I have recently become addicted to knitting fingerless mittens, because they are such a wonderful garment for exploring textures and colours - small enough to take anywhere, and the finished object can be worn and admired easily (unlike socks, which tend to hide in shoes).

The new Mystic KAL mystery knitalong from Anna Dalvi / Knit & Knag Designs.

Hugin and Munin are the two ravens that belong to the Norse god Odin. They fly all over the world, Midgard and Asgard, and return to Odin and tell him what they have seen.

The Midgard Serpent is a creature in Norse mythology. The giant snake surrounds Midgard (the world) holding in the great seas. It is so large it surrounds the world and bite its own tail.

The Rimfrost Cowl is a lacy cowl knit in aran weight yarn. The pattern is reminiscent of a frost formation, covering the cowl. The slight sparkle in the yarn adds to the look of glistening frost.

Trysil is a doubleknit shawl with traditional Norwegian stars/snowflakes.

In Scandinavian folklore, Näcken is a male water spirit who played enchanted songs on the violin, luring women and children to drown in lakes or streams. He was the unsurpassed master violinist, and musicians could learn from him.

Have you ever found yourself staring into a fire, captivated by the dancing flames? There is nothing more mesmerizing than a bonfire during the summer evenings. The flames take a hold of your imagination like nothing else, and as you enjoy the fire in the cool summer nights, the warmth envelops you like a cozy shawl.

Ranrike is the old Norse name for what is now southeast Norway and Bohuslän (Sweden). The name comes from Rán, the Old Norse goddess of the sea, and refers to her kingdom. Ranrike is famous for its rocky landscape and granite cliffs.

These fingerless gloves are designed to use variegated sock yarn, to allow the beauty of the yarn to shine through. They feature a patterned cuff with arrows symbolizing the speed of the moving water in the rapids, as well as a fitted thumb gusset.

La Toupie is French for a spinning top. This whimsical design is a doubleknit triangular shawl, with spinning tops twirling out from the centre of the shawl.

Huldran, or Skogsrået is a seductive temptress in Scandinavian folklore. She is a beautiful woman who lives in the forests, and that tempt young men to follow her into the woods. Seen from the front, she is beautiful, but seen from the back, she has either a tail or a hollow back looking like a rotten tree trunk, depending on the story.

Riffle is the part of a stream where the flow is shallower and more turbulent. This riffle moves rapidly towards the centre in swirls, and narrows on the back of the hand.

These fingerless gloves are designed to use variegated sock yarn, to allow the beauty of the yarn to shine through. They feature a scrunchy, slinky cuff and a fitted thumb gusset.

Njál’s Saga is one of the great Icelandic sagas, written in the 13th century. It’s a story of love and betrayal, honor and revenge.

These fingerless gloves feature a fitted thumb gusset, and twisted cables. The understated cable starts at the cuff and runs up the back of the hand to the ring finger, decorating the glove like piped icing. The cuff has cabled ribbing all around.

Chandoba means moon in Marathi.

These fingerless gloves feature a fitted thumb gusset, mock-cables, and twisted cables. The mock-cables start at the cuff and runs up the side of the thumb. In addition, there is a twisted cable motif on the back of the hand.

Of all the nights during the year, Midsummer’s Eve is the most magical and mystical. During that night, fairies dance and anything can happen. In Sweden, young girls pick seven different kinds of flowers in the hopes that they will dream of their true love.

In the Norwegian folk song Jeg Lagde Meg (As I Lay Down), the singer finds out that his beloved is ill. He hurries to her side only to find that he has arrived too late and she has died. He then sings of his grief - no one has been loved more than she.

She’s Like the Swallow is a well known folk song from the Maritimes (Canada) in which a fair maiden picks flowers for her beloved and he spurns her.

These fingerless gloves feature a fitted thumb gusset, and Estonian lace patterns. Inspired by waves that spread across a pond or even an ocean, they take their name from Capillary waves, or ripples. The cuff has lace patterning all around.

In the Swedish medieval ballad Havsfrun, Herr Olof rides to the realm of the Sea Witch. She welcomes him and says she’s been waiting for him for 15 years. She asks where he is from and where his fields are, and his parents and his beloved. He answers they are all in the king’s realm. The Sea Witch then offers him the clearest wine fr...

These fingerless mitts were designed to allow me to knit during my kids’ hockey practice without freezing my hands off in the cold arenas. Inspired by the marks on the ice created during ice dancing or even hockey.

These fingerless gloves feature a fitted thumb gusset, and twisted Bavarian cables. Inspired by the majestic stalactite formations growing from cave ceilings and ending in a drop on the back of the hand. The cuff has cables all around.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is a fairy tale from Arabian Nights.

Hrungnir was one of the giants from Jotunheim. On one visit to Aasgard, Hrungnir drank all the ale from Thor’s cups and then while he was drunk

The Orchid View shawl is covered with orchid flowers and buds in an elegant lace design.

Princess Cottongrass (Prinsessan Tuvstarr och Älgen Skutt) is the second shawl in a set of three shawls released as part of the Fairy Tale KAL (following Marushka). Princess Cottongras is a Swedish Fairy Tale about a Princess who has never left the dream castle before. She meets Long-Leg Leap, the elk, and he takes her out to see the world. In t...

ShaShaShawl is a heart-shaped shawl with clean and crisp lines.

