Viking Knits and Ancient Ornaments: Interlace Patterns from Around the World in Modern Knitwear

by Elsebeth Lavold, Anders Rydell (Photographer)

Trafalgar Square Books-Viking Knits & Ancient Ornaments. Experience interlace patterns from around the world in modern knitwear In this book the author introduces her own innovation using lifted increases to create interlace patterns instead of just to shape garments and to bring new life to the ornamental heritage of the Vikings as adornment on modern knitwear. Elsebeth Lavold. Hardcover; 190 pages. Published 2014. ISBN 978-1-57076-681-7. Imported.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published June 10, 2014

Reviews

[Mustardseeds]

So many pretty patterns...I may have to learn knitting one of these days...

[Doctor_dana]

I do love cables, and this book shines most as an excellent collection of cable motifs which replicate those used throughout the centuries in varied cultures. The historical detail is decent for such a book: not so in-depth that you'll snooze, but with plenty of sketches of artifacts. The sweater patterns are almost uniformly gorgeous. I wanted to give this book five stars. However, I knitted a sweater and the instructions were okay for someone very experienced in sweater construction, but a bit confusing and almost certainly frustrating for a beginner. In addition, one of the three charts I swatched had mistakes in it: some cables crossed the wrong way. My sweater is lovely, though.

[Polly Clarke]

A gorgeous book full of creative and wonderful designs. Full detail of how the designs came about and the influences. I am inspired to create my own knitted items now! Book borrowed from the library and I would love to have this to peak at on my shelf permanently. Top book.

[Laryn]

This book is so interesting; I loved it! Though from its exterior "Viking Knits" may seem like just another pattern book, the patterns are spaced out with historical background on the designs in between. The patterns include written instructions that work alongside charts; the historical background blurbs include drawings of the inspiration for the knitwear. Such a fun book to flip through & fascinating book to read.

[PoligirlReads]

Very impressive. This was fun AND educational! This woman has done (and shows you her research) on viking motifs and incorporates them into modern apparel. I'm not into all of the patterns, but I could definitely see trying my hand at the Fulla shrug and the Arnhild sweater. What I'd love to see is Lavold take her designs and apply them to different apparel patterns.

[Liddy]

Hurjan kauniita neulekuvioita, opin taas paljon uutta.

[Annette McIntyre]

Some absolutely wonderful designs here all inspired by Viking ornamentation.

[Adrienne M.]

I appreciate the extensive research and beautiful isolated cables, but the designs in practice are not my cup of tea.

[Thomasin Propson]

Gorgeous knits and detailed info about the history of Viking looks.

[Georgina]

Cables, cables, cables! This book is mostly sweaters, with a few notable exceptions. There is a cute matching hat & bag set ("Tova" on pgs. 50-52) and a skirt & shrug set ("Fulla" on pgs. 68-70) which is to die for.

For the less adventurous, less skilled knitter, (i.e. Me) there are two projects to try out: A pillow ("Fyrunga" on pgs. 110-112) that cleverly incorporates i-cord, and a long vest ("Osk" on pgs. 40-42) that has plenty of coverage for the fullest, roundest tushie. (Again, that would be for me.)

There is a great wealth of the author's personal research of the historical knot-work too, so even non-knitters will find something of interest.

I was very impressed with this book and will definitely track down the author's earlier work.

[Emily]

Also snagged off the "new book" shelf at the library. I'm torn on this one. The author's research is breathtaking. She takes all kinds of historic motifs and scrollwork and translates them into some beautiful stitch patterns, which she then transplants unimaginatively onto various pieces of knitwear. There wasn't a single must-knit-that-now project in the entire book. As a stitch dictionary, this is fantastic, but the patterns are lackluster. Recommended for the painstakingly-created cable motifs. 3.5/5

[Tilden]

Lavold did extensive research for her knitting patterns, using Viking motifs found in archeological sites. The patterns have simple shapes with stunning cables. The cables are not extensive like an Aran sweater but stand out in the knitted garments. There are some beautiful patterns.

[Mckinley]

Lovely cable patterns, mostly women's sweaters, with interesting background and photos of original patterns on stones and such. I'm not ready to make any of these ... yet.

[Sara]

This book is amazing for the gorgeous viking art and cables modeled after the art.
Stunning cabled knits.

[Marie]

I'm not planning on making any of the sweaters, so I can't comment on those. But I've done several of the cables themselves, and they turn out beautifully. This is the best cable book I've seen.

[Elizabeth]

Not too sure about the patterns, but there are a lot of nice cables and knot-work stitches shown/featured.

[Kara Backlund]

Lots of info about cultural symbolism in patterns. The instructions aren't very detailed and are best for advanced knitters.

[Celeste Thomas]

Motifs that are great for any type of art. The names and locations of objects the designs came from are included for most of them too, so you can look for more images online.