Familien Photoshoot: Mistale

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Anne Dorthe/Team Models looked absolutely stunning in my OXO cabled sweater; Mistale, with hair & make up by talented Sissel Fylling, Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. It was former editor of Made by Me, Mary-Ann Astrup’s idea to use the stone clad columns as a backdrop for a series of photographs. The location worked astonishingly well! Mistale – both the sweater and the cowl – is knitted in Hifa Norsk Pelsull in a gorgeous vivid lime green color using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry before its release.

The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. You can wear it hanging loose as in the top photo or twice around the neck, showing off the rib on the backside of it. The earrings with the matching geometric shape are the statement Karakoram and the ring is called Hekla both in oxidized silver designed by Kaja Gjedebo.

Mistale is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 89 to 129.5 cm/35 to 51″. Its predecessor Cable Round Sweater has less positive ease on the body and more on the sleeves, Mistale has been improved thanks to the response from my test knitters. I have scheduled all the autumn and winter test knits in my Ravelry group, so come on over and join us. The yarn has been kindly sponsored by Hifa.

Interweave Knits Fall 2015 – With My Design

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am so thrilled that my design was accepted by Interweave Knits, and now it is live in the digital edition for Fall 2015. The printed issue will follow shortly, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy from my local newsagent: Narvesen. I suggested using Brooklyn Tweed Loft for my Coachella Sweater but editor Lisa Shroyer already had a design in BT and suggested Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift instead. My Yellow Gold Pullover was born. Here is the introduction to it: “In the classic yet unusual Yellow Gold Pullover, bold chain-link cables are framed by welts. Worked from the bottom up in pieces with set-in sleeves, this fingering-weight sweater is lofty and rich in a heathered wool from Scotland. Linda Marveng.”

I am delighted with the photography by Harper Point Photography and loved the fact that they covered all the angles and took a detailed photograph of the neckline. The project team at Interweave impressed me with their attention to detail from day one to publishing. My design is in the Over and Yonder section with a total of 5 designs. The straight sweater is worked from the bottom and up in parts and then sewn together. The cables are gathered before the neck bind off to keep their volume.

The pullover is knitted in Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift, a pure wool with 105 m/87 yards on 25 g skeins using a 3.25 mm/US 3. The yarn is distributed in the USA & Canada by Simply Shetland and can also be ordered directly from Jamieson’s of Shetland. The pullover is available in 6 sizes with a finished bust circumference of: 88 (95, 100, 110, 122, 132) cm /34.5 (37.5, 39.5, 43.5, 48, 52)”. Pullover shown measures 95 cm/37.5″, modeled with 9 cm/3.5″ positive ease. The cables are the same I used for my Saga Jacket, since I discovered that I wanted to continue working with them. They are made in three parts and require a second cable needle to work.

copyright: Interweave/Harper Point Photography

I decided to make a sporty pullover. A welt pattern was chosen as the background stitch pattern, ribbed bands with a tuck between the rib and the cable section, as a divider, both at the bottom of body and sleeves as well as at the neck. The sleeves can easily be worked in the round, but I found it quicker to work them flat with both on my needles at the same time.

At the end of my pattern, I am presented: “Linda Marveng is a Norwegian who loves to design feminine garments with the added texture that cables and lace knitting give. She studied art history and worked first for architecture firms in London, then for Rowan Yarns as a design consultant. She continues to design, proofread knitting books and magazines, translate patterns, and offer workshops.”

Familien Photoshoot: Quamara

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to begin the presentation of the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model (and a photographer herself – no less – see cargocollective.com) Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, at location; Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. First garment out is Quamara, knitted in Permin Zenta, a luscious wool and silk mixture, with a long loop closure attached at the front. The jacket, knitted in kindly sponsored yarn using 3.5 mm/US 4, is available in sizes XS to 2XL and the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the separate issue Familien Strikk, out on Monday 24. August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry Group before its release.

Several of our planned backdrops had to be ruled out due to the strong sunshine on Friday 29th May. I liked the look of this wall, which did not take any focus away from the lace pattern nor compete with the bright lime color. There are three lace repeats on the loop and on the sleeve, while the back has a panel of five pattern repeats. In the first photo the loop collar is worn hanging around the neck, just as you would put the jacket on. In the photo above the loop is crossed at the front and then folded around the neck.

