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Knitspiration
The History and Legacy of Bohus Stickning
This week we've been talking about knitting charts, so I thought we might shift gears to take a look at an uncommon type of colorwork knitting.
Bohus Stickning is a unique Swedish knitting style that emerged in the 1930s, celebrated for its intricate color patterns and non-traditional artistic designs.
Originating in the Bohuslän region, this technique evolved from a response to economic hardship into a symbol of craftsmanship and creativity.
Founder of the Bohus Stickning Collective, Emma Jacobsson
From Great Depression to International Fame
Bohus Stickning began during the Great Depression, a time when the Bohuslän region of Sweden faced significant unemployment and social challenges.
In response, a group of women led by the wife of the Governor, Emma Jacobsson, sought to revitalize traditional crafts as a means of income.
They developed a distinctive knitting style that combined artistry with functionality, producing high-quality garments from local wool and angora yarn blends.
The knitting style is characterized by the “stranded” colorwork method, where two or more yarns are carried across the back of the work. They pushed traditional techniques by adding purls along with knit stitches. This allowed artisans to create stunning, painterly effects through color blending.
Initially, the Bohus Stickning group produced garments that were sold locally, eventually gaining international traction in the fashion world by the 1940s.
Bohus patterns often use purl stitches and 3+ colors in a single round
Knitting with Nature
Bohus Stickning is known for its artistic inspirations, drawing from the local landscape and Swedish folklore.
The use of a color palettes that reflects the natural beauty of Bohuslän is particularly striking.
Shades of blue, green, and earth tones come together to create garments that resemble art rather than ordinary clothing.
This attention to detail showcases the skill of the knitters and helps lift knitting from a utilitarian craft to a respected art form.
Celebrities like Grace Kelly were big fans of the Bohus Stickning sweaters
Modern interpretations of Bohus sweaters have been entrusted to the brand Angora Garnet
Revival and Modern Relevance
Despite its initial success, interest in Bohus Stickning waned in the latter half of the 20th century as industrial production took over.
However, the 1990's saw a revival of handmade textiles and sustainable fashion, reigniting interest in Bohus Stickning.
Wendy Keele's 1995 book, Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition, was one of the first to reproduce patterns from the collective. She documented the history of the workshop along with swatches, color cards, and stories of the ladies who knit there.
Today, Bohus Stickning serves as a testament to the resilience of traditional crafts in our rapidly changing world.
Its legacy lives on through museum exhibitions, and those who are keeping these designs on knitters needles even today.
The Blue Flower sweater from the 2006 Bohus Revival project
Conclusion
Bohus Stickning is more than just a knitting technique; it’s a cultural phenomenon that embodies resilience, creativity, and community.
But what do you think?
Have you heard of this type of colorwork before?
Have you knit one of these patterns?
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Deal of the Day
Neko's Curved Double Points (50% Off)
These curved needles let you knit a hat or cowl on just three needles. Two hold your stitches and the third does the knitting. They come in big sizes, from 6 to 12 mm, so they're made for chunky hats. They're half price in Mary Maxim's clearance right now.
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