From freelance photographer to self-taught knitter, toddler tantrums to hand dyed wool, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with mama, Fluffwear Founder and lover of Swedish interiors, Parisa…
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY…
We are a small family of three, living in Malmö. I am from the UK and Jona my boyfriend is Swedish. Our son Bjerre is almost 17 months old.
WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND YOUR LITTLE ONE’S NAME?
Jona came up with the name, it’s an old Danish name and it means ‘little mountain’. We finally decided on Bjerre when he was 6 weeks old. The other option was Lykke which means ‘happiness’.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
It was a surprise to me that babies are so funny. Bjerre is such a happy and funny little soul. I didn’t expect the amount of laughter that he would bring to our lives. I think my favourite thing is that we have so much fun and joy in our daily lives now that we are three.
…AND HARDEST THING?
The hardest thing is public tantrums. I am so sensitive to what people around me feel and I can be too caught up in worrying about judgement and annoying strangers.
HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE?
Light roast with a generous amount of Oatly Ikaffe.
TELL US ABOUT FLUFFWEAR…
I designed the first diamond aran sweater for Bjerre when he was very small with this beautiful hand dyed wool that Jona had very thoughtfully sourced for my birthday. I had many compliments on the sweater when we were out and about. I was able to track down the wool supplier Viveka and found that she is in-line with my principles for sustainability, and eco-conscious living. One day I visited a store in Malmö called Pulu and the owner, Marjo, asked me if I would like to knit some for the store. At the same time I was talking with Christina at Böf Böf in Copenhagen who also wanted to sell them. It really took off quickly from there. I knit most of my sweaters on a made-to-order basis and the customer is able to pick their colour choice from what I have in. It’s a special process I feel and I take comfort in knowing that the sweaters are completely in tune with nature. You could take the sweater and place it into the soil and it would beautifully become part of the land. No chemicals, no harm.
WHO TAUGHT YOU TO KNIT?
I taught myself via youtube!
WILL YOU TEACH BJERRE TO KNIT SOMEDAY?
I would really like that, if he wants to learn then I will teach him.
HOW TO YOU JUGGLE MOTHERHOOD AND BUSINESS?
I have been incredibly fortunate in that Sweden provides the option for fathers to take a long paternity leave. So when Fluffwear started to take off, Jona was able to concentrate on Bjerre and I was able to focus on the business. I have some of my most productive knitting hours late at night too. Jona will shortly return to work and Bjerre will start playschool so things will evolve slightly.
WHAT HAS HAVING A BABY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LIFE AND PERSPECTIVE?
It has taught me to value my time. I was a freelance photographer before this and I used to do so much unpaid work looking back, you know, extra hours spent here and there because I have some hours with nothing to do so I’ll go back to that job and tweak this and that. Valuing myself, for Bjerre and for me. I try to be kinder to myself and not so self-deprecating as I used to, because I really want Bjerre to love and value himself. Therefore I need to be those things to myself first.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SWEDEN?
I feel very safe here. People are non-confrontation by nature and so there is a peaceful atmosphere (I feel). The landscapes, the forests. I absolutely love snow, there is nothing better than the moments leading up to a snowfall. There is silence and there is this calm that hangs in the air. It is the most magical experience.
AND WHAT ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?
Right now I am loving old Swedish country houses. Most typically red wooden houses ‘stuga’. Beautiful old Swedish fire places that are tall and tiled – ‘kake lugn’. Candle light and interiors falling away, showing layers of the past. Candle light cosiness ‘mys’. And always ‘fika’ taking a break to get coffee and cake.
GO TO: fluffwear.myshopify.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/fluffwear AND instagram.com/parisa
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected]
Inspiration/ImageCredits: fluffwear.myshopify.com, instagram.com/fluffwear, instagram.com/parisa
