Weddings are some of the most beautiful celebrations one can experience in their life (usually). The deep connection between two lovers taking physical form in a ceremonious act for all to see is one that a lot of couples look forward to.
However, it also comes with months upon months of planning, stress, and even more planning. The one thing that a bride cannot go without—the special dress. Whether it be white, maroon, black, fluffy, frilly, or form-fitting, it must make the wearer feel likе the most beautiful woman in the whole entire world.
Some brides take the plunge of crafting their own dresses, be it for the challenge, for the love of the craft, or both. Today we delve into the story of Veronika Lindberg Heino, or Kika, who knitted her special gown for her big day in 6 weeks. She was kind enough to answer some of Bored Panda’s questions so let’s get into it!
Veronika Lindberg Heino, better known by her nickname Kika, decided to take up the challenge of knitting her own stunning wedding dress
Image credits: kutovakika
If you were given 2.5 kg of yarn and 250 hours, what would you create? Mayhaps a blanket, mayhaps a 3D portrait, or maybe a knitted wedding dress. Seeing as you clicked on this article for a very particular reason, you probably know by now that we’ll be speaking about the last option.
Opening herself to the challenge was Veronika Lindberg Heino, better known by her nickname Kika, who documented the birth of her special white dress, sharing the ups and downs with her followers on Instagram (which she started in 2017) and YouTube.
This project came about when she and her husband-to-be were both moving house and planning an impromptu wedding, making for a very stressful 7 weeks
Image credits: kutovakika
For what was already an intense project, life decided to add an extra bit of *spice*: they were moving house and planning their wedding, happening 7 weeks later, at the same time, so why not add in a project of great significance on top of it all? Unless you’re as skiIIed as Kika, I wouldn’t recommend it!
“I do love a challenge and I’m often a little bit over-ambitious, and the thought felt so wild and inspiring that I just decided to take the risk and do it,” the Finland-based knitter told Good Morning America (GMA). “I ordered 2.5 kg of pure silk yarn and announced my crazy plan on Instagram, and knew right then, there was no turning back anymore.”
She ordered 2.5 kg of pure silk yarn and announced her plans to her followers on Instagram, getting the project officially started with no way to turn back
Image credits: kutovakika
Kika based her design around Dior, Chanel, and Ulla Johnson’s dresses. She then sketched and planned the patterns. After all that, the knitting began!
Image credits: kutovakika
Nothing worth doing ever comes easy. It was a struggle finding time to knit in between moving, planning the wedding, and publishing her first book
Image credits: kutovakika
Instead of throwing Kika off balance, this added project seemed to have the opposite effect: it kept her grounded through the tumultuous time, at least for a while. Nothing worth doing comes easy, and this project was no exception, especially as she’d never knitted a dress before.
“The process was definitely intense, and the biggest struggle was to find enough time for knitting since we were in the process of moving and organizing the wedding at the same time,” said Kika. “Plus I published my first-ever knitting book, so it was definitely hectic. But, I also enjoyed it immensely and loved seeing my vision come to life in the process.”
Image credits: kutovakika
Then a big setback occured—her bodice was far too big, requiring her to rip it all up and start again. Her sleeves then kept slipping off, which took lots of time to fix
Image credits: kutovakika
Glaring issues started appearing about two weeks in when Kika had finished the bodice and tried it on for the first time—it was way too big. Disappointed, but not defeated, the bride-to-be ripped it all up, starting all over again, describing it as “a tough and frustrating moment where some tears were shed.”
One more issue came along with the slippy sleeves that kept on slipping, revealing a tad bit too much, which Kika found hilarious yet time-consuming to fix. “I made sure to film all my mistakes so I could be real and honest with my viewers, rather than only showing them the picture-perfect moments,” she told Insider.
Not having any other option (you typically can’t just go and buy a dress off the rack, as those require alterations, which take a long time), she kept moving forward until it was one week til the wedding. Encouraging messages from her followers kept her spirits up, the promise she’d made to the project at the very beginning providing her with a sense of accountability.
However, “the biggest motivator was definitely seeing for myself if I could pull my idea and vision off, and the thought of having the dress as a memory for life really kept me going, too.”
But all that didn’t deter her! Just 4 days before the big day, the dress was finished and Kika got to have a well-deserved rest
Image credits: kutovakika
Everything was done. She finished her dress on Tuesday, feeling more tired and frustrated than elated, but once she put it on for the ceremony, she couldn’t have been happier with the end result.
Kika got married to her husband Jukka Heino on Saturday, September 10, at their new home (which inspired the cottage-themed wedding tone), just 4 days after she’d finished her dress. Although her partner was a bit more skeptical about her last-minute knitting project, “in the end, he was super impressed and proud of me, and thought it looked really good too,” Kika said.
