Author Archives: Linda Marveng

Airic Knitted by Karen

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Karen, aka Knittywarbler on Ravelry & Instagram, knitted this wonderful Airic version for her Norwegian friend who grew up in Sarpsborg – not far from where I live – but now lives in the US. Karen test knitted the pattern for me in size Small in the divine SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash Sport, a pure merino wool, in the hand dyed shade Cayenne – perfect for her friend – using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles. I meet Karen on Ravelry and she is one of my brilliant test knitters. I have lost count of all the patterns she has knitted so I plan to show you more of them. You might remember that I blogged about the jacket she knitted for her friend Lizzy: Suli Knitted by Karen. Karen is ever so generous with her knitted garments and give them away to her grand daughter and friends. Thank you, Karen for being my test knitter and making such stunning versions of my patterns!

Here is a side view of the Airic, where you can see the construction with its lower body cable panel which is worked sideways. Then the upper body is picked up and knitted along the long side of the lower body and worked from the bottom and up. The upper body is worked back and forth in one piece with false seams from the pick up on the lower body to the underarm, then the upper fronts and back are worked separately. The outer 20 cm/7.75″ on each side of the lower body will be attached to the collar. The cuff is worked sideways, while the remaining sleeve is worked back and forth from the cuff with garter stitch in each side. The collar is worked back and forth in two parts with an interfacing, beginning with a RS row across cable and a WS row across interfacing. The parts are joined with a 3-needle bind off and attached along opening and outer side of lower body.

The pattern is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 86 to 128 cm/33.75 to 50.5″ with collar overlapped. This is how I introduce the pattern:  In a contemporary style with provocative visual lines – created by the sideways knitted cable panel to make a waterfall bottom – is this long cardigan. The body is all in stockinette stitch to offset the cables. Even the sleeve has a cable panel knitted sideways as a cuff. Airic is Celtic for agreeable, just as this long cardigan will cover you up. It is knitted in the divine Di Gilpin, Lalland a Scottish lambswool with a magical twist. The English pattern is available on both Ravelry & Loveknitting as well as on Deep South Fibers for retailers, while the Norwegian pattern will be available in the special magazine Høststrikk from Familien out on 24th September.

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Prescott Pullover and Cambridge Cardigan Again

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I wanted to show you how the Prescott Pullover and the Cambridge Cardigan – designs published in Interweave Knits Fall 2018 – look on me. Michael took these photos indoors, due to the extremely wet weather outside and also because the final pick up time for FedEx at Mail Boxes in Oslo was approaching too fast. I did make it, I am pleased to say. The Prescott Pullover is knitted in the divine Acadia from The Fibre Co.; a luxurious mixture of  wool and alpaca with silk noil. The sample is made in the third size and measures 99 cm/39″ around the bust. I am wearing it with 11 cm/4.25″ of positive ease, while I recommend about 5 cm/2″ of ease.

The cable is time consuming to knit, but rewarding. The sample is knitted in Mountain Ash colour way and took 14 skeins to make. The gauge is 24 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4″ square due to all the cabling, while the rib gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows. Here is the introduction to the design: “The Prescott Pullover emulates intricate iron- and stonework found on historic university buildings. This professional and sleek pullover features soft cabled bell sleeves, and the side ribbing gives it a body-hugging silhouette. The design is worked from the bottom up in pieces, and it’s finished with a cozy turtleneck.”

“The Cambridge Cardigan is the quintessential collegiate cardigan. Inspired by Scottish tartans, this preppy, oversized cardigan is ready for a chilly library, reading on the quad, or a beer at the local pub. The body of this project is worked in the round and steeked at the center and armholes.”

