Yes, and Lanullva is one of them: a Norwegian family brand from Lyngstad in Nordmøre, whose story began in 1994 when Brit Vinje Lyngstad invented her own knitting method. You can buy the sweaters online and in our shops in Norway – by the Atlantic Ocean Road and in Trondheim, Tromsø and Røros. The sweaters are designed in Norway and knitted in Europe, most of them in fine merino wool, while the Eilif collection is made from 100% Norwegian wool from Hustadvika.
A Norwegian family brand from Nordmøre
Lanullva started at home in Lyngstad. Brit knitted a top for her husband, Eilif, who was cold when he worked outdoors. She knitted air into the stitches, and that was the beginning of Lanullva. Today the brand is owned by her daughter, Gunn Anne Vinje Lyngstad, who runs it together with her children Frank, Svein and Cecilie. We are based by the Atlantic Ocean Road on Averøy, not far from where it all began.
Norwegian design, knitted in Europe
Is a wool sweater from a Norwegian brand also made in Norway? Not always, and that applies to us too. The garments are designed by us in Norway and knitted by partners in Spain, Lithuania, Sweden and Finland. We knit the wool blankets ourselves by the Atlantic Ocean Road, and repairs are done in-house. That is why we say “Norwegian design”, not “made in Norway”.
Our merino wool comes from RWS-certified farms and is spun into yarn by Südwolle Group. The wool is RWS-certified, with requirements for animal welfare and traceability through the value chain. To learn more about each step, read where your wool sweater comes from.
If you are looking for a merino wool sweater from a Norwegian brand, you will find women's wool sweaters and men's wool sweaters in our online shop.
Eilif: 100% Norwegian wool from Hustadvika
If you want a sweater in Norwegian wool, the Eilif collection is our answer. It is made from 100% Norwegian wool from farms in Hustadvika and is named after Eilif Bernhard Lyngstad – the man who was cold. Norwegian wool is sturdier than merino wool and makes a solid sweater with good weight. Merino wool has finer fibres and is made to be worn next to the skin. See the full Eilif collection.
Brit's method: air knitted into the stitches
What makes Lanullva distinctive is the knitting method. Havbris and Hustadvika are knitted using Brit's method, with air knitted into the stitches. It is the air in the knit that insulates and holds in the warmth. The yarn is made of fine merino fibres of approx. 20.5 microns.
Brit invented the method in 1994, and in 1995 she won Reodor, SND's prize for ideas and innovation. The same year, the knitting method was tested by SINTEF, including in the field on Svalbard at −23 °C, where SINTEF described the results as “very encouraging”. Read the full story of the invention and the tests.
What should you look for in a Norwegian wool sweater?
There is no single right answer to which Norwegian brand has the best quality. It depends on what you will use the sweater for, how easily you get cold and whether you want to wear it next to the skin or as an outer layer. These questions will help you compare:
- What kind of wool is it? Merino wool has fine fibres and is suited to wearing next to the skin. Norwegian wool is sturdier and robust. Feel free to ask about the micron count – the lower the number, the finer the fibre.
- How is it knitted? An airy knit holds in warmth differently from a dense knit. Also check whether the pieces are knitted to shape and sewn together.
- Where is it made? “Norwegian brand” does not always mean the garment is made in Norway. A serious brand tells you where it is knitted.
- Is the wool documented? A certification such as RWS gives you a point of reference for animal welfare on the farms.
- Can it be repaired? A good wool sweater can last a long time. We repair all Lanullva garments as a paid service.
If the sweater is a gift, it is worth thinking about how it will be used. An Eilif sweater in Norwegian wool is ideal for chopping wood, cabin life and cool evenings on the porch. A merino wool sweater can be worn directly against the skin all day. If you are unsure about the size, you have a 30-day right to exchange.
Where to buy Lanullva sweaters
You can shop at lanullva.com, with shipping to the rest of Europe for 5 EUR. You can also visit our shops in Norway: by the Atlantic Ocean Road on Averøy and in Trondheim, Tromsø and Røros. In Åndalsnes, there is also a franchise shop that sells Lanullva. In the shops, you can feel the wool and try on sizes before you decide. Addresses and opening hours are listed under Our stores.