Image credits: kutovakika
Kika told Bored Panda that they’d met back in Spring of 2020, when she moved back home to Finland from London, as the pandemic put the world in lockdown. “Just a few months after moving back I met Juki and for our first date we walked around in Helsinki for hours since all cafés and bars were closed due to the restrictions,” she said.
“I was immediately drawn to his humor and often colorful stories of his adventures which made me laugh, and of course I found him really handsome. I think he was drawn to my enthusiasm, something we both have in common and my positive attitude towards life.”
She married Jukka Heino on Saturday, September 10, at their new home. Everyone loved her dress, praising her for all the effort she’d put into it
Image credits: kutovakika
“Over the course of the day, guests would come up to me and immediately feel the dress and comment on it. It sometimes felt likе they were more interested in the dress than in me, but I love talking about knitting, so I didn’t mind too much,” she told Insider.
The entire process demanded around 45 days, roughly 250 hours, and 1.5 kg of pure silk yarn, costing 300 euros, or around $295, which is a bargain when it comes to wedding dresses, which go for $1,800 on average. Her 149k followers on Instagram absolutely loved the journey, jumping in with suggestions and support any time she needed it.
The entire process demanded around 45 days, roughly 250 hours, and 1.5 kg of pure silk yarn, costing 300 euros, or around $295
Image credits: kutovakika
The 46-minute vlog of the whole journey posted on YouTube has garnered over 3.4M views, quickly becoming the highlight of her channel, which has over 253k subscribers that look forward to her knitting tutorials. “I’m absolutely amazed by all the positive attention the video and my dress has gotten, wow!” said Kika.
“I’ve received messages from people all over the world telling me I’ve inspired them to take up knitting again or to learn it, which makes me so glad. I’m also proud that I’ve maybe been able to push the boundaries and show what is possible using knitting.”
According to Kika, “knitting was actually done primarily by men at some point in history, so the fact that knitting nowadays is associated with something mostly feminine hasn’t always been the case.” Knitting is not just for grandmas, y’all!
The 46-minute vlog of the entire process garnered over 3.4M views on YouTube, inspiring hundreds of people to take up or go back to the craft
Image credits: kutovakika
What began as a bonding activity with her grandma when she was 5 years old has become a lifestyle, bringing together likе-minded people from all over the world. The one lesson she’d always kept was to be playful with the craft, rather than searching for perfection.
“With knitting there are a lot of ‘rules’ or principles that come with the territory which sometimes can make it feel likе you’re not doing things the right way,” she told Bored Panda. “My grandmother always encouraged me to make things without getting hung up on perfection, being creative and playful was more important.”
She hopes her followers and those who jumped on the bandwagon to see the final dress get inspired to embrace creative projects they might feel tempted to try—“even if it might feel a bit ambitious, I say go for it!”
We wish Kika and Jukka all the best for their future together and can’t wait to see what’s coming up for them next!
Image credits: kutovakika
A post-pandemic resurgence of knitting is a very welcome sight for many who are getting into arts and crafts for the first time or returning back to the familiar time-passing activity. Recent research shows that knitting has a measurable effect on calming anxiety, relieving stress, and aiding with chronic pain, as well as helping one build a community of friends. And you end up with a cute hat and mittens in the meantime!
“I think knitting as a craft teaches you a lot about patience and really makes you think about what kind of garments you most likе to wear,” Kika said. “When you’re going to spend 40-60 hours making a sweater, you really want to make sure it’s something that is going to stay in your wardrobe for a long time, which makes knitting a very sustainable practice, too.”
Honestly, what’s not to love!? We wish Kika and Jukka all the best for their future together and hope to see many more exciting knitting projects! Let us know your thoughts on the dress in the comments below, and I shall see you in the next one!
People have absolutely loved this project and the final dress. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Neighbors’ Teenagers Damaged Old Woman’s Property, but Her Revenge Is Something They’ll Never Forget — Story of the Day
Meredith had cared for her garden all her life, a sanctuary created with love alongside her late husband. When the neighbor’s teenage boys deliberately destroyed this peaceful haven to spite her, her world was shaken. Meredith decided to get revenge and teach the boys a lesson they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Meredith had lived in her house for 40 years. Her late husband, James, had built it with his own hands. Every detail of the house was filled with memories of their life together.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The wooden beams in the ceiling, the handcrafted cabinets in the kitchen, and the cozy fireplace in the living room all bore his mark. They had lived peacefully for most of those years, enjoying friendly neighbors, quiet streets, and lovely local shops.
