Knit Beautiful Bunad Socks in Twined Knitting

Hardanger Folk Museum and Folgefonn Folk Art and Craft Association are organizing several weekend courses focusing on the techniques used in the Hardanger bunad. In this course, you will learn to knit sjonaleistar in twined knitting. Sjonaleistar are ankle socks that are part of the traditional bunads in Hardanger and Voss. They were worn by women, men, and children. The ankle features a multicolored patterned band knitted in twined knitting, while the rest of the sock is white.

The course covers:

• Casting on in twined knitting
• Twined knitting in one or multiple colors
• Three different types of heel shaping used in traditional sjonaleistar
• Additional tips and tricks to perfect your knitting

The pattern band on sjonaleistar is knitted on size 1.25 mm needles, and the rest of the sock is knitted on size 2 mm needles. For those who find this size too small but still want to learn the technique, an alternative is the sjona mitten, inspired by the sjonaleistar. This mitten features the same patterned band in twined knitting but is knitted on size 2.5 mm needles.

The museum sells knitting kits containing patterns, needles, yarn, and everything else needed to knit sjonaleistar. The kit will be used during the course. If you already have the kit, please bring it. Those without it can purchase one at the museum when attending the course. See the kit here.

Schedule and Registration

The museum and husflidslag are offering one sjonaleistar course in 2025, taught by Agnete Sivertsen.

• Dates: Saturday, October 11 – Sunday, October 12, 2025
• Location: Hardanger Folk Museum
• Time: 09:30 – 17:00 each day
• Registration Deadline: September 25, 2025
• Contact: Email post@hvm.museum.no or call +47 474 79 884

Other dates can be arranged for group courses throughout the year.

Note: The course may be canceled if fewer than four participants register.

Prices

• Members of Folgefonn/Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association: NOK 3,400 per course
• Non-Members: NOK 3,900 per course

The course fee includes coffee, cakes, and a warm lunch each day.

• Sjonaleist Knitting Kit: NOK 845
• Sjona Mitten Knitting Kit: NOK 530

Accommodation

The museum has a discount agreement with Utne Hotel, located next to the museum. Course participants receive discounted rates for accommodation in the hotel’s art annex. To book, contact the hotel directly at reception@utnehotel.no and mention that you are attending a course. See also utnehotel.no.

Accommodation is also available through platforms like Airbnb.