Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Sarya

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the brilliant professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing Sarya. The jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and her hair and make up was done by Sissel Fylling. The Norwegian pattern will be published shortly on Ravelry while the English one will be test knitted in my group before its release. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful lace pattern adorn the lower part of this jacket with overlapping fronts, while garter stitch rules on the top part. The stitch patterns are divided by a tuck and the jacket has identical hems. A deep elegant v-neck allows it to be worn loose creating waterfall fronts. Or you can close it with jewelry or a shawl pin for a more tailored look. The jacket is named Sarya; the night traveler hence knitted in the stunning JaggerSpun Zephyr Lace, held double, because of its luster and drape.

JaggerSpun Zephyr Lace is a divine mix of 50% merino and 50% tussah silk with 1024 meters/1120 yards on each 100 g skein. I prefer to hold it double to create a dense fabric with extra texture. The yarn was generously sponsored by JaggerSpun. The jacket is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5. The gauge is 25 stitches and 36 rows in stocking stitch using yarn held double throughout. The bottom hems and tucks are worked using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. By mistake I used 3.5 mm/US 4 for the front band since too long time had passed from the beginning of the knitting to the end and there were too many projects made in the meantime. Despite the mistake the result was better than I could hope for. The extra long front bands pull the overlapping jacket into an asymmetrical waterfall front. If you prefer to wear it with the fronts overlapping as originally intended I suggest you use 3 mm/US 2.5 for the front band.

Here are my other pattern notes: The body of the jacket is knitted back and forth in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Hems, tuck and garter stitch parts are knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5, while the lace pattern is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4. The double neckband is picked up and knitted afterwards, then sewn in place on WS. Use a larger needle; 3.5 mm/US 4 for the neck band if you want it to pull the fronts into a slight asymmetrical shape, as done on sample.

The jacket is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 85 cm to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″. The length is from 62 to 67 cm/24.5 to 26.5″ but can be adjusted by removing or adding pattern repeats to the lace section. I am pleased over how the pattern parts came together, especially since I had my doubts over the garter stitch top instead of stocking stitch. But I came to realize that the garter stitch does make the tucks and hems stand out even more.

The excellent idea to include the plants came from my husband, and I like how they soften up the stark lines of the interior in addition to playing with the lines of the pattern on both the jacket and in the amazing jewelry in matted silver by Kaja Gjedebo Design. There are more magnificent photos to come.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Keya Shrug & Scarf

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Texture addiction is the key word for this design. I love how the colors came all together at the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne suggested we use the staircase on the side of the restaurant, and the result blew my mind again! To wear Keya with a pair of camel colored silk trousers was make up and hair artist Sissel Fylling’s advice since the wedding gowns looked to white against the sand colored shrug and scarf. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger is wearing Keya Shrug with and without the extra back piece and the Keya Scarf as a collar as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be published on Ravelry at the end of February as soon as I receive the pattern back from my Tech Editor. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

I knitted the scarf while I was waiting for sponsored yarn to arrive from Permin, Rowan’s agent in preparation for our meeting at Made by Me in august 2014. Then we decided to leave it out as it did not fit in the blue and grey color mix. Now with dress designer Judith Bech’s wedding gowns I decided to include it and design a shrug to go with it. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Voluminus hidden sand cables in a tweed mixture made of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed, creates a divine texture for this shrug with bell cuffs worked sideways in one piece. You begin at one cuff and shape it in the round until the back where it is worked flat until the opposite sleeve. Why not lengthen the back by adding a loose back piece attached with an earring or a brooch? Make a loose reversible Keya scarf and use it as a collar for the shrug; named Keya after the bloom of a flower.

The shrug comes in size: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL), while the scarf is one size. The shrug is worked from cuff to cuff with bell shaping at each end. The cuff and sleeve is worked in the round until armhole, then worked flat across the back to the opposite sleeve where it is worked in the round to the final bind off at the cuff. Only the width varies between the different sizes, not the length. You can easily adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats to each sleeve if desired.

Sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted the shrug at her usual speed and perfection using 5.5 mm/US 9 needles. That is the recommended size for Rowan Lima but since I wanted the sand cables to pop I decided to use the same size even though the yarn is held together with the Rowan Fine Tweed. By holding the yarns together the color becomes richer and the texture even more pronounced. The yarns were generously sponsored by Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent Permin.

The gauge is 16 stitches and 27 rows in garter stitch using both yarns held together. I often choose two thinner yarns held together, both with good meterage/yardage to create a denser texture, popping cables and a lighter garment instead of choosing a thick yarn usually with a shorter meterage/yardage that results in a heavier garment.

The loose back piece is attached using a gold brooch by Kaja Gjedebo Design at the center back of the shrug. It is knitted as a rectangle and meant to be pinned on when you need extra warmth on your lower back. An option would be to add buttonholes along the bottom of the flat back part of the shrug. In the photo above you see the scarf lying over the shrug as a collar from the back. Alexandria was ever so pleased that I kept her so warm in the cold October weather. This is one of the design that needed time to evolve, as some of them do.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Helka

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The time has come to show you the stunning photos taken by Eivind Røhne of Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design wearing Helka over a tulle skirt by Judith Bech. The Norwegian pattern of Helka will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, late Spring, before its release. The Helka sample is knitted in a combination of a pure combed wool in 3-ply Hifa Huldra Kamgarn and an alpaca mix in a chainette lace yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together using a 4 mm/US 6 needles by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

Helka is knitted with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch with both yarns held together. Both the yarns were generously sponsored. The Woven Cable has cable crossings on every second row, so it is time consuming, but also very rewarding to knit. I also wanted to add the most beautiful buttons I could think of, so I ordered bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. You can study the details in the photos, Siri herself took of them in this blogpost. There are 14 buttons attached on the jacket, but you can easily adjust it to your own preference.

The body is knitted from the bottom and up in 3 parts, back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The Woven Cable pattern ends in a rib at the sleevecap and at the v-neck shaping on the fronts, as well as on shoulders at the back. The sleeves have one cable pattern repeat and rib on the remaining part.

I did consider making the sides in rib too, but realized that the Woven cables only need a frame and that stockinette stitch would highlight them more than a rib would. Hence the sleeve could easily have been made with stockinette stitches on the inside instead of rib.

The neckband was picked up and knitted the evening before the photoshoot, so I did not have time to adjust the number of stitches in the back neck to the rib below, but I have decreased a number of stitches in the pattern to make it lie flat. The brilliant idea to wear Helka only over the tulle skirt – intended as an underskirt/petticoat by dress designer Judith Bech – was Sissel’s since it did not work out as I had hoped with any of the wedding gowns I had borrowed. I am ever so thrilled with the resulting photos, and extremely grateful to be able to work with such a magnificent team!

Sculpted Frost Pattern Released

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Sculpted Frost is a pattern with a long history and a design which evolved over several years before it was ready to be knitted. The English pattern has now been released after a successful test knitting where some of the testers choose fewer tucks on the sleeve and a different edging on the body. You can see them all on the pattern page on Ravelry. It was first published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Strikk last August. The sample jacket was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn on gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm with overlapping collars/33 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Hip: 104 (112, 118, 126, 136, 146) cm/41 (44, 46.5, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5)” Length: 77 (77.5, 78.5, 79.5, 80.5, 82) cm/30.25 (30.5, 31, 31.25, 31.75, 32.25)” Collar width to v-neck: 7 cm/2.75″ Collar width (mid-neck) widest: 18 cm/7″ Sleeve Length (incl cuff): 52.5 (53.5, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5) cm/20.75 (21, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5)” Cuff length: 7.5 cm/3″

Yarns: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds). Sample is knitted in Melange Pink/Purple Tones DL213. http://www.dustorealpakka.com/garn-sortiment/?category=29 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10) skeins: 1157 (1246, 1383, 1485, 1593, 1701) m/1265 (1363, 1512, 1624, 1742, 1860) yds. Hifa, Huldra (100% wool, 200 g cone, 850 m/929 yds). Sample is knitted in Light Purple Pink 8012. http://www.ull.no/garn/maskinstrikkegarn/huldra-kamgarn-8-5-2-tykt 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) cones; 1157 (1246, 1383, 1485, 1593, 1701) m/1265 (1363, 1512, 1624, 1742, 1860) yds. Note: Both yarns are held together throughout.