I secured the steeks using a crochet hook and slip stitches despite it being knitted in a pure Shetland untreated wool, Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift – 100% wool, 105 m/115 yds on each 25 gram balls – before I cut it open at the front and at the armholes. If you are new to steeking, make a swatch in the round and cut that open first in order to gain confidence to do it on a larger project. The sample is made in the fourth size with a bust measurement of 111 cm/43.75″ and modelled with 23 cm/9″ of positive ease, while I recommend around 10 cm/4″ ease. The Cambridge Cardigan is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.25 mm/US 3 and with a gauge of 24 stitches and 33 rounds in stranded colourwork pattern on larger needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square. As you can see of the back photo the vertical lines in the contrast colour 2 (CC2) are made of duplicate stitches/swiss darning using a darning needle on the fronts and at the center back at the end.

Pattern of the Week: Prescott Pullover

The editorial staff at Interweave has blogged about both designs to my utter delight and you can read the blogposts by clicking on the inserted links.

Interweave Knits Fall 2018: Cambridge Cardigan

The Interweave Knits Fall 2018 issue is available in a digital edition or print edition. In Norway you can buy the print issue at larger Narvesen stores or order it at your local one. Do join the Prescott Pullover KAL or the Cambridge Cardigan KAL in my Ravelry group if you are interested and join the party.

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The Borrowdale Collection by The Fibre Company

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I am thrilled to have a design in the newly released Borrowdale Collection by The Fibre Company. Stonethwaite is knitted in Lore, a new yarn made of 100% lambswool with 250 meters/273 yards per 100 gram skein in Stable using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. I am sure you recognise the model by her stunning red hair, yes, it is Emma Ross photographed by Tommy Martin in Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District in England. “Stonethwaite is a richly cabled sweater that you’d wear proudly for many years to come. Knitted in Lore, it features a lattice of intricately woven cables down the front, back and sleeves. The sweater is knitted in pieces and seamed for stability and strength.” The pattern comes in 6 sizes; Bust (at underarm once seamed): 99: 104: 111: 117: 127: 137 cm (39.5: 42: 44.5: 47: 51: 55 in).

Here is the introduction to the Collection: “Take a trip to the Borrowdale Valley, one of the most idyllic places in England and the backdrop for our stunning new collection. Showcasing the work of 16 exceptionally talented designers, each piece in Borrowdale is designed using our glorious new yarn for Autumn 2018, Lore. These garments and accessories are designed for everyday adventures; to be thrown on with your favourite pair of jeans and hiking boots, or wrapped up in as you snuggle on the sofa. We hope you’ll be inspired to cast on something lovely and remember this special place in the Lake District.”

My design is the result of an accepted design submission I sent back in November. The gorgeous cable is one I discovered awhile back but had not used before. I am in fabulous designer company: Kari-Helene Rane; Holli Yeoh; Sarah Hatton and Mary-Anne Benedetto, just to mention a few. The Fibre Company has made an enchanting video from their photoshoot which you can see on YouTube. Each of the garments in this collection has been photographed on several different models so you can see more photos of this on Ravelry and where you can buy the pattern at www.thefibreco.com. Take a look and be inspired here: Borrowdale Collection.

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Oslo Design Fair August 2018

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The summer came to an end and the Oslo Design Fair opened its door on last Wednesday, at Lillestrøm. It is a day to catch up with designer colleagues as well as yarn producers, and this time was no exception. First on the agenda was a visit to the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk stand to see my latest collection exhibited and look at the new retailer brochure they have made. Above you see me talking to Øyvind Myhr with the sweater Lofn and the dress Sigyn in the background. Both are knitted in the lovely Sølje pelt yarn. Øyvind and Anette did want me to design 4 new designs and I am delighted to do so. Yes, I am wearing my Harding Cardigan, knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, first published in Interweave Knits Summer 2016.

Here is another photo of the mannequins with the yarn kit and brochure at the floor. When Michael and I arrived at the stand, designer Kari Hestnes and co-author Hege Dagestad were there. They have recently written the book: Garnmagi med Plantefarging (Yarn magic with plant based dying), recently launched by Cappelen Damm. Kari to the left, next to Berit Løkken and Anette Toft both from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and Hege.

