Paid Advertisement:

It all Began in Norway

Knitting has a strong tradition in Norway and the technique found in today's wool sweaters has been practiced since the 9th century. Traditionally, the wool from Norwegian sheep has been used because it was practical for making warm garments for long and cold winters. The Norwegian wool is especially suited for high-quality knitwear. The wool's fibers are long and curly, which when made into the yarn give strength, lightness and warmth. Today, wool is popular not only for its practical advantages, but also because of the fine patterns and exclusive garments that can be created. When you slip into a hand knitted woolen Norwegian sweater, you can feel the refined softness of the wool, a luxury touch of a life. Not surprisingly, it didn't take too long before people all over the old continent and later on in the America and all over the world found the benefits of traditional Norwegian knitted sweaters.

In 1872 Peter Jebsen passed through Dale. He felt very enthusiastic about the village and its surroundings, and saw the possibilities provided by its natural waterfall from the Dale river. Only a few years later in 1879, he founded the textile mill 'Dale Fabrikker', today known as 'Dale of Norway'. Dale has been producing high quality products ever since. Dale of Norway is the largest manufacturer of traditional Norwegian knitwear, and the enduring history and experience are reflected in all its products.

Over 125 years later, Dale of Norway is a leading manufacturer of high-quality performance and style wool sweaters and accessories. Traditions and heritage are still carried through the entire line of products and new innovations, technologies and materials are making their appearance in these unique sweaters.

Dale of Norway—the Brand that Made Norwegian Sweaters World Famous

From all the producers in Scandinavia, Dale of Norway is probably the most recognized brand name when it comes to woolen Norwegian sweaters. It represents the traditions and quality Norwegian knitwear is famous for. Ever since 1879, Dale of Norway has been producing the first-class quality products. Today, Dale of Norway is the largest manufacturer of traditional Norwegian knitwear in the world. Furthermore, Dale of Norway is one of the Scandinavia's largest manufacturers of fine hand-knitting yarns. Dale of Norway stays close to nature—pure natural fibers are the natural ingredient in all Dale of Norway products and technologies used to manufacture these sweaters are very ecological.

Dale of Norway carries a broad selection of knitting patters—from affordable baby outfits through traditional ski sweaters, popular among skiers, telemark skiers and snowboarders. All knitwear is created in accordance with the traditional Norwegian patterns and designs, combined with the details and colors from modern trends. A Dale of Norway garment uniquely blends these elements with the finest craftsmanship and is an investment in the first-class quality product from nature to be enjoyed for years to come.

Among others, Dale of Norway offers a unique selection of hand knitted garments in the Dale Exclusive Collection and the company is quite proud to continue this rich tradition of quality craftsmanship. The hand knitted garments are based on traditional Norwegian designs and knitting techniques and they are rich in exquisite handmade details, such as embroidery of the finest quality.

Category of its own are the Olympic sweaters manufactured by Dale of Norway. The inspiration for the design is taken from both the Olympic spirit and the Norwegian emigration to USA, reflecting the parallels between them. Elements used in the design include the sun that led the immigrants from Norway to USA, the ocean they sailed on, the Viking ships that sailed to USA 1000 years ago, and the snow-covered mountains, symbolizing the skiing and other winter endeavors.

Olympic Tradition at Dale of Norway

Olympic spirit and tradition are an inseparable part of the company. Dale of Norway has been making sweaters for the Norwegian National Ski Teams since 1956. The first sweater was made for the Olympic Winter Games in Cortina, Italy. Since then, a new sweater is made for every new Olympic season. The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic sweater by Dale of Norway is the 13th sweater in the collection, followed by a specially designed Olympic sweater for Torino Olympic Games in 2006 and Bislet, the official Olympic sweater for the 2010 Winter Olympic games held in Vancouver, BC. But that's not all—Dale of Norway has been proudly maintaining the position of an official outfitter to the Norwegian National Olympic and World Championship Ski Teams since 1956. Many of these designs are regarded as enduring classics, even today.

For many people, an Olympic sweater has become a collector's item—a memorabilia—and they will make certain that they will add the latest Courage, Peace, Team Norge, or Bislett model to their valuable collection of Olympic merchandise. If you know someone who has not started collecting yet, or someone you would like to give that special Christmas present, Dale of Norway Olympic sweater is a highly recommendable gift they will certainly cherish for years to come. But don't think about Dale of Norway sweater as of historic, or even antique item—many young snow enthusiasts have discovered the hidden advantages of an woolen outfit.

Wool—the Nature's High-tech Fabric

Wool is often called the "nature's high-tech"—because of many useful features it possesses: wool allows moisture to pass through and the high percentage of air in the wool means that it insulates extremely well against heat and cold, giving the user the best comfort both on cold and warm days. After all, isn't this what all the cool, new, high-tech materials are trying to achieve? So if you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or the good-old hiking, Dale of Norway sweater will surely keep you comfortable and safe out there.

It is not an accident that Dale of Norway calls itself a brand that made the Norwegian sweaters world famous. Thanks to the highest quality of all materials used, eye-catching designs implemented, and a little of sentimental value appealing especially to the Olympics enthusiasts, Dale of Norway is the brand name to satisfy all your outdoor needs. Each sweater is carefully crafted to ensure the highest possible quality and undergoes several manufacturing steps before it ends on the store shelve:

Scouring

Dale of Norway's scouring line is one of only two lines left in Norway, making the company a true vertical producer or wool sweaters, one of the very few left in the world. The wool is carefully scoured, to prevent the damage of it.

