This time we are following up the recent Finnish presentation with a look at some patterned knitted garments from Norway. In the Nordic countries knitting has always had a special place, yet patterns and traditions are varied. In this “spotlight” the focus is on patterned sweaters and cardigans, often referred to in Norwegian as “kofte”. We represent many DKG members in Norway who have knitting as a hobby. We also follow on a centuries old tradition of having something productive between our hands, in all phases of life and all levels of society!
Anne Marie Solstad has been a loyal member of Zeta Chapter since 1991. She has held office as President and treasurer both at Chapter level and at State level. She has been a regular visitor to both European Conferences and Conventions. She has been a knitter for most of her adult life, and already at high school was knitting “kofter” to her fellow students.
Anne Marie Solstad has been a loyal member of Zeta Chapter since 1991. She has held office as President and treasurer both at Chapter level and at State level. She has been a regular visitor to both European Conferences and Conventions. She has been a knitter for most of her adult life, and already at high school was knitting “kofter” to her fellow students.
Muriel Marsh has been a member of Delta Chapter since 2015. She has held office at Chapter and State level as President and secretary. She has attended one Convention and three Conferences. She, as Anne Marie, has been a knitter for most of her adult life, but interest in patterned knitting first as a student and then after a long break, during the pandemic. The pandemic also showed a surge in interest for knitting on a national level, with online yarn stores making a big surge. This interest still exists today.
For Muriel, the pandemic resulted in her first attempt at knitting a traditional kofte, knitting in the round to create the garment and then cutting up the centre front to create the cardigan. The cut edges are reinforced firstly by machine stitching with two rows on either side of the cut edge and then a reinforced edge knitted to strengthen the cut edge, sewn to the garment on the inside! This was second nature to Anne Marie. She has also knitted an extremely demanding pattern on the sweater that the Norwegian Nordic skiers used during the World Championships this winter. Such designs have been a tradition since 1956. Sweaters designed for the winter games at the Olympics were first worn at the winter Olympics at Cortina. Cortina is therefore the name of the first such sweater. Both alpine and Nordic skiers used these garments officially!
Below you can see some of the many garments knitted in recent years. Enjoy!
Below you can see some of the many garments knitted in recent years. Enjoy!
Below you can see some of Anne Marie Solstad selection of "kofter". Click on the photos to make them bigger
The two first photos on the first row show the same sweater, but with two patterns on the same needle, for the front and the
back! Extremely demanding. Here are many elements of pattern. This is the official sweater for the 2025 Nordic World Championships.
( Norwegians only!) The first cardigan in the second row is called “Nancy” and contains many elements that are familiar to Norwegian knitting patterns. The eight-pointed star has been a constant, as have crosses on the diagonal, rhombus, as well as squares and stars. The other photos show selection of playful patterns!
back! Extremely demanding. Here are many elements of pattern. This is the official sweater for the 2025 Nordic World Championships.
( Norwegians only!) The first cardigan in the second row is called “Nancy” and contains many elements that are familiar to Norwegian knitting patterns. The eight-pointed star has been a constant, as have crosses on the diagonal, rhombus, as well as squares and stars. The other photos show selection of playful patterns!
Below you can see some of Muriel Marsh selection of "kofter". Click on the photos to make them bigger
The detail in the upper row is of a sweater knitted with 3-4 colours. Most of the garments shown here are with 3-4 colours, some with more! Sometimes pattern is created by sewing onto the finished garments. In the case of the bolero in the upper row, there were many techniques! The finished garment to the right, with its pleased owner! The pattern is from a well-known Norwegian knitting designer, Sidsel Høvik, who uses old basic designs and then makes them more decorative. The basic pattern is using “lus” or “lice” covering the whole material with double thread. This can be seen on many garments, especially older patterns. Some patterns are classics. The other photos show selection of playful patterns!
