Elora Pattern Released

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The English pattern Elora has now been released after a successful test knit in my Ravelry group. As always I thoroughly enjoy seeing the design knitted in different colors, yarns and with modifications such as a a short collar and button bands. The bolero was gorgeously worn by Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and a stunning felted wedding gown by Judith Bech, all captured brilliantly by Eivind Røhne. Elora was first published in Norwegian in Familien Kreativ in March. 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 hence 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.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 85 (92, 99, 106, 116, 126) cm/33.5 (36.25, 39, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 82 (89, 96, 103, 113, 123) cm/32.25 (35, 37.75, 40.5, 44.5, 48.5)” Length: 47 (48, 49, 50, 51, 52) cm/18.5 (19, 19.25, 19.75, 20, 20.5)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75 (19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)” Scarf collar width: 14 (14, 14, 20, 20, 20) cm/5.5 (5.5, 5.5, 7.75, 7.75, 7.75)” Scarf collar width is in addition to bust width so that it can hang loose as a scarf.

Yarn: Mondial, Gold (80% wool, 20% cashmere, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds). Sample is knitted in Cream 426: 7 (8, 8, 10, 10, 11) skeins; 1136 (1232, 1328, 1584, 1727, 1871) m/1242 (1347, 1452, 1732, 1889, 2046) yds. http://www.lanemondial.it/home/sv/garn/hoest-vinter/238-deluxe-eng/1782-gold-2

Yarn alternatives: Rowan, Super Fine Merino 4ply (100% wool, 50 g, 165 m/181 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/super-fine-merino-4ply Madeline Tosh, Tosh Sock (100% merino, 100 g, 361 m/395 yds) http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/tosh-sock.html Handmaiden Fine Yarn, Casbah Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 115 g, 325 m/355 yds) http://handmaiden.ca/product/casbah/ String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn, Caper Sock (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 113 g, 366 m/400 yds) http://www.stringtheoryyarn.com/home.php?cat=126 Fyberspates, Scrumptious 4ply/sport (55% merino, 45% silk, 100 g, 365 m/399 yds) http://fyberspates.com/index/#/scrumptious-4ply/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.

Gauge: 24 sts and 40 rows in garter stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. 29-sts in Obstacles pattern; 2 pattern reps measures 12 cm/4.75″ across. 32-rows in Obstacles pattern; 2 pattern reps measures 9 cm/3.5″ down. 26 sts and 34 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: 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.

New Design: Halli

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Linda Marveng

A cardigan knitted sideways is a garment I have been planning to design for awhile, not unlike my sideways vest made for my Norwegian knitting book. When I received samples of the new yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje, I knew it was the one. Sølje is a thinner version of Norsk Pelsullgarn made of 100% Norwegian Pelt wool with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein and a wonderful luster to it. I choose to knit it using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. Hence it became one of the four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and for their yarn kits which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair. I choose a simple reversible pattern that reminds me of bricks, and added tucks at the bottom of the sleeves and at the beginning of each front. By playing around I discovered that making a tuck in reverse stocking stitch next to one in stocking stitch make them move apart and oppose each other. A small part of the collar is in garter stitch. My skilled sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, has knitted the size Small sample.

A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

I have graded the cardigan from size XS to 2XL, with bust measurements from 100 to 144 cm/39.25 to 56.75″, due to the extra wide fronts. In the pattern I have added the following ease/size note: The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size.

The fronts can easily be draped and pinned together as you please, as you can see from the photo above. It does look better if you do this in front of a mirror though, and not without one as I did. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and will sold as a guest design in September here: /garnpakker/hillesvag-eksklusiv-gjestedesign, while the English pattern will be test knitted in February in my Ravelry group before its release. I must admit that this is my favorite of my new designs, and it has just been sent off to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk as their display sample for Oslo Design Fair and other upcoming fairs. So for the future I will truly cherish the professional photos we took of Halli. You wait and see.

Hertha Pattern Released

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Finally, I have been able to release the last of the English patterns brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter last Spring. Gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models is wearing the Hertha shawl with loose sleeves together with a stunning fringe skirt by Judith Bech and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Her hair and Make up is done by Sissel Fylling. Hertha has been successfully test knitted in my Ravelry group. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August.Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shawl pin. A traditional lace pattern with shadow triangles in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double.

