New publication explores the future of a sustainable wool sector in Lapland

A new publication produced within the University of Lapland’s VillaInno project brings together experiences, innovations and practical solutions aimed at increasing the use of Finnish wool, renewing wool craft traditions and supporting sustainable regional development. The publication examines wool as an ecological material, a cultural resource and an enabler of local livelihoods.

Wool-related traditions are part of Finnish and Northern cultural heritage and identity. The new publication Perinnevillan uusi aika – Wool Innovation: The Revival of Heritage Wool draws on wool craft traditions, Northern expertise in wool crafts, and wool from Finnish native sheep breeds, exploring their significance in contemporary craft, design and culture.

Minna Kovero, Project Manager of the VillaInno project at the Faculty of Art and Design, sees significant potential in traditions for the future as well.

“The tradition of lovikka mittens in the Torne River Valley shows how even small innovations can, over time, lay the foundation for a broader tradition and acquire new meanings in a changing world. In the VillaInno project, we have explored ways of bringing together local materials, craft expertise and contemporary needs, while considering the possibilities this creates for addressing sustainability challenges,” Kovero says.

The publication examines the role of wool within the broader sustainability transition. Wool is a renewable and biodegradable material, but it is also connected to questions of local production, biodiversity, cultural heritage and regional economies.

Professor Maria Huhmarniemi, director of the project, emphasises that developing a sustainable wool sector requires balancing multiple perspectives.

“Wool and the knowledge associated with it are deeply connected to places and communities, linking people, animals, landscapes, culture and local livelihoods. For this reason, we have examined wool simultaneously through ecological, cultural, social and economic perspectives of sustainability,” Huhmarniemi says.

Local solutions to global challenges

The publication also contributes to the international discussion on sustainability in the textile sector. The environmental impacts of the textile industry, concerns about the origin of materials and the vulnerability of global supply chains have increased interest in locally produced natural fibres.

Within the VillaInno project, special attention was given to opportunities for utilising wool in the Lapland region, particularly through the development of wool-based businesses, tourism and craft expertise. During the project, new products, services and concepts were designed in collaboration with companies, sheep farmers, designers and other regional stakeholders.

“Although many sustainability challenges are global, solutions can emerge locally. The use of local wool, regional networks and making the value of wool visible can strengthen the sustainability of both livelihoods and cultural heritage,” Minna Kovero notes.

New opportunities for tourism and creative industries

The project also explored the potential of wool in tourism, wellbeing services and applied arts. Traditional wool crafts were adapted to contemporary needs, while intercultural approaches were incorporated into design processes.

According to Professor Maria Huhmarniemi, wool can provide a foundation for new forms of collaboration across different sectors.

“The experiences gained during the project show that wool-related expertise can connect crafts, tourism, art, wellbeing and environmental thinking. It is precisely at these intersections that new opportunities emerge for both regional development and sustainable business,” Huhmarniemi says.

The book includes chapters in both Finnish and English, making it accessible not only to domestic audiences in Finland but also to international tourism professionals and immigrant entrepreneurs working in the craft sector.

Publication brings together the lessons of the project

The VillaInno publication serves as a practical handbook for everyone interested in wool, crafts, design, cultural heritage and sustainable development. It presents the project’s methods, experiments, innovations and future opportunities.

“We hope that this publication will serve as a seed for new discussions, collaborations and development initiatives. Building a sustainable wool sector requires long-term cooperation, but we believe that local wool has an important role to play in a sustainable future,” Professor Maria Huhmarniemi concludes.

The authors of the publication are artist-designer-researchers who have worked on the VillaInno project. Some of the authors are artists or designers who joined the project’s expert teams as a part of their studies. The publication includes numerous accounts of collaborative design, creative work, and product development.

The VillaInno: Renewing Wool Craft Traditions project was carried out at the Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland, between 2023 and 2026. The project developed wool-based products, services and operating models in collaboration with stakeholders from the wool sector, crafts, design and tourism industries. The project received European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding through the Regional Council of Lapland.

Publication information

Kovero, M., Huhmarniemi, M., & Luiro, E. (Eds.), Perinnevillan uusi aika / Wool innovation: The revival of heritage wool. Lapin yliopiston taiteiden tiedekunnan julkaisuja.

The publication is available in Lauda, the University of Lapland’s publication repository: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-337-541-3

Further information:

VillaInno project page
Project manager Minna Kovero, firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi
Project leader Maria Huhmarniemi, firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi, tel. +358 40 484 4339