The lusekofte is a traditional Norwegian

Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...

 sweater, dating from the 19th century.

The lusekofte features a black and white design, and the name means "lice jacket", after the isolated black stitches. It is more formally called a setesdalsgenser (a Setesdal

Setesdal

Setesdal is a valley and a traditional district in Aust-Agder County in southern Norway. It consists of the municipalities of Bykle, Valle, Bygland, Iveland, and Evje og Hornnes....

 sweater

Sweater

A sweater, jumper, pullover, sweatshirt, jersey or guernsey is a garment intended to cover the torso and arms. It is often worn over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, or other top, but may also be worn alone as a top...

). They may also feature selburose

Selburose

A selburose or is a knitted rose pattern from Selbu in Norway in the shape of a regular octagram. It is a traditional pattern used for winter clothing. Perhaps the most typical garment is the Selbu mitten, selbuvott...

 designs. In recent times additional color is sometimes given to this black and white sweater by woven ribbons or bands of black woolen fabric embroidered in the type of colorful designs also found in the bunad

Bunad

Bunad is an umbrella term encompassing, in its broadest sense, a range of both traditional rural garments as well modern 20th century folk costumes. In its narrow sense the word Bunad does only refer to garments constructed in the early 20th century very loosely based on tradition...

s and in rosemaling

Rosemaling

Rosemåling, or rosemaling, Norwegian for "decorative painting", is the name of a form of decorative folk art that originated in the rural valleys of Norway.Some art historians interpret "rose" as a reference to the rose flower, although the floral elements are often...

around the neck and along the front opening. These front opening are usually closed by a row of pewter or silver clasps.

The lusekofte is casual attire, mostly worn by men.

External links

• Lusekofte pictures: http://knititch.blogspot.com/2007/07/lusekoftemania.html http://knititch.blogspot.com/2007/07/lusekofte-2.html
• Setesdalsgenser pictures and instructions: http://heleneh.sprayblogg.no/190505071643_setesdalmonteringsleksjon.html