Norwegian Sweaters Online: Norwegian Sweaters and Cardigans by Dale of Norway and Volund
Norwegian sweaters—a world-wide concept and trademark. It's the woolen sweater and cardigan that made Norwegian textile industry world famous. Knitting has a strong tradition in Norway and the technique found in today's wool sweaters has been practiced since the 9th century. Traditionally, the wool from Norwegian sheep has been used to produce these sweaters, because it was practical for making warm garments for long and cold winters. The Norwegian wool is especially suited for high-quality knitwear. The wool's fibers are long and curly, which when made into the yarn give strength, lightness and warmth. Today, wool is popular not only for its practical advantages, but also because of the fine patterns and exclusive garments that can be created.
When you slip into a hand knitted woolen Norwegian sweater, you can feel the refined softness of the wool, a luxury touch of a life. Not surprisingly, it didn't take too long before people all over the old continent and later on in the America and all over the world found the benefits of traditional Norwegian knitted sweaters. Wool is often called the "nature's high tech"—because of many useful features it possesses: wool allows moisture to pass through and the high percentage of air in the wool means, that it insulates very well against heat and cold, giving the user the best comfort both in cold and warm days. After all, isn't this what all the cool high-tech materials are trying to achieve? So if you like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or the old good hiking, Norwegian sweaters will surely keep you comfortable out there.
As tradition is passed on, so is also the knitting skills and equipment passed from generation to generation in the Norwegian households. Still today, it is not uncommon to see mothers and grandmothers knit according to the local styles and patterns, as gifts to their children and grandchildren. If you plan to embrace on the challenge of knitting your own Norwegian sweaters, patience and practice will be the key ingredients. However, there are plenty of resources available to you, to make your project successful. There is a lot of resources on the Internet, where you can get different styles and patterns, knitting techniques, wools etc. There are also several well known Norwegian sweaters manufacturers that distribute their products to retail stores and Internet stores. If you don't have a retail store near you, or the local store does not have the style you are looking for, the online store will be the way to go. Most online retailers operate safely and securely nowadays, and will see to it that you get your product in a quick and efficient manner. There are, however, a couple of warnings that should be pointed out with the online retailers:
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Useful Tips for Buying Norwegian Sweaters Online
Company Presence—Make sure that the online Norwegian sweaters retailer has physical presence in your country. If you are a US customer and want the sweater sent to you locally, make sure that the online retailer is also located in the US. Foreign online retailers may offer the product at a lower price, but what they usually don't disclose is that you will most likely be charged a heavy import duty from your US Customs Office. Additionally, you may experience long delays in the international shipping due to longer shipping distances and customs clearing.
Jurisdictional Areas—Make sure that your online retailer is authorized to sell the brand name in your country. For example: Dale of Norway does not authorize Norwegian online retailers to sell to new US customers. Again, the advise is that if you are a US customer, and want to buy a Norwegian sweater online, go to a US based web site. The web sites will often have a "About Us" or "Contact Us" link, where you should be able to establish the store's physical presence.
Security—We too often hear about credit card fraud on the Internet these days, however most of the professional online retailers can be regarded as safe. As an advice, look for security certifications from companies like Thawte, VeriSign, etc. The secure site should be encrypted by SSL technology. Some of the sites will offer a toll-free 1-800 number where you can place your order directly over the phone. As a general rule, go to the site that looks professional. If the site looks and feels professional, chances are that so is also the service and attention they provide to you.
About Some of the Norwegian Sweaters Manufacturers
Dale of Norway
From all the producers in Scandinavia, Dale of Norway is probably the most recognized brand name when it comes to woolen Norwegian sweaters. It represents the traditions and quality Norwegian sweaters and knitwear is famous for. Ever since 1879, Dale of Norway has been producing the first class quality products. Today, Dale of Norway is the largest manufacturer of traditional Norwegian knitwear. Furthermore, Dale of Norway is one of Scandinavia's largest manufacturers of fine hand-knitting yarns. Dale of Norway stays close to nature—pure natural fibers are the natural ingredient in all Dale of Norway products.
