I was delighted to be invited to teach at the next Strik Bornholm for a second time around. The festival is from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th of September 2016, at the idyllic Danish holiday island. The program with more than 50 workshops has been revealed, and it is already possible to book workshops and a full Festival package with a hotel stay included. Last time in September 2014, Norah Gaughan was teaching and speaking at the event while this time it is the prince of knitting Vithard Villumsen who is the big name, hence all workshops will be in one of the Scandinavian languages: Danish, Swedish or Norwegian. I have only seen Vithard on television as one of the judges in “Den Store Strikkedyst”/The Big Knitting Joust, you can find it here on Tv Syd, so I am looking forward to seeing him live! Above is a photo of me teaching Japanese Patterns on the beach part of Allinge Røgeri in the amazing warm weather in September 2014. This time I am teaching a shorter version of the same course as well as Design. The colorful Danish Designer Charlotte Kaae, in a yellow top above, is also back together with a number of other returning designers. Here is a link to the workshops information and catalogue: teambornholm.dk/strik/workshops. I cannot wait to go back, and hope to see some of you there…
Author Archives: Linda Marveng
Hennika Pattern Released
I released the Hennika pattern in English several weeks ago, so it is about time I let you know. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend in February this year, with the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, dress by Judith Bech, shoes by Monica Stålvang all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The bolero is knitted in the bouncy Hifa Ask, and can easily be made longer as several of the test knitters choose to do. Here is my introduction to it: A lace pattern with Gothic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reign. Hennika is a name with Gothic origin and means master of the house. The bolero is tapered and worked in pieces, while the sleeves are worked in the round. Wear the collar lying flat or folded in half lengthwise to add volume and close it with a shawl pin or a beautiful brooch.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Finished Measurements: Bust: 83 (90, 97, 105, 115, 125) cm/32.75 (35.5, 38.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25)” Length: 37 (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) cm/14.5 (15, 15.25, 15.75, 16.25, 16.5)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/ 19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)” Scarf collar width: 12.5 cm/5″ Loose extra scarf length: approx 28 cm/11″
Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 in melange farmblue (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins: 882 (1008, 1134, 1292, 1481, 1670) m/965 (1102, 1240, 1413, 1620, 1826) yds.
Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/pashmina.html Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% cotton, 50 g, 112 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 247 m/270 yds) https://www.theloopyewe.com/shop/g/knit-crochet/yarn/shalimar-yarns/breathless-dk/ Or another sport weight/5 ply or thin DK yarn.
Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle. 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for hem. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Waste yarn, stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 18 sts and 28 rows in Hennika Lace using 3.5 mm/US 4 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 collar is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose. Throughout the pattern, when shaping in lace, only work an inc (yo) if you can work the corresponding dec.
Førjulskveld/Pre-Christmas Evening at Cappelen Damm
Yes, another year has passed since last Christmas and I spotted the invitation to this year’s “Førjulskveld”/Pre-Christmas evening at my publisher Cappelen Damm. I did not miss it, and was lucky enough to receive a well filled goodie bag with books, knitting needles, darning needles, Arne & Carlos Adventskalender, embroidery kit, knitting tools and a ball of yarn. The evening was brilliantly hosted by editor Kaja Marie Lereng Kvernbakken, former manager of Du Store Alpakka yarn store in Oslo & designer. Several newly launched Norwegian books and authors were presented: Alf Knutsen and his book: Salmesang/Psalm songs. Andreas Viestad and his book: Den Store Kjøttkokeboka/The Large Meat Cook Book. Lise Nymark and her book: Lett Og Lekkert Tilbehør/Easy and Gorgeous Accessories. Miriam Morken and Tone Stenkløv and their book: Førjulstid/Pre-Christmas Time.
Kaja Marie started by introducing us to books with sounds panels – new to some of us – and their success with the book “Fuglesang“/Birdsong. Now, they were launching “Salmesang”/Psalm songs. It was useful to hear the sound from the book presented but it was not until Kristin Kjemphol Lohne began singing that it felt like the roof was coming off. It was ideal to put us all into the spirit of Christmas.
