Author Archives: Linda Marveng

Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival in Fredrikstad 2018

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For the 3rd time the Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival was organised in Fredrikstad Old Town, the oldest fortified town in Norway (founded in 1567) and in the Nordic countries and one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Northern Europe (see more photos from two years ago here). I arrived on Friday by train from Oslo, in the aftermath of a hurricane (read: extremely windy and wet), and did wonder whether the city ferry to the old town was running. It was, but the rocking sensation did make it feel more like being on the ferry to Denmark, crossing the North Sea. Thankfully, the ferry only takes a few minutes to cross the river Glomma. Due to the extreme weather, there were less knitters visiting the market hall on the Friday, than last year. So I did manage to have a good look, but did not buy anything (read: very well done). I walked over to the Commandor’s building, where all the workshops were held, met a few knitters I recognised from last year, to find designer Tove Fevang since both of us were staying with organiser and founder of the travel agency Explore Travel; Marit Larsen. But before we headed home to Marit, we went to the Official Opening Event taking place in what would be the Knit Café for the event, in the Cloth House (another former military building, now housing the museum and premises for rent). A place perfect for drinking wine and knitting. Take a look at the video (above) the festival made for volunteers and get a better idea of the idyllic old town setting. Actually, more than 90 volunteers did participate this year.

Tove and I had wine at Marit’s house. Yes, Marit found us chatting in the kitchen when she came home a few hours later. Tove held her third while I held my first workshop on Saturday morning from 10 am to 1 pm. It was the first time for my Beginners Cable Knitting workshop and it went well. One of the knitters that had signed on, had actually done my Masterclass in Cable Knitting, the year before and first thought she would do it again but decided to try a different workshop, even though they were in the opposite order than I had planned. I met some of the other designers present; Helle Siggerud and Kari Hestnes, during the lunch break. Both had exhibits in the museum during the festival, and so did Tove. It is always fun to see the designs on a mannequin and not only in a photo online.

Tove and I had lunch at the Knit Café. We met several of the volunteers we knew from last year as well as knitters. My second workshop was fully booked hence the afternoon went quickly. After 6 hours of teaching, Tove and I were on the lookout for an open café in the old town. We quickly realised that all the cafés were closed after 6 pm on a Saturday, since Tove drove down nearly all the streets to find one. We did enjoy looking for one, though. So instead we headed for the Knitting Evening, took out our knitting, chatted and waited impatiently for the food. At our table was Anna, who is a doctor by profession, but also the owner of Anna’s Angora, see above. Yes, she has 120 angora rabbits as well as other animals at her croft.

Our table did not win the quiz, our defence is that a number of the questions were not knitting related. The winning table received goody bags with knitting and crochet magazines from the Norwegian magazine Familien as well as sweeties. During the evening we ate delicious tapas, then chocolate and cookies for desert. Tove and I continued the party with wine at Marit’s house. Just as the day before, Marit did come home to join us, late at night. Even after we had decided to go to bed, we kept talking in Tove’s room. I was grateful that the workshops started at 11 am on Sunday so we could get a few hours of sleep beforehand.

More than 4500 persons visited the festival on the first 2 days, so the number of visitors has increased year after year. On Sunday morning I held my third and last workshop, while Tove held a talk. This was another new workshop, called Perfect Fit. Signed on to take part was a friend of mine from Facebook, Marianne Skatten, who walked into the room wearing my design Halli. Marianne has worn it ever since she finished knitting it, I am proud to say. Especially since Marianne designs herself. Take a look at her blog: Skattensdiy.wordpress.com. She is also taking part in the ongoing Prescott Pullover KAL. Talking to Marianne in the previous photo is Anne, who attended my workshop in Cable Knitting Masterclass last year. I had a fabulous weekend; enjoyed meeting knitters, holding workshops and seeing friends! My host Marit, I will see next at Røros, at the Knitting Weekend in October.

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Cablewing Wrap Knitted by Heather

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Heather was one of the participants in the Cablewing Accessories Knit Along in the Never Enough Lace group on Ravelry back in January. It is many months since she finished the wrap, knitted in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted using 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7. Heather made the wrap wider and added a repeat. I was totally gobsmacked by these photos of it, that she shared in the Prescott Pullover KAL – I am delighted that she is taking part in that KAL too – and told us they were taken by her husband at the Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde in Maine, US. If you recognise the light house it might be because you have seen the film Forrest Gump, this is the easternmost destination he was running to. Heather’s elegant styling with an evening dress is stunning. Thank you so much, Heather.

