Karin Mannerstål
Karin Mannerstål is one of Sweden’s best-known Designers. With her distinctive combination of humor, graphic precision, and colorful personality, she has left her mark on Swedish design for several decades. Many people recognize her from the TV show *Äntligen hemma*, but her career as a * Designers * began much earlier and spans everything from textiles and furniture to children’s products, interior design, and industrial design. Karin studied at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm and has collaborated over the years with companies such as IKEA, Åhléns, Klippan Yllefabrik, and many others.
Karin Mannerstål has created some of our most beloved and distinctive patterns for Frösö Handtryck. Her design language is recognizable in its playful simplicity, clear graphic forms, and ability to create patterns that bring joy without being overly elaborate. Often, a humorous detail or an unexpected idea is hidden within what appears to be simple.
The collaboration between Karin Mannerstål and Frösö Handtryck began in a way that was, to say the least, unusual. A chance encounter with the then-owner, Rose Marie Öhlund, at the Formex trade show marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership that has resulted in several pattern collections and many years of creative exchange.
Karin's designs for Frösö Handtryck include, among others:
- Diamond
- Two
- Kaleidoscope
- Rut & Knut
- Three
- Love Is in the Air
- Mom's Christmas
- One Two Tree
- Dad's Cat
- Pick-Up Sticks
The patterns showcase the breadth of Karin’s design work—from graphic and geometric styles to playful motifs inspired by personal stories. One of the most beloved is “Pappas Katt,” whose motif is based on a painting created by her father, Sven Westerberg, in the 1950s.
As part of Frösö Handtryck’s 80th anniversary in 2026, we are proud to once again showcase Karin Mannerstål’s patterns. Her designs represent an important part of the company’s modern history and demonstrate how traditional hand-printing can be combined with contemporary Swedish design.
With warmth, humor, and a design language that ages gracefully, Karin Mannerstål’s patterns continue to find new generations of home and textile enthusiasts.
