Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum,   ISBN:9780760334287

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Let's face it--there are so many new knitting books out there, no one could buy them all (who has the space, money or time?). So, before purchasing this, I got a copy from my public library, as I always do. I'm glad I did this, especially for this book.
Basically, the book opens with interesting bits of history about American-Norwegians and a library in Iowa, not much about Norway (although many of the items in the Iowan museum did come from Norway). So this book should more properly be titled American-Norwegian Handknits. It's makes for lovely reading, if you want to know about American immigrant Norwegians and their heirloom handknits, or what the immigrants knit once they came to America. Ditto for the recipes.
Very little of this book is authentic Norwegian knitting---even the yarns used are mixed, of Cascade 220 and other non-Norse yarns, with a few items done in Heilo or Rauma Strikkegarn. The designs are very loosely based on items from the Vesterheim Museum, and the result is, this book is more of an advertisement or souvenier item for that museum, instead of being a prime source of Norwegian motifs and designs that most knitters would agree are "Norwegian Handknits".
About those yarns: if you're a newer knitter, you might be relieved to see 20 st/in from Cascade 220 (which is an American company, yarn made with Peruvian wool in Peru), or even larger with Lite-Lopi (which is Icelandic)(well, we have to give credit for the Vikings having invaded Iceland....).
However, the stitch definition of 5 st/in is much less detailed than in 6 st/inch, or 7 st/in, so less defined designs will result. Hard-core, traditional Norwegian knitting is done at least 6 st/in or even finer, but then I guess this book caters to soft Americans who fake everything from potato flakes for mashed potatoes, to imitation vanilla.
If you want REAL Norwegian knitting, not just the awesome sweaters, cardigans, but also hats, mittens, socks (including those for XC skiing), baby sets, check out the older Dale of Norway booklets, as well as Sandnes booklets, Arnhild's Knitting Studio (in Iowa!), and the Drops designs which are free online. And be sure to use authentic Norwegian wool yarn like Heilo (Dale), Peer Gynt (Sandnes), Strikkegarn (Arnhild carries it, as well as many other Norwegian wools). Google Norwegian wool yarn and you'll be set.
The writing is decent, the patterns for seemed to be standard, but the photos done by one of the authors, are obviously of the author's daughter (and should have been re-touched for skin tone issues). All in all, this book doesn't offer much to feed this Norwegian-American who is actually very hungry for a good Norwegian knitting book. Dale of Norway booklets are getting less and less traditional; these days I get more inspired looking at books of Norwegian architecture, interior design, and woodworking. Maybe I'll have to take a few trips to Norway (not Iowa), and write my own.

Customer Rating: 

NORWEGIAN HANDKNITS: HEIRLOOM DESIGNS FROM VESTERHEIM MUSEUM collects some 30 patterns for colorful mittens, socks, scarves and more inspired by traditional Norwegian handknits housed in the Versterheim Museum in Iowa. It packs in a history and examination of Norwegian handknits, offering inspiration on patterns and sources and coming from two knitters who have been designing knitwear for over 20 years. Over 125 photos and illustrations lend to a winning guide.

Customer Rating: 

Glancing through this book at a store (YES, sometimes a brick and mortar can help MISS bad buys) I was first struck by the use of a SAXONY wheel on the cover, not a scandinavian (or more pointedly a table style Norwegian wheel) wheel. I figured if they got that part wrong, the rest of the book is moot. (specially as there are other photos included showing the right wheels, which are works of art in their own right) As others have noted, clumsy patterns, designed for instant gratification knitters and small barely tenable projects. If you want to show patterns from a museum, then SHOW THEM. small needles and all. Many knitters are NOT afraid to spend more than an afternoon on a project and in fact, find far more connection with the past and it's rhythms by working a longer project. Why are so many designers afraid to go below a size 6 needle? Have some guts and use a set of 00 steel needles in the round, find out why it's a love of knitting. A museum being connected with a book like this should be ashamed.

Customer Rating: 

This book is a wonderful combination of patterns and narrative targeted to the kind of knitting I like best - Scandinavian and Fair Isle. The patterns are based on authentic designs but are updated for present-day fashion.

Customer Rating: 

1. Beautiful presentation, lovely and helpful photos in sizes large enough to catch the details
2. Projects of varying time commitments
3. Finishing techniques that make the items look special, not average
4. Great balance between historical notes/actual patterns
5. Items meant for different skill levels, nothing obviously "tacky" for the beginners
6. Great balance of many types of projects
7. Enjoyable, friendly tone, including some authentic recipes for holiday treats
8. Just too hard to put down! Excuse me as I CO!!