I’d been waiting anxiously for this book to arrive– Swedish Handknits— for a few days. And when the UPS guy innocently dropped the box off on my front porch, I eager pounced and opened it up to get my mitts on this book– and oh, it did NOT disappoint!
Swedish Handknits by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel is a fairly new book (published in 2012) and is a treasure trove of Swedish style knitting and other fiber projects (there are some other fun projects that include felt and other fabric things, so it’s not just knitting).
Inspired by traditional Swedish knits and pieces collected by the American Swedish Institute, this book offers a variety of beautiful knitting projects for all different levels of knitting.
Some of the different projects include an easy pattern for leggings, various gloves, ornaments, hats, bags and even Christmas stockings. I loooove the patterns for the Christmas stockings! I’ve yet to do a sock, let alone a large stocking, but I looove the look of these (and yes, my ardor does require extra Os).
This books is much more than just a knitting book though– it is a rich collection of information on the tradition of Swedish fiber arts, historical photos, and even recipes. This is going to be a great book to cuddle up and just pore over, and then start the knitting projects. It was so worth the investment, and so inspiring to see all the tradition-inspired projects.
The authors already have a book inspired by Norwegian knitting called, of course, Norwegian Handknits and I think I’m gonna have to have that too (I know our friend Winnie must get it!). I think me and these ladies could totally be friends. They had me at sharing their experiences of entering the American Swedish Institute as children and feeling all giddy and inspired. I know I’d feel the same. Guess this calls for a field trip to Minnesota! Hehehe….
~H
PS: I found this blog entry about an exhibit at the American Swedish Institute featuring projects in the book and the original items that inspired them, take a peek and see some of the other things in the book!
Sleightholm Folk Art 
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