From swaddling newborns in wool blankets, wearing felted hats in the sauna and passing down knitting patterns to family members, wool is simply a way of life in Norway. Sheep were among the first livestock in the country some 6,000 years ago and generations of hardworking Norwegians lived off the land, using durable wool for warmth and protection across rugged settings like exposed fjordlands and mountain ranges. Wool’s naturally breathable, water-resistant, and it regulates body temps, making it the perfect fiber for Norway’s quick-changing weather and sometimes harsh conditions.

Today, Norwegian wool offers so much more than just another sweater to throw on when it gets chilly. Heritage and contemporary brands alike are creating woolen works of art with updated silhouettes, bright colors, surprising twists on classic patterns and technical activewear. Here’s some of our favorites.

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Woodling

After years of studying fashion in Copenhagen and Milan, designer Siv Elise Seland moved back to Strikkelåven, her family’s farm in Jæren, to start Woodling. The brand pulls inspiration from the surrounding landscapes, changing light of the seasons and western Norway’s ruggedly beautiful coast. A large studio with seven knitting machines, office space and a second floor showroom is housed in the renovated barn, while a very cute shop lives on the bottom floor.

Woodling works not only with Norwegian wool, but also lighter, softer fibers like baby alpaca, cashmere and superkid mohair. Whether it’s an oversized sweater, a subdued graphic print, or a sheer knit dress, there’s an ethereal quality to Woodling’s designs that evokes a sense of peace within nature. And now that the team has more 3D knitting machines for efficient whole garment production, there’s less waste and more focus on

local production. We recommend a visit: the factory outlet store is open six days a week, and there’s a chance the family’s alpacas and Belle the goat might be available for a quick hello.

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Dale of Norway

Pronounced “DAH-luh,” Dale of Norway is one of the country’s most prolific brands that’s practically synonymous with “Norwegian wool.” Founded in 1879 in the town of Dale, the factory’s site was an ideal location for both its close proximity to Bergen’s ports and its riverside hydropower source. The area rapidly expanded and at one point in the late 1960s, over 1,000 people worked there. Today, while its knitwear is sold in over 40 countries, Dale of Norway still handles all its own production on-site and some employees have been with the company for multiple decades.

Styles range from archival knit designs, merino wool quarter-zips with a softer handfeel and double-layered sweaters for blocking out blustery winter wind, while their popular accessories make perfect gifts. The heritage brand also has deep ties to Norway’s national identity: for the last 70 years, Dale of Norway has designed the official national ski team sweater for both the Winter Olympics and World Ski Championships and sold it commercially — check out the recently released 2026 Milano Cortino Olympic sweater.

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Oleana

Another brand by the water, Oleana, is based in Ytre Arna on a picturesque fjord in a circa-1856 textile factory building. Oleana’s original founders — a couple who worked together at Dale — launched it in 1992 in response to other Norwegian knitwear companies outsourcing their textile manufacturing, and today their daughter Gerda Sørhus Fuglerud is the CEO and owner.

Oleana is all about color, fun and a refreshing new take on traditional pieces, as seen in its merino-silk blazers, cropped alpaca pullovers and graphic Norwegian wool blankets. With an emphasis on local production and sustainability, it offers repair services, sources Responsible Wool Standard-certified yarns and uses 3D knitting technology to create whole garment, seamless sweaters that eliminate unnecessary waste. For DIYers, Oleana’s Maker Kits include surplus knitwear scraps and easy directions to make a skirt or simple seat cushion of your own.

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Courtesy Oleana

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O.A.D.

Born out of the country’s oldest knitwear company, Devold of Norway, sister brand O.A.D. combines generations of expertise with an elegant interpretation of classic Norwegian knit patterns. It launched in 2022 with a focus on sustainability, animal welfare and long-lasting wool apparel, all with a refined twist for men and women.

The merino wool Blaatrøie Original, a remake of the 1860s-era maritime sweater designed by original founder Ole Andreas Devold (where the name O.A.D. comes from), has a unisex cut and chest embroidery inspired by fishermen labeling their sweaters when out to sea. Other pieces taking a cue from older designs include an ultrasoft cashmere neck scarf, a summerweight cotton-alpaca cableknit style and a multi-yarn heritage knit.

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Courtesy of Oad

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We Norwegians

Tove Grane, an experienced designer who wanted to bring something new to the saturated market, launched We Norwegians in 2014 to stylishly bridge the gap between activewear and fashion. With a focus on merino wool — and its soft, breathable, moisture-wicking properties — the brand sells base layers, colorful skiwear, sweaters and more that make a chic statement on and off the slopes.

We Norwegians’ collections include versatile, wearable basics like cozy joggers, a modernized version of a traditional sweater and a retro-inspired extrafine merino jumpsuit to après ski in style. The natural-fiber pieces are ethically made in Europe and designed to last, all with a design ethos that honors Norwegian cultural heritage: sustainability, peace and an utmost respect for nature and animals.

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Courtesy of We Norwegians