Book Review: Knits from the Heart of Norway

Irene 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:

It seems like every year there are more rainbow colored (and other flag hued) knitting projects out there to celebrate Pride. Whether you celebrate at a local event or just want to add some more color to your wardrobe, these Pride knitting patterns are a great place to start.

See also these Pride knitting patterns, tiny Pride flags, and more rainbow projects if you need more inspiration.

These Pride socks from Birger Berge are a free pattern on Ravelry. They feature a rainbow flag on the heel and toe, plus stripes on the cuff with the word Pride and a heart worked in.

Or you can Put Some Pride in Your Step with these allover colorful socks from Oriahna WhimsyStitch. Using a self-striping fingering weight yarn, they have a spiral rib on the legs and come in three sizes. The pattern has suggestions for if you don’t have self-striping yarn to use. You can find it on Ravelry.

Amy Snell’s Pride Like the Wind is a triangular shawl that uses slipped stitches to add texture to the multicolored stripes. The pattern was made with a large skein of rainbow colored yarn and mini skeins in rainbow colors, but you can use stash or whatever you can find in theose colors for a different look. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

Pride and Elegance is a pretty pair of rainbow striped arm warmers made by martaschmarta. They call for fingering weight yarn and have sparkly beads incorporated at each end for extra flair. This pattern is also on Ravelry.

Pride in Parallelograms by Treena Evans is a mobius knit cowl worked in a multicolored ombre yarn. It calls for DK weight yarn and is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Stephen G. Krueger has designed a lovely kippah/yarmulke pattern that can be worked in the colors of any Pride flag you like. The pattern is free on Ravelry and uses fingering weight yarn.

And if you want to make a full progress flag in knitting, you’ll need the modular progressive Pride flag pattern from Kim Smith for Alterknit Universe. The pattern comes in two sizes using different weights of yarn to suit your needs, and the modular style of the project makes it seamless. You can purchase this pattern on Ravelry.

If you want to add a touch of Pride to a sweater, wall hanging or other project, the abstract waves chart from Hits Knit Patterns is a great place to start. It uses the colors of the lesbian flag, but you could change it to whatever colors you like (there are six colors used and the chart is 49 stitches by 80 rows).

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