I read an interesting article on the BBC website the other day. I confess that I might have been attracted to the piece in the first place by the photo of fairisle socks, even though they’re clearly not hand-knitted:-
The article explains that people from Denmark have a concept called hygge. It’s pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, just in case your Danish is getting shamefully rusty these days. (I know, you’ve been super-busy: you’ve had no time to brush up on Scandinavian languages.) Hygge roughly translates as ‘cosiness’, and is used to describe a home environment full of warm comfort, low lighting, and contented companionship. And it’s probably one of the reasons why Denmark is one of the happiest nations on earth. Danes emphasise hygge in a big way, wise people that they are. I’ve loved spending time in other Scandinavian countries (Norway and Finland, especially) but have never visited Denmark: this article just made me want to over-winter there.
Now I’m pretty certain that my nightly (unless I’m off out or we’ve got visitors) winter ritual of log fire + wine + creature comforts such as hand-knitted socks + KNITTING counts as hygge:-
That said, it’s quite a solitary pleasure, as I enjoy the quiet and the Stoic Spouse is busy elsewhere. I’m not sure whether you’re allowed to enjoy hygge on your own? I hope so. The near-silence is blissful. Just the quiet click-click of my needles and an occasional crackle from the fire. Oh, and the frequent “Mummeeeeeeee” from upstairs, as somebody decides that now really is the moment they want to ask me what the internet is, or request their fourth cup of water.
Oh, and I tell you whose home is rich in hygge: Selma at EclecticHomeAndLife. OK, she’s Norwegian not Danish, but that’s still Scandinavian. Her beautiful home is all about the hygge, even more so than she conveys in her blog.
Those Danes, though. I think they’re on to something.
For all my fellow northern-hemisphere-dwellers, as the days shorten and winter approaches, I hope you all manage to find elements of hygge in your lives. Maybe knitters and crocheters are predisposed to value these comforts.
(Meanwhile, now that the Stylecraft Blog Tour is almost over, I’m back on the big crochet house project and writing up the crochet house bag pattern. Almost there…)
Until next time, my friends. Happy knitting/hooking.
Reblogged this on Anjicat's Rocking Chair and commented:
There should be more hygge in the world. My pet theory is this is where the word hug comes from
Thank you. And yes, hygge seems to be a sort of environmental hug, so maybe the words are related…
Mother is of the danish persuasion and although hygge is generally considered something you share with your nearest and dearest or sometimes strangers, along with good food, good times and cheerful beverages, there is a growing trend among the young folks for solitary hygge involving cozy sofas and dvds
Ahhh, that makes sense. Hygge for the modern world. Interesting.
Well then – here I am about as far away from Scandinavia as it is possible to be enjoying hoo-ga* on a regular basis, because even ‘alone’ is never alone with the kitty and the puppy happily hoo-gaing along side me 🙂 Wonderful concept!!
* My Scandinavian is sooo rusty that the spelling and pronunciation make no connection in my tiny brain, forever more and henceforth ensuring the word, in my world, be spelt phonetically.
Siddy and Orlando are DEFINITELY hooooo-ga. 🙂
I read this article too and love the principles behind hygge. It something that we definitely adopt, without realising it had a name, in our house during the winter time. I prefer solitary hygge, in that Missy, Matey, The Mr and the dog snuggle on the sofa and I curl up in my own armchair with plenty of room for my yarn, hook and crocheting elbows – you can’t crochet properly with someone snuggling up to you.
Sounds like absolute heaven. I hear ya, sista! Wishing you much undisturbed hygge this winter.
I’m half Dutch and in The Netherlands they have a similar word – ‘gezellig’. Such a wonderful meaning ? and your photo definitely captures the essence of it! ?
Interesting. So it’s not even just a Scandi thing?
Ah, looks like your home has plenty of hygge (hooga). I like the concept and this time of year am always thinking about nesting. It’s good to be prepared to be in, cosy and happy and relaxed.
Yes, ‘nesting’ is a good way of thinking about it. Cosy, dark, comfortable, and warm: that does sound like a nest. Wishing you much hygge this winter.
Thanks, Phil. You too, with the knitting, fire and wine!
I’ve always called it nesting. Hygge is a much better term and here in the US they won’t have a clue of what I am saying and in turn it will make them more xenophobic than they all ready are. I think I’m going to enjoy using this work this week.
Yes, it is just like nesting. I suppose that’s the closest equivalent word we have in English. I hope hygge enters our language, though: it sounds like such a blissful concept. Wishing you much hygge.
We use the word hygge in Norway too. I actually have a mug which states that it cannot be translated into Englush as there is one word to encompass all that hygge means. Thank you for the lovely shout out too x
Oops, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize! Interesting that the word is the same. Your home is full of hygge, definitely. Hope you’re feeling better, meanwhile?
I’ve spotted retired couples out having a mid-morning beer in Denmark. Wonder if that also contributes to happiness?
I bet it does. Sounds very hygge. 🙂
In The Netherlands we have the words ‘gezellig’ and ‘gezelligheid’. I don’t think there is a proper translation for those words in English, so I’d stick to the ‘hygge’.
Corine
Interesting that the concept exists elsewhere in Europe, not just in Scandi countries. Wishing you much gezellig this winter!
I’m looking forward to plenty of hygge in the coming months.
Wishing you a whole winter full of hygge!
Ooh, I once wrote about hygge too! Love Denmark. http://tellyandtravels.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/in-search-of-happiness.html
Yay! I think it’s fair to say that your analysis was a little more in – depth than my late – night ramble…
I thought that “HOO-GA!” was the noise made by those old fashioned cars like Chitty-chitty-bang-bang (my fingers are tired after typing that…) or the sound that someone makes when someone else winds them. Most interested to hear that it has other adaptions (note to self “add that to the old useless information mass that you are completely going to remember over the top of more important things like pin numbers and where you live…) What’s the opposite of hygge in Danish? I think I am just about to jump right into the middle of it…
Yikes, I’d hate to be responsible for you forgetting your pin number….
Nah, I forgot them all YEARS ago. Not your fault 😉 I just fumble around trying to remember angry swear words now which make up the bulk of my current passwords. Can take a few tries but I usually get angry enough after about 10 “declines” to remember the juiciest ones 😉
I missed the article, thanks for the link. You are right. I do need to brush up my Danish 😀
Yes! Get to it! (Says she who’s never knowingly spoken a word of Danish in her life.)
Hi. I’ve only just found your blog but just wanted to say how much I’m enjoying it. Your vision of hygge sounds just like mine! Looking forward to getting to know you through your blog 🙂
Aww, thank you! Your blog (and your colourful New Zealand home) look rather gorgeous, too. Welcome. Very good to ‘meet’ you. And it’s especially good to meet southern hemisphere bloggers whilst we’re descending into dull cold winter. Please keep us northern hemispherers warm with stories of sun and flowers and loveliness.