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

Finished Measurements:

Shawl: Length: 110 (119, 128) cm/43.25 (46.75, 50.5)”. Width excl collar: 33 (37, 41) cm/13 (14.5, 16.25)”. Width incl widest collar: 51 (55, 59) cm/20 (21.75, 23.25)”

Loose sleeves: Cuff width: 25 (29, 33) cm/9.75 (11.5, 13)”. Width at bottom: 22 (26, 30) cm/8.75 (10.25, 11.75)”. Width at top: 32 (36, 40) cm/12.5 (14.25, 15.75)”. Sleeve length incl cuff: 50 cm/19.75″

Yarn: Jaggerspun, Zephyr Lace 2/18 (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 100 g, 1024 m/1120 yds). Sample is knitted in Mulberry. http://www.jaggeryarn.com/wholesale-yarn-lines/zephyr-wool-silk.php. Shawl: 2 (2, 2) skeins; 1563 (1624, 1685) m/1709 (1776, 1843) yds. Loose Sleeves: 2 (2, 2) skeins; 1036 (1199, 1362) m/1133 (1311, 1489) yds.

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needles (80 cm/32″) for shawl and loose sleeves. 2 sets of 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needles (80 cm/32″) for hem and tucks. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 1 m/1 yrd thin elastic cord (1.5 mm/0.059″) for loose sleeves, 2 stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 25 sts and 36 rows in st st using double yarn and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles measures 10 cm/4″ square. 25 sts and 40 rows in garter st using double yarn and 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 40 rows in Shadow Triangles using double yarn and 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The hem and tucks are all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel.

New Design: Andor

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to announce that I have made 4 designs for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair in the beginning of September. Then, you will find them on this webpage: Hillesvåg Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. I suggested a trendy oversized poncho, an a-line long jacket, a straight sweater and a sideways jacket with a waterfall front. First out is the poncho, Andor beautifully knitted by Airin Hansen, in Hifa Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt yarn with a mohair feel, 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 g skein) using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle (and 4 mm/US 6 for collar). I was delighted that Airin, aka Teodor on Ravelry, could help me knit the sample as I was knitting two other samples at the time. Natural grey (undyed hence natural and what I would describe as light grey) or beige was my choice and Hillesvåg opted for beige.

A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has sidebands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho. It comes in one size, with a bust measurement of 212 cm/83.5″; each front and back has a width of 106 cm/41.75 and it is 72 cm/28.25″ long.

The poncho is knitted in two parts, back and forth. The large collar is picked up and knitted at the end, just as the sidebands. The shoulder is shaped with short-rows and then joined using a 3-needle bind-off. Each sideband has two buttonholes. The photos above are taken by my husband in the bright sunlight and as you can see we had the sun in the wrong direction in the top two photos. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release. I loved seeing it on my model Alexandria Eissinger and I can reveal that it was her favorite of all the 11 garments we photographed at Villa Malla.

New Design: Hel

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I knew I wanted to design a garment with these Sweeping Cables as soon as I saw them. I knew it had to be a long garment so they would have some space to unfold across. A vest, but should it be open or not? Not, I decided so it could be used as a summer top too. I tested a few yarns before I was happy with the result of the cable which stretches two stitches across four hence need to be of a filling type like Rowan Alpaca Merino DK – an alpaca, merino and nylon mix – of a chainette construction with a generous 105 meters/115 yards on each 25 g ball. The vest is knitted using a 4.5 mm/US 7 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk in late August while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in mid-July.

The rib in the cables became the obvious choice for the bottom band and lent itself to making vents in the side. A relaxed fit, hence an a-line shape, makes the vest wearable for any occasion. It was stunningly worn by model Alexandria Eissinger with silk slacks, see my previous post: Villa Malla Sneak Peek. The deep v-neck can be worn on the front or on the back, due to the shoulder shaping. It is framed by an I-cord bind-off which I tried to offset with a few rows of reverse stocking stitch. Due to the fuzzy yarn the contrast did not work as well I had imagined.

The vest is knitted in two parts due to the vents. I named the vest Hel because it means complete in Norwegian and because the Norse Hel ruled over nine worlds. Complete because of the different looks you can create with it, whether you wear the v-neck at the front or at the back and what you prefer to wear under it.