However a few years ago, everything changed when the Schneiders moved in next door with their two boys, Tom and Derek. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider allowed their sons to do literally anything they wanted. Meredith had never seen anyone scold them, not even once.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
When they first moved in, Tom was 10, and Derek was 8. Even then, they were always causing trouble—playing loud games, leaving their toys in her yard, and being generally disruptive. Now, as teenagers, their antics had become a nightmare for Meredith.
On the night that changed everything, she was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The clock showed 2 a.m., and the sounds of screams and loud music from the Schneiders’ house filled the air. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider had gone away for the weekend, leaving Tom and Derek alone.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
They had seized the opportunity to throw a wild party. Meredith tried to cover her ears with her pillow, but it was no use. The noise was unbearable.
She had tried to be a good neighbor, always hoping the boys would grow out of their mischief. But her patience had run out.
Meredith sighed deeply and got out of bed. She slipped into her robe and slippers, determined to put an end to the chaos. She walked across her yard and up to the Schneiders’ front door.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The loud music and shouting seemed to vibrate through the walls. She knocked hard on the door, but the sound was swallowed by the blaring music. Frustrated, she opened the door and stepped inside.
The scene before her was chaotic. Teenagers were everywhere, yelling and laughing. The music was deafening, and snacks were scattered all over the floor.
Some kids were dancing on the furniture, and others were throwing food at each other. Meredith felt a surge of anger and determination. She scanned the room and spotted a karaoke microphone on the table. She grabbed it and took a deep breath.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“You have ten minutes to disperse, or I’m calling the police!” Meredith shouted into the microphone, her voice echoing through the room. The teenagers glanced at her but didn’t move, continuing to talk and laugh as if she wasn’t there.
Frustrated, she walked over to the speaker and yanked the plug from the wall. The music stopped abruptly, and a chorus of “Hey!” erupted from various parts of the house.
Tom stormed over to her, his face red with anger. “Old lady, have you lost your mind? Can’t you see we’re having a party?!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Meredith stood her ground. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that, young man! Everybody has ten minutes to leave, or I’m calling the police!”
Tom sneered at her. “I’ll call the police on you for trespassing!”
Meredith’s eyes narrowed. “Ten. Minutes.”
Tom stepped closer, his voice dripping with defiance. “And I give you ten seconds to get out of our house!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“How dare you speak to your elders like that?!” Meredith said, her voice shaking with anger.
“Leave, or I’ll have to throw you out,” Tom threatened, his tone menacing.
Meredith dropped the karaoke microphone on the floor and walked out of the house. Behind her, she heard cheers and praises for Tom, the teenagers celebrating their defiance.
Ignoring them, she marched back to her house. As soon as she stepped through her front door, she picked up the phone and dialed the police.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“There’s a loud, disruptive party at 23 Oak Street. It needs to stop,” she reported, her voice steady despite her anger.
In less than ten minutes, the police arrived. Meredith stood outside, watching as the officers approached the Schneider house. The teenagers began to scatter in all directions, their carefree laughter replaced by hurried whispers and anxious looks.
The police spoke with Tom and Derek, issuing them a fine for the noise disturbance. As the officers left, Derek noticed Meredith standing nearby. He glared at her, his face twisted with anger. “You’ll regret this, old hag!” he shouted.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Meredith didn’t flinch. She simply waved at them and went back inside, shaking her head. She couldn’t understand how parents could neglect their children’s upbringing so much that they didn’t teach them basic respect for others. It baffled her that the Schneiders let their boys run wild without any consequences.
Meredith returned to her bedroom, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had stood up for herself, and now, hopefully, she would have some peace. She lay down, the quiet of the night settling around her. Finally, she drifted off to sleep, her heart a little lighter.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The next morning, Meredith woke up in a surprisingly good mood. She believed that after calling the police on the Schneider boys, they would finally stop causing trouble. She hummed a little tune as she went down to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee.
The aroma filled the air, bringing back memories of mornings spent with her husband. Meredith decided to drink her coffee in their garden, as she used to do with James.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The garden was their shared hobby, and they had spent countless hours working on it together. Even after his death, Meredith felt his presence whenever she went into the garden.
She took her cup and stepped outside, expecting to find peace among the flowers and trees. But as soon as she saw the garden, she gasped and dropped her cup. It shattered on the ground, the sound echoing in the silence.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked around in horror. Her beautiful garden was destroyed. Every flower and tree had been uprooted, their roots damaged.
The stone path was broken, all the garden figurines were smashed, and the swing her husband had built was also broken. On the fence, a large graffiti depicted Meredith as a devil.
Meredith was sure that Tom and Derek were behind this, and she wasn’t going to let it go. Fury surged through her as she marched over to the Schneiders’ house. She saw their car in the driveway and knew they had returned.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Without hesitation, she approached the door and knocked loudly. After a moment, Mrs. Schneider opened the door, looking surprised.
