The Atlantic had a great article about the star that has become a symbol of Norway. Today the selburose is an emblem of winter, and Christmas, and most of all Norway. But Norwegians didn’t invent it so much as they popularized the pattern. Precursors arose in the ancient Fertile Crescent and evolved over centuries throughout … More Star of Norwegian Knitting
Julie Steller’s beautiful up-cycled mittens, bags, and denim jackets will be at Ingebretsen’s, along with the textile artist herself, this Saturday, October 27 from 1 to 4. The very best way to appreciate the beauty and warmth of Julie’s work is to try on a mitten, examine a wool bag, and look at each … More Steller Quality
Humans would be in pretty sorry shape if we hadn’t learned to make string. Certainly, we would have been very cold without the textiles that evolved from the first spun fibers. Farming would have remained quite primitive if we couldn’t attach stone tools, such as ax heads, to handles. In fact, some archaeologists and anthropologist … More Neanderthal string and snorgaffel cord
Visual language is powerful and few images proclaim “Norwegian heritage!” more clearly than a Selbu Rose design on a mitten or sweater. That’s a Selbu Rose, not a star. “It’s an 8-petaled flower,” says Laurann Gilbertson, Chief Curator at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa. “The Selbu version is now the best known, but the … More The Selbu Rose and Uncle Arne’s Very Warm Mittens
The Rauma River is considered one of Norway’s most beautiful waterways. Located in western Norway, the river has spectacular views, salmon fishing, waterfalls, and rapids. The fast-moving water supplies hydroelectric power to small communities and factories along its path, including the yarn mill beloved by knitters, Rauma Ullvarefabrikk. … More Rauma Yarns – What happens when you have happy sheep and a green factory.
Ingebretsen’s nålbindning teacher, Renata Fossett, has her students use Lovikka yarn from Ullcentrum for good reason: “It has a nice density, a nice feel, and the right amount of spin. It’s a sturdy, old-fashioned wool.” Ann Linderhjelm, the founder of Ullcentrum (Wool Central) a yarn manufacturer based in Öland, Sweden, would be pleased at having … More Lovikka from Ullcentrum – a yarn that does more than make great mittens.
Inara Porietis relates her Latvian mother’s refrain during her last few years of life, which was said only partially tongue-in-cheek: “I can’t die yet. I don’t have enough mittens knitted!” The “enough mittens” refers to the Latvian tradition of giving mittens to the people involved in the funeral ceremony, including the pallbearers and the presiding … More The Knitted Treasures of Latvia
