The interest in contributing wool and knitting the hats for all medalists at the 2027 World Championships in Falun has been enormous.
— It is moving and overwhelming that so many people feel such pride in helping to create this unique World Championship hat, says Elin Alsiok at the Dalarna museum.
On Monday morning, we reported on the new, unique World Championship hat, which is inspired by the strong tradition of patterned parish caps, particularly found in Dalarna.
— The pattern for the World Championship hat – which we are still keeping secret – is based on a cap from Bjursås dating back to the mid-19th century that is part of our collection. I have now created a new and modern interpretation of it for this hat, says Anna-Karin Jobs Arnberg, Head of Textiles at the Dalarna Museum.
In the press release, we announced that we were looking for 150 knitters to create the hats that will be awarded to all medalists during the 2027 Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun.
— We know that knitting is hugely popular, but we could never have anticipated this level of interest. We have now received nearly 400 applications. A selection will be made shortly, and the application process is about to close. We are overwhelmed by the generosity and willingness to help and contribute, says Elin Alsiok, and continues:
— This applies both to those who want to knit, but also to a large number of sheep farmers who have reached out and are offering wool.
All the hats will be knitted using wool from Swedish fine wool sheep, a breed known for the softness and high quality of its wool. The yarn will be spun and dyed by the renowned mill Wålstedts in Dala-Floda.
The positive response has now secured the wool needed not only to knit the hats for the World Championship medalists, but also for the knitting kits that will be released later this year—allowing you to knit your own World Championship hat in time for the festivities in Dalarna, starting on February 24, 2027.
— The World Championship hat will become a lasting symbol of both the event and Dalarna. All medalists will also receive the story behind the hat—in English—to help spread its story internationally. Through this hat, we are creating something that will ensure the legacy of the championships lives on long after the competitions are over, says Niclas Johansson, Head of Ceremonies for Falun 2027.
All 150 hats knitted and awarded to the World Championship medalists will be labeled with a unique tag indicating the knitter, the spinner, and the origin of the wool—a tribute to the entire chain from raw material to finished product, from wool to gold.