Norwegian Clothing: Scandinavian Sweater Design Explained

CONTENTS

Key findings about Norwegian sweaters:

 You’ve heard it before: “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad dressing.” There are clothes designed for every kind of weather, and there’s a reason why certain garments are such a mainstay for cultures living in specific climates. Take, for instance, Norwegian traditional sweaters. Over hundreds of years, these sweaters have been a cornerstone in Norwegian clothing.

In fact, the saying about “bad dressing” was forged in Norwegian history, but applies to many countries. It rang true centuries ago, and it remains true today. Norwegian wool knits and ski sweaters are still one of the staples of dressing for Arctic weather and outdoor winter activities. As extreme weather becomes more intense around the globe, it’s even more important today to understand traditional Norwegian clothes and their unique history, design, and functionality.

This dive into traditional Scandinavian patterns and vintage Norwegian sweaters 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 Scandinaviatn pattern, fabric, and tradition are characterized by the design’s beautiful rose pattern in the shape of an eight-pointed star or snowflake-like geometric shape. The Selburose is called a "rose" because, in traditional Norwegian folk art and textile patterns, the term "rose" was historically used to describe decorative, stylised floral or star-like motifs, rather than literal representations of roses. The knit pattern remains associated with the Selbu community, but it’s also influenced Scandinavian knitting patterns all around Northern Europe.

Today, it’s easy to find selburose patterns in winter mittens and sweaters, especially among Norwegian sweater brands, as well as other brands that make Norwegian traditional sweaters, like Icewear. The selburose pattern has become a symbol of winter and Christmastime, too.

Notes on Norwegian Wool

Vintage Norwegian sweaters were originally made of Norwegian wool, a material celebrated for its warmth, durability, and moisture-wicking qualities. Just like with Icelandic wool, the sheep bred in Norway’s rugged Arctic climate developed a unique wool with properties that responded to the harsh environment.

Ski sweaters and other traditional sweaters are still made of Norwegian wool today, especially in the face of extreme weather. Norwegian wool’s fibers are thick and naturally water-resistant, making the wool warm and insulating even in wet conditions.

Over hundreds of years, Norwegian wool has been used in garments like sweaters, mittens, and Norwegian socks, and the “Bunad,” Norway’s traditional national costume. The Bunad is made from wool and then intricately decorated with embroidery and metal clasps.

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

How to Stay Extra Warm in Very Cold Climates

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

For starters, your bottom layer should hold your natural heat in, while your top layer should be water resistant. The traditional middle layer is a Scandinavian sweater.

Layering also means you can take layers off when you warm up to avoid sweating. Sweating can be dangerous in cold weather, because some garments even lose their ability to insulate you when wet. Fortunately, Norwegian wool still retains heat even with moisture. Other materials like cotton, though, do not.

Another huge part of staying warm in extreme cold is to protect each part of your body. In addition to a base layer, a sweater layer, and a water-resistant outer layer, be sure to wear: 

If you’re traveling to a cold weather environment, consider this your accessories packing list. You’ll need several pairs of socks, multiple lower layers, and possibly more than one pair of boots. The number of each other article will depend on the kind of trip you’re taking. For more information, have a look at Icewear´s article about layering.

As much as you’ve read about Norwegian wool in traditional sweaters, did you know that Norwegian wool is also the optimal material for other key garments you’ll need?

From the Ground Up: Norwegian Socks to Know About

Nordic socks made with Norwegian wool are a game-changer for cold weather. They’re warm but breathable, ensuring temperature regulation during long hours in cold conditions. The natural moisture-wicking quality of Norwegian wool adds a second layer of protection from your feet growing sweaty or cold, which is essential to maintain overall warmth.

The tradition of wool socks in Norway dates back further than Marit Gulsethbrua Emstad by hundreds of years. Norway’s mountainous regions and cold winter temperatures have always inspired superior footwear, from socks to boots. Traditional Norwegian clothes take protecting your feet seriously, and looking at the terrain and climate of the country, it’s easy to see why.

Nordic socks are traditionally knitted with patterns inspired by Norwegian trolls and folklore or the landscapes of Norway. They’re also a popular Norwegian gift because of the Scandinavian knitting patterns that combine cultural significance with the wool socks’ fundamental practicality.

Scandinavian Knitting Patterns and Cultural Inspirations

The selburose design by Marit Gulsethbrua Emstad was inspired by carved and painted door frames of rural houses in Norway, in the Selbu community where she lived. There are other elements of rural life that play a role in traditional Scandinavia patterns, too, like local flowers, grasses, and animals, all featured in different colors in Norwegian clothing.

Between rural life and the landscapes that inspired elements of traditional Norwegian wool clothing, there are other famous places in Norway that have shaped Norwegian fashion.

Bergen, Norway

Norway is home to vibrant cities as well as its breathtaking landscapes. Among famous destinations is the city of Bergen, standing out for its charming architecture and its proximity to the fjords. In fact, Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords.”

Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too, and offers attractions like its iconic Bryggen wharf with rows of colorful wooden houses. When you visit Bergen, you can immerse yourself in the seafaring history of Norway while taking day trips to explore the surrounding fjords and mountains.

It’s this exceptional city that inspired the Bergen Norwegian Lined Sweater by 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 1994 host of the Winter Olympics—an event that inspired some of the first Icewear sweater designs. Lillehammer is nuzzled between forests and mountains, offering a blend of history and adventure. Its surrounding landscape is another clear inspiration of Norwegian wool knitting patterns.

Other attractions in Lillehammer include an open-air museum called Maihaugen, not to mention its superb skiing opportunities. Norwegian ski sweaters are a topic on their own, too, representing a tapestry of tradition combined with real outdoor sport performance needs.

The Lofoten Islands, in contrast, offer a remote experience. The area features rugged cliffs as a breathtaking backdrop to the many fishing villages.

Other natural wonders in Norway include Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord. These fjords perfectly encompass Norway’s dramatic landscapes.

Norwegian Clothing Inspiration Taken from Popular Names

The name Olaf holds a special place in Norwegian tradition. Rooted in Old Norse, Olaf means “heritage of the ancestors.” King Olaf II, also known as Saint Olaf, played a pivotal role in Norway’s Christianization in the 10th century and further popularized the name, too.

Thanks to Saint Olaf’s legacy, there are many churches and festivals dedicated to him, tying the name Olaf to so many traditions that it’s almost synonymous with Norwegian culture. You’ll even see Norwegian brand clothing bearing this name.

Other popular names draw from Norwegian folklore and nature, and you’ll see them in Norwegian fashion and vintage Norwegian sweater names, too. Thor is a popular name (inspired by the Norse god of thunder), as is Freya (from the goddess of love and beauty). Names like Sigrid (meaning “victory”) and Astrid (meaning “divine strength”) symbolize the resilience of Norway’s landscapes as well as the people who built a life there despite the natural challenges and brutal winters.

Names in Norway are truly echoes of Norway’s storied past and rich culture.

Norway’s History Inspired Icewear Products

Starting with several Icewear sweater designs being inspired by the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Norwegian wool and Norwegian clothing have inspired Icewear products over more than 50 years in business.

Much of Norway’s history and culture has overlap with other Nordic communities, after all, including Iceland. Some of the same qualities that make Norwegian wool so exceptional are qualities of Icelandic wool, too.

Today, Icewear’s soft Norwegian sweaters are prized for their bright designs and color combinations, many inspired by selburose and other Nordic patterns.

Icelandic wool offers extraordinary protection against both cold and wet weather. The changing conditions of today with more temperamental weather don’t have to put a damper on your adventures. View the Icewear catalog for yourself.

 

Posted in February 2022

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