I also met up with Thomas Kvist of House of Hobbies. He is now the agent for Lana Gatto and the American Distributor Knitting Fever. Designers Iselin Hafseld and Tove Fevang, as well as Dagfinn Sigridson Skoglund –  Works Manager at Oslo National Academy of the Arts – were also there and I had coffee breaks with them all. It is such an amazing and inspiring day!

There was no fashion show but House of Yarn did have a video of their fashion show running on their large stand. There were plenty of new yarns to look at and fondle. As you can see I was way to busy to take photographs so I am lucky that Michael did.

Finally I wanted to show you one of the photos Michael took of the Japanese inspired coffee shop in hall C named Scandinavian Design & Lifestyle. The Coffee shop is designed by Anderssen & Voll, with furniture from Japanese Ariake and food from Happolati. In addition I took one photo of the glass gate (read: the floor to ceiling glass wall is on the left hand side), where new exhibitors were presented on one side and exhibitions between the food outlets on the opposite side. For the first time at Oslo Design Fair, Hall C will be open to the public, today Saturday 1. September. So if you are tempted and nearby, this is your chance. You can find more information on the website: Oslo Design Fair.

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The Complete Andor Poncho Gang

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I proudly present the complete Andor Poncho gang with all 7 knitters – all colleagues at Jotun – photographed in Sandefjord this glorious summer. My Andor design was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and part of the first collection. The pattern is available in Norwegian and English to download from Ravelry and in yarn kits online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk’s website: www.ull.no and in selected yarn stores. It was Nina Hove Myhre, aka FiberAndArt (far right) that wanted to knit the poncho and told her colleagues at their lunch table. I was so thrilled to hear that 6 of them wanted to join in. All knitted the poncho in the original Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull choosing different colours.

I love seeing their results and so honoured that they all wanted to knit it! Thank you so much to the gang! I first met Nina 5 years ago, when she organised a book presentation for me at Larvik Husflidslag/Handcraft association, see my blogpost. If you follow my blog you have seen several of the astonishing total of 22 of my designs Nina has knitted. She is showing off a number of them in this blogpost: www.FiberAndArt.no. Nina is also one of my group moderators at Ravelry. You can see the Andor Poncho Gang in London with a pregnant Nina here. This summer, Nina with her husband and little Olav – now 8 months old – came to visit us in Ørje. I can reveal that Olav likes to look at knitting charts and is especially fond of my colour coding. In other words, Nina is working on yet another of my designs, I am delighted to say!

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Postcard From Mallorca

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I have spent a lovely week at Mallorca with my mum. Of course, I wanted to join her for another holiday. The travel agent friend of my mum suggested we try the island of  Mallorca in Spain. Last time I was there was 31 years ago, when I was attending a guide school organised by the then Scandinavian company Star Tour – now part of the Tui group. So this trip has brought back a lot of memories but were little of the basic hotel Spanish we learnt at the school, except for a few phrases. We have been staying at a family hotel called Sunwing Cala Bona Beach about 10 minutes outside of Cala Millor on the East coast of the island. Last time I stayed for 2 months at Santa Ponsa. Above is the view from our balcony, where we had our breakfast and enjoyed the sunset several evenings.

Here is my mum standing on the balcony of the hotel. On our first day, we went to the beach in Cala Millor, where my mum had been together with my dad years ago, but found it incredibly busy and no available parasols. So I was ever so pleased that I had finally found a sun hat – in Oslo of all places – that actually suited me. So this time I did not sunburn my forehead but my ears instead.

The next days we spent at the Cala Bona Beach, which was a smaller beach with a cove that we preferred, see below. It was about 800 meters from the hotel but due to the heat we went by taxi after trying the bus a couple of times. There was a bus schedule, but sometimes “mañana” (read: tomorrow) seemed more correct. No change there, then in 31 years.

Yes, the hotel is has beach in its name; Sunwing Cala Bona Beach, but it does not have one. It did however have a couple of pools. I have enjoyed reading on the beach but found it too hot to even consider bringing my knitting. At the hotel was a Spa which we tested. We began by having a glass of champagne while we waited and it did not go downhill from there. My mum had a leg message combined with a pedicure, while I had a full body massage with hot oil. That was excellent and I feel re-aligned and re-assembled.