Eivind Røhne, the professional photographer I work with, knows how much I love light houses too. We choose to include Filtvet Fyr in some of the photos from Villa Malla in late May, but it is not anywhere near as impressive as this. I guess we just have to keep looking.

Cablewings surrounded by lace gives these accessories a flowery expression. They coordinate with the Cablewing Sweater; for a wonderfully regal look pair the wrap with the sweater. It is warm, practical but also decorative. All accessories are knitted in a pure wool with bounce, Embla from Hifa. I chose an irresistible purple-pink shade, well suited for the stitch pattern, for the cowl and the wrist warmers. The Cablewing Accessories pattern is available on Ravelry in both English and Norwegian.

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Hanne Kristin Rhode Wearing Wilma Lind Jacket

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Photo: Morten Bendiksen

This is a blogpost I thought I had written a year ago about the Wilma Lind Jacket, but for some reason did not. They do say time flies… Former Police Investigator, now author and television presenter Hanne Kristin Rohde and I collaborated on designing a jacket for her crime fiction heroine Wilma Lind, last year. Sample knitter Nadja made the jacket in red for my photoshoot, while Grete knitted it in soft turquoise a bit later, both in Sølje pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. A third sample was made in natural white in Vilje lambswool by Anne-Lise. You have already seen the red version photographed on model Alexandra Eissinger and on me but not these stunning photos of Hanne Kristin Rhode taken by photographer Morten Bendiksen.

Photo: Morten Bendiksen

Hanne Kristin wrote the first part of the introduction: “Police Investigator Wilma Lind is Norwegian, just like author Hanne Kristin Rohde and the yarn used in the sample: Sølje by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Last but not least is the fact that the designer Linda Marveng is also Norwegian. The Wilma Lind Jacket is inspired by the protagonist in her crime books: Strong, brave, weak, smart, impulsive, warm, uncertain, and daring. Wilma Lind has the ability to confront and fight – and with a need to be noticed, just like the rest of us. The sample is worked in red to symbolise power and hope. In white to symbolise blank sheets and in soft turquoise to capture the universe.”

Photo: Morten Bendiksen

I wrote the second part: A long a-line jacket with cables covering the back, and moving cables on the front. Instead of a shawl collar the jacket was given a deep v-neck and a loose shawl to use as a collar. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round after the rib to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Photo: Morten Bendiksen

The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The front cables move from their center position on the body towards the armhole and shoulder by increasing and decreasing into stockinette stitch. One front cable ends in the v-neck shaping but it is possible to work two cables to the shoulder by working extra stitches to gather cable row and decrease 1 stitch between cables, if necessary increase 1 stitch at either v-neck or armhole edge depending on size.

Photo: Morten Bendiksen

The English pattern, available on Ravelry, has been test knitted and the jacket is available in sizes XS to 2XL, while the shawl is in one size. The red sample is knitted in size S, while the turquoise and white are both in size M. The Norwegian pattern is only available on Hanne Kristin Rohde’s website. The collaboration and press coverage has been has been an extraordinary experience. Finally I must admit that I just love how well the jacket suits Hanne Kristin.

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Melva Knitted by Dawn Gayer

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Let me introduce you to Dawn, another very skilled knitter, who has test knitted a number of my designs, wearing her gorgeous Melva. The garment is knitted in Knit Picks Hawthorne Tonal Hand Paint in the shade Corvallis in size S using 2.75/US 2 needles. On her project page on Ravelry where she is Dawnadair, she has written: “I love the cable placement and the ribbing that allows the sweater to hug the curves without doing any waist shaping. I shortened the body length to 14.5” and the sleeves to 18” (although they ended up a bit longer because my gauge ended up being a little larger knitting flat)…I really enjoyed knitting this gorgeous sweater and love the end result!” It was on Ravelry we met, since she is far from local to me, Dawn actually lives outside of New York in the US. Like a number of mums out there, she also knits for her daughter Amanda, whom you will meet later.

Dawn is eagle-eyed and quick to spot any spelling or number mistakes I have made in the pattern, which my technical editor has missed, and for that I am extremely grateful! Thank you so much Dawn!

Named after Melva, Celtic for ruler, a straight sweater with fancy cables at the top and the bottom. The intricate cable is fit for a ruler. Ribbing in the side makes the sweater figure-hugging, while the stockinette stitch center panel shows off the stunning hand dyed Stein Fine Wool 4ply from The Little Grey Sheep. The sleeve mirrors the body, but it is worked flat. The pattern is available on Ravelry in sizes XS to 2XL in both Norwegian and English.

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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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