Naturally dyed Folkvang knitting kits are available from Midgaards Have’s Etsy store. When purchasing a knitting kit, the pattern is included for free.

Matching mittens here.

Folkvang is a classic tam with a lined hem. Beginning with a provisional cast on, the hem lining and then corrugated ribbing is worked. The hem is closed, and the rest of the hat is worked in stranded knitting.

The color pattern is syncopated by strategic purl stitches, a nod to Bohus knitting, but symmetric and much simplified compared to traditional Bohus patterns.

The name Folkvang comes from Norse mythology, and is the name of the fertility goddess Freya’s home. She took half of the dead to her place, letting Odin take the other half. Odin let his dead fight and party in perpetuity, who knows what Freya did with hers?

Size:
Adult, 57 cm (23 inch) head circumference. Pattern includes notes on making a longer, slouchy version of the hat.

Gauge:
Stockinette in Bestla, knit on a 2.25 mm (US 1) needle: 27 sts x 13 rounds = 10 x 2.5 cm (4 x 1 inches).
Corrugated ribbing in Fenris, knit on a 2.25 mm needle: 26 sts x 10 rounds = 10 x 2.5 cm (4 x 1 inches).
Colorwork in Fenris, knit on a 2.5 mm (US 1½) needle: 26 sts x 32 rounds = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches).

Materials needed for tam:
Midgaards Have Fenris, 100% wool, 450 m / 100 g:
25 g MC (a dark and/or saturated color)
25 g BC (white or light color)
Up to 10 g of each CC1 and CC2 (medium hues of medium saturation that blend into each other).
Midgaards Have Bestla, 35% silk, 65% merino, 600 m / 100 g: 10 g (white or light, to match Fenris BC).
Slightly more of MC and BC to make slouch.