5 Best Norwegian Sweater Brands: Honest Guide
What are the best Norwegian sweater brands?
The best Norwegian sweater brands still knit in Norway, use real wool, and keep traditional patterns like the Setesdal lusekofte alive. Our top five are Lutekofta, Dale of Norway, Devold of Norway, Rauma and Oleana, and each one suits a different kind of buyer.
Below you'll find a quick comparison table, a short profile of each brand, and tips for choosing a Norwegian wool sweater that will last for years.
Norwegian sweater brands at a glance
| Brand | Founded | Where it's made | Wool | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lutekofta | Knitted by Norlender Knitwear, family-run since 1927 | Osterøy, Norway | 100% wool from Norwegian and Australian sheep | Heritage gifts and Norwegian-American roots |
| Dale of Norway | 1879 | Dale, Norway | Norwegian wool and merino, by style | Classic Setesdal and ski sweaters |
| Devold of Norway | 1853 | Designed in Norway; check each label | Wool and merino | Outdoor and active wear |
| Rauma | 1927 | Veblungsnes, Norway (wool mill) | Wool yarn from its own mill | Traditional patterns and home knitters |
| Oleana | 1992 | Ytre Arna, Norway | Norwegian wool, merino, alpaca and silk | Design-led women's knitwear |
We left prices out because they change often and differ between the US and Norway. Check each brand's site for current prices in USD or NOK.
How we chose the best Norwegian sweater brands
We compared every brand on the same five points:
- Made in Norway: knitted in Norway, or clearly designed there with open information about where it is made.
- Wool quality: real wool, with the fiber content stated on the product.
- Traditional patterns: Setesdal, Islender and other Norwegian motifs.
- Durability: made to wear for many winters, not one season.
- Availability: possible to buy from the US, Norway, or both.
We did not include Nordic sweater brands from Iceland or Sweden. Many of them make fine sweaters, but this list covers Norwegian knitwear brands only.
The 5 best Norwegian sweater brands
1. Lutekofta
Lutekofta is a brand inspired by Norwegian-American heritage and built around one garment: a quarter-zip lusekofte. The sweaters are knitted at Osterøy, near Bergen, by Norlender Knitwear, a family-run maker since 1927. The pattern is inspired by the journey of cod from the sea to the drying racks of Lofoten.
- Best for: Norwegian-Americans looking for a heritage gift or a piece to pass down
- Made in: Osterøy, Norway
- Wool: 100% worsted wool from Norwegian and Australian sheep
- Styles: Charcoal and Grey for women, and a Jeans Blue men's sweater; sizes XS to 4XL
- Pro: Made in Norway, with a 3-year warranty against material and production defects
- Consideration: A small range of one style in three colors, so it won't suit someone who wants many patterns to choose from
2. Dale of Norway
Dale of Norway is the best-known Norwegian sweater brand, and has knitted in the village of Dale in western Norway since 1879.
Store norske leksikon's entry on the lusekofte notes that Dale's Setesdal-style cardigan was worn as Norway's Olympic cardigan at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games. Source: Store norske leksikon
- Best for: Classic Setesdal patterns and ski sweaters
- Made in: Dale, Norway
- Wool: Norwegian wool and merino, depending on the style
- Styles: Sweaters, cardigans, windproof knits, accessories and blankets for men and women
- Pro: The widest range on this list, and an official US store
- Consideration: Wool content varies between styles, so check the label if you want the sturdy feel of traditional Norwegian wool
3. Devold of Norway
Devold is one of Norway's oldest wool brands. Ole Andreas Devold started it in Ålesund in 1853, and the factory later moved to nearby Langevåg. Its history includes classic work sweaters such as the Islender, a hard-wearing laborer's sweater.
- Best for: Hikers, skiers and anyone who wants wool for active use
- Made in: Designed in Norway; check each product label for where it was made
- Wool: Mainly wool and merino
- Styles: Base layers, mid-layers, outdoor sweaters and some heritage knits
- Pro: More than 170 years of wool experience, with clothing built for real outdoor use
- Consideration: The range leans toward technical outdoor wear, so there are fewer traditional patterned sweaters
4. Rauma
Rauma is a wool mill in Veblungsnes, in western Norway, founded in 1927. According to Store norske leksikon's entry on Rauma Ullvarefabrikk, it makes knitting yarn under the Rauma Garn name and finished sweaters, hats, mittens and socks under the Rauma Collection name.
