A Warmhearted Workshop

The Norwegian writer and knitter Annemor Sundbø has been here in Stockholm these last few days giving workshops. I was there today and met her for the first time. It was memorable.

After dedicating 25 years of her life to saving sweaters from a ragpile Annemor now teaches Norwegian knitting traditions. She gave one of the most interesting talks that I´ve ever heard and if you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops – don´t miss it!

First we learnt about Setesdal sweaters and got to try a bit of embroidery. I´m not going to show my sample because it would ruin the reputation of the Setesdal embroidery. But here are two examples of Annemor´s:

A simple and stylish way of embelleshing a mitten.

 

If you´ve ever wondered how to make your buttonholes a bit more ornamental – this is the sollution!

Annemor had brought some of the lovely sweaters she has made – and a whole pile of Selbu mittens, both new and old.

Mittens rescued from the ragpile.

The only disappointment was that Annemor couldn´t bring her NEW mitten book about mittens with animal motifs. It´s out tomorrow – and bound to be another best seller for her! It´s called Norske votter og vantar and published by Det Norske Samlaget (fniss). Go buy.

The workshop was held at Slöjdhuset and organized by Länshemlslöjdskonsulenterna in Stockholm.

Next weekend I will give my own first workshop at Syfestivalen and I´ve spent most of last week preparing for that and trying to calm my nerves.

I´m going to talk a little about how to make knitting patterns and give a few useful tips. Those who wish to try a bit of stranded knitting are welcome to drop by and knit a few rows. I´ve prepared some easy patterns suitable for beginners.

In fact I became so inspired that I made a hat pattern that is really easy to knit – even though it might look complicated. You can never guess where my inspiration came from, I bet.

I still have to come up with a name for this pattern. Wouldn´t a Norwegian name be suitable?

This is the top ten list for popular Norwegian names for jenter:

1. Thea

2. Emma

3. Sara

4. Julie

5. Ida

6. Hanna

7. Nora

8. Ingrid

9. Emilie

10. Amalie

Now, why isn´t Johanne on that list?

 

Comments

[Pinneguri]

Så hyggelig for deg å gå på kurs med Annemor Sundbø!
Ivar A. har også tidligere kommentert det norske forlagsnavnet ... dere er lette at roa ;D))) Gleder meg til boka hennes jeg også!

Hva syns du om Liv (= Life), eller Sigrid? Ingen av navnene ellers på lista di er spesielt norske, bortsett fra Ingrid - som jo egentlig er dansk ;)

[Pat Brunner]

What a joy today to click on your blog and see Annemore's lovely smiling face! You must have had a wonderful time. It's great to hear she has another book.
I love your hat design and I vote for "Johanne!"

Your Norwegian American mom,
Pat Brunner

[Pat Brunner]

But I have to say that I like Pinneguri's names - Liv or Sigrid - too. I loved my Aunt Sigrid, my Mormor Johanna's sister.

[Marcia]

All those beautiful mittens are making me drool! Any idea whether the new book will ever be available in English?

[Maria]

Helt fantastiskt måste ni ha haft det...och mössan är jättefin!

[Clarissa]

Vad sägs om Mette-Marit?

[Grete Letting]

Før var det et papirfirma i Oslo som het Wittusen og Jensen. Da lo alle finnene. Samlag betyr ikke det samme på norsk og svensk, selv om vi forstår det godt.
Johanne er ikke så uvanlig navn i Norge, men ikke blant de 10 mest brukte, og det kan du vel bare være glad for? Jeg var litt overrasket over den navnelista, men den er vel helt oppdatert. Anne og Jon har til alle tider vært blant de mest brukte navn i Norge. Du er veldig heldig, Johanne, som har truffet Annemor Sundbø! Jeg har lest alle bøkene hennes!
Hva med Mette-Marit?