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Get Ready for Fall and Winter with Handknits from Norway

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handknits from norway

The winner is Connie.

If you’re a fan of classic Norwegian knitting motifs — snowflakes, stars, geometric patterns and the like — but would also like to use those designs in less-than-traditional ways, you’ll love Handknits from Norway: Classic Norwegian Motifs in Modern Knitting Patterns for Men and Women compiled by Karen Marie Vinje.

The book includes classic patterns for ski sweaters, hats and gloves, but you’ll also find some more unusual designs like the short sweater with puff sleeves, which uses classic patterning on the cropped top of a sweater finished out in lace. There are tunics and dresses, bags and berets, and a few projects for men as well. (You can see the patterns on Ravelry, though this version of the book is not in English.)

If you’d like a chance to knit some of these patterns, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Sept. 24. I’d love to know what you most look forward to about fall. Me? I love breaking out all the handknits again and snuggling under blankets with my daughter.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

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Comments

  1. I love how the nights draw in and even though it is too warm for heating, it’s cold enough for candlelight. The nights seem cosier and conducive to knitting.

  3. Since I live in the South, I most look forward to days below 90 degrees. Cool fall nights are the best and being able to knit projects without sweaty lap

  4. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the return of cool, dry air, the intense colors of the forests here in Maine, and being able to wear the knitted items I have made. This is the time of year my knitting energy comes up, and it usually stays with me till hot weather arrives again.

  5. Waiting for the cooler weather and the beautiful fall trees. And SAFF! A little over a month and we will be headed to Asheville.

  6. Curling up on the couch covered in a crocheted afghan, knitting a hat, and having a cup of hot tea on the table next to me. Yummy!

  7. I love getting those handmade knits out in the cooler weather too! The sweater on the cover is fabulous!! I bet there are a lot of nice projects in this book! thank you!

  8. Autumn is my favorite season, too. I like to watch the leaves fall in my backyard. And I like to light my candles in the evening when it gets dark.

  9. I’m not crazy about fall – the days get short, grey and rainy here in Oregon while I crave the sun. But I do look forward to the crisp apples and fresh-pressed cider at the farmer’s market.

Have you read?

A Blanket Knitting Pattern Where Yarn Selection is Everything

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]