This is the atmospheric view we had one morning as the fog lifted and unveiled the Ormøy Church spire. Hours later we could again see the Bunnefjord from our terrace at Bekkelaget. The brilliant photo was taken by my husband. It is a view we will miss as we prepare our move south east to the outskirts of a small town called Ørje, close to the Swedish border. We look forward to having more space and to a view of the nearby lake: Rødenessjøen. The moving date is 1st April and it is no joke, that is for certain.
Author Archives: Linda Marveng
Inverness Sweater in Familien
I am proud to have the Norwegian pattern for the Inverness Sweater printed in the bimonthly magazine Familien. This issue is filled with 40 pages of knit for the whole family. The English pattern for the Inverness Sweater was first published and photographed for Interweave Knits Winter 2016, but it is now also available in my Ravelry Store and on Loveknitting. The Inverness Sweater was brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and makeup by Jens J. Wiker, jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design and skirt by Judith Bech Design, a sweltering summer day in June last year at Villa Malla.
My classic aran sweater has a becoming a-line shape with a twisted rib introducing the twisted long cables with its dividers, ray of honey and seed stitch side panels. Knitted in the round from the bottom and up with modified dropped shoulder and a round neck with a double twisted rib.
The a-line sweater is worked from the bottom and up. The body and sleeves are worked in the round up to the armhole, then flat to the final bind off. The decreases are worked in each side of the body to create an a-line shape. The Inverness Sweater is knitted in Plymouth Yarn, Galway Worsted (100% wool, 100 g, 210 yds/192 m). The sample is knitted in Natural 1 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rounds measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The sweater is graded from size XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 88 to 128 cm/31.5 to 47.5″. Above you can see a close up of the lovely texture and the statement jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The magazine Familien is available in selected supermarkets and news agents in Norway. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.
Nina Skarra Strikkebok Launch
Nina Skarra is a name you recognise if you are into fashion and Norwegian. She is a fashion designer whose name I only recognised from the media until Tuesday, when she launched her first book – a knitting book, no less! We have seen her galla dresses worn by Angelina Jolie, Livia Firth and the Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as on the catwalk in New York. But now it is time for knit. It is Nina Skarra herself wearing one of her designs on the cover of her book! Here is a detailed photo of the pullover with intarsia flowers on the ballon shaped sleeves. I was fortunate to spot a few friends in the long queue before the doors opened at the publisher Cappelen Damm on Tuesday evening. We were given a raffle ticket on entry, a selection of fruit and sparkling wine. It did not take long until all the table and chairs were taken. Nina Skarra was interviewed by editor Kaja Marie Lereng Kvernbakken who had knitted the long jacket from the book called Nina’s favourite jacket (see below) and told us how the book started a few years back and how she nows want to focus on handknit.
The book contains 29 amazing patterns, all for women except one cable sweater for men. She uses different techniques and has also created a few new ones, especially for this book. All the garments in the book are made in Norwegian yarn, and yarn kits are available from her newly created website www.ninaskarrastrikk.no. All the garments are photographed on several different models to show how they look on different ages and body shapes. Included in the book is also pages with photos on how the garments will look in different colours and how to choose the colours that suit you best. At issuu.com you can take a sneek peak inside the book. We were hoping for a fashion show, but had to make do with studying the samples on the stage, and seeing the stunning photos displayed on the wall. One lucky winner of the raffle won a yarn kit for the Genser med bobler/Pullover with bubbles & book. The Nina Skarra Strikkebok in Norwegian is available from selected bookshops and directly from Cappelen Damm. Nina Skarra plans to frequently add new yarn kits on her website, so stay tuned to it.
Andor Pattern Released
The first of four designs I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; the poncho Andor has been test knitted and released in English. You can see some of the finished versions here: Andor. The Norwegian pattern is only available in a yarn kit from selected yarn stores and online at Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The poncho was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in June last year, worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and makeup by Jens J. Wiker, jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction: 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.
Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: Bust: 212 cm/83.5″. Length: 72 cm/28.25″
Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsullgarn (100% pelt yarn, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). Sample is knitted in Beige 1101. 8 skeins; 1898 m/2076 yds. http://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull/
Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds). http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds). http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29 Or another DK/8 ply yarn.
Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (120 cm/48″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (60 cm/26″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: 4 buttons (20 mm/0.78″), stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 66-sts in Ornamental Cable Panel measures 25 cm/9.75″ across.
Notes: 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.
Photoshoot at Architecture Museum: Harding Cardigan
@Eivind Røhne
Here is the last of the ten garments photographed in late November at the National Museum – Architecture; the Harding Cardigan. The English pattern was first published in Interweave Knits Summer 2016 and will be released on Ravelry with these new brilliant photos taken by Eivind Røhne at the beginning of May. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the magazine Familien at a later date. Model Silje Andresen/Team Models looked stunning in the cardigan worn over a pair of black pencil trouser and a black top. Her hair & makeup is by Sissel Fylling and you can glimpse the Ivy hanging earrings by Kaja Gjedebo Design.
