Viking Knits Book Review with Cuffed Hat and Mittens pattern

Today I’m sharing a review of a pattern book spotlighting Scandinavian knits. I’m also including the excerpted hat and knitted mittens pattern set, Cuffed Hat and Mittens for adults and children, as part of the fifth annual Christmas in July Make Along, so read on for details.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Search Press North America provided me with a free review copy of Viking Knits: Over 40 Scandi Knits for Men, Women & Children (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Lasse L. Matberg. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

Today’s book review includes the hat and knitted mittens pattern set, Cuffed Hat and Mittens for adults and children, which is the seventeenth pattern in the Christmas in July Make Along! To join the Christmas in July Make Along:

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Book Review: Viking Knits

Viking Knits: Over 40 Scandi Knits for Men, Women & Children (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a collection of knitting patterns spotlighting Scandinavian knits by by Lasse L. Matberg. Lasse is a veteran of the Norwegian Armed Forces and was formerly the public face of NATO’s Trident Juncture exercise in 2018. He is also a model, reality TV star, and social media personality. The patterns in the book were designed in collaboration with Strikkemekka, a Norwegian yarn shop.

The book opens with a preface from Lasse, where he shares how important crafts were to his family and in his childhood. Lasse notes that while the Vikings used nålebinding rather than knitting, the patterns in the book are nonetheless inspired by Vikings and their love of both practical and ornamental clothing.

The book then moves on to a section on Yarn and Abbreviations. All patterns in the book use Gann Garn Sky, Gann Garn Tweed, or Gann Garn Merino. The yarns are described in detail, so if they are unavailable in your country, you will be able to make substitutions fairly easily.

The next sections include the patterns. These are organized into The Best Everyday Sweaters, Knits for the Great Outdoors, Stylish Knitwear, Norse Sweaters, and Cosy Accessories. Each pattern includes an introduction from Lasse, Yarn, Difficulty, Sizes, Yarn Amount, Shades Used in Version Shown, Suggested Needles, Notions, Tension (Gauge), and written instructions. Many patterns (such as those with colorwork or cables) also include charts. Garment patterns also include Garment Measurements. Garments are available in 6 sizes; the patterns for men run up to “Lasse” size (which seems to be equivalent to XXXL). Each pattern includes at least one full page, full color photo of the pattern being worn or used as well as other photos. These photos are taken outdoors and highlight beautiful Scandinavian landscapes as well as the knitwear. 

The book includes 34 patterns for adults (including men and women’s styles) and 10 patterns for children. Pattern types lean heavily on sweaters, with 29 sweater patterns, 5 hat patterns, 2 jacket patterns, 2 mat patterns (to sit on when outdoors), 2 scarf patterns, and 1 pattern each for a coatigan, a hoodie, and mittens. There are a range of pattern difficulty levels, from beginner to intermediate to experienced, but the majority of patterns are intermediate and quite a few are experienced. The patterns are concisely written and assume confidence in reading patterns.

Viking Knits (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) 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.

Since this post is part of the Christmas in July Make Along, I will also mention the book would make a great gift for another knitter! It is ideal for someone who enjoys knitting for men and/or making classic, iconic knit garments, and there are also many gift ideas inside if you’d like to buy it for yourself. You can find Viking Knits through independent booksellers or on Amazon. Read on for the hat and knitted mittens pattern set for the Cuffed Hat and Mittens for adults and children.

Cuffed Hats and Mittens for adults and children

Hat and Knitted Mittens Pattern Set by Lasse L. Matberg

Published in Viking Knits: Over 40 Scandi Knits for Men, Women & Children (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Lasse L. Matberg. First published in Norwegian in 2021 by Vigmostad & Bjørke. First published in English in 2023 by Search Press Limited. © Vigmostad & Bjørken AS, 2021. Shared with permission from Search Press North America.

This gorgeous hat has matching mittens to go with it, and both are must-haves when you live in a tough climate like I do! Make both in all the colours of the rainbow, as they are easy first knits for beginners.

Yarn

• Gann Garn Sky (62% baby alpaca, 16% acrylic,  22% nylon, 50g (1¾oz) = approx 150m (164yd)) OR
• Gann Garn Tweed (80% wool, 20% polyamide,  50g (1¾oz) = approx 112m (122yd))

Difficulty

• Beginner

Sizes

• Age 2–4(6–8:10–12:women:men)
• See garment measurements below to check sizing.