Dale of Norway carries a broad selection of knitting patters—from affordable baby outfits through traditional ski sweaters, popular among skiers, telemark skiers and snowboarders. All knitwear is created in accordance with the traditional Norwegian patterns and designs, combined with details and colors from modern trends. A Dale of Norway garment uniquely blends these elements with the finest craftsmanship, and is an investment in the first-class quality product from nature to be enjoyed for years to come.
Among others, Dale of Norway offers a unique selection of hand knitted garments in the Dale Exclusive Collection, and the company is quite proud to continue this rich tradition of quality craft. The hand knitted garments are based on traditional Norwegian designs and knitting techniques, and they are rich in exquisite handmade details, such as embroidery of the finest quality.
A category of its own are the Olympic sweaters manufactured by Dale of Norway. The inspiration for the design is taken from both the Olympic spirit and the Norwegian emigration to USA, reflecting the parallels between them. Elements used in the design include the sun that led the immigrants from Norway to USA, the ocean they sailed on, the Viking ships that sailed to USA 1000 years ago, and the snow-covered mountains, symbolizing the skiing and other winter endeavors.
It is not an accident, that Dale of Norway calls itself a brand that made the Norwegian sweaters world famous. Thanks to the highest quality of all materials used, eye-catching designs implemented, and a little of sentimental value appealing especially to the Olympics enthusiasts, Dale of Norway is the brand name to satisfy all your outdoor needs.
Volund
Volund is a fine line of traditional high-quality Norwegian sweaters. They are a small, family-owned company working with skillful Norwegian wool manufactures and Norwegian sweaters designers. The result is a comfortable garment that is both durable and light-weight. The sweaters are knitted and put together in the village of Løkken in Sør-Trøndelag county in keeping with fine Norwegian tradition. The name Volund is inspired by ancient nordic mythology prior to the viking era. Volund was a smith and a gifted craftsman. He was famous for his abilities to make invincible arms and jewelry of stunning beauty. He crafted a gold ring that offered the owner happiness, wealth and love. He crafted it for his swan maiden wife. The evil king Nidud attempted to steal the crafted work and decided that he alone should have control of such a fine smith. Violently he tried to force Volund into a loveless life of slavery. The evil king failed to control Volunds skills. The smith fashioned a pair of wings of exquisite workmanship for his escape. Volund escaped to Valhall to be with his maiden. Volund often struggled hardships but always managed move on.
The Volund, F & L Knitwear AS Norwegian sweaters factory is situated in the village of Løkken Verk in Norway. The family owned company is built upon traditions of more than 300 years of industrial activity at Løkken Verk. The small company of some 10 employees, each year produces over 20,000 sweaters. Of that, more than 40% is exported to several countries around the world. Most of their customers are shops specializing in sweaters and other wool products.
Nordstrikk
Nordstrikk Tekstil AS is situated outside the town Aalesund on the picturesque west coast of Norway. For more than 30 years the family owned company has developed and produced Norwegian sweaters and cardigans for the Norwegian and international market.
Nordstrikk only uses the finest raw materials in their Norwegian cardigans and sweaters. The wool is of the acknowledged "hand-knit"—quality, a special combination of nice buoyant Norwegian wool and elegant Australian wool. 100% pure wool is a "living" material, and its quality is of the utmost importance in order to ensure individuality of each product.
A lot of work is put into each product. Fine craftsmanship is combined with the use of dedicated machinery. The different operations are done by people with substantial experience, and strict quality controls ensure that the finished sweater product meets the customers' requirements. A Nordstrikk design has a classic look, incorporating ornamental details that makes the garments even more exciting—with roots in old Norwegian handicraft.
The Northener
Norlender's home is on the Island of Osterøy, on the western coast of Norway, 30 miles from Bergen. With its varied scenery of fjords and mountains, Osterøy is a Norway in miniature. Osterøy is also Northern Europe's largest inland island, being 90% surrounded by land yet having salt water fjord and an outlet to the sea. Osterøy has a rich industrial and culthural tradition, which the Norwegian sweater factory has been a part of for more than 70 years.
