Norwegian Clothing: Scandinavian Sweater Design Explained

Key findings about Norwegian jumpers:

You’ve heard it before: “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad dressing.” Clothing is designed for every kind of weather, there’s a reason why certain garments are mainstay items for communities living in specific climates.  Norwegian traditional jumpers are an example of clothing developed for purpose, over hundreds of years Norwegian jumpers have been a mainstay of Norwegian clothing.

In fact, the saying about “bad dressing” was forged in Norwegian history. It rang true centuries ago, and it remains true today. Norwegian wool knits and ski jumpers remain one of the staple items for those dressing for Arctic weather and outdoor winter activities. As extreme weather becomes more intense around the globe, it’s increasingly important to understand the value of traditional Norwegian clothes and their unique history, design, and functionality.

This dive into traditional Scandinavian patterns and vintage Norwegian jumpers will help you do exactly that.

Scandinavian knitting patterns: one Norwegian girl who changed everything

Culture and climate mixed together for hundreds of years to form what is now traditional Norwegian clothing. Take, for example, the story of a young girl named Marit Gulsethbrua Emstad (born in 1841). She lived in a municipality called Selbu, located in the Trøndelag county in Norway, which was known hundreds of years ago for millstone production. Marit grew up in Selbu’s winter climate with average temperatures between -15 and 10ºC and a constant mix of fog, rain, and snow.

Knitting was an essential skill for Marit and her peers, and after she made and shared a unique pattern of mittens with members of her church, the response was enormous. Within a century, Selbu’s main production had shifted from millstone to Norwegian wool knitting. Marit’s design came to be known as the selburose knitting pattern.

The selburose pattern is characterised by the design’s beautiful octogen shaped rose pattern. To this day the Scandinavian knit pattern, fabric, and tradition remain associated with the Selbu community, selburose has also influenced Scandinavian knitting patterns all around Northern Europe.

Hence today, it’s easy to find selburose patterns in winter mittens and sweaters, especially among Norwegian knitwear brands, as well as other brands that make Norwegian traditional jumpers, like Icewear. You can’t underestimate the power of the selburose pattern, it’s become a symbol of winter and Christmastime, too.

Notes on Norwegian wool

Vintage Norwegian jumpers were originally made using Norwegian wool, a material celebrated for its warmth, durability, and moisture-wicking qualities. Just like Icelandic wool being from Icelandic sheep, Norwegian wool is from sheep that have been bred in Norway’s rugged Arctic climate and have developed a unique wool with properties naturally developed to tackle the harsh environment.

Norwegian wool is still used to make ski jumpers and other traditional jumpers today.  Norwegian wool’s fibres are thick and naturally water-resistant, making the wool warm and insulating even in wet conditions.  Norwegian wool garments are an excellent insulation choice especially in the face of extreme weather.

Over hundreds of years, Norwegian wool has been used in many garments including mittens, jumpers and Norwegian socks.  It’s famously used to make the “Bunad”, Norway’s traditional national costume. The Bunad is made from wool cloth and intricately decorated with embroidery and metal clasps.

Norwegian wool is also central to local gift-giving traditions. Because it represents quality, practicality, and beauty all in a single garment an item of clothing made from wool is considered a meaningful Norwegian gift.

How to keep warm in very cold climates

It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to use layers in cold weather.  Layering ensures that you protect yourself using the unique benefits offered by each layer.

For starters, your base layer should retain your natural heat, while your top layer should be water resistant. The traditional middle layer is a Scandinavian wool jumper.

Layering your clothing also means you can take layers off when you warm up to avoid sweating. Sweating can be dangerous in cold weather, if you make the wrong clothing choices, this is because some garments even lose their ability to insulate you when wet. Fortunately, Norwegian wool still retains warmth even with moisture present. Other materials like cotton, don’t.

Another huge aspect to staying warm in extreme cold is to protect each part of your body.  In addition to a base layer, a mid-layer, and a water-resistant outer layer, protect your whole body by wearing: 

If you’re travelling to a cold weather environment, consider this your accessories packing list. You’ll need several pairs of socks, multiple base layer garments, and possibly more than one pair of boots. Your requirements regarding the other items listed depends on your individual trip and length of stay.

You know about Norwegian wool in traditional jumpers, but did you know that Norwegian wool is also the optimal material for other key garments you’ll need?

From the ground up: Norwegian socks

Nordic socks made with Norwegian wool are the perfect choice for cold weather wear. They’re warm but breathable, which ensures temperature regulation during long hours in cold conditions. The natural moisture-wicking quality is essential to maintain overall warmth and comfort. Norwegian wool offers breathable warmth to prevent your feet growing sweaty or cold.