I have graded the vest from size XS to size 2XL. The sample, the only one of the nine new designs we photographed at Villa Malla, I had time to knit since I was knitting samples for Interweave and SweetGeorgia Yarns. All the photos above are taken at Ormøya, down from where we live. Unlike the heat from the photoshoot day these photos were taken in a very cold wind and I would have preferred to have worn all three on top of each other instead of separately. Hel is the fifth new design and the last in the series to be published in Familien Strikk together with the Yellow Gold Pullover. Next up are each of the four designs I have made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and their yarn kits to be launched at Oslo Design Fair in early September. To be continued.

Villa Malla Sneak Peek

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I wanted to share some more of the magnificent photos from our photoshoot at Villa Malla on the 1st of June. Above you see Jens Johan Wiker in action, doing some last minute finish to gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency wearing my design Githa with cowl together with a tulle skirt by Judith Bech Design and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I wanted the blue water as a back drop to this top and suggested using the pier, which photographer Eivind Røhne agreed to. But he ended up with only the sky as the background, like the photo below by Michael.

However, this made the photos quite iconic in my opinion. Alexandria is standing on one reflector, the second is on its stand and to provide enough light at the right spot, I held the third reflector when Eivind started shooting. We photographed 11 garments, 6 for the Norwegian Familien Strikk out in late August and 4 for yarn kits for Norwegian yarn producer: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk – to be launched at Oslo Design Fair in September – and 1 for Ravelry.

The Yellow Gold Pullover, first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2015, was photographed again this time for my use and it will be published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk and in English in my Ravelry store. I decided to style the sweater with beige trouser and wanted the beach as the backdrop. It worked so well with the jewelry from Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Here is a sneak peek of a new design: Hel to be published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk in August. This is the only design, of the 9 new ones, that I actually knitted this time, in the new and lovely Rowan Alpaca Merino DK. Hence it was finished the day before the photoshoot. It has a slight a-line shape, vents and a v-neck that fits both ways; on the front or on the back. Hence you have two options and the meaning of Hel in Norwegian is complete. In addition the Norse Hel ruled over nine worlds…

More details on this new design will follow. I can also reveal that I have chosen my favorite photos from the huge selection Eivind sent me, and cannot wait to show you those in time.

New Design: Kori

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Linda Marveng

As promised here is more details and a presentation of my design: Kori is old Norse and means perfect; Kori is the result of a complex mathematical equation that cannot be calculated by the human mind. Just as the intricate cable that crowns this fitted jacket. The intricate cable crossings are filled by seed stitch, hence seed stitch bands and playful tucks at the bottom. The jacket has a shawl collar and ends in I-cord bind offs. It is knitted in parts to give extra shape in the beautiful Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent. Luckily for me Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, had time to help me knit this sample in time for the photoshoot as you saw in the previous post. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk in late August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Kori is a design I planned for the previous collection but time ran out and I set it aside. When I picked it up again, I did not remember that there were two versions of the cable chart: one where the cable legs are across 3 stitches and another one where the cable legs are across 4 stitches. Of course I chose the wrong one and ended up with a jacket close to size Large and not Small. So I have sewn it up twice, and adjusted the pattern so that the cross back will be slightly narrower than on the sample.

I have graded the pattern for sizes XS to 2XL with finished bust measurements from 84 cm to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, and waist measurements from 74 to 116 cm/29.25 to 47.75″. The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I decided to work the body flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck is worked with 2 sets of circular needles helt together. To avoid the slight flare on the body, I suggest using a smaller needle size like 3.5 mm/US 4 instead of 4 mm/US 6. The photos above are all taken by my husband in the cold drizzle a couple of weeks before the blistering heat on the day of the photoshoot. I can promise you some stunning photos of Alexandria Eissinger wearing it…

Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Villa Malla

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Linda Marveng

On Wednesday we had a wonderful photoshoot at Villa Malla, approximately 50 minutes south of Oslo. Yes, it was a sweltering day, reaching 30 degrees celsius in the afternoon. So not ideal for photographing woolly knitwear. But professional model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency flew in from Copenhagen, via train from Malmø, and admitted she preferred this to photographing swimwear in the Scandinavian climate. Photographer Eivind Røhne picked her up at Oslo S train station, while make up and hair artist Jens Johan Wiker caught a lift with my husband and myself. Jens came highly recommended by Sissel Fylling who had a full calendar. He has won Hair Stylist of the year, 3 years in a row now, so no wonder I had to promise to ask Sissel again next time.

