Handpicked by Johanna: Framnäs Färg och Väv

Framnäs Färg och Väv – Hand-woven and plant-dyed scarves from Bromarv

Handpicked by Johanna has become a Christmas tradition, highlighting craftspeople and artists whose work delights or inspires Johanna Gullichsen. This year, our Helsinki store is selling a charming series of plant-dyed and hand-woven wool scarves by Framnäs Färg och Väv. Annika Luther and Gunilla Donner founded Framnäs Färg och Väv (Framnäs Dye and Weave) in the spring of 2025.

Annika and Johanna became friends when they were schoolgirls. Even before Johanna began studying textiles, the friends experimented with plant dyeing, making ribbons and printed fabrics. Both were also enthusiastic knitters. Textiles became Johanna’s career, and handicrafts became Annika’s beloved hobby. Annika spent her working life as a biology teacher and writer. Gunilla is also a biologist, so Framnäs Färg och Väv is based on a strong knowledge of plants and an appreciation of nature.

The enchantment of a summer retreat

Gunilla is Annika’s sister-in-law, and they spend the entire summer together at their summer retreat on the coast of Bromarv. Gunilla has long been passionate about plant dyeing and has built up an impressive collection of beautifully dyed yarns. Annika, on the other hand, took weaving courses at the adult education centre and the Finnish Weavers’ Association after retiring a few years ago. In the spring of 2025, Annika and Gunilla decided to combine their skills, leading to the creation of Framnäs Färg och Väv. Gunilla focuses on dyeing the yarns, while Annika takes charge of weaving the scarves. The heart of their business is their shared summer place. Gunilla has hot plates on her veranda for dyeing the yarn, and Annika’s lightweight table looms can be easily moved as needed.

A diverse colour palette of plants

Gunilla and Annika gather most of the plants they use for dyeing in Bromarv. Sometimes they use these plants immediately, while at other times they dry them for later use. Among the plants found in Gunilla’s dyeing pots are heather, birch leaves, horse chestnut, and goldenrod. Notably, she uses garden cabbage to achieve a rare shade of sky blue. Dye plants can be collected throughout the growing season, continuing until autumn, when it’s a good time to gather dye mushrooms for storage. For instance, the caps of bloodroot mushrooms produce bright red shades, while the stems yield orange shades.

You can even find dye plants in the city. Annika picked walnuts from a park in Helsinki, which gave beautiful, deep brown shades. Additionally, it’s worth collecting avocado pits from your kitchen, as they can dye fabric a delicate pink. Gunilla is constantly experimenting and researching new plants.

Each scarf is numbered

Annika’s work blends a straightforward and brisk approach with the patience required for weaving. She enjoys variety in her projects, which is why she creates a new warp for each scarf, ensuring that every piece is unique and distinct. Often, she draws inspiration from pre-dyed yarns, carefully selecting those that will complement her next creation. Occasionally, Annika requests specific colours from Gunilla. She also incorporates recycled black, white, and grey yarns into her scarves, unravelling old sweaters purchased at flea markets. Although she doesn’t sketch her scarves beforehand, she always has a clear vision of the final piece she intends to weave. The most exciting moment in the process occurs when she removes the freshly woven scarf from the loom, as that is when she can see the final outcome. After weaving, Annika adds fringes to the scarf and finishes it by washing. She then records the dye plants used on the product card and numbers each scarf. On average, it takes her two working days to create one scarf.

Although the summer season in Framnäs has come to an end, Annika plans to continue her work as long as it remains enjoyable. Next, she hopes to attend new weaving courses to learn additional techniques. “Working with my hands makes me happy,” she reflects on her craft. The charm of her summer retreat keeps her warm throughout the year in the form of the scarves she creates.