“My aternal grandfather grew up in the Norwegian village of Rjukan,” explains Maja Karlsson. “I have always felt a longing for that village - a place I’ve only seen in faded photographs. The hills, mountains, and dales; knitted cardigans and coffee in the spring sun. How can I miss a place I’ve never been to? I can become close to Rjukan by knitting these socks, inspired by the bunad (traditional folk costume) from Tinn in Telemark. The black wavy patterns symbolize mountains. The ribbing in the middle of the socks
helps them stay in place, precisely as a folk costume sock should do.”