@Eivind Røhne
Here is my introduction to the cardigan with the working title of Barr Cardigan: Allover telescope lattice gives this straight long cardigan a textural feel. An open rib cable cord collar, knitted separately, adds a modern look to the cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin. The cardigan is named after the cabled rib cord pattern’s creator; Lynne Barr. The body is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort, while the sleeves are knitted in the round.
@Eivind Røhne
I suggested the rustic Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and editor Meghan Babin agreed with my choice and suggested the shade Foothills. Shelter is made of 100% wool with 128 meters/140 yards on each 100 gram skein. The gauge is: 22 stitches and 27 rows = 10 cm/4″ in Telescope Lattice pattern; 26 stitches and 18 rows = 10 cm/4″ in Cabled Rib Cord pattern. The sample was knitted using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle.
@Eivind Røhne
The open cable pattern I wanted for the collar, is the Cabled Rib Cord from “Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand New Groundbreaking Patterns. The allover Telescope Lattice is fun to knit and not as time consuming as it looks. The cardigan pattern is available in 6 sizes with a bust circumference of 85 (90, 96, 106, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”.
@Eivind Røhne
Yes, of course I had to pick a couple of photos with the divine boots you might recognise by now: Benedetta black by Monica Stålvang. Not only does it give you a better idea of the full length of the cardigan it also shows off the cloister next to the Fehn Pavilion at National Museum – Architecture even better.
@Eivind Røhne
Above is the last photo of the Harding Cardigan and from this recent photoshoot. But new designs are in the works, as always.
Photoshoot at Architecture Museum: Cable On Scarf
@Eivind Røhne
Cable On Scarf is one of my earlier designs I wanted to photograph again, to show off the texture in a better light. I knew my magnificent team: photographer Eivind Røhne, model Silje Andresen/Team Models, hair & makeup artist Sissel Fylling plus location manager Michael Marveng-Puckett, would fulfil my expectations at the National Museum – Architecture in late November. I decided to style the natural grey scarf knitted in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde Pelsull/pelt wool yarn, with a black kimono and black pencil trouser as well as long leather gloves. The Norwegian pattern was first printed in the magazine Familien in January 2015. The reviewed English pattern has a new chart and is available on Ravelry and Loveknitting.
@Eivind Røhne
The cable on scarf is reversible, made in rib instead of the usual stocking stitch, framed by double seed stitch on every edge. Distinctive Stag Horn cables give the generous scarf texture and depth. Why not use it as a decorative warm collar pinned together by a shawl pin? The sample is knitted in a natural grey shade of the beautiful Tinde Pelt Yarn by Hifa.
@Eivind Røhne
The scarf is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The numerous cables make the scarf slow to knit but it also gives it a lovely textural feel. Now, there is only one design left that I have not shown you from our photoshoot in November and it is coming next.
Photoshoot at Architecture Museum: Irina Pullover
@Eivind Røhne
I am thrilled to show you my favourite photos from our shoot at the National Museum – Architecture. Irina Pullover is the design – returned from the magazine knit.wear in the US – worn by the gorgeous Silje Andresen/Team Models with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling, jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design and skirt by Judith Bech Design, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The complete outfit seemed to belong there in the cloister next to the Fehn Pavilion, so we had to take several full length photos. It was no surprise that I had difficulties choosing which ones to pick, but did come to a conclusion in the end with the help of experienced editor, now House of Yarn’s Marketing Director, Mary-Ann Astrup.
@Eivind Røhne
Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, a fitted pullover with elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Kidsilk Haze.
@Eivind Røhne
The English pattern was first published in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016 issue and the magazine is available from Interweave Store (digital & print), individually and also in the The Barre Collection (five barre- and ballet-inspired projects). It will be released on Ravelry and on Loveknitting at the end of March with these new photos. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien, the date will be confirmed later.
@Eivind Røhne
The lovely texture is made by holding Rowan Felted Tweed (50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose, 50 gram, 175 meter/191 yards) in shade Clay 177, together Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair, 30% silk, 25 gram, 210 meter/230 yards) in Heavenly 592, with one strand of each yarn. The gauge is 18 stitches and 30 rounds in garter stitch using 1 strand of each yarn together measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking. The sample sweater is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle.
@Eivind Røhne
The body is worked in the round to the underarm, then the front and back are worked separately back and forth. The sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up, with the sleeve cap worked flat. During shaping, if there are not enough stitches to work a complete cable crossing, work the stitches of the partial cable as they appear.
