Archival Knitwear: Devold of Norway

Steamer Crew

A Fisherman at home

Devold Blue Marine sweater w/zip

Devold Blue Marine sweater w/crew neck

Devold Nansen sweater w/high neck

Devold Islender Sweater

I love the look of SNS Herning knitwear, but if you need economical Scandinavian woolens for your ice-cap expedition, try Devold of Norway.

I've been using Devold Aquaduct baselayers for cycling for years. In colder conditions, and in the rain, I wear mattress layers of Devold plus a light wind vest. I'd rather get damp than overheat in a fully sleeved shell. Aquaduct knits can also be worn off the bike as a spread-collar type top layer in the style of Alexander of Fanny and Alexander (Bergman 1982).

For arctic conditions, I recommend one of Devold's Blue Marine (Blaatroie) sweaters. Worn by North Sea fisherman in some past era, blue marine sweaters are knit from pure new wool using tightly knit worsted yarns. The sweaters are super durable (non-pilling) and work well for wear under waxed cotton jackets or vests. What I like best about the Blue Marine series is that they retain their original historical styling save for the patriotic addition of a Norwegian flag patches. That being said, here's an example of a Devold nautical model I would not purchase from the past:

Devold Blue Marine w/zip and pockets

While I prefer shopping from the 19th century, Devold is offering a few "modern" tech woolens I might try. I'm a little unsure about the overarching look of the "Optimum" hoodie but I do like its use of a knit grid pattern and thumb loop holes. The optimum might make a nice addition to my post-apocalyptic layering system:

Optimum Hoodie

Packing for the Apocalypse : Ibex and Opinels

Ibex Thin Woolies Crew (for Women)

Ibex Striped Zip-Neck (for women)

Opinel Traditional Folding Knife

Customized Opinel (uploaded from this flickr set)

Post-apocalyptic picnic

During the winter months, I console myself by watching some of my favorite post-apocalyptic films. Stanley Kramer's On The Beach (with the amazing cast of Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins and Fred Astaire) is always the first one to be screened (followed by Children of Men and crossover genre film, Alphaville).

Inspired by these films, I prepare a mental packing list for the apocalypse (items and objects I'd could carry on my bicycle while living on a stashed supply of summer sausage and aged cheeses).

Aside from the expected, tin cloth exterior layer and lace-up ankle boots (brand TBA), I would include at least three to five thin wool shirts (in crewneck and zip-neck styles) which I could wear alone or in crazy, mismatched layers.  Though Devold and Rivendell sell terrific, pure new wool baselayers, I'd go with Ibex since they offer their shirts in a classic heathered grey, and in a striped version, in sizes for men and women.

Until I receive paramilitary/outdoor survivalist training, I'd also pack along my No. 3 Opinel picnic knife.