- Best for: Traditional Norwegian patterns, and knitters who may want to make their own
- Made in: Norway (mill in Veblungsnes)
- Wool: Wool yarn from its own mill
- Styles: Classic Norwegian sweaters and accessories, plus yarn and knitting patterns
- Pro: A real wool mill with almost a century of experience; you can buy the sweater or knit one yourself
- Consideration: Finished Rauma Collection sweaters can be harder to find outside Norway, so check where they are sold in your country
5. Oleana
Oleana is a Norwegian knitwear brand founded in 1992. It designs, develops and produces its garments at its own factory in Ytre Arna, near Bergen. Its look is more fashion-led than the other brands here, with soft fabrics and floral, folk-inspired patterns.
- Best for: Women who want design-led Norwegian knitwear
- Made in: Ytre Arna, Norway
- Wool: Norwegian wool, merino, alpaca and silk; its signature fabric is a merino and silk blend
- Styles: Cardigans, sweaters, dresses, jackets and home textiles, mostly for women
- Pro: Made in Norway at its own factory
- Consideration: Not a traditional lusekofte, and most of the range is for women
What is the most famous Norwegian sweater?
The most famous Norwegian sweater is the lusekofte, also called the Setesdal sweater. According to Store norske leksikon, men in the Setesdal valley in southern Norway wore it from the mid-1800s. The small single white stitches spread over the dark wool are called "lus", the Norwegian word for lice, which gives the sweater its name.
Tourists discovered the lusekofte in the 1920s, and it soon appeared in many colors and variations. You can read more about this in our history of the lusekofte. The other famous pattern is the Marius sweater, designed by Unn Søiland Dale in 1953.
Store norske leksikon calls the Marius sweater the best-selling knitting pattern in Norway's history. Source: Store norske leksikon
How to choose a Norwegian wool sweater
Whichever brand you pick, these four checks help you buy a sweater you will keep for years:
- Read the label. "Nordic-style" or "Norwegian pattern" does not mean the sweater was made in Norway. Look for the country of manufacture.
- Check the fiber. Traditional Norwegian wool tends to feel sturdier and warmer. Merino feels finer and softer against the skin.
- Compare measurements, not just sizes. Sizing differs between brands, so compare chest measurements in centimeters and inches. Our size and care guide shows how to measure.
- Plan for care. Most wool sweaters should be hand washed in lukewarm water, dried flat and stored folded. Hanging a wool sweater can stretch it.
Choosing the right Norwegian sweater brand for you
Our top pick among the best Norwegian sweater brands is Lutekofta. Each sweater is knitted in Norway by a family-run maker with almost a century of experience, made from 100% wool, and designed to keep the lusekofte tradition alive for Norwegian-Americans and anyone who wants a sweater to pass down. You can browse the Lutekofta collection to find your color and fit.
If you need something different, Dale of Norway offers the widest range of classic and ski patterns. Devold is the practical choice for the outdoors, Rauma suits lovers of traditional patterns and home knitters, and Oleana suits women who want design-led knitwear. Whichever brand you choose, read the label for where it was made and what wool it uses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Norwegian sweater brand?
Dale of Norway is the best-known Norwegian sweater brand outside Norway. It has made knitwear in the village of Dale since 1879, and its Setesdal-style cardigan was worn as Norway's Olympic cardigan at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games. Devold, Rauma and Oleana are also well-known Norwegian knitwear brands, each with a different focus.
Are Nordic sweater brands the same as Norwegian sweater brands?
Not always. "Nordic" covers Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, so Nordic sweater brands may be based in any of these countries. Many shops also sell "Nordic-style" sweaters made elsewhere. If you want a Norwegian sweater, check that the brand is Norwegian and that the label shows where the sweater was made.
What is the difference between a lusekofte and a Marius sweater?
A lusekofte, or Setesdal sweater, has a body covered in small single stitches called "lus" and a patterned yoke, traditionally in dark and white wool. The Marius sweater, designed in 1953, is inspired by the Setesdal style but has no lus field. Store norske leksikon calls it Norway's best-selling knitting pattern of all time.
How do I know a Norwegian wool sweater is authentic?
Check three things on the product page or label: the country where it was made, the fiber content, and the maker. Authentic Norwegian wool sweater brands will tell you where the sweater was knitted and what wool was used. Vague phrases such as "Nordic-inspired" with no country listed are a sign to look more closely.
