knit nordic giveaway

Sunday, February 23, 2014

I'm sure you have seen this book floating around.  Knit Nordic by Eline Oftedal.  
I have always been a big fan of those vintage Nordic sweaters.  Can you imagine finding one now?  Let me just say, I learned a lot of Nordic knitting history from this book.  The Norwegian word for "sweater" is "genser", which derives from the word "gansey".  "Gansey" is the name of the traditional Guernsey fishermen's sweaters.   The nordic design in the book all have a fascinating heritage.  Some have a long history, others have a shorter one.  The book was inspired by four of the classic Norwegian patterns: Marius, Setesdal, and Fana and Voss.
The Marius sweater first appeared in the 1950's but traces its roots back to the Sedesdal pattern.  Handknit sweaters were the height of fashion in the postwar era.  Bitten Eriksen was a knitwear designer who created designs for a wool mill.  She was also the mother of the well-known skiers Stein and Marius Eriksen; Stein won a gold medal at the Oslo Winter Olympics in 1952.  Bitten's husband, also named Marius, was a gymnast who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.  
The pieces in the book that derived from that design are a handbag, a racerback top, hotpants, a teddybear and a stocking.  
The Setesdal sweater dates back to 1848 when the artist Adolph Tidemand made a sketch of a young man wearing the sweater while visiting the Setesdal valley in the southern part of Norway.  The sweater was, and still is, knitted in black and white or grey and white, with a series of borders.
The pieces in the book that derived from the Setesdal pattern an ipad cover, a necktie, slippers, wristwarmers and a beanie.  
The Fana sweater originates from the west coast of Norway in a region named Bergen.  Bergen was the main trading town in Norway, so foreign fashions came to Bergen first before spreading to the rest of the country.  Photographs of fishermen wearing this sweater n Bergen date back to the late 1800's.  The Fana design is made up of a striped pattern, with a star design at the top and a checkered pattern at the bottom.
The pieces in the book that are derived from the Fana design are a beret, a half-sweater and a cup and coffee cozy.
The Voss sweater is a relatively new pattern in knitting, but has been around for centuries in embroidery.   This design is geometrical and often includes squares with a pattern inside.
The pieces in knit nordic that are derived from the Voss design are a toilet roll cover, potholders, a snood, a cushion cover and an iphone cover.

The techniques section in the back of the book, highlights many needs of a knitter.  Especially one getting started with nordic knitting and is a great reference to have on file.

If interested in winning a copy of knit nordic, please leave a comment before Wednesday the 26th, 9am EST.  I'll have the random number generator choose a name.

Happy Sunday!

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153 comments

  1. wow - what a fantastic looking book! I especially love the bag!!!

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  2. I would LOVE to win this book! I have a dream of all of wearing hand knit fair isle sweaters for our family pics!

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  3. What an interesting book that is, and I haven't seen it before!! Looks like some fantastic projects in there.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  4. Anonymous2/23/2014

    Just what I need, I've been looking to start some colour work knitting:-)

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  5. Anonymous2/23/2014

    wow - looks like i have a lot to learn! thanks for the opportunity! kristin

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  6. wow! This seems really interesting!! I love the sweaters. I would LOVE to win the book.

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  7. Anonymous2/23/2014

    This looks like such a sweet book! Thank you for the giveaway :)

    rav id jordynelizabeth

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  8. Definitely a book I would like to add to my library.

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  9. I love Nordic knit, a small project like a tablet sleeve would be the perfect start! Thanks for the giveaway

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  10. Lovely looking book.

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  11. Anonymous2/23/2014

    This book looks amazing!

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  12. Looks like fun! Count me in

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  13. I've been eyeing these designs lately, thanks for the giveaway :)

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  14. Would love to win this book; I went to Norway in October and was obsessed by all the Nordic knits people rocked in Oslo!

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  15. I've been eyeing colorwork patterns recently and I have to say, these are some of the prettiest! Would love to win this book!

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  16. Marguerite2/23/2014

    Great combination of tradional design with modern patterns.

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  17. Lately I've had a hankering to knit something with a tradional Nordic pattern. This would totally fit the bill. Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed

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  18. Kathleen2/23/2014

    The book looks fabulous! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  20. Annette L2/23/2014

    It's a a beautiful book! Have flipped through it many times. Definitely on my list.

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  21. Anonymous2/23/2014

    I like how the design history is included, and the designs themselves look fun. :). --Bookaholic13 on Rav

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  22. I love knitting and it's my birthday today, so this would be the perfect gift!

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  23. What a wonderful interesting informative book.

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  24. Looks like a groovy book!

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  25. Anonymous2/23/2014

    Wow! This book is most definetly on my wish list...in case I do not win it. I really need to expand my knitting skills. Actually, knitting anything that is not a square or a rectangle might be considered increasing my skills. :) We grew up with a Norwegian family living across the street. Oly worked for the Red and White tug boat and ferry fleet on the SF bay and Tully was a stay at home mom. The only thing that surpassed her cooking was her handwork and I love, love, love the colors and the delicacy of her work. We used to spend Sunday afternoons eating, laughing and dancing at the Aarstad's house. Thank you for bringing me back to such sweet memories. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  26. I would love to win this, seems like a very interesting book! Thank you!