@Eivind Røhne
The pullover is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 77 to 122 cm/30.25 to 48″. Silje is wearing size S: 86.5 cm/34″ with 2″ of positive ease. I tested the pullover with both light blue and black before I tried this wonderful skirt. A perfect match for the pullover, embodying the cloister backdrop.
Ronette Pattern Released
The English pattern for Ronette was test knitted last autumn, and it has been released for awhile now. But I have not caught up with my posts, yet. I choose a modified boat neck and vents in the sides, but some of the test knitters choose otherwise. It gives me great pleasure to see the different results, as well as seeing it in different colours and yarns than the one I chose for the sample. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk in August 2016 with magnificent photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Villa Malla on a sweltering June day.
A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Hip: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)” Length: 74 (74, 76, 76, 78, 78) cm/29.25 (29.25, 30, 30, 30.75, 30.75)” Sleeve Length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”
Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK (76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). Sample is knitted in Praire 233: 9 (11, 12, 14, 17, 19) skeins; 1188 (1377, 1566, 1881, 2196, 2511) m/1299 (1506, 1712, 2057, 2401, 2746) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softyak-dk
Alternative yarns: Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (66% merino wool, 34% silk, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/baby-merino-silk-dk Baa Ram Ewe Doverstone DK (100% wool, 100 g, 230 m/521 yds). http://baaramewe.co.uk/collections/yarn/products/baaramewedovestonedk?variant=3272919620 Malabrigo Arroyo (100% merino wool, 100 g, 306 m/334 yds). http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/pattern-arroyo-14#.V0MAPmMaK6Q
Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/36″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.
Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st after blocking measures 10 cm/4″ square”. 21-sts Bulb Cables Sleeve measures 8 cm/3.25″ across after blocking. 51-sts Bulb Cables Body measures 19 cm/7.5″ across after blocking. 44-rows Bulb Cables pattern rep measures 14 cm/5.5″ high after blocking.
Notes: The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end.
Photoshoot at Architecture Museum: Check Cable Cardigan
@Eivind Røhne
I have several old designs, I would like to photograph again, since I believe the styling can be improved. The Check Cable Cardigan was one of these and I included it in our shoot at the National Museum – Architecture in late November. Instead of styling it over a red dress like the magazine Familien did in 2012, I chose a pair of black pencil trousers, tucked into Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang. All my designs looked fabulous on model Silje Andresen/Team Models, especially with hair and makeup by Sissel Fylling and earrings by Kaja Gjedebo Design. As always, photographer Eivind Røhne managed to capture the best moments. The jacket was first published in Norwegian in Familien in December 2012, and it is now available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on Love Knitting. I also had my technical editor Corrina Ferguson of Picnic Knits checking the updated pattern.
@Eivind Røhne
Curvy checks is a simple yet decorative stitch that is reversible so combined with wide collar in a rib and purl cable, my summer check cable cardigan was born. It has a generous straight fit and is designed for you to feel comfortable knitted in merino and cotton mixture for an ultimate stitch definition.
@Eivind Røhne
The jacket is knitted in Dale Garn Lerke made in 52% fine merino, 48% Egyptian cotton in 50 gram skeins with 115 meters/125 yards, using a 4 mm/US 8 needle. The gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows in Stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″. The yarn was kindly sponsored by Dale Garn.
@Eivind Røhne
All parts are worked back and forth in rows. The collar is knitted together with the fronts to the end and then placed on a stitch holder for a 3-needle bind-off. The belt is knitted as a hem and makes a doubled belt. The belt loops are made of I-cords. The cardigan is available in sizes XS/S (M, L, XL/2XL) with a bust circumference of 102 (116, 130, 144) cm/40.25 (45.75, 51.25, 56.75)”. I am very pleased with the new photos! Thank you so much to my team!
Wiolastrikk by Kristin Wiola Ødegård
Norwegian designer Kristin Wiola Ødegård has recently published her fourth book: Wiolastrikk, considering that the first one came in 2014, I cannot help but be impressed. In 2012, I remember Kristin coming to my book launch and telling me she was working on her first book. But I digress. Just as in her previous books both of Kristin’s daughters are involved; one as a model in front of the camera and the other, Sofie Ødegård behind the camera. They are such a marvellous team; Sofie captures the essence of Kristin’s designs. Kristin has her own style always on trend with a bit of vintage thrown in. In styling her knitted designs, Kristin often ends up sewing garments to fit perfectly, if she cannot find what she is looking for. Wiolastrikk, which looks like a magazine, contains 29 new patterns; mainly knitting patterns but also a few crochet patterns. It is her kofte patterns that are the most popular ones here in Norway – take a look at Høstruta – but in the book are also garments knitted in other techniques such as lace, cables and rib. Take a look inside the book here: issuu.com. The Norwegian book is available in book stores all over Norway or can be ordered directly from the publisher Gyldendal. You will find some of her single pdf patterns translated into English and Dutch, available to buy from Ravelry.