#ninagranlundsaether

Mittens & Socks From Around Norway by Nina Granlund Saether

This book offers such cheery colors and patterns that I am feeling welcoming towards the cold weather which is headed my way.

I am showing the mittens, but there are as many sock patterns, more than 4 dozen patterns the book offered up. Most are based on traditional designs researched by the author who has been working on historical designs for a while now. As you can see from the images, there are more sober geometrics and playful flora and fauna. The range of colors shown runs from the grey on grey, to bright contrasts, and single-color harmonies, and, of course, you can substitute your own colors.

The book is a large-scale paperback which starts with instructions and images of the basic techniques, everything from Latvian braid to multiple ways to knit a heel on a sock. I have shied from the idea of knitting socks, yet the clarity of the explanations drew me in. Each pattern has a photograph and a colorwork chart along with notes on its historical origins where appropriate. Almost all are made with fingering-weight yarn, but since they are small, they are faster projects.

Although my own winter gear is mostly heavy gloves with leather-lined palms for coping with long dog leads, I am definitely coveting some mittens after paging through this handsome book.