Author Archives: Linda Marveng

Book Launch: Poncho by Denise Samson

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12924560_10153870714624504_6049135262072545522_nLast Wednesday my husband and I went to the launch of Denise Samson’s second book: Poncho at Cappelen Damm. This launch was held in the book shop which is long and narrow hence well suited for a catwalk. We found our seats next to designers; Ellen Andresen (photographer); Kristin Wiola Ødegård (with glasses on her head) and May Britt Bjella Zamori (in a beige poncho – not hand knitted) as well as knitters; Grete Nymoen (in burgundy) and Cathrine Lovord (in grey). Denise made this book with 50 patterns, not all ponchos but accessories to go with them, as well as shawls in an unprecedented 2 months period. No, Denise did not design all 50 in two months but she did design more than 30 of those. In case you did not know, Denise is a turbo knitter but this time she needed help knitting for once. She did find it, together with a selection of ponchos from other designers  to make this tempting book. Above is the tempting invitation to the launch. Yes, “vinn” does means “win”.

12140733_10156695428805361_3941559106259158816_nHere is our table, as we are listening and knitting to Denise telling the story behind the book before the catwalk started. This photo is taken by Ellen. Denise told us she wanted to make not only those traditional triangular ponchos and not only those used for outerwear. Below is Denise presenting her favorite poncho with a Keltic Knot Cable here worn by Linda Aagnes, the sales manager at Cappelen Damm, photographed by Michael Marveng-Puckett. The cable can be worn at the centre front as below or with the cable across one shoulder.

XT1A9024My favorite is the delicate lace poncho with wrist warmers brilliantly photographed in the book by Guri Pfeifer and modeled by her daughter Anna Pfeifer. You might recognize Anna from my book too. This poncho and mittens set has been published in the Norwegian magazine Made by Me previously.

DS PonchoWe were all given a raffle ticket when we arrived to we could take part in the draw for a number of incredibly prizes: 3 different yarn kits, 1 shrug designed & knitted by Denise, 1 pair of wrist warmers also designed & knitted by Denise. There were some very happy knitters who walked away with those prizes. Below you see one of them with Denise handing over a kit from A Knit Story, again captured by my husband Michael Marveng-Puckett.

XT1A9098lt was a great opportunity for us designers to meet up and have a chat. Yes, Kristin Wiola is working on her fourth book, May Britt is busy tech editing and translating as well as making crochet designs, Ellen has just sent off another design submission and so have I. Nina Granlund Sæther is back from her trip to Peru with so many stories to tell.

XT1A9127Finally I wanted to show you this photo off the organizers including, photographer Guri Pfeifer and Anna, photographed by Michael Marveng-Puckett. I first met Denise at Cappelen Damm, since she made the charts for my book. I convinced her to contact the handcraft editor Åse Myhrvold Egeland at Familien who bought everything she had designed up to then. Denise has since delivered designs to Familien at an impressive speed! You can find Denise’s book at www.cappelendamm.no, and you can join her group on Facebook to see all the knit cafes she will be visiting next!

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Hennika Knitted by Julia Shevchenko

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image_medium2 JuliaI am thrilled to share more brilliant photos from test knitters in my group. This time it is Julia’s turn. She has taken part in several of my test knits I am pleased to say. Above you see her wearing my design Hennika knitted in Valley Yarns Northfield in a stunning deep red tone. The bolero is knitted in size Small with a modified collar and length. Unlike the original bolero with a scarf extra long collar and a short body, Julia has lengthened the body and made the collar the same length as the body. Both her styling and professional posing is impressive. The photographer is no other than her own daughter. Julia also has a garden well suited for photo shoots. You can see more of Julia’s stunning projects on her Ravelry page, she is FannyKaplan, named after the Russian Revolutionary – but with a photo of no other than Hyacinth Bucket from the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. Hence I assumed she was British, but Julia is fact an Ukrainian living in the US. Thank you so much, Julia!

image_medium2 Julia HennikaHere is the back view, illustrating the perfect length for Julia! The Hennika pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Trend, then in English after the test knit was completed. The Norwegian rights have reverted to me so the pattern is now available in both English and Norwegian here: Hennika on Ravelry and Hennika on Loveknitting.

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My Irina Pullover

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XT1A5418I knew I had to submit a design for the Film Noir Ballet theme and re-launch of knit.wear because I adore the grace of ballerinas and because knit.wear is such an outstanding magazine. A body conscious silhouette with set-in sleeve and tailored waist, was just what I had in mind. I obviously wanted to include cables and instantly knew which one I wanted to use for this pullover I had in my mind. The very same ones I used for a set of accessories, I called Talila was not forgotten and would be ideal as a panel on a sweater. In between the panels I decided to use garter stitch and also on the sides I opted for garter stitch. These were made to simplify shaping the garment but also to let the cables be the focus point. What if I move the cable panels towards each other, was one I idea liked and will continue to explore in the time to come. In the end I choose a minimal move. Above you see it worn on my, and yes, I do have an extra long back making the pullover seem cropped, not intentional. The Irina Pullover is available in English as a single pattern, in a digital version and in a printed version of knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016.

