Fishermen’s Knits from the Coast of Norway

This work by historian and textile curator Iversen and knitwear designer/professor of Norwegian (Metropolitan Univ. of Oslo) Sandvik provides a detailed overview of the history of not only the Norwegian fisherman’s sweater from the 18th to 20th centuries but also of Nordic fishermen’s wardrobes, domestic lives, and labor. After a thorough discussion of the circumstances that led to the designs and materials used in these sweaters and other outerwear, the second half of the book contains patterns that can be adapted into four different sizes. The book is beautifully illustrated; the authors explain how they created the patterns from careful examination of historical documents, such as photographs, paintings, oral histories, and preserved items of clothing. Their relating of the detective work involved in determining whether an item of clothing is representative of the times and not just a unique item from a museum is fascinating and could easily have been expanded. The majority of the patterns are either for knitters of intermediate or experienced skill level, and all patterns have clearly defined instructions.