Yarn alternatives: See Sculpted Frost pattern page. Or another DK/8 ply yarn held alone to replace both Huldra and Dreamline Soul.

Needles: 2 sets 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for body and sleeves. 2 sets 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (120 cm/48″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 7 Stitch markers, 4 stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using both yarns held together measures 10 cm/4″ square blocked. 18 sts and 24 rows in Frost Flowers using both yarns held together measures 10 cm/4″ square blocked. Lattice Panel across 16 sts using both yarns held together measures 8 cm/3.25″ blocked.

Notes: The 3 larger sizes have been given a garter st panel on either side of the Frost Flowers, feel free to change this to st st if you prefer. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Elora

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The bolero looked stunning worn by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger on top of Judith Bech’s “Secret” wedding gown. Alexandria’s hair & make up is by Sissel Fylling and the jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The beautiful photos are all taken by Eivind Røhne at the Ekeberg Restaurant last October. Elora and three other designs: Shinju, Adoe and Helka will be published in Norwegian in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on Monday 14th March. The English pattern to Elora will be test knitted in April in my Ravelry group before its release. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Mondial Gold is an exclusive mix of 80% wool and 20% cashmere on a 50 g skein with 175 m/191 yds. The sample is knitted in Cream 426, to show off the crisp stitch definition. The bolero is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The yarn was generously sponsored by Mondial’s Scandinavian Agent: House of Hobbies. The sample was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, to my utter satisfaction.

The body of the bolero is worked in pieces from the bottom up, and is sewn together, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The bolero is slightly tapered. The collar width is in additon to the front and bust circumference so that it can be folded and pinned as desired. It is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose.

The bolero comes in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″, waist circumference of 82 to 123 cm/32.25 to 48.5″ and length from 47 to 52 cm/18.5 to 20.5″. The length of the bolero as well as the scarf is one that easily can be adjusted by removing or adding pattern repeats.

In the photos above you see the scarf collar folded in to create more volume to the neckline but it does look equally good just hanging flat or pinned together. The scarf collar width is in addition to the bust width so that it can hang loose as a scarf. The wedding gown with its feather mermaids tail had to be shown in all its glory, in my opinion.

Alva Pattern Released

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Linda Marveng

A few weeks ago I released the English pattern of Alva on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. I had the pattern both tech edited and test knitted. Everyone helped me improve and perfect the pattern. Alva was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk in August last year. It was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang. You can see some of the finished ones on the pattern page. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo, available at Det Mjuke in Norway.

Size: One size

Finished Measurements: Bust: 177.5 cm/70″. Length: 77.5 cm/30.5″ Shawl collar depth: 30 cm/11.75″. Shawl collar width at widest: 20 cm/7.75″ Wristwarmers: Bottom circumference: 18 cm/7″. Top circumference: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Tropical Lane, Woolissimo (100% merino, 50 g, 125 m/137 yds). Sample is knitted in Wine 706: Poncho: 18 skeins; 2188 m/2393 yds Wrist warmers: 2 skeins; 225 m/246 yds Note: 20 skeins is sufficent for set; 2413 m/2639 yds http://www.tropicallane.it/work.php?AREA=CHI&L=ENG

Alternative Yarn: Lang Yarns, Merino 120 (100% merino, 50 g, 120 m/131 yds) http://www.langyarns.com/index.cfm?a=spn&PageNum=3 Dream in Color, Everlasting DK (100% merino, 100 g, 251 m/274 yds) http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/color-options-for-jilly-jilly-lace-everlasting-sock-dk-and-wisp/ Rico Essentials Merino DK, (100% merino, 50 g, 120 m/131 yds) http://www.loveknitting.com/rico-essentials-merino-dk

