history

My name is Kati Johnsen ... 

I am a knitter.  A designer.  A teacher.  A global citizen.  And founder of Mollygoggles, a children’s knitwear company dedicated to creating whimsical, colorful sweaters.

I first learned of Mollygoggles as magical little people who appeared in my grandmother’s bed-time stories.  To me, a Mollygoggle is an adorable, mischievous child with a bright twinkle in its eye.  When I design my children’s sweaters I am thinking of just that sort of little person.

For the past 30 years I have been selling my sweaters throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan in high-end speciality stores, department stores and catalogs. 

For our latest collection Mollygoggles is proud to collaborate with major league baseball (mlb) on a new series of team sweaters featuring charmingly interpreted logos of the red sox, yankees and mets.

Like all histories, my story is a woven of many strands.  Follow a thread...

As an artist...

I come from a long lineage of Swedish artists and designers.  My aunts and great aunts were accomplished hand knitters.  My grandfather was a cabinet maker, painter and sculptor.

I picked up my first knitting needles at age 5.  And I haven’t put them down yet.

I have a great love for color, pattern and embellishment and these elements are what my customers notice and love about my work.  I knit with luxurious materials such as pima cotton, baby alpaca, silk and fine merino wool.  The yarn colors that make up my palettes are chosen to activate and give depth to the surfaces that I create.

During my early years as a fiber artist and knitter, I worked with U.S. Aid on missions to Ecuador.  I was chosen to work directly with the local artisans to assess their skills and to encourage opportunities for them to actively participate in the global marketplace.

In addition to the Mollygoggles collection, I design and manufacture private-label sweaters and knit accessories for women and children.  Over the years I have also produced a series of home accessory collections, including pillows, throws and blankets.  I have had the good fortune to count as my customers such well-respected companies as Andrew Morgan, CWD, Garnet Hill, Monterrey Bay, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tatutina and Talbots Kids. 

For inspiration I draw on everything and anything for ideas.  The outdoors, and particularly the sea, inspires me.  My love for animals has frequently appeared in my work.  I am always looking for the next creative concept.  

I live and work on Martha’s Vineyard and spend much of my time in Peru, which is my second home.

 

As a teacher and social entrepreneur...

Traveling and teaching are interwoven themes in my life.  I have lived in several South American countries, such a as Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil where I have taught school for several years. 

My first teaching job was in Rio de Janiero where I taught in Escola Americana.  Soon after, I moved to Colombia to work in another American school.  During my years there, I traveled extensively throughout South America from the North of Colombia to the south in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

My last stop was Peru.  I was fascinated with Peru and its people. 

It was there that I had a chance encounter with six incredible women who shared my love of knitting.  Kindred spirits, we knit and knit, and shared our insights into different ways to make a sweater.  I stayed for six months, working closely with these artisans, learning about their lives.  These women became my first employees when I started Mollygoggles.

I travel frequently to Peru and make time to travel around the amazing countryside.  I have visited many remote villages in the Andes.  A few years ago in a village called Calca, I found a group of young women in difficult circumstances, and knew I had to help them.  Chaska Hill is an ongoing philanthropic effort to assist these women and to give them real opportunities to improve their prospects in life.

Read more about Chaska Hill in the Giving Back section. 

 

As Mollygoggles’ founder...

I first began knitting children’s sweaters and selling them in my store, KatyDid on Martha’s Vineyard.  The sweaters were so popular that I was knitting day and night!  

After my adventure in Peru I knew I had found the artisans who could help me create a new business.  Mollygoggles was born in 1992. 

Our headquarters are located on Martha’s Vineyard where we design our sweaters and manage our operations.  Our Lima-based group carefully crafts our sweaters.  From the original six artisans, our Mollygoggles Peruvian operation now supports over 250 men and women. 

Mollygoggles sweaters are known for their colorful designs and finely worked details.  Our newest collection with Major League Baseball builds on our tradition of fine craftsmanship and is sure to be a home run!  Check out our series of team sweaters, featuring logos of three MLB teams:  Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and New York Mets. 

Mollygoggles sweaters are sold in speciality boutiques and in our online store.