Andreas Viestad did not need an introduction since he is so well know for his cook books, food writing and from television, but he still got one. His 10th book is about meat and how to use the full animal including a cow’s tail. He emphasized that the all the recipes were chosen because they were very good, including the tail one, and not out of curiosity. Next on the agenda was Lise Nymark’s book on knitted and crocheted accessories. Above is the cover of her latest book.
Lise was wearing one the shawl from her book, see above. Her book is not only intended for women but also for younger girls, and her variation of accessories were impressive. It even included key ring decorations for handbags. Luxurious yarns and leather straps were chosen in addition the metal labels sewn on, see below.
The decorations on the stage, were all from the book by Miriam Morken and Tone Stenkløv. In their new book you will find numerous kinds of crafts represented. Below you can see a blanket made of both knitted squares and crocheted squares.
While all the presentations were going on, I sat next to designer Stella Charming – both of us knitting obviously – eating ginger bread and drinking the traditional drink gløgg. Neither of us won one of the many yarn kit prizes but thoroughly enjoyed the evening and met up with designer Denise Samson and the Cappelen Damm staff! Christmas is certainly coming soon.
New Design: Shinju
I wanted to make a whole series of designs to go with the stunning wedding dresses by designer Judith Bech. Initially it was Judith’s idea, and it was too brilliant not to accept. The series was first accepted by the Norwegian magazine Made by Me, but since it ceased production shortly afterwards, I am delighted to reveal that 4 of the designs will be published in the special issue Familien Håndarbeid/Handcraft due out in March. Shinju is one of these designs, and if you went to the Wollness Weekend or the Knit Café in Vienna (or spot me in Isabella’s car for that matter) you did see me knitting it, desperate to finish it in time for the photo shoot on the 28. October. I did!
Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle (meaning pearl in both Italian and in Norwegian). Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl. I wanted to show that it does not necessarily have to be made for a wedding dress, nor in cream since the yarn comes in six other equally beautiful colors. The photos above are as usual taken by my husband. The shawl is made in one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing stitch pattern repeats. It is made from one short end to the other with no sewing required, except for the sewing in of ends, and knitted using a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle. The yarn Mondial Perle is made of 55% polyester, 30% kid mohair, 15% silk and with beads attached on a separate thread next to the yarn on a 25 g ball with 85 m/93 yds. It has been kindly sponsored for this project. In Oslo you can find it at the yarn shop Tjorven, but also in other yarn shops around the country. All the ones that have seen the yarn so far has been bewitched, and felt an urge to touch it but also get their hands on it. You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model Alexandra Eissinger – wearing one of Judith Bech’s wedding dresses – by Eivind Røhne.
Book Presentation by Kristin Holte
In the middle of November I went to “Kunst, Håndverk og Design“/Art, Handcrafts and Design fair organized by Fager-Design at the sports hall at the university in Oslo. Designer Kristin Holte held an interesting talk about her two Norwegian knitting books; “Kofter” and “Strikkede Skatter“/Knitted Treasures. She has researched old Scandinavian ornaments used in textiles and how the knitting trend reached Europe in the 13-Century. In both her books she tells the history behind the pattern and symbols, as well as how it has inspired her to make her updated version of it. Kristin herself has a background in arts, crafts and design. She is currently taking a Master’s degree in traditional art at Høgskolen in Telemark.
This is how she describes her work: “When I start to knit professionally, I mixed a lot of different yarn qualities in my work, or combined the knitting with other textile techniques, always challenge the material to get my own expressions in the work. The last years I have been focused on hand knitting and Norwegian and Nordic knitting traditions. The result of this work has been 3 hand knitting books with models and patterns for sweaters, cardigans and mittens. Now I am back to where I started, and try to combine the drawing of new ornaments based on the traditional folk art and the play with colors and different materials in my work.”
