NordicLife Culture + Taste + History + Events + Personalities The Making of the Marius Do you know the origins of Norway's most popular sweater pattern? Norwegian designer Unn Søiland (19262002) created the Marius pattern in 1953 by updating the design and colors of the traditional Setesdal pattern. The Marius got its name and soared in popularity when actor Marius Eriksen wore the sweater in the fi lm " Troll I Ord " in 1954. While the most famous color combination for yarn is red, blue and white, like the Norwegian fl ag, the sweater has been knit with many different colors. Søiland gained international recognition for other sweater designs as well, which were sold in elegant ski resorts in the United States and Europe during the 1950s and 1960s. To honor her lifelong work developing these Norwegian handknits, she received the Royal Merit in gold. See the Marius sweater and Søiland's work at The Norwegian Folk Museum and in the new National Museum of Norway, opening in Oslo next year. Learn more at marius.no and unnfromnorway.no. sonsofnorway.com VIKING OCTOBER 2021 7 PHOTO COURTESY MARIUShttp://www.marius.no http://www.unnfromnorway.no http://www.sonsofnorway.com