XT1A5419The sleeves have the same cable panel as the body. The remainder of the sleeve is knitted in garter stitch. Here is my introduction to the pullover:  Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, this fitted pullover has 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. I initially suggested Rowan Fine Lace an alpaca mixture which makes the cables flatter. Editor Meghan Babin suggested the well known combination instead making the cables pop and giving the pullover a fuzzy appearance. She also choose a lighter blue tone giving it a more delicate look. By holding the two yarns together and using a 4 mm/US 6 needle the cables stand out.

XT1A5421I knitted this myself, while sample knitter Grete Jenssen was busy knitting Helka, last October. Both the body and the sleeves are worked in the round up to the underarm and then worked back and forth to the end. It is an enjoyable knit. I love how it has been photographed on a ballerina and the styling of the theme in knit.wear. I look forward to sharing more of my design ideas, as my new ones come off the needles.

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Mistale Knitted by Sabine Brenner

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ArchivID_100831I am thrilled to show you Sabine Brenner’s Mistale sweater. I met Sabine for the first time at Wollness Weekend outside Vienna in Austria last autumn. Previously we had only met online in my Ravelry group, where Sabine, aka Sabine010163, has taken part in several of my test knits! My German is close to none existent but I do understand quite a bit since Norwegian is a North Germanic language. Nevertheless I am unable to speak it. Our common friend Uschi who speaks better English than Sabine, acted as translator so we could be introduced. It was wonderful to meet her and to see so many of her test knits. I wanted to share with you her Mistale sweater in size 2XL which she knitted in String Theory Hand Dyed Merino DK in Laguna. The lovely yarn has a crisp stitch definition and a subtle semi-solid color. Sabine asked if she could change the neckline from the original squarish neck to a v-neck ending in a round neck. A modification she did brilliantly. Sabine was tired of taking selfies in front of the mirror and went to a photographer to obtain a few good photos for her project page. I am proud that she wanted to share them on the pattern page too. Below you see a photo of her back. Thank you so much, Sabine!

ArchivID_100832_medium2The Mistale pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August, while the English pattern is available on Ravelry. The sweater is straight but the rib on each side of the cable panel make the sweater pull in and appear fitted. I am looking forward to showing you more amazing test knits of this sweater and other designs of mine.

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knit.wear with My Design

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FC_KW_Spr_16-769x1024Interweave’s magazine knit.wear Spring/Summer-2016 is now released digitally and I have design in this for the first time! The magazine is a re-premiere issue, as it has taken back its old name, instead of using knit.purl. I am delighted to have my design submission accepted in this fashion forward magazine. The theme I choose was initially called Film Noir Ballet but has been changed to Odile & Odette in the magazine. Editor Meghan Babin described it as follows: “1940’s drama and intrigue. Pulp fiction ingenues. Urban spaces. Body-conscious silhouettes and singular design elements. The set-in sleeve and tailored waist give way to low-backs and floaty fabrics, styled with tights and ballet flats and the unexpected leather jacket. Explode one element of a vintage sweater and go over the top—an outrageous intarsia flower on a cream mohair pullover; a plunging back; an exaggerated puffed sleeve cap, a profusion of bobbles. Subversive, beautiful, refined.” My submission with the working title Baranova Pullover was given its first name Irina Pullover. I am thrilled that the series, including my pullover, was photographed on a ballerina by Harper Point Photography.

Irina Pullover_1 crop

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, is this 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 Fine Lace.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Meghan suggested using Rowan Kidsilk Haze instead of Rowan Fine Lace and choose an ever more delicate color combination than I did. In Kidsilk Haze she choose a light blue called Heavenly which is held together with Rowan Felted Tweed in a whitish tweed with light blue flecks. They make the cables even more visible and make then pop. Using 1 strand of each yarn, I choose to use a 4 mm/US 6 size needle and got a gauge of 18 stitches and 30 rounds in garter stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. You might recognize the cables I choose, as they are the same I used for the accessories; cowl, wrist warmers and clutch called Talila. I discovered after designing Talila that I was not finished with those yet.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

I decided to use garter stitch as the background and make the cables into panels so that I could shape in between them. The sleeves were given a narrower panel than the one on the body. This body of this pullover 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. Decreases and increases are worked on each side of the body to create a fitted shape. I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Here is a detail of the square neckline that is knitted double, folded and sewn in place at the wrong side. I am delighted to be in the design company of my tech editor Corrina Fergusson, Carol Feller and Sarah Wilson who has designed the amazing huge Anna Cowl on the cover, just to mention a few. The digital version of the magazine is available to download from the Interweavestore.com and while the print version can be ordered here: knitwear-springsummer-2016. The pattern will be available in Norwegian after the rights return to me in a year, and new photographs will be taken. It will be a challenge to make them as brilliant as these.

