Learn to knit over 40 items for men, women and children with 'The Viking', social media star Lasse L. Matberg.

Lasse L. Matberg comes from a family who, for generations, have been working to create beautiful, quality crafted items by hand - fathers and grandfathers were craftsmen, and mothers and grandmothers often worked hard knitting warm garments for the whole family. Viking Knits is a tribute to good-quality, practical needlework, inspired by the Vikings' warm, all-weather garments.

From tough-wearing sweaters and outerwear to elegant cardigans and jackets, all have been made in a beautiful Scandinavian style. Whether you love traditional, Nordic colourwork patterns and cables, or modern, textured knits, there is something for everyone. Clear instructions are provided for each project, and charts are included where needed.

'I hope this book will inspire you to create something valuable with your hands,' says Lasse L. Matberg. 'Welcome to a knitting book with both tradition and versatility.'

About the Author

Lasse L. Matberg enlisted in the Royal Norwegian Navy in 2006 after working as a full-time chef. After graduating as a lieutenant, he now serves as a sports officer in Stavanger, Norway, where he works as a fitness instructor for recruits. Lasse also works part-time as a model.

Lasse has gone on to win the Norwegian reality show, Farm Celebrity, in 2021, and Italian TV show Shall We Dance in 2019. He is known as 'the viking', and under the name @lasselom he has over a million followers on social media.

He was born in Verdal and lives in Stavanger, Norway.

Reviews

You might not associate Vikings with knitting, but they had great needlework skills. You too can master the craft thanks to Lasse Matberg's new book. From Nordic patterns to cable knits, clear instructions mean you can get busy - and cosy for the winter. A win-win.

* The Sun *

A substantial book packed full of patterns with lovely pictures and a sumptuous paper quality. Sweaters, cardigans, hats, mittens and accessories are included with many in co-ordinating sets, ideal for gifts. Most of the sweaters give a variation for children so you can kit out the whole family. I particularly liked the 'Breeze' sweater and 'The Viking' design. There are colour work designs and texture/cable patterns so almost every knitter is catered for.

A gorgeous-looking book that has an interesting range of projects and certainly represents great value, ideal for anyone with basic skills who is looking to try different techniques. Would make a gorgeous gift for a knitter, especially if you put some yarn with it to get them started.

* Customer Review *

Over 40 lovely patterns in a classy book!

Luxe book with over 40 patterns. The needle sizes are given for metric, imperial and US. There are some really beautiful garments and this book would make a smashing gift for an experienced knitter.

-- Loma Wood * Customer Review *

I was impressed by the number of patterns in this book, they are beautifully photographed and many include alternative designs for knitting flat and in the round and neckband options. There are many tips to give advice to get the best result.

Each jumper comes in six sizes and there are even some matching hats. The instructions and charts are nice and clear and I love the kids versions.

My family have already been picking what they would like me to make!

This is a book that I will be dipping into for years to come.

* Customer Review *

Learn to knit over 40 items for men, women and children with 'The Viking', social media star Lasse L. Matberg. Viking Knits is a tribute to good-quality, practical needlework, inspired by the Vikings' warm, all-weather garments. From tough-wearing sweaters and outerwear to elegant cardigans and jackets, all have been made in a beautiful Scandinavian style. Whether you love traditional, Nordic colourwork patterns and cables, or modern, textured knits, there is something for everyone. Clear instructions are provided for each project, and charts are included where needed.

* Simply Knitting *

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." A selection of "Stylish Knitwear" includes such standouts as the "Queen Coatigan," a long, open cardigan with "decorative balloon sleeves and chunky cables," and the "Wave Sweater," with small cables that mimic waves. Among the "Norse Sweaters" are a turtleneck tunic pattern and the cable-knit "Viking," which will have readers "ready for sitting at a long table with a glass of mead." 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 labelled by difficulty, so the less experienced will know where to start. Crafters ready to up their sweater game need look no further.

* Publisher's Weekly *

From tough-wearing Scandinavian style sweaters to elegant cardigans, learn to knit over 40 items for men, women and children with 'The Viking', social media star Lasse L Matberg. From traditional, Nordic colourwork patterns and cables, to modern, textured knits, there are designs for us all with full instructions and charts included.

* Machine Knitting Monthly, January 2023 *

Bought this on a whim as I saw it advertised on one of the TV craft channels and it looked interesting. I've only reached page 20 but the book is fantastic! What I especially like is the no nonsense approach when referring to knitting yarn as the author is not trying to push specific brands. It gives yarn type, thickness, length and needle size which is great when looking for alternative yarn. It's a brilliant idea as a Christmas present for an avid knitter and would be suitable for all levels. Excellent value!

* Customer Review *

This book is fantastic value. A great selection of knitting patterns for the whole family. It particularly focuses on men's jumpers which is a great change. Modern styles with casual but smart flair. We'll worth the price.

-- Robin D Low * Customer Review *

I just read this front to back. The pictures are gorgeous and the patterns written so anyone can understand them. Charts for colorwork are bright and nicely sized. There is nothing complicated in any of these patterns.

Whether you're looking for Icelandic, Viking, cables, men's, women's or children's knits, this book has it. The few preview photos given don't do it justice. The only bad part... Which project to do first?!

* Customer Review *

Lasse L. Matberg comes from a family who, for generations, have been working to create beautiful, quality crafted items by hand fathers and grandfathers were craftsmen, and mothers and grandmothers often worked hard knitting warm garments for the whole family. Viking Knits is a tribute to good-quality, practical needlework, inspired by the Vikings' warm, all-weather garments. From tough-wearing sweaters and outerwear to elegant cardigans and jackets, all have been made in a beautiful Scandinavian style. Whether you love traditional, Nordic colourwork patterns and cables, or modern, textured knits, there's something for everyone. Clear instructions are provided for each project, and charts are included where needed.

* Craft Focus, December/ January issue *

Known as 'The Viking' in social media, Lasse L. Matberg's debut book, Viking Knits, features more than 40 beautifully crafted Scandinavian knits for men, women and children. Combining versatility and tradition, the pieces include hardwearing jumpers, stylish outwear and cosy cardigans. With over one million followers on social media (@lasselom), even the non-knitters among us will love this insight into Lasse's Nordic lifestyle and heritage.

* Simply Scandi, Issue 9 *

This publication contains over 40 patterns for men (18), women (9) and children (6) plus a section of accessories (10). The designs cover tough-wearing sweaters (The Best Everyday Sweaters) and outerwear (Knits For The Great Outdoors) to elegant cardigans and jackets (Stylish Knitwear). There is also a section on Nordic colourwork, cable knits and modern, textured knits, and some of which are inspired by Viking culture. Overall, the designs reflect the Scandinavian love for being warm and practical. It's nice to see a good range of designs for men.

Each pattern is graded by its level of difficulty (beginner, intermediate, experienced); written instructions are minimal but straightforward and are supported by charts plus abbreviations. There are no schematics, however, for the patterns.

The downside to the patterns is that the suggested yarns are not available in the UK, but could be easily substituted taking the necessary steps to check for tension (gauge), yarn properties and of course grist. But each pattern provides all the necessary information to help with this. Other helpful tips for getting the best from a design are also given where necessary for some patterns. The book opens well, and remains open on the page one is working from, which is a definite plus for knitters.

All the designs are nicely photographed with a definite Nordic flavour.

-- Rita Owen * Mid-Herts Guild *



Book Information
ISBN 9781800920774
Author Lasse L. Matberg
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Search Press Ltd
Publisher Search Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 1054g
Dimensions(mm) 270mm * 210mm * 23mm