I enjoyed hearing Kristin talk about her projects, and admire her feminine style as well as modern take on traditional stitch patterns. See the fancy fur yarn band on the sweater at the top and all the crocheted roses along the bands in the photo above. Do check out more of her patterns on her website: kristinholte.no/kofter. Thank you, Kristin!
Interview with Designer Tanja Luescher
Tanja Luescher is one of the 335 designers taking part in the Indie Designer Gift-A-Long on Ravelry so she asked me if I would agree to an interview, or maybe even a swap? Great idea, I thought. Tanja, aka Wusel1811 on Ravelry, and I took part in a mystery knit along years back, I have since discovered that she lives in Switzerland with her husband and two cats. She started to knit more than ten years ago, and soon began to design her own patterns in order to get something that fits her. In 2013 she published her first pattern, and her own Ravelry group called Knitted in Switzerland, just as her blog. Another fascinating revelation is that Tanja speaks Norwegian, after attending a course before she and her husband visited Oslo in 2014. I am very impressed! The questions are the ones designer Janelle Martin asked me, which I thought were brilliant, and wanted to make a small series of interviews myself. Janelle’s interview of me will be posted on her blog on the 25. November. eclecticcloset.ca. But here is the interview with Tanja:
Who taught you to knit/How did you learn to knit? My mother taught me how to knit and purl at an early age, but I only made a scarf or sweater for a doll and stopped for years. When I met my husband we were living 600 km apart from each other and every Sunday we were standing at the train station, either in Germany or in Switzerland, saying goodbye. I was crying, and he was freezing. So I decided to finally learn to knit and bought a book. The sad part of the story is that hubby doesn’t wear anything I make him, unless it’s a pair of socks.
How did you get started designing? I started modifying and designing sweaters for me not too long after I had started knitting. I’m very small, so the measurements in the patterns didn’t fit me. In 2012 I took a course on lace shawl design by Renee Leverington and I haven’t looked back. 🙂
What inspires your designs?
Most of the time, it’s a stitch pattern. I love stitch dictionaries, I might have a small library of them, and whenever I look through them I find something new that begs me to knit it. As soon as I’ve said “yes”, I’ll hear a skein of yarn shouting my name because it wants to become this stitch pattern. Sometimes they change their mind when they’ve met each other, but quite often it works. 🙂
What characteristics do you try to incorporate in your designs?
Lace, lace, then maybe lace. And after that a touch of lace. 🙂 No, really, it’s important for me that my designs are interesting to knit, I love trying new stitches like Japanese or Estonian ones. They are so creative and give stunning results!
What is your favourite type of item to design?
Definitely shawls, but I also like small accessories like hats or cowls.
Tell me about designs like “Marion’s Cowl” (top photo) and “Thunder and Lightning” (photo above), with your intricate lace work.
They both came to life just the way I’ve described above. Both feature very old German stitch patterns from that I fell in love with the minute I saw it and just had to turn into a design. Marion’s Cowl was designed with my father’s cousin in mind. I met her and her husband after many, many years at my father’s funeral in March. She was wearing a gorgeous scarf and I immediately thought that I should make her something nice as a thank you for the holidays I spent at her house as a kid.
Do you have an aspirational knit – a complicated/challenging design that you want to knit “some day” when you feel ready?
Yes, I want to make something by Herbert Niebling, and I want to be brave enough to use cobweb yarn one day. 🙂 Another dream that I haven’t pursued yet is Double Knitting. I have Alasdair Post-Quinn’s Extreme Double Knitting but have yet to knit something from it.
What is coming next? What’s in your release queue?
Oh, a lot 🙂 I recently found a really unique stitch pattern with lots of yarn overs and dropped stitches that I’ve used for a set of a cowl and a hat. After that there will be more shawls. I’m madly in love with Caterpillargreenyarns’ Shawl Stripes yarn. It’s dyed for making top-down triangular shawls where all the stripes have the same width, and I want to explore what happens when it is used for other shawl shapes. Up to now, the experiments have been very promising. The very next project to be released is a scarf in a heavenly soft merino yarn with picot welts.
Your desert island yarn? (if you could only knit with one yarn from now on which would it be?)