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs or long circular needle for magic loop method for wrist warmers. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 8 stitch markers, waste yarn and yarn needle.1 m/1 yard thin round elastic for wrist warmers if desired.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st, Double Seed sts and Diamond pattern measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The poncho is knitted in 3 parts and the shawl collar is worked at the same time as the front. The selvedge st is knitted in Double Seed st. At the end the collar is attached at the center back neck and the shoulders are sewn together. Make buttonholes if you prefer. The pattern is reversible, so choose which side you prefer as the right side. You can easily thread a thin elastic through the top of the wrist warmers if preferred. The only sewing required is the join at the shoulders and at the center back neck.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Oydis Sweater & Cowl

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to show you the stunning photos of Oydis, Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing the Oydis Sweater and Cowl. The hair and make up artist is Sissel Fylling, who worked her magic yet again. The jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and complements the texture of the knitting as well as lifting the outfit to another level altogether. I will self publish Oydis in Norwegian on Ravelry at the end of February together with four other designs. The English pattern will be published after test knitting in my group beginning in March.

Here is my introduction to Oydis: A shadow diamond cable dominates this a-line sweater with a curved flattering hem. I-cords bands frame the bottom of the sweater, while garter stitches mark the sides and the round neckband. The sweater, with or without the cowl to dress it up, make the outfit ideal for the Goddess of good luck; Oydis. The body of the sweater is knitted flat, while the sleeves and the cowl, are knitted in the round. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with a beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

The chainette yarn Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds) is held together with Merino Tweed from Pickles (100% wool, 100 g, 380 m/415 yds). The Dreamline Soul yarn was kindly sponsored by Du Store Alpakka. The set is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

The body is worked flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The sleeves begin with making an I-cord and picking up stitches from the cord, but use a provisional cast on and then later work an I-cord bind off, as on the body, if you prefer. Each side has garter stitches as edging and the sleeves has a fake seam created with garter stitches.

The sweater comes in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, hip circumference of 98 to 140 cm/38.5 to 55″ and length from 74 to 79 cm/29.25 to 31″. The cowl is one size but can be adjusted in width by adding extra side stitches in garter and in length by removing or adding pattern repeats. The cowl is knitted in the round, and then the ends are joined using mattress stitches. But you could easily use a provisional cast-on and graft the stitches together instead.

This set has been the most popular design in this series so far, but it will be interesting to see if that changes as I keep showing you all the professional photos. I follow the number of favorites on my project page on Ravelry and you can too. Do find me and join my group on Ravelry, if you have not done so already.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Shinju Shawl

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to begin to show all the amazing photos that Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous Model Alexandria Eissinger/Sweden Models with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, dresses by Judith Bech Design and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, KGD, at the Ekebergrestauranten in October. First out is the Shinju Shawl one of the four designs that will be published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Kreativ out on 14th of March. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in May before its release.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle. Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl and highlight Judith Bech’s “Secret”; a divine felted wedding dress with a mermaid tail.

Here you can study the details of not only the yarn and shawl but also of the divine felted wedding gown called Secret designed by Judith Bech as well as stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, KGD: Jasminum Necklace and Ivy Hanging Earrings . Notice the bead on the yarn and the ones on the gown.

The shawl is made from one short end to the opposite, with a ruffled bell border at each end, and garter stitch side stitches. You can easily adjust the length and width of the shawl by adding or removing stitch patterns as preferred. The finished shawl is 51.5 cm/20.25″ wide and 150 cm/59″ long. It is knitted in Mondial Perle (55% polyester, 30% kid mohair, 15% silk with beads, 25 grams, 85 m/93 yds) in Cream. The yarn was generously sponsored through their Scandinavian agent, House of Hobbies.

If you are familiar with lace knitting you will see that all the yarn over increases line up just as the decreases does making it an easy lace pattern to knit. Mondial Perle comes in a few other colors, here is a photo from Tjorven, so if you do not need it for a wedding gown maybe you would want to make it for one of your cocktail or party dresses instead. Next series of photos are of Oydis.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: February 2016