Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

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?

Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.