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  27. Looks like a wonderful book!

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  28. This book looks so nice. I've fallen back in love with stranded knitting!

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  29. What a gorgeous book!

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  30. Johanna2/23/2014

    I love Nordic patterns! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  31. I knit my daughter a Fana baby sweater and its one of my favorites. It will be one that gets passed down over time.

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  32. Anonymous2/23/2014

    The designs in this book are gorgeous!

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  33. What a cool book! Would love to browse through it!

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  34. Looks like a great book!

    dewiec(at)yahoo(dot)ca

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  35. Anonymous2/23/2014

    I'm dying to get my greedy little paws on this! The designs are gorgeous!
    ~TheSpindlyGiraffe (ravelry)

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  36. Would love to win a copy. Thanks

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  37. The second sweater I knit Fatty was a Dale of Norway pattern! I cannot even imagine undertaking one now.

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  38. That book looks awesome! The patterns are gorgeous!
    I would love to win a copy. Thanks for giving us the chance to win one. :-)

    All the best, Julia

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  39. Oh Random Number Generator, please pick me... Nordic style sweaters are why I picked up my knitting needles again!

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  40. I love Nordic styles!

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  41. The history of the patterns is so interesting. I'd love to try it out- maybe start with a small pattern and work my way up to a sweater.

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  42. What a nifty book! It would be worth having for the information alone! Thanks for spreading the love!

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  43. The book looks great - I'd love to win it :-)

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  44. Shelly T2/23/2014

    thanks for sharing the history lesson, a book I would love to have to add this book to my collection..

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  45. What a wonderful book!

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  46. This looks like a great book.

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  47. I love Nordic knitting! Have one sweater in my collection and plan to do a Marius in the near future!!

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  48. I think this would be a wonderful book to make an addiction even stronger!

    :-)

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  49. What a great looking book I would love to win it!!

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  50. Thanks for the give-away! Nice patterns.

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  51. Beautiful!! Thanks for a great give away!

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  52. Anonymous2/23/2014

    Just started doing colorwork and would love to do more;-) jabella on ravelry

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  53. Beautiful - looking forward to see more :)

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  54. Trying to get my "brave" on and try this!

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  55. Trying to get my "brave" on and attempt something like this!

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  56. Haven't seen it yet - but I definitely want one! Let"s first see if I can win one :-) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  57. I'd love this book! My family is Swedish and my grandma used to knit us sweaters just like these!

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  58. Anonymous2/23/2014

    Beautiful designs.

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  59. Oh, yes, please do enter my name into this drawing. As a long, long time fan of fair isle knitting I also have a long held appreciation of all the beautiful Nordic knitting designs.

    I feel some of my knitting needles just waiting for me to do some casting on!

    xo

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  60. I absolutely love everything I have seen coming out of this book! Beautiful!!!

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  61. I have a friend who is greatly obsessed with knitting. This would be fantastic gift for her xx

    katch05 at gmail dot com

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  62. Thanks for this giveaway! I'm really interested in starting color work!

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  63. oh yes please, everything looks beautiful!

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  64. Would love to add this book to my collection. Thank for sharing.

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  65. That looks like a fabulous book! Thanks for offering this drawing :-)
    Kathy(laceandcable on Rav)

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  66. Omg... How gorgeous! Must keep practicing!!

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  67. Anonymous2/24/2014

    Love the cup cozies! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  68. This book looks amazing. I think I want to knit almost every single one of those patterns!

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  69. Marisa2/24/2014

    Oh my! So many cute knits, what would I not knit! Thanks for the giveaway :)
    Loladietcola on Rav

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  70. Wow this book looks AWESOME!! Thank you :-)

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  71. Oh please, oh please, R#G, pick me! Oh what a wonderful book. Now that I'm stuck in a knitting wasteland, I hadn't heard of this book and I'm so happy for your review. Thank you for the giveaway! (bigblueice on ravelry)

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  72. love love love these sweaters and patterns. what a great book to enjoy and learn from.

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  73. What a stunning book! Would love to have a read!

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  74. Beautiful patterns

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  75. Oh my! This book looks so beautiful. Thank you for the chance.

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  76. What a gorgeous book!! Thanks for the chance to win it, as it just might be the push I need to finally get over my fear of stranded colourwork!

    Rav ID: misocraftyknits

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  77. Anonymous2/24/2014

    Looks like a very cool book that I would sure love to have! Carina.

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  78. Wow, fantastic giveaway. I would love to win :-)

    Thank you!

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  79. Wow, fantastic giveaway. I would love to win :-)

    Thank you!

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  80. Looks such an inspiring book. I love fair isle and am trying to improve my colourwork. These projects would be ideal! Thanks, Katie

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  81. I've been knitting for 10 years now and these Nordic knitting designs would be a welcome change ! Thank you,
    Kathy

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  82. What a great way to begin stranded knitting! Fair Isle is next on my need-to-learn list.

