Postcard from Turkey

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Night until Sunday my mum and I came back from our one-week holiday in Side, Turkey. I slept a number of hours before I set off for the last day of the Gave & Interiør/Gift & Interior Trade Fair in Lillestrøm to meet friends and yarn sponsors – exciting and inspiring as usual! Above is a view of the pool at our hotel: Sunwing Side West Beach, early one morning when we went for our swim. As you can imagine it did not stay that quiet during the day. With super hot temperatures between 36 to 39 degrees celsius/96 to 102 fahrenheit we sunbathed in the shadow on the beach during the day, we did not venture far at all. The sea temperature was 30 degrees celsius/86 fahrenheit partly due to the long shallow sandy beach, so the cooling down effect did not last for a long period of time. As a fellow Norwegian turist pointed out, the coldest place on the beach was the cold water shower next to the Beach Club – she and her husband visited the hotel for the 11th time and always for 3 weeks.

Here is the beach from the Sunwing section of it. I did bring my knitting but must admit that I did not do any, during the hot days, only a bit in the evenings when the temperatures where 10 degrees celsius/50 fahrenheit lower could I manage to knit for a short period of time. On the beach I relaxed by reading, swiming and watching the water sports enthusiasts as well as the myriad beach life.

We lasted a number of hours on the beach before we headed back to the hotel, a short walk away, in the late afternoon. It was easy to convince my mum to try out the hotel’s Spa so we had Turkish Bath one day, pedicure another and finished off with a deep tissue massage. We were making sure we were coming home in totally new updated versions! Above is the view from our balcony, which was too hot to use until the early evening. Our view is facing the next door hotel, the German Hane Family Resort. Yes, there were many German turists so even the bazars and shops had their signs in German. However, the Norwegians had shopped an awful lot in the hotel shop, since the Turkish Manager there was fluent in Norwegian. We were gobsmacked when she answered us back in Norwegian! Yes, we were no exceptions, and came home several bags richer. In the evenings we did not need to visit the Hane Family Resort show since we could hear it – if not see it – clearly from our balcony. We found a local restaurant we visited nearby with delicious food and only went by “Dolmus” (read: minibus) to Side once since we were in the nearby town of Everenski, 8 km outside of Side.

Above are the old ruins of the Ancient Side. We were fortunate to capture a young couple taking their wedding photos, before we meet them again strolling down the high street in Side making it an extra ordinary evening for us all!

The last view, to end this postcard from Turkey is the sunset through the Vespasian Gate with all the taxis on their way into the city center. The beautiful part of Side I will remember well.

It was a very enjoyable holiday, indeed! The only ball of yarn I found – and I did not search for it – was an expensive eyelash yarn, so I was not tempted to buy it. But then I did caress my bit of yarn at the trade fair just a few hours after my return home.

Familien Strikk August 2015

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The special issue Familien Strikk is now available in print in Norway with 6 of my designs and 69 other patterns. On the cover in the right corner is my Quamara jacket with loop closure worn by gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Ok, it is a small photo on the cover but there is a large photo on the contents page, see below.

Quamara is knitted in the lovely wool and silk mixture called Permin Zenta, and available in sizes XS to 2XL. The English pattern will be published after a test knit in my group. In the editorial Åse Myhrvold Egeland writes about how she became “bitten by the bug” or hooked on knitting in other words.

My series is called “Flott med fletter/Great with cables”, and the introduction reads: “The garments Linda Marveng designs are not for new knitters but they are so magnificent. So if you are an intimidate knitter, just get started.” The introduction to each pattern is mine, and first out is the Alva in one size: A feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo.

Next is Quamara, like the remaining patterns are all available in sizes XS to 2XL: 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 Permin Zenta.

Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed.

Mistale: The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Oili: Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili.

Sculpted Frost: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

In Norway you can find the magazine in newsagents and selected supermarkets or order it by SMS, for more details and a preview of other patterns in the magazine see: www.klikk.no. The Norwegian magazine will be available on iPad, for more details see: www.klikk.no. All patterns will be available in English after a test knit in my Ravelry group.

Today, I am off on a week’s holiday to Turkey. I tend to spend a lot less time in front of the computer than I usually do, hence I will only bring my iPad and my next blog post will be on Wednesday 2nd of September! Yes, I will definitely be bringing my knitting needles and enjoy myself!