I also used the gym in the mornings and it was quite busy to my surprise. First I had a short run in the nearby area and spotted a number of fancy villas next to our hotel. On my run I found a local restaurant, Sa Punta that looked ever so nice, and it was a good thing that I could not see the meny since it was closed. We decided to have dinner there in the evening and discovered that it was a luxurious and very expensive one with a stunning location next to the sea. Check out the video on the restaurant website and see our hotel to the left.

Here we are photographed by the English waiter. We both chose the grilled cod with all-i-oli and it was delicious. Definitely our best meal in Mallorca. Followed by a pizza at the closest Italian restaurant.

The only reason we got a table without a reservation was that we were there early in the evening. To our delight there were mainly Spanish customers in the restaurant. You can glimpse the sea out between the palms on the right hand side.

Last but not least I want to show you the marina and part of the beach promenade that goes all the way from our hotel through Cala Bona and to Cala Millor. It offers a number of restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and hotels. We tried a few of the restaurants along with the other tourists mainly from Scandinavia, Germany, United Kingdom and Spain. We planned to book an excursion with our tour operator Ving but it was cancelled so we went to Cala Millor for a bit of shopping instead. Tomorrow, we are heading home after a wonderful holiday! Greetings from Mallorca!

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Tau

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Last in the series of photographs taken at our photoshoot at Villa Malla, are these of the scarf Tau made for the Wool 2 Go magazine for Vienna Wool & Design Festival 2017. Here is the gorgeous Emma Ross wearing Tau as a shawl around her shoulders with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in late May. The building in the back is the Filtvet Lighthouse by the Oslo Fjord. This first photo shows the wrong side of the cable, while the second photo shows the right side. Yes, the scarf is reversible.

The teal colour in this luscious Yak yarn instantly captivated me and I designed this scarf for the Vienna Wool & Design Festival in 2017. A rope like cable worked over rib stitches gives it a sculptural feel. Naturally, I named it Tau meaning rope in Norwegian, and human being in an Eskimo language.

Tau is knitted in Lang Yarns, Yak made of 50% yak, 50% wool in 50 grams balls with 130 meters/142 yards using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. The sample is knitted in Teal 772.0074 and takes 4 balls for the one size scarf. You can easily make the scarf wider by adding pattern repeats or making a wider reverse stockinette stitch edge in each side. The outer edge stitches make an I-cord, hence they are slipped with the yarn in front on every second row.

The English pattern will shortly be available in my Ravelry store, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in Høststrikk/Autumn Knits by Familien launched on the 24th September in Norway.

Thank you to my team for another amazing photoshoot. I am working on designs for the next one.

I am off to Mallorca tomorrow for a one week holiday with my mum, so there will be no blogpost on Wednesday. It is 31 years since I last visited Mallorca to attend the Star Tour’s Guide School. I am excited to be going back.

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Prescott Pullover KAL and Cambridge Cardigan KAL

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One of my Ravelry group members suggested a Knit Along (KAL) for both of the Prescott Pullover and Cambridge Cardigan published in Interweave Knits Fall 2018. There were several that wanted to take part even before I came around to setting up the threads, so of course I did. I asked Katja, one of my group moderators, to help me out since she has a lot more KAL experience than me and we decided on a joining prize for everyone, then a work in progress (WIP) monthly prize for one knitter each month and finally a finished object (FO) prize for four knitters at the end of the year. One knitter wrote that she did not want to miss this party and joined even before she had the magazine with the pattern nor any yarn ready. It has turned into a large party already with 29 knitters in the Prescott Pullover KAL and 7 knitters in the Cambridge Cardigan KAL. Do join us as we are talking about yarn choices and other related or un-related topics.