Norlender's unique sweater and cardigan designs are based on Norway's knitting heritage from which they have developed knitwear for the modern man and woman. Combined with modern production methods and quality yarns, Norlender produces knitwear which will give pleasure for many years.
Oda of Norway
Oda of Norway, also branded as ODA, was established by the Norwegian designer Gerd Vikingstad in 1996. Oda of Norway has already earned international recognition for outstanding Norwegian sweater and cardigan designs based on Norwegian traditions. The company is located in Stavanger, a city on south-west coast of Norway, where the unruly North Sea is reflected in the environment and the people. Here you also find Norway's largest wool spinning factories, which are supplying superior raw material for ODA's traditional Norwegian knitwear. Design and development is the company's trademark. Exceptional Norwegian knitwear design combined with matching textiles like dresses and skirts.
Oda of Norway has 5 employees, all women, and they produce Norwegian sweaters and knitwear for over NOK 8.5 million Norwegian krone per year. The Norwegian cultural heritage and the numerous possibilities it opens for inspire ODA founder and designer Gerd Vikingstad. She is inspired by the thought of creating something new, seeing connections, produce totalities and use the possibilities of combination within the ODA concept. Gerd Vikingstad is also known as the designer of the Sondre collection (1990-1996), owned by Swix Sport. Sondre made history as because of its pioneering design based on Norwegian traditions. The Sondre concept won massive popularity under Lillehammer Olympic Games in 1994, and three years in a row it was given a designer award at the Las Vegas international sports fair. ODA of Norway appeals to all ages, but is developed especially for the sporty adult woman, who appreciates high quality and tradition in design and details. The ODA collection consists of traditional as well as modern and sporty knit wear. The classic knitwear designs are made for the fall, winter, and spring seasons.
Lillunn Sport
Founded in Norway 45 years ago by designer Unn Søiland Dale, Lillunn Sport AS produces a designer collection of coats, jackets, and vests made from the softest pure new wool fabric. Fully manufactured in Norway, the products are marketed under the label "Lillunn Design of Norway." The collection includes a wide variety of styles, colors and patterns— including the well-known "Polar Bear" and "Reindeer" patterns. The garments suit men and women of all ages.
The Casual comfort and unique design of these garments are very much the true look of Norway. Recognized worldwide, Lillunn's creations are often worn by international celebrities and featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, Femina, Damernas Värld, L'Officiel, Le Figaro, New York Times and KK.
Unn Søiland Dale sold her first hand-knitted Norwegian sweaters while studying in London and Paris in the early fifties. The success of her creations laid the foundation not only for her company "LILLUNN Design of Norway", but also for the popularity of colorful, handknitted Norwegian sweaters—nationally and internationally. Lillunn received worldwide attention and established "Norwegian sweaters" as a fashion trend, before she went on designing knitwear collections for fashion houses such as Dior and Givenchy. During the last two decades Unn Søiland Dale's collection of "wearable blankets" has become equally well known.
Devold
Devold has been making quality, long-lasting clothes since 1853. The company's first customers were fishermen and people working in the harsh climate along the Norwegian coast. Top quality wool was—and still is—the principle material used.
News of Devold's quality clothes quickly spread throughout Norway, and famous Arctic explorers such as Ellsworth and Nansen used Devold knitted jumpers, hats, mittens and underwear on their expeditions and praised the clothes afterwards. Several of the models made then are still in production today.
With 147 years of history behind it, Devold is the oldest knitwear company in Norway. The company's key products are wool sweaters and underwear and it is one of the leading companies in Europe in selected niche markets. High quality and excellent design distinguish the company's products. Approximately 35% of the company's output is exported. For many years, Devold has systematically worked towards breaking into the North American market (the USA and Canada). The subsidiary, Devold Inc., is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an area with a high proportion of Norwegian Americans. Interest in traditional Norwegian wool sweaters is great among Scandinavians and skiing enthusiasts.