Familien Photoshoot: Hertha

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I just had to borrow Judith Bech’s magical skirt, Monica Stålvang’s fantastic boots and Kaja Gjedebo’s statement jewelry for gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models to wear together with my Hertha Shawl and loose sleeves at the photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Sissel Fylling was in charge of hair & make up (read: and much else) while photographer Eivind Røhne, who brilliantly captured it all, was assisted both by former Made by Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup and my husband. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that 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 shawl pin. A traditional lace pattern with shadow triangles in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the separate magazine Familien Småstrikk out in November, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Hertha is a development of my Bech (yes, named after the dress designer Judith Bech) with a wider shawl for a more formal look. It also makes it look more like a shawl and less like a scarf with a collar. I was attracted by the Mulberry color of the Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 which becomes even more saturated held double. Not to mention the luscious fiber combination of 50% tussah silk and 50% merino. The yarn is available on large cones of 454 grams/1 pound with an incredible 4608 meters/5040 yards or in 100 g skeins with 1024 meters/1120 yards, you can also order smaller spools from Handweavers Studio in London, where I first discovered this American yarn that has become a favorite of mine. Yes, they are now my sponsors. Thank you, Jaggerspun!

The shawl and loose sleeves are knitted using both 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles for the different stitch patterns. The gauge in garter stitch is 25 stitches and 40 rows while it is 24 stitches and 40 rows in the shadow triangles pattern. The lace pattern is easy to work and it seemed natural to choose garter stitch edgings, and divide the patterns with tucks. The cuffs on the loose sleeves have 6 tucks plus the hem. Yes, they are fun to work with 2 circular needles held parallel.

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 pattern comes in 3 sizes: S/M as worn by Anne Dorthe, L/XL and 2XL but can easily be adjusted in length and width according to your own preference by adding or removing pattern repeats.

Above you see the shawl worn around the body, held together by one beautiful Abelia earring by Kaja Gjedebo. It is accompanied by the Poplar necklace and the Magnolia large earrings, all in oxidized silver. All of them such a fabulous companions to Hertha in my opinion. Hertha will be published together with two other new designs in Familien Småstrikk in November: Nuala and Syndra. To be continued.

Familien Photoshoot: Sculpted Frost

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am excited to show you these stunning photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing my Sculpted Frost Jacket with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The Norwegian pattern is one of six that will be published in Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted before its release on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles and is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. To avoid a large panel of stocking stitch I decided to give the 3 larger sizes have been given a garter st panel on either side of the Frost Flowers, feel free to change this to st st if you prefer. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

Again I used a statement earring by Kaja Gjedebo that holds the jacket together; Karakoram, Ivy hanging earrings and Caprifol wide ring both with fresh water pearl, all in silver. The geometric shapes of the stunning jewelry fits so well with the ones in the frost flower pattern. Notice how the backside of the wide ring stands up in the photo below and all the details in the bottom photo.

The collar, divided from the pattern with a tuck, is shaped with short rows and ends in an i-cord bind off. You can easily make the collar wider if you prefer. The Frost flower pattern has a number of repetitive rows which make it easier to knit than it looks.

Check out the details in the magnificent Magnolia wide ring, as well as the melange color created by the two yarns held together. Both yarns were kindly sponsored by their producers. This is the last of the 6 designs featured in Familien Strikk. We also photographed 3 designs for Familien Småstrikk due out in November which I will show you next.

Familien Photoshoot: Imra

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to show you the photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing Imra, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here is my introduction to Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The Norwegian pattern, together with 5 others will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

The vest and the loose sleeves are knitted using 4 mm/US 6 to create a dense fabric with an Worsted/Aran yarn gauge of 18 sts and 28 rows in stockinette stitch and Double Seed stitch. The set is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a finished bust measurement of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. It can easily be adjusted by changing the stitch numbers in the sides in the reverse stripes (welt pattern) and by making the bottom band longer or removing pattern repeats. The sample made by sponsored yarn was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, with her usual amazing speed with recommended modifications such as adding extra rows to the I-cord edge along each front.

The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

Both loose sleeves can be used as a belt, merely by pinning them together or you can use one as a neck tie. To close the vest, I figured out I could easily use one of Kaja Gjedebo’s large earrings called Magnolia in oxidized silver. It fits well together with Ivy hanging earrings with fresh water pearls and with the wide Caprifol ring, also in oxidized silver.