Garnstudio Drops Lace, I love that yarn! Let’s hope it’s a sunny and warm island so I won’t miss sweaters 🙂
Which is your most under-appreciated design? (See photo of Soraya’s Faroese shawl above)
I’d say it’s Soraya’s Faroese shawl. I love the pattern very much, but it hasn’t gathered much interest.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d like to share with other knitters?
It’s only knitting. Dive right in, try things, experiment. If it doesn’t work, you can always frog it. It always makes me sad when people have knit for years but don’t dare trying something more complicated than garter or stockinette stitch scarves because they think it’s too hard.
Any knitting/designing New Year’s resolutions?
Working from stash and finishing what I start. But we know how that goes… 😉
If you could have dinner with one knitting designer (living or dead) who would it be and why?
Elizabeth Zimmermann! I love her attitude, her approach to knitting. I have all her books and many of her DVDs and she’s definitely the woman who has taught me the most about knitting.
Thank you so much, Tanja! Tusen takk!
To take part in the GAL and all the fun, join the Indie Design Gift-A-Long Group on Ravelry as well as one or more of the Knit/Crochet A-longs and possibly win some of the amazing prizes.
Interview with Designer Hanna Maciejewska
Photo by Daniel Maciejewska
I was so lucky to meet the fantastic designer Hanna Maciejewska, aka hada131 on Ravelry, at the Wollness Weekend in the beautiful hills of the Pielach Valley, 1.5 hour outside of Vienna in Austria. Even before we met we exchanged experiences and became good friends. Hanna is taking part in the GAL 2015 and not for the first time, hence I had to ask her more about it. Then she asked to interview me, and I was delighted that she agreed to be interviewed by me too. The following questions are the brilliant ones I first received by designer Janelle Martin, and you can read my responses on her blog. Here is the interview with Hanna:
Who taught you to knit/How did you learn to knit? It was my grandmother who taught me how to knit. I don’t remember exactly when it was, but probably when I was 10 or so. In High School, I knit sweaters all the time and most of them were my own creations, but only a few years ago I realized that designing knitwear is truly my biggest passion!
GAL 2015 – photos by Daniel Maciejewska
How did you get started designing?
I have loved knitting since I was a child! And, I have always been knitting – mostly from my own imagination because I always wanted to have something unique and… I didn’t have too many knitting books 🙂 So I guess, it has always been a little bit of designing…
When I joined Ravelry a few years ago, at first, I posted projects just for fun. After a dear friend, who is a talented hand dyer, created a special yarn for me, I designed “Colors of Kauai” and felt encouraged to publish it. It was so well received that I decided to write down more of my designs – this is how it all started. I was hooked on designing from that point on!
What inspires your designs?
Everything! Most people who create things say this, don’t they? It is all true! The world is full of colors and shapes.
The place I live in influences me a lot, though it is not that obvious when you look at my designs. The serene place in the countryside near Toruń, where I live, my big garden (I am a huge fan of gardening, and whenever the weather permits, I love to sit on the porch and knit) and the forest nearby are quiet places to think about new designs and life in general and to look for sources of inspiration and get new ideas. I also like to walk around the Old Town of Toruń, feeling history and watching people.
The yarn stimulates me a lot, too. Its texture, colour, the possibilities it can bring etc. always amaze me. If a yarn doesn’t “talk” to me, I tend not to work with it.
A huge part of my inspiration originates from online sources. I can spend hours browsing Pinterest, Tumblr and similar sites, checking out current fashion trends and allowing myself to get inspired. It’s easy to get carried away when there is such a multitude of inspirational sources to explore, but there’s a downside to this too! I’m not alone watching these sites; everybody is seeing the same pictures, and however beautiful and inspiring they are, truth is if several people see the same pictures, then those several people might end up getting the same ideas!
A Floral Affair – photo by Daniel Maciejewska
Which comes first – the yarn or the inspiration?