I have made the fronts narrow since the loop is wide, especially when worn around the neck at least once in addition to the already attached part. All the borders on the straight jacket are worked in garter stitch including a fake side seam. Anne Dorthe is wearing statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo: Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver. I desperately wanted to borrow more jewelry from Kaja after shoe designer Monica Stålvang introduced me to her modern work with crispy clean lines at the previous photoshoot. I was invited home to see her workshop, and to pick what I wanted to borrow. Needless to say, that I picked a lot and did not dare try any of it on since I knew it was a press loan and not a shopping spree.

Above is my favorite way of wearing the jacket like a ballerina wrap, with the loop twice around the neck, making the straight jacket figure hugging and tight. The loop is made in two parts so that the lace pattern is identical on both fronts. It is knitted together with a 3-needle bind off at the neck while the cast-on edges are joined using mattress stitches creating a neat but visible stocking stitch seam, see above. At the end it is attached along each front to center neck, while the remaining parts are left to hang loose – see bottom photo.

Just as the loop reigns on the front, I wanted the lace panel to reign on the back. As you might have noticed I am not a knitter that enjoys knitting large parts in stocking stitch, hence it will be kept to a minimum. The body is knitted flat in one piece up to the armhole, then separated, while the set-in sleeves are knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat.

It was important to show how the loop looks when it is hanging loose, hence its full length. That also gives me an excuse to show off Monica Stålvang’s Daniela boots I borrowed for the shoot. And yes, I did deliver them back the following day!

New Design: Syndra

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I loved how my design Atika came out, and discovered a new gorgeous textural stitch pattern for another cowl and loose sleeves to wear with a stunning dress or with a vest. Named after Syndra with her immense magical potential, is this cowl to warm your shoulders and the matching loose sleeves. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Pickles Merino Tweed. Syndra will be published together with Nuala (turquoise shawl & cowl) and Hertha (cerise shawl & loose sleeves) in the Norwegian special magazine Familien Småstrikk due out on 2. November. The English pattern will be published after a test knit in my Ravelry group.

The cowl is knitted sideways and in the round. You can adjust the length of the one size cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 10 sts. If you want to wear it twice around your neck, add 2 pattern repeats. The loose sleeves are knitted in the round to the end and come in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL). An elastic band is threaded through the stitches on the wrong side of the top of each sleeve. Use knit-in elastic if you prefer. For edgings I choose I-cords and since the I-cord cast-on gives a loose edge I decided using a provisional cast-on (e.g. the backward loop cast-on) later to be replaced by an I-cord bind-off for the cowl, while for the loose sleeves I made an I-cord, then picked up and knitted stitches from it, see video on YouTube. The set is knitted with sponsored yarn from Du Store Alpakka on a 4 mm/US 6 needle.

You can wear the cowl loose around your neck, or across your shoulder or twisted around your neck as above. If this is how you prefer to wear it, pin together two of your scarf, try on and measure to get the right length. For these photographs, taken by my husband, I choose black but for the photo shoot I choose cream to let the stunning lilac color come alive. I think you will agree with me when you see the photos taken by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Stay tuned, and keep knitting!

New Design: Mistale

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love my Cable Round Sweater, not only the cables but also the fit and – above all – the immaculate styling by Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik, but I still wanted to take the design further. I decided to incorporate some modifications suggested by my talented test knitters. The result is a cabled sweater with more ease in the body itself, and less ease on the sleeves. The yarn choice was easy, since the vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk out on Monday 24. August, while the English version will be test knitted in my group before its release.

And of course, I had to make a matching cowl. Just as the Cable Round Cowl it has cables on one side and ribs on the other. Due to the thickness since it is knitted in the round, it is firm and easy to drape twice around your neck.

To illustrate the length of the cowl, here it is worn around the neck. The set was photographed in strong sunlight by my husband a few days before the professional photoshoot. The yarn color is closest to the top photo. The yarn has been kindly sponsored by Hifa. Photographer Eivind Røhne has captured it brilliantly when worn on model Anne Dorthe at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. I have one more new design I can reveal before I show you the professional photos!

