Hi Strikker,

I am knitting a sweater from peer Gynt 1998 Jubileumshefte.

The sweater is "Snokrystall" they say the name stands for "snow crystal." The "o" also has a line through it. I am going to knit this Norwegian name into the hem of the sweater. I am just curious about the name and any history you have on this pattern.

Thanks!

I am neither Strikker nor a Norwegian speaker, but I do know that the line through the "o" is equivalent to an umlaut. That means that it is pronounced like a combination of "o" and "e", sort of. The line is a remnant of an "e" that was originally scripted over the "o". My DH says that my mind is a veritable dustbin of useless information

Knitski, the "Snøkrystall" (yes, snow cystal or snowflake) pattern was first published in the late 1950s, and became tremendously popular. My younger brother and I both had them - his was navy/white, mine red/white. I made them for our grandchildren when they were quite young. I have the Peer Gynt book also - lots of good stuff there!

knitterb, lingual information is NEVER useless! You never know when a nugget like that can be helpful in some way.

Strikker - who is going to the attic to get out her Peer Gynt book right now!

Well thank you both!

Although I only know limited Spanish I love bits on language as well! I love how simple this sweater is and I am knitting it in Canadian Regal from Schoolhouse Press in a blue-ish purple and white. I am adding just a bit more color work to it to jazz up the knitters work.

I do want to knit the Norwegian name into the hem.

Thank you both!

Is that snowflake pattern one of the variations of the eight-pointed star? My mother made matching black on white and white on black versions for my sister and brother when they were in highschool. My sister still has hers. She is 85. There were matching gloves also. I think I still have the pattern in my old pattern collection

knitterb, the "Snøkrystall" model is not based on the eight-pointed Norwegian star, but is a lovely interpretation of a crystal, starting as a cross, with an "x" added over the cross and a few other embellishments. The book, however, contains several garments based on "åttebladsrosen" which is the base for the most popular patterns in Norway still. There are also several hat, scarf and mittens sets, possibly the very ones that your mother made. I must have about 50 mitten patterns, most of them variants on that theme....

Knitski, on the cover of the book are 3 smaller pictures. The top one is the one Mother used for my sweater. Underneath that one is an early Fana, and on the bottom a "Marius" sweater, created for the 1952 Olympics, held in Oslo. You will see the logo "Strikk Ess" on some of the patterns. "Strikk Ess Klubben" was a knitter's group, created by Sandnes Uldvarefabrik, the makers of Peer Gynt yarn. Being a member entitled you to free patterns, and mother made full and frequent use of her privileges!

Sandnes Uldvarefabrik is still in business, and my SIL works in the same building where their factory outlet is located. Need I say more?

Oh,memories...

Strikker

I love the history! I am knitting the sweater up more along the lines of the original the little girl is in in the black and white photo. It will have a hem or has one as I have knitted about 8 inches so far, rib cuffs, and a regular circular neck line.

Lovely stories, strikker. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Hello Strikker! Nice to see you responding to your call. I have nothing to add on the topic - I just felt like saying hello, and say the trains are still running on the pier!

Best wishes, John