Treasure trove
Finally getting around to blogging about this stack of sweaters I came across in C's mom's basement laundry room when we were back in St. Louis in October. They couldn't go undocumented even if I didn't get the best pictures of them. I had thought they were sweaters C and his brother and sister might have worn when they were young but, it turns out, they were C's mom's when she was a young child. (GB, you wouldn't have any pictures of yourself in them, would you?)
A treasure trove of patterns here. Click for closer look.
The top one is Swedish, I believe, it's tag reading "Bindslöjden LAHOLM Handarbete". The other red and white one had no tag but is likely Norwegian, I'd guess, and machine knit. The white and navy one is Norwegian, tagged "HANDMADE IN NORWAY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Co OSLO". Apparently they've been in business since 1853 and still have a store in Oslo.
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Oh, yes, Schmidt is where you'd go to buy very expensive sweaters in Oslo. Especially if you're an affluent American or a Japanese, at least that's how the prejudice goes. They are right next to City Hall and have a huge hideous troll outside the shop door. The troll get's stolen by drunk youngsters from time to time.
And Laholm is a small Swedish town, yes. The Laholm sweater is sooooo sweet! It looks kind of French in a way, too.
Posted by: strikkelise | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 01:16 PM
What a wonderful treasure. Great pictures. I'm so glad she saved them from her childhood. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll find some pictures of herself as a girl modeling these sweaters.
Posted by: Jennifer | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Treasure trove, indeed! Thanks for sharing...what a wonderful find.
Posted by: Jan | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Such beautiful sweaters... I love the "holding hands" pattern and the metal clasps and buttons.
Posted by: melody | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Suddenly I have this need for a sweater with little stick people marching across it... thanks for sharing these pictures!
Posted by: katie | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Yes, what a treasure trove! I love those old Scandinavian sweaters. You are so lucky to have found them! Thank you for sharing...
Posted by: Amber | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 08:31 PM
The red jacket is beautiful.
Posted by: Hege | Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 11:13 PM
It is such a treat to see these love old sweaters. I like the top one with the little people holding hands.
Posted by: lucette | Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 06:57 AM
What a find!
Posted by: saunaknitter | Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Treasure indeed! How wonderful that those sweaters were kept! Thank you, GB!
Posted by: Paula | Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 12:30 PM
What a fabulous link to your family's history!
Posted by: Susana | Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Oh my, I do love vintage sweaters and these are exceptional! Thank you for sharing with us!
Posted by: Nicole | Monday, January 14, 2008 at 04:03 PM
i just loved seeing these old sweaters!! i cant believe they are still in such good shape!! I hope they stay in the family and continue to get passed down!
Posted by: missknits | Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Lucky you, a real treasure! The designs are lovely and perfectly vintage :)
Posted by: Cassi | Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 11:46 PM
They are gorgeous! I LOVE Scandinavian knitted sweaters! I have mine that I bought when I lived in Norway. It's now 16 years old! Wow, where does the time go?? And I bet it will still look as good in another 16 years!
Posted by: joanne | Friday, January 18, 2008 at 09:34 AM