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Stige Pattern Released

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Stige NEW E COVERI am pleased to release another of my patterns from my Norwegian knitting book in English. The Stige pattern has been revised, tech edited and given a schematic. My husband suggested I shorten its long Norwegian name “Oversized Stigehull Genser”/Ladderlace Sweater simply to “Stige” meaning “ladder”, and I did. The sweater is worn by Nasjonalballetten’s dancer Cristiane Sà with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad, and captured by photographer Kim Müller at National Museum – Architecture in Oslo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sweater inspired by Donna Karan’s style. I wanted to design a comfy yet trendy maxi sweater with a large collar that could be folded down on your shoulders. The yarn I chose has a subtle sheen and fabulous drape, made by Valley Yarns, and knitted double. The sweater is knitted in one piece so that the stitch pattern creates flattering vertical stripes casting shadows. A matching pair of wristwarmers is essential.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements:                                                                                                       Bust circumference: 117 cm/46″                                                                                                    Length: 82 cm/32.25″                                                                                                                      Sleeve length incl turn up: 42 cm/16.5″ (34 cm/17″ + 8 cm/3.25″)                      Wristwarmers: 34 cm/13.5″ long, 24.5 cm/9.75″ width.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Colrain Lace (50% Merino wool, 50% Tencel, 249 g cone, 1408 m/1540 yds). Sample is knitted in Steel:                                                                             Sweater: 3 cones; 4141 m/4529 yds. Wristwarmers: 1 cone; 396 m/433 yds. http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/3DE2C30C-6D95-43DD-8AB5-B8DB265D6674/productID/09524FC9-99A1-49B6-B68D-23A9FC6DE02A/

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternative: Green Mountain Spinnery, Sylvan Spirit (50% Wool, 50% Tencel, 57 g, 165 m/180 yds). http://www.spinnery.com/shop/products.php?cat=13                        Hand Maiden, Lady Godiva (50% Wool, 50% Silk, 100 g, 250 m/273 yds). http://handmaiden.ca/product/lady-godiva/                                                                               BC Garn Silkbloom Extrafino (55% Merino wool, 45% silk, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds) held double. http://bcgarn.dk/pi/SILKBLOOM_EKSTRA_FINO_2976_8.aspx                              Or another DK/8 ply held single or a Lace/2 ply held double.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (100 cm/40″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for neck and collar. 5 mm/US 8 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch holder or extra circular needle, stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 and double yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

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Quamara Pattern Released

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Quamara NEW E COVERThe test knit of the English pattern is over and I have released Quamara in my Ravelry store. I am delighted to see the different versions of  made by the test knitters. Above you see it worn Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk last August. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A combined lace and cable stitch pattern adorn the back, sleeves, and the generous loop closure on this straight cardigan named after a beautiful elf. The loop collar can be worn loose, folded once behind the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style. A fake garter stitch seam add a bit of structure to this cardigan. I knitted it in the luscious wool and silk mixture Zenta by Permin.

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

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                    Bust (incl loop): 86 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”       Loop closing: 17 cm/6.75″ wide and 300 cm/118″ long                                                           Length: 55 (56.5, 57, 58.5, 59.5, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22.25, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 23.75)”               Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Permin, Zenta (50% wool, 30% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 180 m/196 yds). Sample is knitted in Lime 883302: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1256 (1404, 1535, 1667, 1847, 2027) m/1374 (1535, 1679, 1823, 2020, 2217) yds                            http://www.permin.dk/uk/knitting-yarn/permin-knitting-yarn/zenta.html

Alternative yarn: Elsebeth Lavold, Silky Wool (45% wool, 35% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 176 m/192 yds). http://knittingfever.com/elsebeth-lavold/yarn/silky-wool/             Harrisville Designs, Silk & Wool (50% silk, 50% wool, 50 g, 160 m/175 yds) http://harrisville.com/silk-wool-yarn/ 

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needles (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 4 Stitch markers, 6 stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 22 sts and 30 rows in Lace measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body is knitted in one piece to the armholes, then divided into 3 parts. The loop collar is knitted separately in two pieces, bound off on 3 needles and sewed on from the back neck, while the cast on edges are joined by mattress stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round and set-in. If you choose to adjust the body length, remember to adjust the length of each part of the loop with the same removed/added length.