“Hello, Meredith. How are you?” Mrs. Schneider asked with a forced smile.
“How am I? Your kids destroyed the garden my husband and I built our whole lives! How do you think I am?” Meredith shouted, her face red with anger.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad,” Mrs. Schneider said, rolling her eyes.
“Are you kidding me? They ruined everything! There’s nothing left to restore!” Meredith’s voice trembled with frustration.
“They’re just kids, Meredith. They’re going through a rebellious phase.”
“Just kids? They’re not just kids! They’re completely undisciplined, selfish, and mean!” Meredith’s hands clenched into fists.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t you dare talk about my sons like that! And you don’t even know if it was them. You have no proof,” Mrs. Schneider retorted, her eyes narrowing.
Meredith opened her mouth to respond, but Mrs. Schneider slammed the door in her face.
Meredith couldn’t believe the audacity. Mrs. Schneider didn’t even apologize. Meredith returned to her garden, her heart heavy with sadness.
She looked around at the destruction, feeling the weight of her helplessness. She really had no proof that Tom and Derek did it, so the police wouldn’t believe her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Then, a spark of hope ignited in her mind. She remembered the small camera hidden among the plants. Her late husband had installed it a few years ago to keep an eye on the garden and make sure animals didn’t eat their crops.
She hurried over to the spot where the camera was hidden. If the camera had captured the boys in the act, she would have the proof she needed.
Meredith took the camera inside and connected it to her computer. She anxiously waited for the video to load, hoping it had captured what she needed. When the footage finally appeared on the screen, she watched intently.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
There, clear as day, were Tom and Derek, tearing up her garden. They laughed as they pulled out flowers, smashed figurines, and spray-painted the fence. She quickly saved the recordings onto a flash drive and headed to the police station.
When she arrived, she explained the situation to the officer on duty and handed over the evidence. The officer reviewed the footage, nodding as he watched. “This is clear evidence,” he said. “We’ll open a case against Tom and Derek.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Meredith nodded, feeling a small sense of justice. She decided to sue them for the damage. A few weeks later, the court date arrived. Meredith sat in the courtroom, her heart pounding.
The judge reviewed the evidence and listened to both sides. In the end, the court ordered Tom and Derek to do community service. Their task was to restore Meredith’s garden, with the costs covered by their parents.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The punishment didn’t end there. The Schneiders, embarrassed and angry, severely punished their sons. They took away all their electronics and forbade them from seeing their friends.
Tom and Derek were not happy, but Meredith hoped this would be a lesson for them.
One morning, Meredith went out to her garden and watched Tom and Derek working. She noticed their awkward movements and realized they didn’t know how to do anything.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
They struggled with the simplest tasks, looking frustrated and confused. Meredith sighed and decided to step in. “Boys, let me show you how it’s done,” she said, taking the shovel from Tom’s hands.
She demonstrated how to plant flowers properly, explaining each step in a calm, patient voice. “You need to dig a hole deep enough for the roots, like this,” she said, showing them the correct depth. Derek watched closely, nodding as he began to understand.
Day by day, Meredith continued to teach them, guiding them with a firm but gentle hand. Slowly, the boys started to get the hang of it. They became more confident, their movements more assured.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Meredith noticed that they were even starting to enjoy the work. They laughed and joked with each other, and sometimes with her, as they planted new flowers and repaired the broken path.
Meredith saw that the boys felt guilty for what they had done. They hadn’t realized the consequences of their actions because no one had ever explained it to them. One particularly hot day, she decided to make them some lemonade.
“Tom! Derek! Come and drink some lemonade before you get a heatstroke!” Meredith shouted to make sure they heard her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The boys looked up, wiped the sweat from their faces, and walked over to the table. They grabbed the glasses of lemonade and drank eagerly.
“Why are you so kind to us?” Derek asked, looking puzzled. “We always teased you, kept you up at night, and destroyed your garden.”
Meredith smiled gently. “Responding to anger with anger doesn’t lead to anything good,” she said.
Tom frowned and said, “But we treated you horribly.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, you did,” Meredith agreed, “but I want to show you there’s another way to build relationships. You’re doing a good job on the garden, and I appreciate your hard work.”
Derek looked down at his glass. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“Yes, thank you,” Tom added. “And we’re sorry for everything bad we did.”
Meredith nodded, her smile warm. “I accept your apology. Now finish your drinks and get back to work. That tree won’t plant itself.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The boys laughed, finished their lemonade, and got back to work. Meredith watched them with a sense of hope. She saw them working together, more carefully and thoughtfully than before.
She hoped she had given them a valuable lesson they would remember for the rest of their lives. She wanted them to understand the importance of respect, hard work, and the impact of their actions on others.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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