knitter feels supported.
HERO KNITS & DESIGN STORIES
The book highlights hero knits like Sophie, Noah, Noah Vest, and Magda. How did you decide which pieces to feature?
These pieces represent the essence of our knitwear collection. They’ve stood the test of time, both in design and wear, and each one carries a story. Choosing them felt intuitive, they’re pieces we return to again and again, and we wanted readers to experience that same sense of quiet confidence in their own wardrobes.
The Sophie Knit has become especially iconic, inspiring knitters worldwide. Can you share the inspiration behind this design and how it influenced other designs in the book?
Sophie was born from memories of the windswept shores of Northern Jutland, the sea, the salt, the light in Skagen. It draws inspiration from the traditional fisherman knits we grew up seeing, garments made to endure both time and weather. We wanted to reimagine that heritage through a softer lens, keeping the strength, but adding a quiet elegance. The design reflects the duality we often seek grounded in tradition, yet open and free. Its simplicity and honesty became a guiding thread throughout the book, setting a tone that is calm, tactile, and rooted in nature.
Each pattern uses texture, cables, and colorwork in distinct ways. How do these design choices reflect SKALL’s philosophy of simplicity, natural materials, and craftsmanship?
We see texture as a way to tell a story without words. Cables, braids, and colorwork bring depth and personality to a garment, but always in a quiet, understated way. These techniques reflect our love for craftsmanship and our belief that beauty can be both strong and soft. Every design is created to last both in quality and in aesthetic.
“Læsø is where our love for knitwear was born. It’s where we first experienced the warmth and comfort of handmade sweaters, pieces made with love by our mother. That connection to nature, family, and slow-making has stayed with us ever since.”
TECHNIQUES, MATERIALS & MAKING
You worked closely with Hjelholt Spinning Mill for the yarns. Why was it important to showcase these natural, high-quality materials?
We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Hjelholt Spinning Mill. Their yarns are not only beautiful to work with, but they’re also created with care for the animals and the land. Including them in the book felt essential, because the materials we choose matter. They shape the feel, the look, and the longevity of the pieces. And they tell a story of respect.
Step-by-step diagrams and instructions are a key feature. How did you approach making the patterns clear and accessible across skill levels?
Clarity was key. We wanted every reader, whether beginner or advanced, to feel held and guided. The step-by-step visuals are a way to offer support without overwhelming. We also kept the language calm and encouraging, reflecting the same tone we use in our design studio: gentle, intentional, and grounded.
The guide is a unique inclusion that I was personally excited to see. Why was it essential for you to teach readers how to care for their knitwear?
For us, care is the first step toward longevity. Including a care guide was our way of inviting readers to slow down and build a relationship with the pieces they create. Just like the process of knitting, caring for garments is a quiet ritual, washing gently, storing mindfully, letting things age with grace. It’s a reminder that clothing can have a life far beyond its creation.
“Care is the first step toward longevity...Just like the process of knitting, caring for garments is a quiet ritual.”
The photography is beautiful, and you do a wonderful job highlighting the materials, processes, and production—especially natural elements. What was your approach to the visuals of the book?
Thank you. The visual language of the book was deeply important to us. We wanted it to feel calm, grounded, and honest just like the pieces themselves. Working with Rasmus Weng Carlsen, we chose natural settings, soft light, and real textures to bring the knitwear to life. It’s an atmosphere more than a look.
READER EXPERIENCE & IMPACT
Beyond knitting, what do you hope readers take away about slow fashion, presence, and reconnecting with the process of making?
We hope they feel inspired to pause. To consider the clothes they wear, the materials they choose, and the time it takes to create something by hand. Slow fashion isn’t just a movement, it's a mindset. And we hope this book helps plant that seed in everyday life..
Is there anything that you had to leave out of the book that you’d love to share with our audience?
There’s always more we could have included stories, photos, thoughts. But we believe in leaving space. We hope readers feel that space as an invitation to add their own voice, their own stitches, their own rhythm.
Do you have a favorite moment from developing the book? How did creating it change your own perspective on SKALL, your craft, or your design philosophy?
One of our favourite moments was seeing the first full layout printed on paper. Holding it in our hands made everything feel real. It reminded us of the importance of print, of presence, and of taking the time to do things well. The process deepened our belief in the values we started with and renewed our dedication to slow, honest design.
Do you see Skall Knit leading to more publications or educational projects in the future?
We would love that. Skall Knit is just the beginning. Whether through books, workshops, or new formats, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to share our world and encourage mindful making.
If someone were to hold your book years from now, what would you hope they feel, remember, or take away from the experience of knitting with it?
We hope they feel warmth in the pages, in the pieces, in the time spent creating. We hope they remember the beauty of slowing down, the joy of working with their hands, and the deep satisfaction of making something with care.
“We hope they remember the beauty of slowing down, the joy of working with their hands, and the deep satisfaction of making something with care.”
SKALL was founded in 2014 by the sisters Julie and Marie Skall, way before conscious became a common word in the fashion industry. With fair production, fur and leather free collections and classic styles in natural fibres made to last, SKALL is known as a value-based brand. This is all rooted in a strong family story.
For more information about Skall Studio, visit their website. Skall Knit is available now in Dutch and English.
All images courtesy of Skall Studio.
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We’re excited to celebrate the launch of Skall Knit, a book that blends timeless patterns with stories of craftsmanship, nature, and the beauty of slow-making.