By Ingrid Keneally
Finnish-born textile designer and author Molla Mills crochets yarn into vibrant contemporary compositions. The now Berlin-based artist somehow gets crochet looking sexy with her vibrant colour and original geometric designs: from graphic leopard-like print and checked bags to large-scale black and white carpets. Mills’ technique – all done with a single simple hook – was nurtured by a childhood spent surrounded by the serious craft work of her mother and her grandmother. Thankfully for us, Mills has documented her patterns and unique process in a series of books, which means you can create and curate your own collection of her quirky pieces. The KPC Yarn Studio in Hong Kong sells copies of both Modern Crochet and Crochetterie. Mills tells us a little about the secret to her success and the lovingly imagined work that has become her full-time business.
How would you describe your method for working with yarn?
I start by choosing a high-quality yarn, usually it’s either cotton or wool. I have an idea what to make out of the yarn, but before I start, I make a crochet test to see how the yarn behaves. Then I choose the right size hook, draw the pattern on the paper and start working.
What is one pivotal moment from your early career?
It was the day when I got my first yarn sponsor, Lankava. The year was 2012, I wrote an email to this Finnish yarn house, got a positive reply, they wanted to make the first Virkkuri book with me. It was the most encouraging moment in my early career, and we still work closely together with Lankava.
What is it about your childhood that influenced what you do now?
I was a child of DIY parents, my mother made all the clothes for me and for my three siblings and my father built our house. I was always inspired by what one can make by hand and started making stuff by myself at a young age. There were a lot of different materials to use and even if I wasn’t the best in using the sewing machine, I still wore all those funny self-made clothes. I learned some good skills back then that are still useful.
What are the professional achievements you are most proud of?
Writing three crochet books. I remember always going to my local library to browse craft books, It’s a wonderful feeling to know people are now doing the same with my books. I want to inspire people to make more by hand. At the moment I’m making a book for kids of the age 8 to 12. The book will be out this autumn.
Is there one thing you wish you’d know when you were starting out in textiles?
Actually I always make so many tests with new yarns, that the finished work cannot go so badly wrong. Some cotton yarns shrink a lot after the first wash, and this is sometimes surprising. Otherwise I only have positive experiences when working with wools and cottons.
What is it about hand-made textiles that make them so popular right now?
I think they are always fashionable. In a hand-made world where we live people don’t always even know which part of their outfit or home textiles are made by someone, by hand. Luckily we have many organizations to make people more aware of this, and also there are many more people paying attention to this.
Which dream wool or cotton project would you like to embark on?
I would love to make a big colorful crochet nest, put it somewhere in a public place and observe if people crawl inside. This would be more for kids, but I want to see if a grown up can also be playful and forget about the real world for a moment.
Which artists have had an impact on the work you do?
I admire Ernesto Neto’s works, they are very surreal and his use of the material is brilliant. He is creating an escape from everyday life, I think we all need that often. We need to feel like being kids again. The other artist is New York-based Polish artist Olek, who is covering up big houses with crochet and simply bringing joy with her works. I admire all independent artists who create something new and outrageous from yarns, who follow their passion and show it to the world.
What is your favourite woollen or cotton item, and why?
I have so many. It might be my Pendleton wool blanket I bought from Colorado, or a carpet from the collection I designed for Finnish rug house, Forme, or it might be a cotton pillow I got from a fair trade market here in Berlin. My home and my work studio are filled with crochet works of all kinds, all of them are my favourites.
Can you describe your workspace for our readers?
It’s a big room filled with daylight, in Lichtenberg in Berlin. I moved out from Finland 2015, travelled for a year and settled down here in Berlin. This new studio I got just last week – I will make my kid’s crochet book here. I’m waiting to fill the space with new crochet pieces.
What is your favourite quote or motto?
‘Everything will be all right.’ This is what I always repeat to myself. Being a creative person in a new country is not easy. I came to Berlin without knowing almost anyone here and not talking the language, and I still feel like there is a lot to do before I feel at home here. In the end everything is always all right, and then a new phase begins.
Best beginner’s task?
Something quick and easy made with thick yarn. I have been teaching a lot how to make a rug yarn basket – most of my students have been beginners and everyone had a finished basket after the three-hour workshop. There are many different crochet techniques that are good for beginners, too.
What is one KPC Yarn hue that speaks to you, and why?
I love the beetroot color. It’s a new color for me. I discovered it when I was living in New York last year. I bought myself a small suede handbag, in beetroot colour, and totally fell in love with it. After that purchase I made myself a wool scarf with the same color, my sister gave me beetroot wool socks, and now I have some beetroot color works coming in my new book.