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Familien Kreativ with My Designs

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16_no_fao_03_cover_68409Familien Kreativ is a new Norwegian magazine, which replaces Familien Håndarbeid, released on Monday 14. March with 4 of my Designs to my delight: Helka the long cardigan you can see the back of on the cover, Shinju the shawl, Elora the bolero and Adoe the jacket. Even though the picture on the cover is small, the coverage I have received inside is fantastic. I will show you the 6 pages that show off my designs with the brilliant photos by Eivind Røhne of stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and dresses by Judith Bech Design.

Magazine spreads1The heading says “Ready for a Party”, and continues; “Romantic and beautiful garments that add the finishing touch to the outfits for both bride and guests.” The introduction to Elora is mine: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn by Alexandria Eissinger over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Magazine spreads2Adoe: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch. The jacket is worn with a skirt designed by Judith Bech.

Shinju: 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. Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl and highlight Judith Bech’s Secret; a divine felted wedding dress with a mermaid tail.

Magazine spreads3Helka: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

The magazine is available at newsagents, selected supermarkets and by SMS – Kreativ16 til 2205 – if you are in Norway. If you are abroad you can order the Norwegian magazine by e-mailing customer services: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Thank you to Familien for accepting my designs. You can also find my designs presented by former editor of Made By Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup on the blog “Tusenideer” by Egmont Publishing: http://tusenideer.no/familien-kreativ-for-deg-som-elsker-lage-ting-selv/

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My First E-book is Out

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Nordic Vintage Collection COVERTime flies, so much in fact that I have not only released one e-book but two in the last few months. The first one: Nordic Vintage Collection is in English and contains the 11 patterns that were published in Norwegian in Familien Trend last February, all photographed at Hvalstrand Bad. Below you can see a look book page of the introduction, bio and contents pages.

Nordic Vintage Collection LOOK BOOK2Here is my introduction: Nordic Vintage is a collection of knitting designs made to enhance shoe designer Monica Stålvang’s Spring/Summer collection and dress designer Judith Bech’s selected coctail dresses. Former editor of the Norwegian magazine ”Made by Me”, Mary-Ann Astrup, now in charge of Egmont Publishing’s handicraft blog ”Tusen ideer”, instantly agreed to my idea and a meeting was organized to pick dresses, discuss colours and garment silhouettes. Judith brought several suitcases of her fairytale gowns, Monica brought her drawings of her outstanding shoes and I brought my knitted swatches. We chose ten dresses and color co-ordinated the ten knits.
In the introduction to these garments Mary-Ann wrote:
”The stitch patterns in these unique garments have clear lines going back to Norse tradition and the intricate pattern we see in the Dragon Style. Paired with gorgeous dresses in Norwegian design, the goddess look becomes complete.”
The eleven designs were published in ”Familien Trend”, a magazine initially planned to take over from ”Made by Me” in February 2015.

Nordic Vintage Collection LOOK BOOK5Hvalstrand Bad, an art deco restaurant on the beach with a diving tower, in Asker on the outskirts of Oslo, was the perfect location for the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to brilliantly capture the garments worn by the stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with gorgeous hair & make up by Sissel Fylling. I choose to order bespoke buttons from jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord and Monica suggested jewelry from Kaja Gjedebo Design in addition to my own Monies jewelry.

Nordic Vintage Collection LOOK BOOK11I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as technical editor Heather Zoppetti, sample knitters Grete Jenssen, Airin Hansen and Karin Elise Placht, my test knitters for improving the patterns and last but not least my husband, whose support and technical aid I could not have done without.

Nordic Vintage Collection LOOK BOOK8Gyda, cabled jacket is the most popular of these 11 designs, which are all available individually as well. My next task, as well as working on new patterns, is to make this e-book available in Norwegian. So if you are waiting for just that, keep knitting for now!

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Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Adoe

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20151028 LM Ekeberg 0692 cropLast design and series of photos from our photoshoot is Adoe, worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger over a fringe skirt by Judith Bech, with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The scene was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. The jacket looked best with this amazing skirt with a train – yes, I have borrowed the black one previously – instead of the wedding gowns due to its color and style. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in June in my Ravelry group before its release.

20151028 LM Ekeberg 0704Here it my introduction to the pattern: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. The body of the jacket is straight and knitted in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch.

20151028 LM Ekeberg 0713Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. It is of a chainette type construction and holds its shape unlike silk yarns in general. The jacket is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 4″/10 cm after blocking. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent.

20151028 LM Ekeberg 0734The body is worked back and forth in parts, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The front band is the first part of the wavy lace pattern, and creates a scalloped end to it. Attach buttons and use the holes created by the lace as buttonholes if you prefer. The yarn is a chainette type construction which means the garment will hold it shape.

20151028 LM Ekeberg 0742We tried out several backdrops for this garment including Alexandria standing on the high window sill in the Ball Room, sitting next to the window in a portrait style but this worked the best. She also tried to place her arm on the window but it appeared way too surreal through Eivind’s lens. It just goes to show that we never run out of ideas!

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