The Nordic countries share deep-rooted craft traditions, and Nordic Craft Week celebrates these rich and varied practices while inviting everyone to share in the joy of making. Each autumn since 2018—when the event was launched by the Nordic Folk Art and Craft Federation (founded in 1927)—the week has highlighted both the unique local variations of craft and the shared cultural heritage across the region.
This year’s event (September 1–7) is a collaboration of several craft organizations: Hemslöjden of Sweden, the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association, Fora in Denmark, Taito in Finland, the Icelandic Craft Association, the Faroe Island Craft Association, and Estonia’s Eesti Rahvakunsti ja Käsitöö Liit. Every spring, a theme is chosen, and each country develops programs and content around it, which are then shared through the event’s Facebook page.
Traditional Dress
Designer Terri Shea fashioned her “Norwegian Stockings to Knit” after the knitted stockings of Selbu, Norway. Photo by Joe Coca. Find this pattern in Knitting Traditions, Winter 2011
For 2025, the focus is on traditional and national costumes—a theme that feels especially timely here at PieceWork, as our upcoming Winter issue is devoted to the history and artistry of folk wear around the world. Head on over to the Nordic Craft Week Facebook page to see video of some of the four hundred national costumes in Finland; enjoy terrific photos of Norwegian, Estonian, Icelandic, and Danish national dress; find interviews with costume historians; and discover webinars about traditional folk dress in different Nordic countries.
Then check out these three Nordic designs from the PieceWork library to try yourself:
Swedish-Influenced Raggsocks. Carol Huebscher Rhoades shares an easy way to feel cozy and pampered with her pattern for the oh-so-practical traditional Scandinavian everyday knitted socks, Raggsocks. Carol’s choice of yarn, however, takes her pair up a notch to oh-so-luxurious. Get the pattern!
Photo by George Boe
The Expectation of Snow: An Orenburg shawl by designer Olga Radchuk, created in classic Estonian tradition. Get the pattern free!
Olga wearing her legacy of lace. Photo courtesy of Olga Radchuk
Karesuando Mittens based on a pair of Sami mittens designer Laura Ricketts saw in Lulea, Sweden. Knit these glorious mittens for a special someone. Their cheer and warmth will convey your affection. Get the pattern free!
Discover more about folk wear from around the world in our upcoming Winter 2025 issue. Subscribe today to get this issue delivered to your inbox the day it goes live on October 9, 2025.
At PieceWork, we’ve been fans of traditional Nordic craft, not just this week, but in just about every issue of the magazine, every year, for over 30 years.
Skål,
Karen