Scandinavian Christmas Elves - DK Wool

Work Description

They are inspired by time spent with a dear friend in Southern Norway and the happy Christmas's I shared with her as a child and adult. I wanted to recreate the traditional Julenissen, which is so dominant at Christmas time in Norway. The beginnings of the Scandinavian nisse (pixies) started in the 18th & 19th centuries. I remember my friend's father telling me that they were little spirits who looked after a family or a farm. They lived under the house's stilts or lived in the barns doing chores on the farm. The family had to look after the Nisse well. Porridge was to be left out every Christmas Eve for the nisse. If not this would bring bad luck. From the mid 1800's the nisse became associated with Christmas, arriving at the front door on Christmas Eve with presents. I have used the colours associated with Christmas: red & white. There are three designs; stripes, cheques and a Danish cross pattern.