It could be either. I’ve had it work both ways but most of the time it is the design idea that comes to me first. Then, I try to figure out what yarn would be the best for it and almost always discover that I don’t have it in my stash! LOL
On the other hand, several of my designs – such as Maisie, Aiolos or Fino – have been strictly inspired by the yarn that captured my attention.
What characteristics do you try to incorporate in your designs?
I always try to make them interesting to knit! And of course seamless 🙂
Since I am not the biggest enthusiast of seaming, I prefer to construct my garments and accessories as seamlessly as possible and move on to the next idea.
Also, the fit is very important to me. We all have uniquely shaped bodies, don’t we? Not all women have model-like measurements; therefore, we may want to custom tailor different areas of our knitwear to assure the best possible fit.
I have been quite generously equipped by the bust fairy and as you know, this can be both a blessing and a curse because it requires extra shaping in that section.
I keep this in mind and try to design garments that slim out the top of women’s bodies and balance them with the bottom half. I love open cardigans, deep neck openings and intriguing waist shaping – in short, everything that flatters!
What is your favourite type of item to design?
I am definitely a sweater designer. I like knitting and designing accessories (mostly hats and shawls) but sweaters I love the most.
There are so many different constructions you can play with! So many ways to do the shaping! Possibilities are endless.
Wien – photo by Daniel Maciejewska
Tell me about designs like “A Floral Affair” and ”Wien”.
Both garments have been designed for a special purpose (if I may say that) and knit with Malabrigo Yarn.
“A Floral Affair” was originally published by “Knit Now” Magazine, while “Wien” was created especially for the Wollness Weekend we had a pleasure to attend in September.
“A Floral Affair” is an elegant, fitted vest (or a top tank, if you wish) with a center flower motif and very deep, flattering neckline. This is something you would wear to work but also on a date.
“Wien”, on the other hand, is the traditional, classic winter sweater, with lots of texture, cables, garter stitch and extra cushy half-cardigan stitch sections. For a modern spin, waist shaping is achieved by the way the pattern on the back is arranged.
What is coming next? What’s in your release queue?
As most of the knitters, I always have a few projects on the needles at the same time.
At the moment, I am all about knitting hats and other winter accessories 🙂
However, I am also working on a collection for one of the great yarn companies and hope to have it ready in January. More exciting collaborations are coming next year! In the meantime, I hope to publish a few designs under my own name, too!
Your desert island yarn? (if you could only knit with one yarn from now on which would it be?)
This is such a tough question. I don’t think I can pick one yarn. I love them all! I want them all!!! 🙂
Wink – photo by Daniel Maciejewska
Which is your most under-appreciated design?
Oh, there are a few of them actually. However, I’m very self-critical, and I always find something that I could have done better.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d like to share with other knitters?
Keep knitting! Have fun! Look out for opportunities, and never ever let others put you down!
Any knitting/designing New Year’s resolutions?
Stick to my design schedule as much as possible. Be more organized and focused.
Pomponious Hat – photo by Daniel Maciejewska
Thank you so much, Hanna! You can read more about Hanna here: hadaknits.com/blog and find all her lovely patterns here: ravelry.com/designers/hanna-maciejewska.
What is Indie Design Gift-A-Long; GAL?
That is the question I asked myself, last year, as I watched all the commotion, not only in the dedicated Indie Design-Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry but also in other groups. Why are you not taking part as a Designer? One of my group members asked, but I was snowed in with other work, and realized that I needed to find out more about the technicalities of it. This year I had no choice but to join since Merryn, aka greatminds on Ravelry, had sent me all the links to the GAL planning group and how-to pages, in addition to the deadlines. I am pleased to say that I am in! Not without the help of Merryn and also designer Hanna Maciejewska, aka hada131, who also told me that I had to join. So “What is Gift-A-Long? It’s a multi-designer promotion to help you kick your holiday gift-making into high gear! The Indie Design-Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. From Thursday, November 19th at 8:00 pm US EST – Friday, November 27, 2015 at 11:59 pm US EST tons of indie designers will be discounting between 5 – 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2015.” There are 2 300 electronic pattern prizes to be won as well as physical prizes, for taking part in the KAL/CAL and the Designer Hunt Game. Take a look at the interesting stats above.