Topmaking (worsted)

Dirt and short fibers are removed from the wool during this step. The yarn is combed and stretched on the worsted line, making the wool more sustainable and it also brightens the colors.

Spinning

The wool is spun into single yarns, which then have to rest for few days. Dale of Norway's most featured wool yarn is Heilo, which we have been produced since 1938.

Twisting

Different numbers of spun yarns are twisted together, depending on the desired thickness of the final twisted yarn. Most Dale yarns are 4-ply, but 2-ply and 3-ply wool yarns are also available. Heilo yarn is usually 4-ply.

Dyeing

Dale of Norway uses only state-of-the-art dyestuffs, to make sure the best possible technical and ecological dyeing processes are employed. All yarns for hand knitting are dyed on hangs, in order to achieve the optimum handle and volume. After dyeing, the yarn is dried in high-frequency driers.

Knitting

Depending on the desired density of the garment, Dale of Norway knits with different gauges—5, 7 and 12. Some of the knitting machines use Whole Garment® or Knit and Wear® technology, reducing the need for make-up to a minimum and adding value such as seamless comfort.

Make-up

The different pieces are assembled using sophisticated techniques, such as circular linking, connecting the different loops one by one so they appear to be knitted together. This process makes the garment even more durable and long-lasting without loosing its shape.

Paid Advertisement:

Iconic Dale of Norway Sweaters

Dale of Norway have produced hundreds of styles and patterns over the years but there are several styles that have become known around the world for their unique pattern designs, features and fabrics. These sweaters are treasured by their owners and can be seen worn around the world every day.

125th Anniversary Sweater

Dale of Norway 125th Anniversary sweater is perhaps the most recognized sweater Dale of Norway has produced in the recent history. As the name suggests, this sweater was designed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the company's inception. There are elements from the 1956 Cortina sweaters clearly visible in the pattern design together with very traditional Setesdal pattern. The sweater is made of very durable 4-ply Heilo yarn in time-proven quarter-zip design. Very traditional Norwegian color palette has been used when designing this sweater, black, navy and red being the most popular colors.

Peace Olympic Sweater

Dale of Norway has been showing very strong commitment to the Olympic movement throughout the entire history of company. One of the most popular Olympic sweaters has been the Peace sweater. This elegant and graceful women's ski sweater features prominent patterns from Norwegian folk costumes and very iconic Selbu rose. Traces of Setesdal pattern can be found around the waist and on the chest. Proceeds from each sale benefit the Olympic movement making this more than just a sweater.

Storetind Sweater

The Storetind sweater is the most technologically advanced wool sweater Dale of Norway has produced. Far more than just a sweater, this piece of technical outerwear has evolved from a simple sweater into do-it-all bulletproof sweater-jacket. Storetind is made of pure virgin Norwegian 4-ply Heilo wool yarn which is treated with Teflon fabric protector. This technology adds extra durability to the yarn, making it water-resistant. Snow and water beads off the garment when used in harsh outdoor conditions. Furthermore, the treatment makes the sweater more resistant to stains, spills and regular daily abuse. To make the sweater even more flexible, Dale of Norway have introduced a GORE Windstopper membrane, which makes the sweater 100% windproof yet breathable. Storetind is a true flagship product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some commonly asked questions (and answers) related to anything and everything about Dale of Norway sweaters:

What does the Dale of Norway logo symbolize?

Dale of Norway logo represents the magnificent fjord formation located near the village where Dale of Norway sweaters are produced.

What are Dale of Norway sweaters made of?

Majority of Dale of Norway sweaters are made of pure new Norwegian wool, however there is growing number of cotton sweaters being offered. Dale of Norway company uses the most advanced production methods in Scandinavia, handling every step of the process, from raw wool through to finished products. Each and every garment still gets the personal touch and care that has always been Dale of Norway's hallmark.

Are all Dale of Norway sweater made of wool?

No, Dale of Norway produces limited selection of 100% cotton sweaters that feature their world-famous Norwegian brands. These sweaters are usually 9- or 12-guage and tend to be quite light, yet are almost as durable as their wool siblings.

Where are Dale of Norway sweaters made?

Dale of Norway garments are manufactured in Norway in state-of-the art factory using the latest technologies.

Are all Dale of Norway sweaters unisex?

No, about 80% of all models are marketed as 'unisex'. This means that the sweater sizing matches men's sizing chart but the sweater is really designed to be worn either by men or women. Remaining 20% of production consists of fashionable, feminine models featuring different cut and styling to complement women's figure. These models are sized differently and follow women's sizing chart.

Does Dale of Norway make any children's sweaters?

Yes, many models are produced in child sizes and make for a great buy when ordering matching adult sweater.

Why are Dale of Norway sweaters more expensive than other sweaters?

Simply put: You get what you paid for. Dale of Norway's patented technology makes the garments significantly more durable than any other sweater out there. It is not unusual to see Dale of Norway sweater to last 10 or 20 years. Not only does the sweater last for a long time, it also retains its original look and feel. The yarn is not pilling and the knitting remains tight.

How should I wash my Dale of Norway sweater?

Hand wash your Dale sweater in cold water, using very mild detergent. Optionally, you can use gentle or wool cycle if your washing machine supports it. Turn the sweater inside out to minimize the impact from the washing machine's agitator. Dry the sweater laying flat. You can pull the sweater into desired shape if necessary. Do not bleach. Do not use drier and do not iron, as wool is very sensitive to heat and the sweater will almost certainly shrink. The only exception are water-repellent garments, such as the Storetind or Istind sweater, iron these after washing.