Norwegian Knitwear Brands & Where to Buy Them

Norway’s rich knitting heritage lives on through a mix of brands with centuries of history and modern brands that blend tradition with contemporary style. Below is a comprehensive guide for visitors seeking ready-to-wear Norwegian knitwear, detailing each brand’s background, where to find their products in Norway, whether their garments are locally made, and the iconic pieces or patterns they’re known for.

Dale of Norway

Founded in 1879, the company built its mill in Dale (40 minutes from Bergen) to capitalise on local wool supplies and water-powered energy. Over 140+ years, Dale of Norway has developed its own patterns and reimagined Norwegian classics for modern use. Since 1956, Dale of Norway has been renowned for designing the official team sweaters for Norway’s Winter Olympic and World Championship ski teams. These limited-edition Olympic sweaters have become iconic collectors’ items sought by enthusiasts. Dale’s range today spans lightweight merino pullovers to hearty 100% Norwegian wool sweaters, all infused with authentic Norwegian patterns and lasting quality.

Dale of Norway is mostly made in Norway. Their wool is sourced from companies in Germany, while the wool itself comes from South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. You can read about their wool here. While a lot of the production takes place at their factory in Dale, a lot of the sewing is done in Poland (see their FAQ page here).

Dale of Norway operates flagship stores in Oslo, Stavanger, and Ålesund, as well as a factory outlet and museum in Dale, near Bergen. You can also find Dale of Norway sweaters in many gift and outdoor shops.

Website: https://eu.daleofnorway.com/

Devold of Norway

Devold was established in Ålesund in 1853 by Ole Andreas Devold, who initially produced durable wool clothing for labourers and seafarers. By the late 1800s, Devold’s woollen sweaters were renowned for equipping legendary explorers such as Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen on polar expeditions (see here). The brand’s “Nordsjø” sweater (pictured) is an enduring classic – a hardy navy blue and white knit that has been called the “original Norwegian sweater” for over a century. Devold has recently updated this design, keeping the timeless pattern alive. While Devold now also offers contemporary styles and lighter wool mid-layers, it continues to produce rugged, long-lasting garments true to Norway’s outdoor traditions.

I use Devold whenever I go to Svalbard or Northern Norway – their merino underlayers are the best I’ve ever found!

While Devold’s designs and wool traditions are Norwegian, its primary production moved abroad to Lithuania in the late 20^th century (see here). Their wool comes from New Zealand and Uruguay (see here)

Devold has a large flagship shop in Oslo (near the Opera House). This store showcases Devold’s full range, from classic fisherman’s sweaters to modern merino underwear. You can also visit the factory in Langevåg (near Ålesund), the site of Devold’s original factory, which now houses an outlet and small museum. There are also Devold shops in Ålesund and Hellesylt. Otherwise, many sports stores carry Devold.

Oleana

Oleana was established in 1992 by three entrepreneurs as a response to mass production moving offshore. The brand quickly gained acclaim for its bold use of colour and pattern. Oleana’s signature style is a floral, folkloric look – delicate flowers and botanical motifs richly knitted in contrasting colours, often on jackets, cardigans, and accessories. These pieces combine traditional Norwegian knitting motifs with a modern, feminine twist, resulting in elegant, artful garments. Oleana primarily caters to women and is known for using luxurious natural fibres, such as merino wool, silk, and alpaca, in its knits.

You can view their heritage collection here: https://oleana.no/en/obsession/heritage-collection

To this day, Oleana’s garments are knitted and sewn at their factory in Ytre Arna (just outside Bergen), and each piece bears a “Made in Norway” label. The company is committed to ethical, environmentally friendly practices and even offers factory tours to showcase its craftsmanship and transparency. Their wool is sourced from Italy and Romania. Read more here: https://oleana.no/en/article/material-matter

Oleana’s flagship Oleana Bergen store is right across from the fish market. There’s also an Oleana Oslo boutique at the Paleet shopping centre. Additionally, Oleana knitwear is carried in select Norwegian design shops and quality gift stores. At the Ytre Arna factory, there is a factory outlet store and a small museum.

Norlender Knitwear

The Norlender story begins in 1927 when founder Ola Tveiten hauled a heavy knitting machine up to his mountainside farm on Osterøy (just outside of Bergen) and started making knitted underwear with his family. By the 1950s, the business expanded into sweater production and became a full-fledged factory. In 1989, the third generation of the Tveiten family launched the Norlender label, focusing on classic Norwegian cardigans and pullovers. Today, Norlender’s designs draw deeply from Norwegian knitting traditions – you’ll find motifs like Setesdal lice patterns, Selbu stars, and other multicoloured folk patterns in their range. Their sweaters often feature traditional designs such as pewter clasps and woven braid trims, echoing Norway’s national folk costumes. Norlender’s commitment to heritage is also evident in its fibres: over 70% of its knitwear uses Norwegian sheep’s wool, ideally suited to Norway’s cold, wet climate.

Norlender is a family-owned knitwear brand operating in Norway. Norlender continues to produce most of its garments at its factory in the village of Hosanger, while some items are produced in the Baltics. Most of their sweaters are knit from 100% pure new wool, with yarn sourced from long-standing Norwegian spinners such as Sandnes Garn and Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Norlender’s collection of traditional Norwegian sweaters and cardigans is available through various retailers and gift shops around Norway. Many tourist-oriented stores stock the sweaters. There is a Norlender factory shop in Hosanger (about an hour from Bergen) if you want to head there.

