My Norwegian Setesdal Sweater

My aunt made me this sweater about 45 years ago. She also made one for my parents and sister. We had visited her in Kristiansand, Norway in 1964 and in preparation for making the sweaters she took us to a silversmith in a small town up in the mountains to pick out the pewter clasps and buttons that would eventually go on the sweaters.



















I don't know if she, personally, embroidered the trim or if she bought it already made. It is on a background of black felt which was then sewn onto the cuffs and neckline. I have seen this trim on other sweaters and believe mine is hand-embroidered, whereas others look machine-made.

My father's sweater was a cardigan with a zipper, and my mother's also a cardigan, but with pewter clasps down the embroidered trim of the front. Both had plain, ribbed cuffs. I don't remember what my sister's looked like, but it was different from each of ours as well.

This past year, my cousin and his wife came from Kristiansand to visit us. He is my age (62) and although his mother had also made him a sweater many years ago, he no longer had his. I was so happy to be able to give him and his wife my parents' sweaters. These are definitely heirloom treasures and they should be handed down to those who will appreciate them.

Although this color combination is the one I've seen the most, I believe it is also made in the reverse, black on white. Different websites offer this sweater for sale...they seem to run about $200-300. I think if I was capable of knitting one, I couldn't sell it for any price.

Paradise Fibers.net is selling a book by Annemor Sundbo on the history of the Norwegian Lice pattern.

http://www.paradisefibers.net/Setesdal-Sweaters-Annemor-Sundbo-p/2300.htm&Click=31124

I wish I could still wear my beautiful Setesdal Sweater, but alas, I am not the same size now as I was in 1964.

Happy Easter!

A Day Late and a Dollar short... I found this article on Easter morning. But great idea for next year!

The Easiest Easter Eggs of All

Last year, when my friend Lea invited me to help make Easter eggs with her daughter, I almost laughed in her face. Everything at Lea's place—from the couch, to the tablecloth, to the cushions on her kitchen chairs—is white; it's about as dye-unfriendly as apartments come. But it turns out that this super-prudent (and creative!) mama wasn't planning on coloring her eggs in spillable pots of neon liquid—instead, she was planning on doing it dye-free, using silk ties she'd picked up for pennies at a stoop sale.
I'd never before heard of the "tie dye" egg method—but after spending an afternoon trying it out, I can vouch that not only is it completely mess- and hassle-free, the results look amazing. In fact, this weekend, I'm planning on hitting the flea market to pick up a few silk neckties for my own eggs. Want to give this technique a try? Here's how:
What you’ll need:-Silk ties-Eggs-White rags (like an old t-shirt or sheet)-Rubber bands-Household Vinegar
What to do:1. Cut silk ties into square pieces of fabric (large enough to cover an egg).2. Cut even larger squares out of the white rags.3. Place egg in center of a silk square, with the printed side facing the egg. Wrap fabric around the egg.4. Place silk-wrapped egg on white square. Gather edges and secure the "sack" with a rubber band.5. Place eggs in large non-aluminum pot. Fill with enough water to cover the eggs.6. Add a few glugs of vinegar to the pot; bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; let simmer 25 minutes.7. Use a slotted spoon to remove eggs from water and let cool before removing the fabric. 8. For more vibrantly colored eggs, wipe with a little vegetable oil once dry.
Gorgeous photos via The Little Red Hen.
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Posted by Jane Nussbaum at 11:30 AM in art, crafts, Easter, family activities, Holidays Permalink