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  83. Looks fascinating.

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  84. Turner2/24/2014

    You had me at "Nordic!" What an inspiring book, even just from this little preview.

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  85. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  86. That book looks delicious! I would love to win it :)

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  87. I would love to win this! Thanks for the chance

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  88. Colleen C2/24/2014

    I would love to win this book!!! Thanks

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  89. It would be great to try these patterns without needing to do a whole sweater!

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  90. Just looking at the pictures, I would love this book.

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  91. Yes I would love to win this book. I love the nordic knit teddy bear!

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  92. I so admire Nordic colorwork. How inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

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  93. I would love to win this book. Thanks for a chance.

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  94. Anonymous2/24/2014

    I would so love a copy of this book! Thanks!

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  95. I love the look of nordic style knitting. My husband almost gave away a pair of Norwegian mittens to goodwill, and I said " noooo!!!!" I saved them, and wear them all the time. The warmest mittens ever!

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  96. Gorgeous book! thank you!

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  97. I am interested! Thank you for the having the giveaway

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  98. Anonymous2/24/2014

    That books looks gorgeous

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  99. Madame Papillon2/24/2014

    Beautiful book!

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  100. This book looks amazing. I am in love everything from Norway or Scandinavia. Thanks for the chance to win it.

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  101. This looks like a wonderful book! Whether or not I win, I'm definitely adding this to my book wishlist!

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  102. A thousand thanks for telling me about this amazing book. I've often thought of trying some Nordic knitting because my heritage on my Mom's side is Nordic, but taking on a whole sweater seemed overwhelming. What a great way to dip a toe into this challenging knitting, starting with a cozy or cowl, and then progressing to the beautiful half sweater. Hope you pick me to win this incredible book!

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  103. What beautiful patterns. Love the cowl!

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  104. Those patterns are gorgeous. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

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  105. What a great giveaway!

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  106. The patterns are lovely. I sure hope they are not in fingering weight yarn!

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  107. The patterns look beautiful. Thanks for such a great giveaway.

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  108. Very cool designs but I love love love the handbag!!!

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  109. Ack! will certainly check this one out! would be a great addition to the knitting library! :)

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  110. That book looks just fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

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  111. I may finally get brave and do some color knitting

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  112. I would love to have my name entered, what a fabulous book.

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  113. You are so generous, to hold these give-aways all the time. Thank you!

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  114. Lynda F2/24/2014

    This book would make a lovely addition to my knitting library...thanks for the opportunity to win it!!

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  115. I'd love to win this too!

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  116. Anonymous2/24/2014

    This book looks amazing! ~Jan

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  117. This would be a good excuse to try knitting something Nordic......great giveaway! Thanks.

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  118. Lovely hand knits! Would love this book. Thank you for the chance.

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  119. My husband's Norwegian heritage is calling me to read this book!

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  120. loving that book, thanks for the chance.

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  121. nice projects and looks like a great book.

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  122. cool book. thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  123. Anonymous2/25/2014

    I would really like to win a copy of this book.. it looks great!! and it is very fun to knit color work sweaters!!!
    Thank you for the chance!

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  125. What a lovely looking book! I love reading about the history of the different patterns. It looks fascinating, it would be great to find out more about the Norwegian knitting heritage.

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  126. What fun colorwork. I'd love to win.
    wahoomerryf on Rav

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  127. I would love to win this book - very classic & beautiful designs.

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  128. Thanks for a chance to win this great book!

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  129. These are beautiful! I'd love to win this book!

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  130. This looks like a fantastic book - I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  131. I love Nordic knits of all sorts. :)

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  132. I adore books that include knitting history and would love to read this one cover to cover!

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  134. Anonymous2/25/2014

    What an amazing book---I like that the author talks about the history of the designs and then interprets them into modern projects.

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  135. Anonymous2/25/2014

    Would love to win the book ;)
    adane59 on rav

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  136. Claudia2/25/2014

    My two color knitting skills are minimal. What a lovely book to help improve those skills. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  137. ahhhhhh... this would be a great guide for attempting some of the olympic knits inspired by what some of the countries wore during the opening ceremony!

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  138. Having recently completed a pair of Latvian mittens, I have the urge to try all sorts of international patterns. Love the colourwork in Nordic Knitting.

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  139. yes, please….

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  140. I would love to win the book :) have a great week!

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  141. Wow, I am going to have to look for this book at my LYS. I love the shawl-collared sweater. And I am a sucker for nordic design!!

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  142. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  143. I love the idea of playing with traditional patterns - without committing to a whole steeked sweater. Interested!

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  144. I love the patterns/pictures you highlighted. The color schemes really speak to me-I also have to second that bag is gorgeous!

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  145. Having started knitting only a year ago I'm keen on trying some new techniques, among then Nordic Knitting. (I'm a 47yo male, btw, and my youngest daughter is to blame for my latest obsession that is knitting.) This book looks like a real nice introduction with some easy to make, useful patterns to try with Nordic, like an iPad cover. Too bad I didn't discover this blog a few days ago :) Ah well, I can always order the book.

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