Nordic Knits is so much more than a collection of illustrated knitting patterns. This beautiful book of Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic patterns features descriptions of holidays, local costumes, customs, art, knitting history and more. The 44 patterns for sweaters, socks, scarves, and hats are intended for an experienced knitter. However, a beginning knitter will find thorough, detailed instructions and well illustrated techniques for the more complicated methods: weaving, I cords, embroidery and steeks. The Nisse hats and Ruth’s mittens are beginner projects. Intricate color work and patterns are for experienced knitters. My favorites are the All Things Swedish Shawl with its twelve eyelet sections and the Crayfish Hot Pad. Nordic Knits belongs on every experienced knitter’s bookshelf and would be a perfect gift! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Sue Flanders, Janine Kosel and Helene Magnusson for this ARC.

Lots of interesting designs and fun patterns. The inclusion of the materials that inspired the designs was a nice touch.

I’ve crocheted since I was about 10 years old. I never learned how to knit though, as no one I knew, was a knitter. I’ve always wanted to learn but each year that I don’t learn, the very idea of learning how to knit takes on a herculean effort in my mind; I imagine it will be impossibly difficult to grasp. My 16 year old taught herself how to knit a few years ago, knits beautifully now and has offered to teach me how numerous times.

Looking through this book with the written patterns for Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic garments inspired by historical pieces, abbreviations and special techniques, yarn information, all of the lovely, timelessly classic Nordic patterns has renewed my interest in taking my teen up on her offer and finally learning.

I don’t see how you could go wrong with this one.

This is a marvellous collection of hand knitting patterns from Iceland, Sweden and Norway. The pattern designers are well known and experts in their field. A word of warning, many if not all of these patterns have appeared in earlier separate printed publications but have been brought together for this new edition. The designs are inspired by traditional knitwear, examples of which are given and many are featured in museum collections, however these patterns are not old-fashioned by any means. The presentation is clean and bright with large colour photographs of each design. The instructions look clear and are well laid out.
This is not a book for the complete beginner, and in fact many patterns would challenge quite experienced knitters. Knowledge of circular knitting and colourwork is assumed, but guidance is given for some techniques that maybe unfamiliar such as an afterthought thumb, crochet cast on, kitchener stitch and steeks (for the more adventurous).
Most of the yarns used were familiar to me, although not necessarily available in the UK, but information is provided to source suitable substitutes. Yardage information and suggested tension is provided to make yarn comparisons quite straightforward.
There is a wide range of patterns, socks, mitts, scarves, sweaters, shawls and more. I particularly like Helen Magnussen's sock band socks and Hilma's gloves by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel.
This is a book that I will return to again and again as it will extend my own abilities with attractive and very wearable designs.

4 stars

These 44 Norwegian, Swedish, & Icelandic inspired knitting patterns include winter accessories, clothing items, decor pieces, & bags. I love the textile history included in each pattern’s introduction, & the mix of traditional & modern aesthetics. This book has variety & several unique patterns. I’d recommend this book for someone who already has some confidence & experience knitting, but there are a few simpler patterns (like wrist gauntlets).

[What I liked:]

•This book, while of course focused on Nordic knitting, has lovely variety. There are patterns for clothing (five sweaters, a woman’s top, a capelet, socks, slippers, a skirt etc.), children’s & adult wear patterns, & patterns for household items (a garland, a hot pad, two cushions, three bags, & a blanket). Most of the patterns are for hats, gloves, & mittens, but also among these there is a nice variety of style & motif.

•My favorite thing about this book is that each pattern was inspired by a specific piece of heirloom knitting or clothing preserved in a cultural or textile museum, or by depictions of knitted wear & folk costume in traditional art. Photos & a brief history of the historical pieces are included, along with biographical details of the maker if available. I love textile & fiber art history, & it’s really cool to be able to see the inspirations for these patterns & better connect with the artists, culture, & history behind them!

•I must also say that I’m impressed with how well the patterns capture the feel & look of the pieces they were inspired by. Some translate motifs to a new item (ex., the cross-country ski hat was inspired by a sock), some evoke the feel of the original piece with a bit of an update (ex., the dancing hat looks a lot like the original but uses bolder, more modern colors), & some take themes from other folk art styles (embroidery, tapestry weaving, oil painting, architecture, leatherwork, stained glass, etc.) & reinterpret them in knitting.

•The patterns include standard row-by-row instructions in stitch abbreviations, & stitch charts where necessary. I haven’t tried knitting any of these patterns yet (I will update this review when I do), but I’ve read through most of the patterns line by line & I’m reasonably confident I could follow what was happening.

•Most of the patterns include a “pattern notes” section near the beginning with tips, recommended techniques, &/or things to watch out for. Some of the patterns also include detailed instructions on special techniques or methods of cast on/bind off, if needed. Both are helpful additions to the main instructions.

•At the back are instructions with step-by-step photos for two styles of casting on, creating thumb/heel holes, & a double-lifted decrease technique. There are also written explanations of a few other techniques used in the book. Very helpful!


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•For some of the stitch charts, the numbering of the rows was really tiny. I read a PDF of this book on my phone so I could zoom in, but I’m not sure how small it would look in print. (Maybe it won’t be an issue in print though)

•For finishing the felted bags, no instructions are given other “full to desired size in washing machine”. Felting wool isn’t difficult & there are plenty of tutorials available online, but a brief explanation could’ve been included in this book’s appendix.

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

I’ve never been a knitter, but after reading this inspiring and colourful book, I may well take it up!
The introduction offers an informative guide to the history of knitting and Norwegian knitwear. The book consists of 44 knitting patterns for wooly sweaters, hats, scarves and socks etc, all designed with the Nordic ethos in mind. Photography is bright and clear throughout, and the creations look achievable.
A lovely book that celebrates the best of Nordic heritage and lifestyle, with simple patterns for practical clothes that the whole family can wear.

Nordic Knits is a technique and pattern tutorial with patterns in Scandinavian style written and curated by Sue Flanders, Janine Kosel, & Helene Magnusson. Due out 15th March 2022 from Quarto on their Voyageur Press imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is such an appealing collection with a wide range of classic styles and techniques. The pieces are knitted and embellished with needle-felting, surface embroidery, stranded colorwork, lacework, cables, and the garments themselves are full of clever shaping and construction details based on historical culture and inspired by traditional nature or existing historical garments and design elements. Most of the projects are for accessories: socks, scarves, shawls, mittens, hats, and totes, but there are also a fair number of larger pieces such as pullovers, cardigans, and some nursery items.

The book is divided into regional designs: Norwegian, Swedish, and Icelandic. The projects include tools and supplies (measurements are provided in American standard inches -and- metric centimeters, yay!), step by step tutorial directions, and a short background note containing the design inspiration or historical background. Each project is clearly photographed in color and the models are posed in such a way that they're easy to understand and visualize. There are (by my count) 44 projects included, more or less evenly divided between countries.

One of the benchmarks of a good collection for me is paging through the book and finding many patterns which call to me and which I could see myself knitting. This collection is full of really nice patterns which I want to make. I knit several gauge swatches for projects in the book and found no obvious or glaring errors with any of them. The instructions are written clearly and concisely. Materials used in the patterns are from the larger/more well known spinneries and will be familiar to most readers and should be widely available. The authors have included an abbreviated links and resource list in the back of the book.

Five stars. Lovely designs, well executed.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is a nice collection of Nordic inspired knitting patterns. I love that the patterns include photos of the inspiration pieces. The collection contains a good variety of techniques including colorwork, lacework and cabling. Several projects have made it to my "knit someday" list!

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Voyageur Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.