Norway’s mountainous regions and cold winter temperatures have always inspired superior footwear, from socks to boots and the tradition of wool socks in Norway dates back before Marit Gulsethbrua Emstad by hundreds of years. Because of the harsh terrain and climate traditional Norwegian people have long taken protecting the feet seriously with the right clothing.

Inspired by Norway’s landscapes Nordic socks are traditionally knitted with patterns also inspired by Norwegian trolls and folklore.  Traditional socks are also a popular Norwegian gift due to the Scandinavian knitting patterns combining cultural significance with the fundamental practicality of Norwegian wool socks.

Scandinavian knitting patterns and cultural inspirations

The selburose design by Marit Gulsethbrua Emstad took inspiration from the carved and painted door frames of rural Norwegian houses in the Selbu community where she lived. There are other elements of rural life that play a role in traditional Scandinavian patterns, too, like local flowers, grasses, and animals.  Norwegian clothing is available in different colours.

As well as the landscapes and rural life that inspired the designs of traditional Norwegian wool clothing, other famous places in Norway have shaped Norwegian fashion, too.

Bergen, Norway

Norway is home to vibrant cities as well as its breathtaking landscapes. Among famous destinations is the city of Bergen.  Bergan’s charming architecture and its proximity to the fjords offered early inspiration to traditional clothing patterns.  Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords.”

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bergan offers other interesting visiting attractions, such as the iconic Bryggen Wharf with its rows of colourful wooden houses. Visiting Bergen is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Norway’s seafaring history while exploring the surrounding fjords and mountains.

Bergen’s  an exceptional city that inspired the Bergen Norwegian Lined Sweater from Icewear, with its traditional Nordic pattern and multiple zipper features.

Other famous places in Norway

Another popular place to visit in Norway is Lillehammer, a city that gained international fame as the as host of the 1994 Winter Olympics.  Those Olympics inspired some of the first Icewear sweater designs. Lillehammer is nestled between forests and mountains.  The location offers a blend of history and adventure. The landscape surrounding Lillehammer is also clearly a seat of inspiration for Norwegian wool knitting patterns.

Lillehammer’s other attractions include Maihaugen, an open-air museum and several superb skiing opportunities. Norwegian ski jumpers represent a tapestry of tradition combined with real outdoor sport performance needs.

For a feeling of being remote, visit the Lofoten Islands, with rugged cliffs offering a breathtaking backdrop to the many fishing villages, the islands offer a remote location experience.

Two Fjords that are natural wonders in Norway, Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord, perfectly represent  Norway’s dramatic landscapes.

Norwegian clothing inspired by popular names

Names in Norway are truly echoes of Norway’s storied past and rich culture.  Take Olaf, the name has a special place in Norwegian history and therefore tradition. Rooted in Old Norse, Olaf means “heritage of the ancestors.” King Olaf II, also known as Saint Olaf, was pivotal in the introduction of Christian culture in Norway during the 10th century.  He further popularised the name Olaf, too.

Saint Olaf’s legacy is the many churches and festivals dedicated to him. Five kings of Norway were named Olaf.  The name Olaf is linked to many Norwegian traditions and is synonymous with Norwegian culture. It’s a name used in Norwegian brand clothing.

Other popular names have been drawn from Norwegian folklore and nature.  You’ll spot many of them in Norwegian fashion and vintage Norwegian jumper names, too:

These names are all said to symbolise Norway’s landscapes and the resilience of the people who built a life there despite the natural challenges and brutal winters.

Icewear clothing inspired by Norway’s history

Norwegian clothing has inspired Icewear products for more than 50 years. Several Icewear sweater designs were also inspired by the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway and Norwegian wool is the go-to choice for traditional Norwegian designs.

Nordic history and cultures frequently overlap and have similarities.  It is understandable that Norway’s history and culture is a source of inspiration for Icewear.  Facing similar challenges, the people and sheep of each country share some of the same qualities.  Icewear are happy to celebrate the exceptional qualities of Norwegian wool alongside those of Icelandic wool.

Today, Icewear’s soft Norwegian jumpers are coveted for their bright, eye-catching designs and colour combinations, many inspired by the selburose as well as other Nordic patterns.

Meanwhile with its unique properties Icelandic wool offers extraordinary protection against both cold and wet weather. The ever-changing unpredictability of today’s frequently temperamental weather doesn’t have to put a damper on your adventures. Take a look at the Icewear catalogue for inspirational functional Nordic knitwear yourself.

Posted in February 2022

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