We were made very welcome at Villa Malla and asked if we wanted to use the Gallery for the day. It was perfect for us and meant we did not have to camp out in the restaurant itself with all our suitcases with knitwear collection, shoes, make up & hair products and photographic equipment. So while Jens was doing Alexandria’s hair and make up base for the day we went to look for possible backdrops. There are many at Villa Malla, and we knew we had to focus on a few selected ones. Finally I was able to have a few beach photos. This has been the plan previously but the weather has not allowed for it. I had borrowed several dresses and two skirts from marvelous designer Judith Bech, but when I tried it on at home I realized that only the skirts fitted together with the knitwear. Above is one of the two pullovers I had to photograph again for my own usage; Inverness Sweater was first published in English in Interweave Knits Winter 2016.

Here we are testing the view of the Oslo fjord from the terrace. You could be forgiven for thinking it was somewhere by the Mediterranean Sea. It was a backdrop I wanted to use, but Eivind suggested a clever move towards the staircase instead. See the photo below and Eivind’s arm. We did spend some time waiting for the sailboat to come into view just as we waited for the sun to re-appear from behind the clouds. With several reflectors to hand and an extra above Eivind’s camera we made the hard sunlight work. Eivind nailed it, and stopped at nothing as usual; working dangerously close to the end of the pier, balancing on rocks and lying under the tables on the terrace just to mention a few…

Above is Michael’s photo of Alexandria wearing Kori, a fitted cable jacket, knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry. It came out slightly bigger than I had planned, but that is because I choose the wrong chart for the cables – the one with the wider cables instead of the narrower ones. Oh, well it did make the cables totally rule over the jacket. More details on the design will come. If you recognize the jewelry, you are right. Again, I borrowed a box filled with amazing jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

This is before Eivind crawled under the table to take the next round of photographs, and one where Michael is holding the only reflector. For once Jens was sitting down too, because most of the time he tended to pop in and out of the photos fixing Alexandria’s hair or make up. Both Alexandria and Jens offered to work without a lunch break, but that does not work for me. So we had lunch on the terrace below in the shadow. Villa Malla’s buffet lunch is delicious and worth craving – as I did. For desert we all had to have some ice-cream, as we tried to cool down. A total of 11 garments were photographed, of those 2 have previously been photographed by Interweave Knits and 9 are new designs. 5 of those new designs including Kori and Shalana (above) will be published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk while the remaining 4 are for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. All the English patterns will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before they are released. I so look forward to showing you more photos but first I need to finish off the last patterns, and select photos from Eivind. It is not an easy task, I can promise you that.

Ravelry Group 3rd Year Anniversary

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Linda Marveng

My Ravelry group is now 3 years old! There are now more than 1100 members and my fear that only a few would join was needless. I am so pleased to have attracted so many knitters! It has been another thrilling year with many test knits of my English patterns, showing off of finished garments, discussions of different knitting techniques, chatting and bi-monthly free pattern pdf draws just to mention a few of the topics in this lovely group. I am delighted to have met so many new knitters. So it is time to celebrate that three years has passed! How can I best do this? By organizing a draw in my group with exciting prizes like yarn kits, a copy of my printed book with additional English patterns sent by e-mail, and free e-books and pdf patterns from my Ravelry store. All you have to do is join my group if you have not already done so, and answer my question (dead easy: what is your favorite knitting project and why?) in my Ravelry group. I will use Random org to pick winners based on the number matching the response/posting on Thursday 9th. June. Here is a list of the prizes, and a good reason to join, see ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng, in my opinion:

1. prize: Hifa Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds) 9 skeins in a color of your choice – 20 stunning shades to choose from: Norsk Pelsull together with the pdf pattern of my Mistale in English. The yarn has been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

2. prize: Hifa Ask (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds) 6 skeins in a color of your choice – 86 solid shades and 16 melange shades to choose from: solids and melange, together with the pdf pattern of my Gyda in English. The yarn has been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

3. prize: Borg Tussah Silk 20/2 (100% tussah silk, 100 g, 950 m/1039 yds) now unfortunately discontinued, 2 spools in 2565 Steel grey from my stash together with the pdf pattern of my Variations by Linda Marveng in English.

4. prize: A copy of my printed To rett en vrang. Designstrikk book in Norwegian with plain text English patterns sent by e-mail.

5. and 6. prize: A copy of one of my two e-books, either
Nordic Vintage in English (Norwegian will be added shortly) or
Norse Goddess in Norwegian (English will be added in September).

7. prize: A pdf pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store

8. prize: A pdf pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: June 2016