Preface
Knitting’s never been more popular, and the timing couldn’t be better. Modern yarns come in a wonderfully wide variety of fiber combinations and colors; traditional knitwear has been rediscovered, revived, and reimagined as cutting-edge contemporary fashion. Inspiration is everywhere. Unlike crafters during the last knitting “wave” in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we’ve got social media, and we’re able to share ideas and information like never before. Knitters and designers are able to reach enormous audiences and trade design concepts. There are countless knitting podcasts, blogs, and Facebook groups, plus knitting cafes and knitting festivals. And #knittersofinstagram are too numerous to count! Interest among young people and those who’ve never knitted before is growing by leaps and bounds. These days, we’re all searching for things that feel real, ways to create something personal, meaningful, and lasting, and knitting is the perfect solution. Norway has a long-standing national knitting tradition, and the publication of knitting pattern books has exploded in recent years. Nevertheless, it’s been over 20 years since the last survey of overall Norwegian knitting design came out. The original Norwegian publisher of this book wanted to change that and got in touch with me. The idea was to gather a bunch of active Norwegian knitting designers who’ve made their mark in the knitting world and invite them to contribute their unique perspective, creating a unique collection of garments for women and men. The designers we invited were chosen based on their versatility and diverse perspectives; some have been knitting for decades, and some are just starting to make a name for themselves, and every single one has their own distinct style. But they all share enthusiastic creative energy, and deep respect for both the riches passed down to us by knitting tradition and the possibilities of brand-new pattern innovation. ARNE & CARLOS are at the top of every list, Scandinavian “knitting rockstars,” and contribute their trademark charm and classic style. KARI HESTNES designs colorful, lush garments that catch the eye without fail. BIRGER BERGE reworks traditional pattern elements in stunning new ways. BENTE PRESTERUD presents a selection of designs inspired by bunad (traditional Scandinavian dress). LINDA MARVENG shares her distinctive take on graceful, elegant cables. ISELIN HAFSELD explores both colorwork and cabling with a singular twist. Each of these contributing designers was allowed free rein to develop their own designs for this book. This freedom is reflected in the wide array of garments and looks, and in the instructions (which include each designer’s favored methods for working, assembling, and finishing their pieces). Yarn choice, color, texture, decorative elements, and shaping all contribute to each individual designer’s unmistakable signature look. The patterns encompass various levels of difficulty, but most are intended to be as accessible as possible to the inexperienced knitter. All of us who have come together to create this book hope that it will provide you with endless enjoyment and inspiration, and that it will make you want to knit all the time! Iselin Hafseld
