The Lovikkavanten (Lovikka mitten) is an important part of the handicraft heritage of the last century in Sweden. The Lovikkavanten was originally developed by Erika Aittanaa back in 1892, and with its “fat” felted wool yarn it has protected millions of hands of young and old in Sweden. I have had a lot of pairs (mostly when I was younger) as well. During the first half century of production more or less all women in the village Lovikka was involved in the production by knitting in their homes. But, the huge import of cheaper Asian copies (with not as good quality of course) did force the producer Lovikkavanten into bankruptcy recently. It will of course affect the small village of Lovikka and its 114 inhabitants a lot. Lovikka is situated at the Torne River in Lapland (part of northern Sweden) 100 km north of the polar circle. Let’s hope they will be able to save the business and continue the production of the classic Lovikkavanten in the small village of Lovikka.

Honestly I think this is one of the dark sides of the globalisation when original handicraft like the Lovikkavanten will not be able to survive from cheap imports. I was writing about this issue in the David Report bulletin called Supreme Regionalism where I bring forward the importance of regional culture and traditions in a world getting more and more mainstream.

Knitting and handicraft in general is a rising star among new trends and hobbies. Opposite from our store in Skanör at the Aldo café some twenty friends meet regularly (my wife is one of them) and knits, talks, eats and enjoy themselves. We will probably see more of handicraft and handicraft products in the future as a reaction towards industrial products without texture, scents and cultural tradition.

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