Honeysuckle Pattern Released

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

After a successful test knit of the English version of Honeysuckle in my group on Ravelry, I am happy to release the pattern in the Nordic Vintage series. Stunningly worn over a silk dress by Judith Bech, by model Alexandria Eissinger/Pholk with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Here is the introduction to the pattern: Inspired by the climbing of the Honeysuckle is this lace pattern which adorns a soft Summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle it is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in Stockinette stitch. The belt is worked as a hem and can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch. Knit all parts in the cozy Rowan Softknit Cotton. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend and is still available through Familien.

Sizes: One Size

Finished measurements: Shawl: Width: 43 cm/17″ Length: 143 cm/56.25″ Cowl: Circumference: 70 cm/27.5″. Height: 28.5 cm/11.25″ Belt: Width: 2 cm/0.75″. Length: 179 cm/70.5″

Yarn: Rowan Yarns, Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Silver 586. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softknit-cotton Shawl: 7 skeins; 652 m/713 yds Cowl: 2 skeins; 202 m/221 yds Belt: 1 skein; 95 m/104 yds

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/0.82″), stitch markers and yarn needle.

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for shawl and cowl. 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (100 cm/40″) for belt. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Gauge: 17 sts and 28 rows in Honeysuckle Pattern and Double Seed st using 4.5 mm/US 7 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The shawl is knit flat and the cowl is knit in the round. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in Stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add preferred tying length.

New Design: Oili

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Why not try the newly discovered cables in a thinner cotton yarn, I thought. The tape yarn Bonnie from Permin, with a generous 220 m/240 yds on a 50 g skein as well as a recommended 4 mm/US 6 needle, was irresistible. First I chose the color Wine but it was out of stock, so I had to find another and went for Pale Blue, which looked more Sea Green online. The result was a greyish pale blue shade, that grew on me. I am pleased to present Oili: Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili. The sample is knitted in sponsored yarn by the talented, super speedy, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry and then released.

The top is worked in the round to the armholes, then separated. I wanted to create a visible fake side seam and a divider between the parts. A few stitches in garter stitch and one in a reverse stocking stitch made the look I wanted. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. The armhole band and the neck band are worked in the round on a smaller needle; 3.5 mm/US 4.

I decided to make a similar divider and folding point on the cowl. But the cotton is lovely and soft so it does not fold as neatly as expected. As you can see in the photo above. They are all taken by my husband a few days ahead of the professional photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

The cowl can be folded twice around the neck, see above. Just like the top the cowl has 3 cables on each side. You can look forward to seeing how marvelous it looks on Anne Dorthe!

Alby Gård Galleri F15

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Linda Marveng

On Sunday, my husband and I went on an excursion to Jeløya on the outer Oslo fjord, in Moss, 1 hour’s drive from Oslo, to visit Alby Gård/Farm with its well-know Galleri F15. Due to the summer heat, a lot of people had the same idea while the families headed straight for the nearby beach. The south end of the island is a protected landscape with its farmland, gardens and tree alleys. Alby is first mentioned in 1389 as a diocese, and was later sold by the king to Gunder Torgersen Tollefsrød in 1727. He became the first farmer to own Alby and it remained in his family until 1815 before it was sold on. All the farm houses burnt down to the ground in 1866, so the existing manor in the Empire Style, built in plastered brick, was raised in the 1870s by Michael Sundt.

The property was bought by Moss Kommune/Council in 1963. Four years later they offered the one year old gallery, Galleri F15, to move to Alby. The Gallery thrived and an extension was built in 1985. Today, it is an acknowledged Gallery and a cultural events organizer. Above is a row of Robinia also known as Black Locust trees, lining the garden. They are to the left in the top photo. I was captivated by their vivid green color and their trunks.

The view from the Manor house towards the fjord in the hazy sunshine. The park was raised so there is a stone wall between the road above and the end of the garden.

The bay, a popular beach for the locals.

We enjoyed a walk along the beach, before we went home.

Driving through the majestic tree alley. All in all, it was a lovely day out!

New Design: Imra

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I found this cable pattern online and instantly adored it. The pattern repetition is long hence length and cable placement had to be carefully planned. This is my introduction to it: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. Named after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front and bottom edge. Match with a pair of loose sleeve that can also be around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn; the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The mix as well as the color is one I have used before (read: hooked on) in my Shawl Sleeves. I also choose to knit them with a dense gauge using a 4 mm/US 6. I was delighted that Grete Jenssen – aka turbo test knitter, aka ma9 on Ravelry – knitted the sample vest and the loose sleeves for me! The Norwegian pattern will be published in “Familien Strikk” at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted then released on Ravelry this autumn.

