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 felt like it had been a while since I’d done a roundup of knitting patterns involving sheep, and if search is any indication, that is true. I found a roundup of patterns for knit sheep from a few years ago, but the only one with v I could find is from 2015. So it’s definitely time to revisit this fun genre of knitting patterns.

This all started with a headband. Alyssa Kaat’s Icelandic Sheep Headband (free on Ravelry) to be specific. Ravelry showed it to me as a pattern highlight and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. It’s worked with two colors of worsted weight yarn and alternates sheep with stars around your head.

Another great sheepy headband is this one from Loch Fyne Crafts on Etsy. These sweet little sheep are worked in bulky yarn and you can make the background look like field and sky or work it in a solid color.

Or make a headband (or a hat, cowl, or all three) covered with a flock of sheep with this set of patterns from New Age Knitting CA. These pieces also use the field/sky coloring, but you can use whatever colors of worsted weight yarn you like.

Speaking of hats, there’s also the sheep hat from Lynann Knits Designs. The sample was worked in Icelandic wool to make the sheep and the hat extra fuzzy and warm, but any worsted weight yarn will work.

There’s also the Wandering Sheep hat from Kat Hudon (on Ravelry), which features a fun collection of speckled sheep that can be worked in different yarn weights to make different sizes of hats for kids and adults.

And lest you think sheep need to be knit in traditional stranded colorwork, check out the Rebel Sheep Mob blanket by Deborah Moore. This one is worked in mosaic knitting using fingering weight yarn. In mosaic knitting you’re only working with one color per row so it’s pretty easy. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

I can’t possibly share sheep knitting patterns without mentioning the amazing Black Sheep Shadow Shawl by Mark Jamieson. Shadow knitting is a technique I want to do more of, but it involves working two rows alternating in two different colors and the pattern emerges when you look at the design from an angle. It’s so cool and the sheep on this one are amazing! It’s not a beginner project but well worth the work. You can find it on Ravelry or at the designer’s website.

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