Our favourite knitting books
Take a journey through Norway’s knitting history and create gorgeously patterned socks with this wonderful collection
SOCKS FROM NORWAY
KNITTERS WHO love to make socks, and especially those who are fascinated by knitting history and regional traditions, will delight in this book from Norwegian designer Nina Granlund Sæther. It offers more than 40 sock patterns based on traditional techniques and designs from every province of Norway.
The sock patterns are reworkings of historical designs preserved in museums and private collections, and each project is accompanied by a photograph of the original sample, along with details of the history of the design, or stories about the individual people who knitted or wore them. It’s a wonderful insight into Norway’s rich knitting culture and textile knowledge which has been passed down through the generations.
There are patterns sized for women, men, children and babies, and most are charted designs. A range of different heel types has been used, including the band heel, hourglass heel, shaped common heel and afterthought heel.
Colourwork plays a starring role in this collection, and there is an amazing array of styles to choose from. You’ll find examples of the classic eight-petalled rose typical of Selbu knitting, and the popular geometric block motifs popular on Telemark socks. The beautiful Trønder socks feature a pattern of waves and crosses worked in red and white, while elegant motifs appear on a pair of bride’s stockings. There are also exuberant multi-coloured designs for using up odds and ends of sock yarn.
Texture is also important in Norwegian knitting. Styles range from the simple yet attractive ‘barleycorn’ socks from Numedal, and the tiny knit-and-purl patterns of Setesdal, to the intricate cabling of Hardanger socks. There is lots of pretty lace to try, too - we love the pair of exquisite, over-the-knee lace stockings, and the lace-cuffed design based on a child’s stocking in the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
Entrelac knitting has been used in Norway since the early 1800s, and the book includes a design with blue-and-white entrelac legs paired with stranded colourwork feet.
For babies, there’s a brilliantly practical sock with an unusual spiral pattern - they’re designed so that no matter how you pull them on, they will conform to the foot’s shape, and they won’t slide off!
Given the sheer breadth and beauty of these patterns, this book is sure to become a firm favourite with sock knitters.