These gorgeous wool mittens are from Swedish designer Åse Öjbro, founder of Öjbro Vantfabrik. Using Italian merino wool, Åse has created mittens with patterns inspired by Sweden.
Each pair of mittens has four layers of insulation to trap air and keep the wearer's hands warm. These mittens are wind resistant and washable in a wool setting. They need to be put around your hands while wet to allow for shaping.
While medium, or lagom, size fits most hands, other sizes include small (mindre) and large (rejäl). Medium size corresponds with glove size 7-9; small corresponds with size 6; & large corresponds with size 10-11.
Every pattern has a story:
The oldest mention of Dalecarlia is from Sverris saga of the late 1100s, in which the landscape was called "iron carrier country."
Falun Mine in Falun is one of Sweden's oldest mines. During the 1600s Falun Mine was Sweden's largest and most modern workplace and accounted for more than 70 percent of Europe's copper production. Falun Mine was called Sweden's Treasure Trove and its development affected the economic, social and political situation in Sweden and Europe.
These mittens were designed with a Dalecarlian horse pattern on the top side of the mitten. The horse is surrounded by kurbits-inspired decorations and Dalkullor and Dalmasar -- as the inhabitants of Dalecarlia are called -- are at the top.
From the designer: "I visited Dalecarlia many times as a child. I'll never forget the impressive Falun mine. It was great to hear the stories about Falun's important significance for Sweden's prosperity. Nowadays, the mine has been shut down and is a world heritage site. Dalecarlia is of great importance through its rich Swedish cultural heritage. To me, the Swedish soul lies in the red cabins, all the folklore games and the Swedish crispbread. In addition, Dalecarlia has fantastic scenery around Siljan. Dalecarlia is quite simply a reflief for the soul."