I-cord bind off on the neck and the armhole was essential to me. Why not give the fronts and the bottom I-cord edgings too? I thought. For the bottom one, I tested out a new method to me, make an I-cord and pick up and knit stitches from it. There is an I-cord cast on, but as you may know it does create a very loose first row, hence a different solution had to be found. I found it on YouTube. It has elasticity but holds in the bottom at the same time. Another solution would have been to use a provisional method and then afterwards use the I-cord bind off. The I-cord at the front is worked at the same time as the front using this method: newstitchaday.com/how-to-knit-the-i-cord-edge-stitch. Grete suggested adding a few extra rows in even intervals on the I-cord edge to avoid it holding in the edge, and tested it out, to my utter satisfaction.

The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

I choose double seed stitch as the main contrast stitch and reverse stripes – a welt pattern – in each side bound off for the armhole. To make the armhole smaller, a band was made by picking up and knitting rounds in double seed stitch while decreasing. I could easily have continued to do so to make the armhole even smaller. The vest is graded to fit sizes XS to 2XL, with a finished bust measurement of 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (33.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”. Both yarns have been kindly sponsored by Hifa and Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent.

Above, I have joined the loose sleeves with 2 shawl pins and wear it as a belt. All the photos above where taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. I look forward to showing you those stunning photos.

Gyda Pattern Released

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am so pleased to announce that I have released both Gyda – the jacket – and Gyda Cowl – the cowl and belt – patterns in English after an exciting test knit in my Ravelry group. Take a look at all the different versions and the modifications including into a sweater on the links above. Gyda, knitted in the beautiful Hifa Ask, for my collaboration with shoe designer Monica Stålvang and dress designer Judith Bech, created for Made by Me – now Familien Trend – modeled by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Pholk, hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. Familien Trend with the Norwegian pattern was published in March. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Cables that create diamond shapes adorn this fitted jacket on all its parts. A deep v-neck and a button band with three bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord make it suitable to wear on top of any treasured outfit. The fronts and back are knitted flat, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all in the bouncy pure wool melange Hifa Ask.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 69 (76, 83, 91, 93, 113) cm/ 27.25 (30, 32.75, 35.75, 36.5, 44.5)” Hip: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22,5, 22.75, 23,25)” Sleeve length: 50 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.75 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). Sample is knitted in Melange turquise 6584: 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins: 900 (1023, 1147, 1273, 1462, 1650) m/984 (1119, 1254, 1392, 1599, 1804) yds. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert

Alternative Yarn: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/pashmina.html Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% cotton, 50 g, 112 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 247 m/270 yds) https://www.theloopyewe.com/shop/g/knit-crochet/yarn/shalimar-yarns/breathless-dk/ Or another sport weight/5 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for hem and button band. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 3 buttons (13 mm/0.5″). Special ordered buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, siri@fredenshavn.no see http://epla.no/shops/sirisskattkammer/, 10 stitch markers, 4 stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. Cable Panel across 84 sts measures 31 cm/12.25″. Cable Panel across 36 sts; 1 pattern measures 11 cm/4.25″.

Notes: Each front is 1 cm wider than 1/2 the back circumference, to achieve symmetry, usual in typical vintage garments. This jacket is fitted, please compare your waist measurements to the size you need and adjust if necessary, to make sure it will fit.

Butterflies adorn this generous Gyda Cowl, in the shape of a lace pattern divided by a rib. A rich melange brown color has been created by combining the pure wool of Huldra Kamgarn by Hifa with the tonal alpaca mixture of Dreamline Soul by Du Store Alpakka. A tweed belt made for the Gyda jacket introduces the brown shade together with farmblue Hifa Ask. The belt, just like the jacket, has bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord.

Sizes: Belt: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Cowl: One size

Finished Measurements: Belt: Bottom: 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) cm/31.5 (35.5, 39.25, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25)” Top: 68 (78, 88, 98, 108, 118) cm/ 26.75 (30.75, 34.75, 38.5, 42.5, 46.5)” Height 30 cm/11.75″ Cowl: Height 46 cm/18″, circumference 92 cm/36.25″

For more info, see Gyda Cowl on Ravelry. The yarn for this set was kindly sponsored by Hifa and Du Store Alpakka.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: July 2015