Marushka is a Russian Fairy Tale about a girl sent out in the middle of winter, through the deep snow to fetch violets, strawberries and apples for her wicked step-sister. With the help of the twelve kings ruling over the months she succeeds. When the step-sister tries to force the kings to give her more apples, King December buries her in snow.

Jelling is located in Denmark, and is famous for its rune stones, grave mounds and for being the place in which Denmark became a Christian country. The larger rune stone was erected by King Harald in memory of his father, celebrating his conquest of Denmark and Norway, and his conversion of the Danes to Christianity. This scarf contains the firs...

Tanumshede is known for its Bronze age rock carvings, with various motifs featuring longships, animals and people. These were carved into the granite rocks 1800-500BC. There are close to 1500 known rock carvings in the area, and more are being discovered.

L’Anse Aux Meadows is located in Newfoundland, and there are remains from a Norse settlement – the only one in North America. It is thought to be the site referred to as Vinland in the Icelandic Sagas. Vinland was established by Leif Ericsson around 1003, and the Vikings were settled there for a few years until they returned to Iceland.

The Spelunking Cardigan is a waist-length lacy cardigan, featuring a lace edging along the bottom edge and on the sleeve cuffs.

Urðr is the third shawl in a series of three shawls on the theme of the three Norns (Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld) in Norse mythology. They determine the fate of all living creatures by spinning the threads of life. And they water Yggdrasil – the tree of life – so the branches do not dry out or rot.

Verðandi is the second shawl in a series of three shawls on the theme of the three Norns (Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld) in Norse mythology. They determine the fate of all living creatures by spinning the threads of life. And they water Yggdrasil – the tree of life – so the branches do not dry out or rot.

The Cayuga Cardigan is a half-length lacy cardigan, featuring a cathedral lace edging along the bottom edge and on the sleeve cuffs.

Eyjafjallajökull Shawl is a circular shawl inspired by the Icelandic Volcano.

Skuld is the first shawl in a series of three shawls on the theme of the three Norns (Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld) in Norse mythology. The determine the fate of all living creatures by spinning the threads of life. And they water Yggdrasil – the tree of life – so the branches do not dry out or rot.

Black lace and a romantic fire, and perhaps two glasses of sparkling champagne?

Double-knit scarf in geometric pattern inspired by the designs on Turkish tiles. The scarf is named after the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, which is filled with amazing tile designs.

Star light, star bright,

The Vancouver Sweater was designed and knit during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The sweater was inspired by the relaxed look of the crowds.

They say “Diamonds are Forever” - so I chose diamonds as a theme for this stole to symbolize everlasting love. To me, the glistening diamonds also mean beauty in the way they reflect the light.

As the nights get longer and darker, the need for bright colours becomes greater.

The Liljekonvalj Poncho is a lightweight, airy poncho with floral motifs.

This rectangular stole draws its inspiration from the burning embers in the cozy fires we enjoy during the fall season.

The Stained Glass Lace Scarf is inspired by stained glass windows in the St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva,

The Call of the Sirens lace stole draws on the Greek myths about the Sirens. The Sirens’ calls could bewitch sailors to make them forget who they were and and where they were going. Often the Sirens caused them to forget to navigate their ships and the ships would be wrecked against the rocky shore.

This square shawl is the fourth shawl in the Mystic Elements series (following Mystic Waters, Mystic Light and Mystic Earth). Mystic Air draws its inspiration from the heavens above and the air that we breathe.

A lace shawl to dress up for any occasion.

Mystic Roses is a triangular shawl inspired by roses of every hue.

The Riverside Wrap takes its inspiration from the flowing rivers and the shells on the shore.

The Ironwrought Scarf is inspired by old iron wrought gates and fences. It’s a warm, yet light and lacy scarf that will make you feel dressed up any day of the week.

Mystic Star is a circular shawl which draws its inspiration from the starry night sky.

A lacy scarf to remind us of the warmer weather during the long winter months.

This shawl draws its inspiration from winter, and in particular the breathtaking icicles found during the early and late parts of winter.

This rectangular stole is the third shawl in the Mystic Elements series (following Mystic Waters and Mystic Light). Mystic Earth draws its inspiration from the solid earth beneath our feet. It’s constant presence, and its ever changing seasons.

This rectangular stole draws its inspiration from the flowering midsummer meadows with colourful flowers of every hue.

The Thistle Scarf is a Lace scarf knit using 2 skeins (44 g) of Luxurious Buffalo Down (100% Buffalo, 155-160 yds per 22 g) from Cottage Craft Angora. The yarn is a natural, chocolate brown and incredibly soft.

The Luscious Forests Lace Shawl incorporates both lace and cables into a large shawl, knit using 200 g (500 m) Lady Godiva (50% wool/50% silk) from Handmaiden.

This triangular shawl draws its inspiration from light in its many forms.

This is the gauge swatch for the Mystic Light Shawl.

The Sumac Leaf Shawl is knit from the top down.

A warm wintershawl in 100% baby alpaca.

A warm winter touque (=Canadian for hat)

The Burridge Lake Aran Afghan is designed to be a classic Aran afghan, and perfectly symmetrical. The center panel is symmetrical within itself, and the two side panels are mirror images of each other.

Have you ever found yourself staring into a deep ocean pondering the mysteries beneath the surface?