So I had my husband make a collage of some of my discounted patterns, signed on in the dedicated time-space, made a bundle with the 18 discounted patterns I had chosen – thinking that I could add 2 more later, since there was a new release thread in the group but not realizing all the organizing that goes on behind by numerous volunteers – and set up the two different promotions (one set of individual codes for prizes and one for the coupon code for the whole period). You can see my Gift-A-Long bundle here: ravelry.com/designers/linda-marveng. It has been a steep learning curve, but now the fun has started with interview requests and links to my selected designs in the chat & planning thread in the group. Do not miss out, come and join us!
Wollness Weekend Photographed by Dominik Matyas
All the brilliant photos Dominik Matyas, bydominik.com, took at the Wollness Weekend, at Hotel Steinschalerhof, 1.5 hour outside of Vienna, are ready. He has captured the fun we had so well. Above are the organizers; the Austrian Yarn Club founders and some of us workshops holders together with the two husbands present: From the right: Uschi – Ursula Koll, aka Grinsekatz on Ravelry; Irene Brenner aka Irenevienna; Teresa Schinwald, aka RedUrchin second from left and behind her Kathi Fritz, aka dewthing. Lovely and talented designer Hanna Maciejewska, aka hada131, in the center who held workshops in English just a me standing next to her with my husband Michael at the back and in the corner Hanna’s husband Daniel. In the opposite corner, far left, is Betta Pierantoni who held a workshop on Estonian colorwork in German.
Here we are photographing Isabella doing the hippo dance, on the order of Dominik to make us all laugh, you can see my photo of it here: vienna-calling. Guess who acted like a paparazzi?
Above is the portrait Dominik took during my Finishing workshop, and below a collage of some of the photos he took. Dominik was so surprised by everybody’s delightful reaction to my announcement that buttons and buttonholes were next on the agenda. He added it into his workshop in photography, to my delight.
Below is a collage of Hanna’s workshop: Top-Down Set-in Sleeve. You can read more about her impressions of the weekend on her blog here: hadaknits.com/wollness-weekend.
Last but certainly not least is Dominik’s collage from the Wool market, open on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. There were lot of temptations but the selection was a bit overwhelming for some of us. You can find even more photos and info on the Austrian Yarn Club website here: yarnclub.at.
It was a thrill being there during the Wollness Weekend, and meeting so many brilliant knitters, test knitters in person, designer Hanna & Daniel and photographer Dominik. Thank you all!
Familien Julens Småstrikk with 3 of My Designs
On Monday the special issue, Familien Julens Småstrikk/Christmas Small Knits is published with my designs; Hertha, Nuala and Syndra, to my utter delight. The shawl Hertha with loose sleeves, stunningly worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, fringe skirt by Judith Bech, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, is on the cover in the bottom corner – see above – but much larger both on the contents page but also inside – see below.
Here you can see Hertha’s traditional lace pattern with shadow triangels in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, tucks, shawl collar as well as magnificent jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo up close. The shawl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4, and is available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL).
“Gorgeous details. Beautiful garments in lace knitting designed by Linda Marveng, says the introduction”. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn in different ways. 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.
“The shawl with a shawl collar 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 shoulder pin. Anne Dorthe from Team Models is photographed at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with Poplar Necklace and Magnolia earrings by Kaja Gjedebo.” see kgd.no.
“An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern with dropped stitches is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug.” The Nuala shawl and cowl are both knitted flat using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method.
“A cowl to warm you shoulders and matching loose sleeves. Both are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.” The set is named after Syndra with her immense magical potential and knitted with both yarns held together to create a DK/8 ply yarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Familien Julens Småstrikk will be available in all newsagents and selected supermarkets in Norway, as well as digitally here: www.klikk.no. All the patterns will be published in English on Ravelry after test knitting; Syndra is ongoing while Hertha and Nuala will be test knitted in March.