Traditional Swedish Knitting Patterns - by Maja Karlsson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Knitting designer Maja Karlsson delved into the fascinating history of Swedish fibercrafts, and discovered a rich tradition of multi-color patterning--the perfect source of inspiration for this lovely collection of 40 uniquely Swedish motifs, applied and combined into 22 projects. Flowers, borders, geometric figures, landscapes, people, and animals, on their own or together, form the backbone of traditional Swedish stranded patterns. With the help of clear diagrams and full-color knitted swatches, a little knitting school, a pattern library, and eyecatching photography, intermediate knitters can confidently try out wrist warmers, hats, and ponchos; and veterans can challenge themselves with sweaters, jackets, and gloves. Pull out your needles, choose your yarns, and get ready to explore the depth, complexity, and beauty of traditional Swedish knitting!

Review Quotes

Karlsson, in her first book, follows a tried-and-true format. She features color photographs (sometimes in a gallery, often as accompaniments to design, and occasionally both) full instructions for each pattern; and references. Focusing on two-color stranded knitting, she has adapted classic patterns for today's wearables, from cardigans and pullovers to a dress and winter accessories. Her delight in the art of knitting permeates each page, including personal stories (at six years old, she learned the fundamentals from Grandmother Greta) a few myths (never knit your boyfriend a sweater, since, before it's finished, you'll break up) and introductions to each of the designs. Her Rosa cardigan, for instance, plays on the 1940s fashion for rose panels, while Persian slippers get their pizzazz from streamlined star motifs. The patterns library pulled from her vintage magazine collection and elsewhere, and the helpful back-of-the-book inclusions (abbreviations, knitting school, yarn sources, and pattern graph template) enable knitters to begin to master what's considered a fairly advanced skill. --Booklist

About the Author

Maja Karlsson lives in the small cozy town of Arvika, Sweden, in a charming house built in the 1920s. At the top is a floral studio where she spends a large part of her day. She is a freelance knitter and designer, writer, blogger, photographer, lecturer, and teacher, and also operates her own online yarn store named Maja Manufaktur.