Above you see one loose sleeve used as a neck tie, perfect on a cold day as on our photo shoot day late in May. Well at least it did not rain. Next photos in this series are the ones of the Sculpted Frost Jacket, the last of the 6 designs to be included in the Familien Strikk magazine.

Familien Photoshoot: Oili

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you some of my favorite photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models from our photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here she is wearing the top Oili, with beautiful make up & hair by Sissel Fylling, Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang and stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Despite all the clouds on the sky on the day, the strong sunshine persisted with its presence so only a few quick photos from the amphi theatre was all we were allowed by nature. Above is one of them and a favorite of mine, illustrating so well the softness of the pure cotton: Bonnie by Permin with an astonishing 220 m/240 yds on a 50 g skein and a recommended needle size of 4 mm/US 6. The Norwegian pattern, including a matching loop, will be published in the separate issue Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili.

The top is worked in the round to the armholes, then separated. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. I choose to work a fake side seam in garter stitch on both top and on cowl. Bands are worked in the same garter stitch in the round. Above the cowl is worn hanging loose, but it can also be worn twice around the neck, see below.

The yarn was kindly sponsored by Permin and I was lucky to have Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knit this set for me in no time. The cowl actually took her more than a week to knit (read: yes, it does have cables all the way around), just to give you an indication on her incredibly speed – perfect for a sample knitter in my opinion. Yes, she is already working on my next series and I made sure I booked her early.

The amazing wide ring with 3 pearls is made of silver and called Caprifol, while the matching earrings also with fresh water pearls in matted silver are called Ivy, all designed by Kaja Gjedebo. To be continued.

Familien Photoshoot: Alva

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the stunning photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and matching Carmen-wine boots by Monica Stålvang, as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne on location: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Alva, a feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo, available at Det Mjuke in Norway, who kindly sponsored both yarn and knitting. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out on 24th August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry before its release.

The poncho is knitted in 3 parts, using a 4 mm/US 6, and the shawl collar is worked at the same time as the front. The selvedge stitch is knitted in Double Seed stitch. At the end the collar is attached at the neck and the shoulders are sewn together. Make buttonholes if you prefer. The pattern is reversible, so choose which side you prefer as the right side. You can easily thread a thin elastic through the top of the wrist warmers if preferred. The only sewing required is the join at the shoulders and at the center back neck.

The poncho comes only in one size with a bust circumference of 177.5 cm/70″ and a length of 77.5 cm/30.5″, just as the wrist warmers do; 18 cm/7″ at the bottom and 28 cm/11″ at the top with a length of 32 cm/12.5″, but both can easily be adjusted (by adding or removing pattern repeats or a longer or shorter bottom bands) to your preferred size. You will recognize the stunning jewelry from the previous design as the Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver designed by Kaja Gjedebo. More divine photos to come…

Familien Photoshoot: Mistale

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Anne Dorthe/Team Models looked absolutely stunning in my OXO cabled sweater; Mistale, with hair & make up by talented Sissel Fylling, Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. It was former editor of Made by Me, Mary-Ann Astrup’s idea to use the stone clad columns as a backdrop for a series of photographs. The location worked astonishingly well! Mistale – both the sweater and the cowl – is knitted in Hifa Norsk Pelsull in a gorgeous vivid lime green color using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry before its release.

The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. You can wear it hanging loose as in the top photo or twice around the neck, showing off the rib on the backside of it. The earrings with the matching geometric shape are the statement Karakoram and the ring is called Hekla both in oxidized silver designed by Kaja Gjedebo.

Mistale is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 89 to 129.5 cm/35 to 51″. Its predecessor Cable Round Sweater has less positive ease on the body and more on the sleeves, Mistale has been improved thanks to the response from my test knitters. I have scheduled all the autumn and winter test knits in my Ravelry group, so come on over and join us. The yarn has been kindly sponsored by Hifa.

