A Suitcase Full of Wool

Every great adventure begins with a single step, or in my case, a suitcase full of wool and a deep-rooted belief that our children’s first layers should be as pure as the world we want them to inherit. My journey toward clean materials wasn't just a business choice; it was a mother’s necessity.

When my son was born premature and my four daughters began struggling with sensitive skin and eczema, I was driven to look closer at what was touching their skin. I have always been strict about the "first layers" my newborns wear, but seeing the consequences of being less "picky" with my daughters changed everything for me. It sparked a vision of a world where safe, natural materials are the standard—not the exception.

The Suitcase that Crossed the Ocean

In my Norwegian culture, we have a beautiful tradition: a handknitted outfit to bring your baby home from the hospital. That tiny outfit opened the door to a world of wool and slow fashion that would eventually change my life. When we traveled from Norway to visit family in Canada, my daughter’s merino wool suit drew constant compliments. It was thin, light, and incredibly warm, perfect for the safety of a car seat.

I felt a physical heaviness putting fleece on my baby. I knew it didn’t breathe, I knew it shed microplastics, and I knew how flammable it was.

From a Missing Hat to an Intentional Model

I realized it shouldn't be this hard—or this "heavy" on our planet—for families to access clean fabrics. The reality of this hit home vividly when I couldn't find a matching hat after dyeing my son's bunting suit. When my search for a local option came up empty, it felt terrible to think of shipping a simple, single hat across the ocean. Fast fashion and single-item jet-setting go against everything wool stands for.

That friction is why I created the Little Mino Pre-order Model. By curating the best heirloom-quality brands from Europe and bringing them over together in thoughtful batches, we can eliminate the footprint of scattered importing. It allows us to offer our community no-compromise health without the environmental weight, with select items ready to ship locally and others just a short week away from Europe.

Including Children in the Journey

The book series, The Adventures of Little Mino, was born from a desire to include my children in this journey. I believe that children protect what they understand. By including them in the complexities of health and sustainability in a way that feels safe and adventurous, we pave the path toward a sustainable future.

For a mother of five, wool means something practical: fewer washes, less clutter, and smaller laundry piles. While there are already enough clothes in the world, we must never compromise on our health. At Little Mino, we choose wisely, live adventurously, and protect what matters most.

Our Promise

Little Mino is a platform for families to find fabrics that are truly safe. I am starting by curating the brands I genuinely trust, like Disana and Lillelam. It is about protecting our children, reducing the overwhelm of "stuff," and offering you the clothing I searched so long for.