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Northern Knits Gifts: Thoughtful Projects Inspired by Folk Traditions
In Northern Knits Gifts , knitwear and textile designer Lucinda Guy continues her exploration of folk-knitting traditions in this colorful volume of small projects and accessories. You'll learn some of the traditional knitting techniques of Scandinavia, Estonia, Iceland, and the Faroe and Shetland islands, through modern interpretations of such heritage techniques as twined knitting, two-color knitting, lace techniques, damask, fair isle, embroidery, and rya (knotted knitting similar to shag carpet). Accompanied by notes on the history and folk culture surrounding each technique, the projects in the book embrace the Danish notion of hygge--taking pleasure in comforting and cozy things, which is often associated with family and close friends. The 20 projects include mittens, socks, hats, scarves, and bags, and are perfect for wearing and gifting. Emphasizing pattern and color, these knitted designs also embody the Scandinavian aesthetic of making utilitarian objects beautiful as well as useful. Additionally, the book celebrates the specific wools traditionally used in each project. Immerse yourself in Lucinda's world as you enjoy thumbnail sketches of the history and folk culture surrounding each technique.
- GenresKnittingNonfictionCrafts
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2012
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40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 22, 2025
I love Nordic and Baltic knitting designs, and this book delivers with a mixture of mittens, socks, sweaters, dolls, and more, including a knitted door stop. Although they are not historical knit patterns, they are authentic Nordic, and Baltic designs.
The only detraction is that most patterns use a very fine weight fingering or lace weight yarn. I prefer to work with sport weight when knitting mittens, hats, etc., because you can get similar detail without three times the labor. That being said, I am confident I can adapt the patterns using a larger gauge yarn, as I am an experienced knitter. This would not be a book for beginner knitters. Overall, 11 patterns are lace or fingering weight, six are sport weight, and one is chunky weight.
I also appreciate the detailed instructions for the different cast-on methods used in the book. The author used wool from small family farms in the regions and has included the specific yarn names in the index. I found most of these still available by using the Ravlery.com website.
The only detraction is that most patterns use a very fine weight fingering or lace weight yarn. I prefer to work with sport weight when knitting mittens, hats, etc., because you can get similar detail without three times the labor. That being said, I am confident I can adapt the patterns using a larger gauge yarn, as I am an experienced knitter. This would not be a book for beginner knitters. Overall, 11 patterns are lace or fingering weight, six are sport weight, and one is chunky weight.
I also appreciate the detailed instructions for the different cast-on methods used in the book. The author used wool from small family farms in the regions and has included the specific yarn names in the index. I found most of these still available by using the Ravlery.com website.
April 6, 2023
Lovely book on knit accessories inspired by the Scandinavian and northern countries but I only found two patterns of socks that I flagged to knit. I enjoyed reading the historical background of these knits and realized that I knew nothing about twined knitting. Photography is beautiful. Lots of color diagrams and stitch charts.
September 29, 2014
Country themed knitting pattern books are the BEST.
My favorite book is still Around the World in Knitted Socks: 26 Inspired Designs which I own two copies of because I've done almost all the patterns in that great book. So I'm an interested in other culture's knitting practices and aesthetic choices. This is a fun voyage of geometric abstracted forms and colorplay. I wouldn't recommend this for a beginner, unless you've done lots of color work.
There is traditional knitting techniques of Scandinavia, Estonia, Iceland, and the Faroe and Shetland islands which meant nothing to me until I read this book.
I'm not sure that I'll make much of the patterns up for myself because it isn't what I would wear, but there are lots of gift ideas for people that you must love to put in SO much effort to make simple open fingered gloves, mittens with matching hats and scarves. I could see some of these patterns great for ski outfits, but I would not call them 'chic' and find folks walking up St. Honore in Paris, in these accessories.
I doubt that a knitted plush toy would be practical but it is a cute pattern for some left over yarn.
I'm not sure how to rate this book because I liked it more for its non-fiction aspects instead of the actual patterns in contains.
128 pages and another Interweave Pattern book in paperback format
3 stars?
My favorite book is still Around the World in Knitted Socks: 26 Inspired Designs which I own two copies of because I've done almost all the patterns in that great book. So I'm an interested in other culture's knitting practices and aesthetic choices. This is a fun voyage of geometric abstracted forms and colorplay. I wouldn't recommend this for a beginner, unless you've done lots of color work.
There is traditional knitting techniques of Scandinavia, Estonia, Iceland, and the Faroe and Shetland islands which meant nothing to me until I read this book.
I'm not sure that I'll make much of the patterns up for myself because it isn't what I would wear, but there are lots of gift ideas for people that you must love to put in SO much effort to make simple open fingered gloves, mittens with matching hats and scarves. I could see some of these patterns great for ski outfits, but I would not call them 'chic' and find folks walking up St. Honore in Paris, in these accessories.
I doubt that a knitted plush toy would be practical but it is a cute pattern for some left over yarn.
I'm not sure how to rate this book because I liked it more for its non-fiction aspects instead of the actual patterns in contains.
128 pages and another Interweave Pattern book in paperback format
3 stars?
September 27, 2016
I rate this 2.5 stars. The book is attractive, but not as good as its predecessor, Northern Knits: Designs Inspired by the Knitting Traditions of Scandinavia, Iceland and the Shetland Isles [2010]. The Ida Icelandic mitts are pretty, as are the Tovio [Finland] mittens and hat. The Åsa mittens are attractive, but the Rya Flower Cushion is so ugly I don't know what the author and publisher were thinking. The twined scarf is ok, but nothing to rave about. The Oluffa [Hen] Doorstop [Faroe Islands] is the most unique of those items I consider remotely attractive; it would make a nice housewarming gift, now that i think about it. The remaining patterns, however, are either plain and boring [solid grays and tans predominate] or typical Nordic stranded patterns you could find anywhere [baby sweater and hat, baby blanket].
For a book purporting to be full of gift ideas--and 'thoughtful' ones no less--this is disappointing. There are other gift idea knitting pattern books on the market that are better in that regard. This book quite frankly feels like a rush job on the part of the publisher, and/or the author concentrated too much on the variety of techniques and countries and lost sight of the gift aspect, supposedly the point of the book. I think if it had been given a more appropriate title like 'a Sampler of Scandinavian knitting techniques' etc., I would not have judged it as harshly.
For a book purporting to be full of gift ideas--and 'thoughtful' ones no less--this is disappointing. There are other gift idea knitting pattern books on the market that are better in that regard. This book quite frankly feels like a rush job on the part of the publisher, and/or the author concentrated too much on the variety of techniques and countries and lost sight of the gift aspect, supposedly the point of the book. I think if it had been given a more appropriate title like 'a Sampler of Scandinavian knitting techniques' etc., I would not have judged it as harshly.
October 14, 2023
Looking for a challenge? Like Scandinavian style? There are projects in this book from a doll to sweaters that are pretty, practical and I'm guessing, fun to knit. Start off with an easy hat and move up to double knitting or fair isle patterns.
December 29, 2012
Beautiful book! My son chose it as a gift to his sister, and I just had to take a look!! Enjoyed it immensely.
March 5, 2013
Lots of nice colorwork, my fave is the oluffa doorstop. Want to knit that sometime, even though I don't need a doorstop, it's fun!
August 10, 2013
Only the doll and chicken interested me. But a good idea and mix, just not my tastes
December 6, 2013
beautiful intarsia styles, just not my taste
Read
December 12, 2013From devon library. Some nice patterns esp stuffed toys
January 9, 2014
I haven't caught the stranded knitting bug yet. But this book has some cute items, just not my style at this point in time.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews