Preface
ANNICHEN SIBBERN BØHN carried out the large project of collecting patterns from all around Norway in the 1920’s. The result was her book, Norske strikkemønstre, first published in 1929 and translated to English as Norwegian Knitting Designs (1965). It has been a source of inspiration ever since then. Numerous garments have been knitted from the motifs in the book and have warmed big and small for generations. What a lovely thought.
I don’t remember when I first became aware of the book, but, after that, I often popped into used book shops I happened to pass by, hoping to find a copy. I was so happy when I finally did. The copies I have are both stained and loosened from their bindings, but that hasn’t diminished my happiness at finally becoming the owner of this treasure of a book.
And suddenly, one day, I was given the opportunity to become part of this book project, a project that will clearly blow new life into Annichen Sibbern Bøhn’s old book. It was almost too good to be true and I consider myself very honored! The work of producing this book is one of the most exciting projects I’ve done as a designer. My challenge and my goal was to inspire a wider use of Annichen’s old classic. Some of the patterns here, with a few small changes, are almost the same as the originals in the old book. Others are new designs. They are examples of how and for what one can use the motifs. In the hope that “everyone” will find something tempting, I have arranged a varied selection of patterns based on different yarn qualities and knitting gauges. Several of the models are also shown in different color combinations to illustrate how color choice can influence the look. This just shows some of the possibilities opened for us by Annichen with her fine, little book. Remember, it is only your imagination that sets boundaries. Use the charts for all they are worth: combine different panels, motifs, and cable patterns. Turn them upside-down, sideways, or mirror-image. Pick out small or large elements from the same chart or different charts, and re-arrange them for new motifs. Use sock patterns as ideas for mittens or use mitten motifs as ideas for socks. Take a pattern panel from a sweater-jacket design and knit it on a cap. Use the thumb chart for adult mittens to adapt for baby mittens or egg cozies. Knit a baby coverlet using the pattern for the body of a jacket. Enlarge or reduce the patterns by using different yarn types and needle sizes. Changing, adjusting, and developing old patterns is absolutely allowed and sometimes even necessary. It is how our knitting tradition is managed and developed.
Earlier in time, knitting patterns often had very sparse in instructions that could also be quite inaccurate. Knitting was important and many people, both women and men, were very accomplished at it. Not everyone was quite so expert but they knitted as best they could anyway. Mostly, their work was very good, if perhaps not always totally perfect, but does it have to be? If you look through old photo archives, at museum collections, and in drawers and cupboards, you’ll soon recognize that there were many variations that started with the same motifs or instructions. They could have been the result of, among other aspects, very abbreviated instructions or perhaps no pattern at all, varying degrees of experience and access to materials, and, not least, creativity. Although people often had to knit to have a few warm garments, I choose to believe that creativity and the pleasure of creating was also a strong motivator.
I am both humbled and proud about having been given the opportunity for writing this book. I hope it brings happiness, inspiration, and enjoyment to many. Together we can propel our wonderful knitting heritage and handcraft traditions into the future – a privilege that is important, right, and uplifting – it warms a knitter’s heart.
Best wishes for knitting pleasure.
Wenche Roald
