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Book Review: Knits from the Heart of Norway

December 1, 2016 by Sarah White

Knits from the Heart of Norway book reviewIrene Haugland, author of Knits from the Heart of Norway: 30 Sweaters, Hats, Socks, and Mittens Inspired by the Telemark Region, describes her style as “traditional knitting in a new style,” but to outsiders it still looks really traditional except perhaps for some brighter colors and some alterations in shapes from traditional garments.

Her book captures the knitting traditions of her local part of Norway, and includes sets of patterns with eight different design motifs used on different projects.

The first section, for instance, is Karen and Marthinius, named for her parents, and features green snowflakes and checkboard designs with embroidered trim. The same motifs are shown on a woman’s cardigan, a man’s pullover, hat, stockings and mittens.

Three other pattern sets include sweaters for men, while the other four are just for women and children (and the first pattern set is the only one that doesn’t include patterns for children).

The patterns aren’t on Ravelry, but you might be able to imagine traditional motifs like snowflakes and flowers, bright colors, lots of stranded colorwork and surface embroidery.

The patterns are beautiful but definitely not for beginners or those who lack patience. Steeks are required, as well as lots of chart reading. The charts are decent sized, but you might still want to make copies you can use to keep easier track of your knitting.

The photographs of the garments are lovely and often show close-up details, which is helpful for when deciding what to knit as well as to compare your work to.

Of course you will be richly rewarded in your work if you make one of these sweaters for yourself or a loved one, or one of the accessories like a pair of socks or a hat (which might be a good place to start if you’re not super comfortable with colorwork already).

This book is a great choice for a color knitting lover who enjoys the knitting traditions and scenery of Norway.

About the Book: 128 pages, hardcover, 30 patterns. Published January 2016 by Trafalgar Books. Retail price $24.95.

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

Next Pattern:

  • Review: Fishermen's Knits from the Coast of Norway
  • Book Review - Big Book of Baby Knits
  • Book Review- Casual Circular Knits
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»

Have you read?

Book Review: Knitovation Stitch Dictionary

There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background. 

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design. 

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs. 

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs. 

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects. 

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28. 

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