Join the Prescott Pullover KAL here:  www.ravelry.com

Join the Cambridge Cardigan KAL here: www.ravelry.com

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Merino Wrap Vest

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Hand dyed Tosh Sock yarn in a divine blue would look fabulous on model Emma Ross, I thought and decided to re-photograph the Merino Wrap Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured the best moments from Em, and I knew I had made the right decision. As always Sissel Fylling made sure that Em’s hair and makeup was impeccable. Statement jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design added a touch of class to the outfit. Em did not need the Merino Wrap Vest on the blistering hot day in May at Villa Malla. You can see that for yourself here; Behind the Scenes 2nd Photoshoot at Villa Malla. Do check out the people sunbathing on the beach. I have revised the English pattern and sent it off to my Technical Editor Kristen TenDyke, before I release it. The Norwegian pattern will be published in a special magazine by Familien called Høststrikk/Autumn Knits out on 24th. September in Norway.Inspired by Tinde Knits gorgeous designs by Norwegian designer Iselin Hafseld is this vest knitted sideways in Tosh Sock hand dyed yarn with Indian crosses. The vest can be used upside down for a smaller collar and a longer vest. Drape it as you please and pin it together.

You will never guess who actually knitted this sample for me. It is knitted by no other than the co-founder and editor of Pom Pom Quarterly: Meghan Fernandes, who used to be my colleague at the yarn store Loop in London several years ago. And yes, I did work together with the other co-founder and editor Lydia Gluck too. We have teamed up again and you will see the result later this autumn.

Tosh Sock is made of 100% merino wool, with 361 meters/395 yards on each 100 gram skein. It is categorised as a fingering/4 ply yarn but feels closer to a sport weight. I choose the shade Baltic which has been discontinued but can be replaced by Esoteric or any other shade you prefer. Merino Vest wrap is knitted with a gauge og 24 stitches and 36 rows in Indian cross stitch using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle over 10 cm/4″.The vest wrap is knitted sideways in one rectangular piece with shaped armholes. It comes in one size so to make the vest longer, add pattern repeats of 6 stitches at left side of work (end of RS row) before the border stitches. The finished measurements are 74 cm/29.25″ wide and 112 cm/44″ long. As you can see, I did find it difficult to pick which photographs I liked the best, so I ended up selecting more than I had planned.  Yet another proof that my team is the best and know me too well. Next and last in this series is the scarf Tau made for Vienna Wool Design Festival and their Wool 2 Go magazine.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Free Falling Pullover

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Free Falling Pullover was first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2017 and the sample came back to me from Colorado in the US, early this spring, in time for my photoshoot at Villa Malla in late May. As always it suited model Emma Ross beautifully. I styled it with black pencil pants and Camilla Skovgaard shoes in black, in addition to Kaja Gjedebo’s stunning Queen Creole Earrings. We photographed this pullover after lunch, close to the gallery on the path to the beach. Villa Malla offers a delicious buffet lunch, which is perfect for us since we do not need to wait for the food, despite planning a bit beforehand when to have lunch (read: whenever Em gets hungry). Sissel Fylling always does a quick retouch of hair and makeup after lunch. So she did that while photographer Eivind Røhne moved his gear to the path with Michael’s help. I do have a brilliant team!

The Free Falling Pullover showcases unique and wandering cables, feminine shaping and casual appea. This fitted pullover has two travelling central cables, that are divided by seed stitch and framed by stockinette stitch on the sides. The boat neck is modified by the short-row shaping on the shoulder and ends in an i-cord bind off.

I knitted the pullover in Sugar Bush Yarns, Crisp – a lovely 100% superwash merino woo with 87 meters/95 yards on each 50 gram ball – using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitches measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. There are two mirrored cable panels on back and front but only one on the sleeve. Increases in to the center Seed stitch panel move the cable panels on the body towards the shoulders. Accompanying decreases are done in the stockinette sides, in addition to the extra waist shaping.

Em is wearing size S which measures 87.5 cm/34.5 cm around bust. The pullover is available in sizes XS to 2XL with bust circumferences of 77.5 to 128 cm/30.5 to 50.5″. The English pattern is coming very shortly to my Ravelry store and to Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special magazine Høststrikk/Autum Knits published by Familien which will be available in Norway 24. September.

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