Norwegian Knitting Patterns

In this post, you will see 7 Norwegian knitting patterns.

Norway is a beautiful country with amazing Norwegian nature but it also has a long knitting history.

Traditional Norwegian patterns have been a source of inspiration for not only local knitters but for knitters all around the world over the last two centuries.

In this post, we will take a look over Norway’s knitting history and see classic Norwegian knitting patterns we can recreate today.

Norwegian Knitting History

Knitted goods importation dates back to the 13th and 14th Centuries, silk gowns, mittens, shawls, and stockings.

The upper class used to wear knitted silk gowns that used to be worn underneath their everyday clothes.

In the Folkemusuem you can see a lot of mittens and stockings from the 1700s.

Also, beautiful knitting needles were expensive and were usually given as a gift.

Selbuvotter mittens — *Selbuvotter Mittens*

The popularity of knitting…

Knitting became more popular in the middle of the 19th Century as traditional sweaters made their appearance.

The man’s sweaters were usually knitted with two or more colors at the top and one in the lower part and women’s had a damask pattern.

The sweaters took their names from Norwegian towns.

Annichen Sibbern Bohn And The First Pattern Book

Until the 1900s knitting patterns were passed around by word of mouth, there weren’t any pattern books you could refer to.

Annichen Sibbern Bohn, writer, designer, and knitter who worked for Husfliden traveled all along the Norwegian countryside and collected the timeless Norwegian classic knitting patterns and the Norwegian contemporary style.

She published her first knitting pattern book in 1929 (Norske Strikkemønstre).

Norwegian knitting designs book — *You can view this book here*

Unn Søiland Dale

Unn Soiland was an avid knitter and a fashion model for the fashion house Hardy Amies in Paris.

She took every opportunity to knit and soon her Norwegian sweaters and cardigans became popular among her model friends and she soon had been taking orders.

She started her own firm in 1953 Lillunn Sport A/S.

Unn wanted to honor her Norwegian heritage so she went back to Norway and based her designs on traditional Nordic knitting patterns.

*Learn more about Unn from Norway here.*

The Marius Sweater

Unn was inspired by the 1929 book Norske Strikkemønstre and the pattern “Lusekofte fra Setesdalen”.

She designed the sweater in blue, red, and white, the colors of the Norwegian flag.

So the Marius pattern was born, and it became so popular that sold over 5 million copies.

Marius Eriksen was a fighter pilot and starred in the movie 1953 film “Troll I ord”, where all the stars wore Unn Soiland sweaters.

The movie and Marius Eriksen in his Marius sweater establish the patterns brand name and created a huge demand for knitting materials, including high quality yarn (wool) and other accessories.

Norwegian Knitting Patterns

So if you are ready to start your own traditional Norwegian knitting pattern take a look at the collection of knitting patterns below and you might find your next project.

1. Winters Night Enchantment by DROPS Design

Knit a beautiful sweater with this free knitting pattern by DROPS Design.

A wonderful nordic sweater design available in sizes S to XXXL.

Use neutrals or fresh modern colors in your garment to suit your own style.

Get the pattern here.

Winters Night Enchantment by DROPS Design

2. DROPS 32-24 by DROPS Design

Make an almost Marius sweater with this free knitting pattern by DROPS Design.

A beautiful pattern that looks identical to the iconic Marius sweater is available in sizes women, small – medium – large, and men: small/medium – medium/large.

Get the pattern here.