16-year-old knit star-pattern mittens after farmer challenged her skills. Now it's worn around the globe

One of the most thrilling elements of winter is snowflakes, which often form a part of festive decor. Except, the star-like symbol commonly seen on winter wear and knitted items isn’t really a snowflake; it goes back to the 1850s, when a then 16-year-old Marit Emstad from a village in Norway decided to take up a challenge, according to @TheIronSnail. After being told she couldn’t create beautiful, detailed winter wear like that, she took up the challenge and, inspired by various symbols, created the star-shaped mark on knitted mittens that are loved and used widely across the globe. The star holds history and has many meanings, a noteworthy one being that of protection. 

According to the Modern Daily Knitting, Emstad lived in a village called Selbu, where mittens and socks were often knitted during the winter. At the time, many simple Norwegian designs like flowers, birds, and so on, were used as patterns on the items. Annemor Sundbø, a Norwegian knitting expert, revealed that in the 19th century, knitting was crafted as a personal item, with patterns that held symbolism and meaning to every person who wore them. The story goes that Emstad was working at a farm and, as an avid knitter, was challenged by the farmer. He showed her a pair of stockings with similar patterns and said she couldn’t possibly create something that beautiful. 

The young, determined woman pulled out black and white yarn and started knitting away. She created a stunning pair of mittens for herself, proudly showcasing the 8-point star or snowflake. She first saw it at her church, embroidered on a cloth, reported Hazlitt. The flower, a symbol of love in Christianity, reportedly came from the 15th century, changing from a star to an 8-pointed 'rose' over time. However, it is also a symbol of protection. In Estonia, it is known as the “kaheksakand,” and is known to keep away evil, bring luck, and provide protection. It is often represented by two “beating posts” which surround the star on all sides to resemble protection. 

The then-teenager didn’t think much when she knitted them and wore them to church. The people were blown away by the detail and design, and they asked her to make some more. Eventually, hundreds of these were manufactured to quench the thirst of Norwegians and Europeans who wanted to own a pair. Emstad’s mittens came to be known as “Selbu mittens,” and the star came to be known as the Selbu rose. According to Visit Norway, half of the Norwegian population is into knitting; it's one of the traits by which the country is known. And rightfully enough, among the popular designs are the Selbuvott (mittens) and Selbukofte (jackets).

Sundbø, also known as the “mother of knitting,” who has researched the practice and history, added, “I think Norwegian knitting is popular because our patterns are so distinctive that they've almost become national symbols.” A duo, Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrisson, started their knitting brand, Arne and Carlos, known for their vibrant designs and colors, and today have 178,000 subscribers, making them the top knitting channel in the USA. Henry Ford Health revealed there are physical and mental benefits to knitting. Betsan Corkhill, author of “Knit for Health & Wellness,” conducted a survey and found that people who knit frequently reported reduced depression. It was also noted that the practice helps with chronic pain, and the complex patterns and repetition serve as a good mental exercise for cognitive functioning. 

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