Garment Measurements

• Hat circumference approx 43(46:48:50:52)cm (17(18:19:19¾:20½)in)

Yarn Amount

• 2(2:2:3:3) balls

Shades Used In Versions Shown

• Women’s set: Gann Garn Sky in Cognac 604
• Men’s set: Gann Garn Tweed in Grey Brown 911

Suggested Needles

• 5mm (UK 6, US 8) and 6mm (UK 4, US 10) long and short circular needles and dpns

Tension (Gauge)

• 17 sts and 21 rounds to approx 10cm (4in) measured over stocking (stockinette) stitch using 6mm (UK 4,  US 10) needles.
• Remember that you need to maintain an even tension for a successful result. Check your tension by knitting a test swatch. Count the number of stitches per 10cm (4in). If you have more stitches than stated, go up a needle size. If you have fewer stitches, switch to smaller needles.

Hat

• Cast on 72(78:84:84:90) sts using 5mm (UK 6, US 8) circular needle. Work 10(10:12:12:12) cm (4(4:4¾:4¾:4¾)in) in k1, p1 rib in the round. The rib section will be folded double at the end and from now on the work will be measured from half the rib section (bottom of final ht). Change to 6mm (UK 4, US 10) circular needle and work in the round in stocking (stockinette) stitch. Cont until work measures approx 16(18:18:21:23) cm (6¼(7:7:8¼:9)in). Dec on every alt round by working k4, k2tog, repeated across whole round. Work 1 round without decreasing. On next decrease round, work k3, k2tog, repeated across whole round. Work in the same way with 1 fewer st between each decrease on every alt round until there are 12(13:14:14:15) sts in the round. Break yarn and pass through rem sts. Tighten and weave in yarn on WS. Attach a pom-pom to the top if desired.

Left Mitten

• Cast on 30(34:34:36:38) sts using 5mm (UK 6, US 8) dpns. Work 10(10:12:12:12) cm (4(4:4¾:4¾:4¾)in) in k1, p1 rib in the round. The rib section will be folded double at the end and from now on the work will be measured from half the rib section (bottom of wrist). Change to 6mm (UK 4, US 10) needles and work approx 3(4:4:5:5)cm (1¼(1½:1½:2:2)in) in stocking (stockinette) stitch. Place marker at each side, marking 15(17:17:18:19) sts each front and back. Mark thumb opening as foll: Beg from marker. Work 10(10:10:10:10) sts in stocking (stockinette) stitch, then work 4(6:6:7:8) sts in stocking (stockinette) stitch for thumb opening with waste yarn in a different colour. Then work rem 16(18:18:19:20) sts in stocking (stockinette) stitch. Cont in the round in stocking (stockinette) stitch over all stitches until mitten measures approx 15(17:20:22:24)cm (6:6¾:7¾:8¾:9½)in) measured from half of cuff, or until there are approx 3cm (1¼in) left before reaching final length. Try mitten on and work to desired length. Dec at markers on each side: work until 2 sts before marker, sl1 loosely, k1, psso, k2tog. Dec in this way on every alt round four times in total. Then dec on every round until there are 6(6:6:8:6) sts. Break yarn, thread it through rem sts, tighten yarn and weave in securely on WS.

Thumb

• Pull out the thread knitted over the 4(6:6:7:8) sts for thumb opening and place sts on a 6mm (UK 4, US 10) needle. Pick up an additional 6(8:8:9:10) sts round thumb opening. 10(14:14:16:18) sts. Work all these sts in stocking (stockinette) stitch in the round. Work until thumb measures approx 3.5(4:5:5.5:6)cm (1³⁄₈(1½:2:2¼:2½), or until there is about 1cm (½in) left to final length. Try on mitten and knit thumb to desired length. Now work k2, k2tog to decrease across whole round. 5(7:7:8:9) rem sts. Rep decrease round once more. 3(4:4:4:5) rem sts. Break yarn and pass through rem sts. Weave in yarn securely on WS.

Right Mitten

• Knit right mitten the same as the left mitten but with thumb on opposite side.