To be honest, I’m not at all sure that my deep love for Norwegian wool jumpers can be called cultural appropriation, especially now that I’m writing an article about them. Simply put, my love for these wonderful, heritage-rich and meticulously crafted jumpers is what inspired me to write. In this little article, I would like to introduce you to 5 of the most interesting or famous Norwegian sweater brands and some of the most amazing jumpers you can or cannot imagine. A must-read if you’re looking for a great specimen to wear during your visit to Norway.
First, let me tell you a little bit about this wonderful kit. The Norwegian sweater, or “Rusekofte”, is a remarkable piece of Nordic cultural heritage. Originating in the 19th century among fishermen and farmers who needed protection from the fjord’s harsh winds, these woolen garments quickly evolved into something much more important than just outdoor wear. It was sometimes waxed to further protect it from wind and moisture.
Each region developed distinctive patterns that served as wool signatures of local identity. The most famous design, the Marius pattern, first appeared in 1953 when Ann Soylan Dale created it for Olympic skier Marius Eriksen, and it quickly became Norway’s unofficial national jumper. b Whether worn by a modern adventurer or a city (Oslo) fashionista, each Norwegian sweater speaks volumes. A story of resilience, tradition, and at least not so much. Love of outdoor life. That’s why I wear it all the time.
There are a wide variety of brands, but we have selected five from among them. At the end, we’ll also give you some tips on how to get unique pieces while traveling in Norway. Shall we begin?
Dale of Norway is probably the most famous brand of traditional Norwegian jumpers. Founded in 1879 in the village of Dale, it has become synonymous with quality knitwear. The brand is known for its intricate patterns and use of 100% Norwegian wool. Dale jumpers are often considered heirlooms and are designed to last for generations.
What’s really interesting is that for each Winter Olympics, special patterns in different colors are developed. This tradition has continued more or less since 1956, when Norwegian skiers chose Norway’s Dahle to design and create their team’s jumpers. This is a great tradition and many of the old jumpers are now genuine collector’s items.
Me playing a clown in a 1992 Norwegian Dahle sweater. It was really cold that night even though it was early June.
I myself have a 1992 Dale of Norway jumper in my wardrobe. It’s not just because they’re collector’s items. I still wear it when it gets a little chilly in the mountains. An interesting fact is that such vintage jumpers can be worth up to $ 300, which corresponds to the current retail price. Isn’t that great? A jumper that increases in value rather than depreciates? Keep that in mind when purchasing your first Dahl of Norway jumper.
Founded in 1927, Rauma Collection is known for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, such as the use of 3D knitting techniques. Although not as internationally recognized as Dale, Rauma offers a range of wool jumpers that reflect authentic Norwegian design and are available throughout Norway.
To be honest, I don’t own a Rauma jumper yet. When I stumbled upon Husfliden’s shop, I often looked at them fondly. For example, although Rauma does not have the same reputation as Dale, we can confidently say that this company is full of history and tradition. It was founded in 1927 when 25-year-old Erling Diganes founded Rauma Ulvarefabrik (Rauma Woolen Mill) in a small town. The town of Vebrungsnes.
One of the most famous jumpers is the Marius sweater, a beautiful combination of dark blue, bright red and white. The Marius pattern, designed by Unn Søiland in 1953, has become the most frequently hand-knitted pattern in Norway. This jumper was named after war hero and actor Marius Eriksen, who wore this design in the movie, which greatly increased its popularity. Today, Marius’ sweater is considered a national symbol of Norway.
You can’t miss it when you visit Norway. Coffee cups, keychains, and even dog body warmers are adorned with this pattern. However, please choose the original Marius sweater. It’s not all tourist nonsense.
With a history dating back to 1853, Devold specializes in highly functional knitwear for the outdoors. The brand is known for its durable jumpers that incorporate traditional Norwegian patterns and more modern ‘interpretations’. Although their production has been moved to Lithuania, their commitment to Norwegian tradition remains strong (and keeps their collections affordable).
Devold of Norway was founded in 1853 by Ole Andreas Devold and has a rich history in textile production. The company started in Ålesund, Norway, when Ole Andreas returned from Germany with an advanced knitting machine. In 1868, Devold moved his production to Langevorg, where he built not only a factory but also one of Norway’s first hydroelectric power stations.
Debold’s success grew with the first major polar expeditions in the late 19th century. The company provided warm wool clothing to famous explorers such as Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. This association with polar exploration helped establish Debold’s reputation for quality and durability under extreme conditions. So they are world famous in Norway.
One of Devold’s most famous jumpers is the Nordsjø sweater. For over a century, it has been considered the original Norwegian knit sweater. Recently redesigned to include a women’s model with an oversized, feminine fit, the Nordsjø sweater remains one of Devold’s best-known products, offering a modern twist on traditional Norwegian knitwear. It embodies the brand’s efforts with added .
My Devold Eyelander sweater keeps me warm in the middle of winter
As you may have guessed by now, I have one in my wardrobe. It might possibly be my favorite jumper of all time. Made of very thick high quality wool, it is very comfortable. This is a jumper made for exactly that purpose. I often wear this when I go cross-country skiing, and even when it was -20 degrees last year, the thick wool is all I need to stay warm during four hours of cross-country skiing. All I had on was my underwear and my Devold Islender jumper.
Founded in 1992, Oleana focuses on blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional motifs, and is primarily targeted at the female market, but if you’re a man or anything in between, you’ll find it here as well. You’ll find something you like. The brand emphasizes environmentally sustainable practices and produces its garments entirely in Norway, guaranteeing high quality craftsmanship.
What I love about this brand is not only the fact that there is a strong emphasis on local, sustainable production, but also the rich use of color. It almost reminds me of Marimekko, the iconic Finnish brand, but the similarities probably won’t be appreciated by either side. They have a beautiful collection with knitwear as the main character. You don’t have to come here for a classic Norwegian wool jumper, but that’s exactly why this brand made it onto this list.
A new addition to the Norwegian knitwear scene, Skappel has gained popularity through social media and is known for its modern, baggy designs. The brand has moved to using locally sourced Norwegian wool, creating stylish and comfortable jumpers suitable for a variety of occasions.
Skappel is a Norwegian knitwear brand that, although relatively recent, has a history of influencing the country’s textile industry. The history of the brand begins in 2012 and was founded by the Scappell family, specifically Dorte Scappell and her daughters Marte and Maria (1).
The brand’s origins can be traced back to a simple jumper that Dorte Skappel knitted while on vacation at a friend’s cabin. The jumper, which became known as the “Scappel Sweater,” quickly became popular after Dorte’s daughters were photographed wearing it in fashion magazines. The turning point came when Maria, who was running a blog at the time, posted a jumper pattern online in response to requests from many readers. This led to an unexpected rise in popularity, with the alpaca yarn used in the jumper selling out in stores across Norway.
And more recently, during that absolutely crazy pandemic, I would venture to say that Skappel was instrumental in starting knitting all over Norway. In fact, I can still vividly recall the long lines at the yarn store around the corner in Mayorstuen. Knitting needles were literally flying off the shelves.
With the last point I would like to conclude my small article about the best brands of Norwegian sweaters. Because it should be clear by now that knitwear, patterns and knitting are a very important part of Norwegian culture. If you visit Norway, you will most likely encounter it in one form or another. Please feel free to send us photos of your purchases in nice (Norwegian) surroundings.
