Publishers Weekly BookLife
This is not up for debate: bearded, golden-haired social media star Matberg looks amazing in a sweater. He shares his knack for creating hand-knitted, all-occasions attire in this attractively illustrated and informative new craft book. The how-to guide offers more than 30 patterns along with detailed instructions to create “Scandi knits” for men, women, and children, with the designs inspired by Matberg’s Viking heritage. Sweaters are divided into categories—knits for the great outdoors, cozy accessories, stylish knitwear—and flagged according to level of difficulty, though aspiring knitters should pick up at least some experience before attempting any of these patterns.
Some garments will stand up to a day of rough outdoor exploration while others are more elegant, and some utilize traditional Nordic patterns while others have a more contemporary feel. Still, Matberg’s overarching goal is creating versatile clothing that can be worn in tough and unpredictable climates, as he was born and raised in Norway. From a family of craftspeople—sheet metal workers, shipbuilders, and shoemakers, as well as avid knitters—Matberg celebrates and extends a heritage of creativity, with an online twinkle. This book offers intermediate and experienced knitters an inspiring guide to create eye-catching, durable knitwear that will never go out of style.
–Publishers Weekly, BookLife 10/10/22
Norwegian influencer Matberg teams up with knitting brand Strikkemekka for an impressive array of Scandinavian knits in this cozy collection. The projects epitomize Scandinavian chic: the first section, “The Best Everyday Sweaters,” features a gray “Power Sweater” and a chunky V-neck “Lasse Sweater.” The children’s garments avoid the cloyingly cute and rely instead upon adapted versions of adult designs: there’s a patterned “Mountaintop” sweater and a colorful “Sailor Sweater” with a matching hat for youngsters. Matberg’s patterns are best suited for intermediate and advanced crafters, though beginners who want a challenge will be able to keep up thanks to the straightforward directions: patterns are both written and charted, and each project is labeled by difficulty, so the less experienced will know where to start. Crafters ready to up their sweater game need look no further. (Nov.)
–Publishers Weekly, October 2022
A Beautiful book with amazing pictures. I love how the book gets right to the point of the projects and not too much basic knit knowledge. If you buy this book, you know how to knit already and don’t need that. Also the projects are beautiful and if you have the skill, you will definitely want to knit the item.
— The Novel Neighbor Bookstore
Interests in Scandinavian culture, Norse myths, and Vikings are on the rise. A celebrity in Europe, Matberg, a model, trainer, and winner of Farm Celebrity and Shall We Dance, collaborates with Strikkemekka, a knitting company based in Norway, to meet the moment by offering 30-plus Nordic patterns for sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, and sitting mats. The bulk of the designs skew to sweaters for men and offer sizing from small to beyond XXL (called “Lasse” size). Nine patterns are marked for women (sizes small through XXL), including a lovely Fair Isle design. Six are worked for children’s sizing (ages two to 12). Most of the designs are classic outdoors wear. All are stylish, gaining a punch from repeated pattern work, a few cables, and ribbing. Pitched to experienced knitters, instructions are clearly written, and charts are provided for color work and some pattern changes. Every design uses one of three Gann Garn yarns and also details the type and gauge of yarn the pattern requires.
VERDICT Don’t expect the intricacy and history of Elsebeth Lavold, but it will be the rare sweater lover who doesn’t find something on these pages that they’ll yearn to make.
— Reviewed by Neal Wyatt , LIBRARY JOURNAL Oct 01, 2022
Viking Knits is a hardcover book and includes several patterns available for the whole family (such as sweaters in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes, as well as accessories). The patterns have classic and timeless looks that are ideal for creating the type of memories Lasse mentions in his preface of long-worn, loved sweaters made by family and friends. The lush outdoor photography, the great fit of each pattern on the model, and the obvious comfort and enjoyment of the models makes perusing through the patterns quite fun. This is the type of book that you may want to flip through from time to time just as much as you will enjoy knitting from it. Due to the combination of the pattern writing style, level of complexity of many of the patterns, and the lack of tutorials, this book is best for a confident knitter. Unlike many knitting pattern books, there are more patterns for men than women, so it is also a great book for men or those who enjoy gifting knits to men.
— Underground Crafter, July 2023
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