As some of you know and may be sick of is this Dale sweater I have been working on for a year. (It is the Fana and for my nephew.) I just get a bit side tracked and can not finish one project or knit one project at a time. Until I get very focused and want to work on another project and I force myself to FINISH!

Yesterday I cut the sleeve openings and that was a breeze no problem as I want this sweater done! I inserted the sleeve and sewed it in place it came out great! Plus this Dale pattern has you purl a few rounds at the end of the sleeve for you to sew down over the cut edges which I just love! It looks great! These Norwegians are a creative bunch. Now both sleeves are in place the shoulders are sew together.

This a.m. I will cut the front and start the dreaded button bands well the button hole band is my nemesis.

I took on this sweater as I wanted to learn to steek and I have and I like it, the color work has come out pretty good, I do like the nice flaps that cover up the cut/sewn work, and yes I would do another steek project.

I know many of you don't like steeking but I certainly see its place. Once this sweeter is done I will finish up my EZ percentage yoke sweater. Then I am dying to order yarn and start another sweater of my own design again. Well I should say it is not my own design as others before have made the same sweater but I will go with out a pattern.

Happily steeking and sewing up!

Congratulations, Nancy!! The first one is the worst, I've been told. But you seem cool about the whole thing.

I have found it easier to do the front steek first, without the sleeves attached and getting in my way. But that's because it is what my mother did.

And I will be doing a Fana for myself for next winter! Haven't decided on colors yet, but a blue and white combination appeals to me.

Strikker

Strikker,

I did a navy blue and white and I am promising myself NO MORE NAVY BLUE! It is to hard to see.

I want to do a sweater that uses that classic Norwegian blue and a cream for myself. That will be after I finish the yoke sweater I am working on. The yoke sweater is the next on list after this Fana is done.

What does Fana mean in Norwegian?

Knitski

Fana is the name of the district where the pattern supposedly originated - a small village just outside Bergen. It is one of the oldest patterns in Norwegian knitting, and was usually done in natural sheep colors - brown and unbleached "white" (cream or Aran, depending on the sheep) was a favorite.

Norwegian patterns are often named for their place of origin. "Selbu" mittens, "Setesdal" sweaters, for example. I am lucky to have a big collection of old patterns, inherited from my mother and my maternal grandma.

Just remembered I have some burgundy-colored Heilo in my stash - burgundy/white for the Fana?

Strikker

Those colors sound wonderful.

I would love to see all those patterns I am sure you have a treasure. Are they all in Norwegian? Although I am sure the color work is easy enough to figure out.

What patterns came from the Lofoten Islands? My husband and I bike toured there 10 years ago. We just loved that area it was so dramatic.

Norway is such a beautiful place!

I cannot find any patterns derived from the Lofoten Islands. Somewhere in my library, though, I have a modern pattern a Norwegian designer posted on the net for the taking - a fishingboat, mountains etc., very appropriate for Lofoten. Will try to find it again. There is a "Nordland" pattern, as well as "Kautokeino", inspired by the Sami outfits.

My inherited patterns are all in Norwegian.

I am so glad you enjoyed your trip to Norway!

Strikker

How interesting---

Today I hope to finish the button band and start the button hole band as well. The sweater is coming along nicely. One under arm area is a bit off but I figure that will be hidden once it is on my nephew!

If it won't be noticed on a galloping horse it won't be noticed on a galloping nephew either.

Perfect response dances! I couldn't agree more.

THE SWEATER IS DONE AND IT JUST NEEDS TO BE BLOCKED!!!!!

Hooraaaaay

quote:

Originally posted by KnitSki:
I would love to see all those patterns I am sure you have a treasure. Are they all in Norwegian? Although I am sure the color work is easy enough to figure out.

Nancy--
There are quite a few books in English that focus on Norwegian knitting, and some of them are wonderful. In reference to two of the districts Strikker mentions, there's Selbuvotterwhich is dedicated to the distinctive mittens and gloves of the Selbu district. Another is Setesdal Sweaters: the History of the Norwegian Lice Pattern . Both are a delight to read. There are also many books on traditional Scandinavian knitting which contain generous helpings of Norwegian design and lore.

BaaBaa,

I do have the mitten book which I love! It is great resource!

The Setesdal I have been thinking of ordering as a treat for myself. I love the more traditional Scandinavian knitting so have bought books along these lines. There is another one that I am going to get for reading material for my Alaskan school year ahead . . .

Thanks,