Rauma

Rauma was founded by Erling Digernes in 1927 in Veblungsnes, harnessing local wool and hydroelectric power, much like other Norwegian mills of that era. It’s a company steeped in tradition yet forward thinking – Rauma was among the first in the world to adopt 3D knitting, integrating modern technique with old-school craftsmanship. Rauma’s sweaters are authentically Norwegian: they produce classics like the Setesdal cardigan, the robust Islender, and the famous Marius sweater, designed by Unn Søiland in 1953, which is Norway’s most beloved pattern – so popular it’s considered a national symbol. Rauma’s version of the Marius is one of their best-known pieces. Tourists will also notice the Marius motif on countless souvenirs, but Rauma offers the real deal – a high-quality wool sweater with the original pattern. In short, Rauma provides slightly more affordable traditional sweaters than some competitors, without compromising on authenticity or quality.

Rauma makes everything in Norway, even spinning their own yarn. Rauma sweaters are available in souvenir and knitwear shops across Norway. Rauma Ullvarefabrikk is located in Veblungsnes, near Åndalsnes, and is home to the factory outlet.

Skappel

Skappel is a family-run brand founded in 2012 by Norwegian TV personality Dorthe Skappel and her daughters, after Dorthe knit a simple oversized sweater that unexpectedly sparked a nationwide trend. When daughter Maria Skappel shared the “Skappel-genser” pattern on her blog, thousands of young Norwegians picked up their needles, and yarn shops sold out of alpaca yarn overnight. This DIY phenomenon turned into a business – Skappel began selling knit kits so anyone could make the cozy, loose-fit sweater that had become an Instagram sensation.

Skappel’s aesthetic is relaxed and modern: think soft, baggy jumpers, chunky cardigans, and minimalist Nordic design. Their garments often feature simple stitching, drop shoulders, and a contemporary, slightly oversized silhouette that appeals to audiences across generations. Today you’ll find Skappel pieces in various colours and textures.

Skappel is partly made in Norway. They have recently switched to Norwegian-sourced wool for their yarns. Their new Skappel ReadyMade collection is made with their own Norwegian lambswool yarn, though the knitting itself may be done in collaboration with workshops. The wool is from Norway, but it is spun in Italy. Many of their sweaters are also hand-knitted by freelancers for the Skappel team in limited batches.

The best place to find their products is at the Skappel store in Oslo. In this boutique, you can see their knitting kits or pick up finished sweaters and cardigans.

We Norwegians

We Norwegians was born from the idea of merging Norwegian knitwear tradition with modern, minimalist fashion. One of the first patterns that inspired the brand was the Setesdal pattern, a classic black-and-white motif from Norwegian folk sweaters. Co-founder Tove Grane made the Setesdal design into We Norwegians’ signature pattern, reimagining it every season in contemporary ways. We Norwegians are known for our merino wool apparel – soft, breathable pieces that transition from city to ski slope. Their collection includes sleek base-layer tops, stylish after-ski sweaters, knitted dresses, and even tailored wool pants. A hallmark is their use of merino wool, often blended with cashmere, yielding garments that are luxuriously soft yet durable.

Production is generally in Europe rather than Norway. The brand prioritises sustainable and responsible production, often using Italian yarns and manufacturing in countries known for quality tailoring.

We Norwegians operate flagship stores in Aspen, Park City, and London, targeting the ski-resort and fashion markets. In Norway, their apparel is sold in sports shops and some souvenir shops. You can also find their clothing in ski towns, such as Voss, Geilo, and Hemsedal.

Kari Traa

Kari Traa is a famous Norwegian athlete who won a gold medal in mogul skiing in 2002. In her spare time, she was knitting hats and customising her ski gear with bright, playful touches. In 2002, she officially launched the Kari Traa brand, determined to inject fun and femininity into women’s outdoor clothing. The breakthrough came in 2008 with the Kari Traa “Rose” base layer – a now famous women’s wool underlayer in a dusty-pink hue, knitted with a delicate snowflake/rose pattern inspired by an old tapestry in Kari’s family cabin. This design was a game-changer: the Rose pattern added joyful colour and folk flair to a market full of dull black thermals.

Beyond that, Kari Traa now offers a range of mid-layer sweaters, often with upbeat interpretations of Norwegian patterns in feminine cuts. Notably, all Kari Traa products are designed “for women, by women” – a core principle of the brand. The gear is performance-oriented without compromising style.

That said, the clothing is manufactured abroad. Their website has a dedicated section on social and environmental responsibility.

You can find Kari Traa in all sports stores in Norway – from large chains like XXL, Intersport, and Stadium to small outdoor outfitters.

Susan Fosse

Susan Fosse is an independent Norwegian designer based in Bergen, working at the intersection of fashion, art, and traditional textile knowledge. The label evolved from a design to preserve Norwegian knitting and sewing techniques while presenting them in a contemporary, wearable way. Bergen’s climate and cultural history strongly influence the work – practical garments designed for real weather, but with refined silhouettes and thoughtful details. The brand has developed a loyal following among locals and visitors who value slow fashion and authentic Norwegian production.

You can read about Susan Fosse here: https://susanfosse.com/pages/about

Susan Fosse is locally produced in small runs. You can visit Susan Fosse’s shop in Bryggen, Bergen.