Interweave Knits Fall 2015 – With My Design

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am so thrilled that my design was accepted by Interweave Knits, and now it is live in the digital edition for Fall 2015. The printed issue will follow shortly, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy from my local newsagent: Narvesen. I suggested using Brooklyn Tweed Loft for my Coachella Sweater but editor Lisa Shroyer already had a design in BT and suggested Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift instead. My Yellow Gold Pullover was born. Here is the introduction to it: “In the classic yet unusual Yellow Gold Pullover, bold chain-link cables are framed by welts. Worked from the bottom up in pieces with set-in sleeves, this fingering-weight sweater is lofty and rich in a heathered wool from Scotland. Linda Marveng.”

I am delighted with the photography by Harper Point Photography and loved the fact that they covered all the angles and took a detailed photograph of the neckline. The project team at Interweave impressed me with their attention to detail from day one to publishing. My design is in the Over and Yonder section with a total of 5 designs. The straight sweater is worked from the bottom and up in parts and then sewn together. The cables are gathered before the neck bind off to keep their volume.

The pullover is knitted in Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift, a pure wool with 105 m/87 yards on 25 g skeins using a 3.25 mm/US 3. The yarn is distributed in the USA & Canada by Simply Shetland and can also be ordered directly from Jamieson’s of Shetland. The pullover is available in 6 sizes with a finished bust circumference of: 88 (95, 100, 110, 122, 132) cm /34.5 (37.5, 39.5, 43.5, 48, 52)”. Pullover shown measures 95 cm/37.5″, modeled with 9 cm/3.5″ positive ease. The cables are the same I used for my Saga Jacket, since I discovered that I wanted to continue working with them. They are made in three parts and require a second cable needle to work.

copyright: Interweave/Harper Point Photography

I decided to make a sporty pullover. A welt pattern was chosen as the background stitch pattern, ribbed bands with a tuck between the rib and the cable section, as a divider, both at the bottom of body and sleeves as well as at the neck. The sleeves can easily be worked in the round, but I found it quicker to work them flat with both on my needles at the same time.

At the end of my pattern, I am presented: “Linda Marveng is a Norwegian who loves to design feminine garments with the added texture that cables and lace knitting give. She studied art history and worked first for architecture firms in London, then for Rowan Yarns as a design consultant. She continues to design, proofread knitting books and magazines, translate patterns, and offer workshops.”

Familien Photoshoot: Quamara

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to begin the presentation of the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model (and a photographer herself – no less – see cargocollective.com) Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, at location; Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. First garment out is Quamara, knitted in Permin Zenta, a luscious wool and silk mixture, with a long loop closure attached at the front. The jacket, knitted in kindly sponsored yarn using 3.5 mm/US 4, is available in sizes XS to 2XL and the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the separate issue Familien Strikk, out on Monday 24. August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry Group before its release.

Several of our planned backdrops had to be ruled out due to the strong sunshine on Friday 29th May. I liked the look of this wall, which did not take any focus away from the lace pattern nor compete with the bright lime color. There are three lace repeats on the loop and on the sleeve, while the back has a panel of five pattern repeats. In the first photo the loop collar is worn hanging around the neck, just as you would put the jacket on. In the photo above the loop is crossed at the front and then folded around the neck.

I have made the fronts narrow since the loop is wide, especially when worn around the neck at least once in addition to the already attached part. All the borders on the straight jacket are worked in garter stitch including a fake side seam. Anne Dorthe is wearing statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo: Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver. I desperately wanted to borrow more jewelry from Kaja after shoe designer Monica Stålvang introduced me to her modern work with crispy clean lines at the previous photoshoot. I was invited home to see her workshop, and to pick what I wanted to borrow. Needless to say, that I picked a lot and did not dare try any of it on since I knew it was a press loan and not a shopping spree.

Above is my favorite way of wearing the jacket like a ballerina wrap, with the loop twice around the neck, making the straight jacket figure hugging and tight. The loop is made in two parts so that the lace pattern is identical on both fronts. It is knitted together with a 3-needle bind off at the neck while the cast-on edges are joined using mattress stitches creating a neat but visible stocking stitch seam, see above. At the end it is attached along each front to center neck, while the remaining parts are left to hang loose – see bottom photo.

Just as the loop reigns on the front, I wanted the lace panel to reign on the back. As you might have noticed I am not a knitter that enjoys knitting large parts in stocking stitch, hence it will be kept to a minimum. The body is knitted flat in one piece up to the armhole, then separated, while the set-in sleeves are knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat.

It was important to show how the loop looks when it is hanging loose, hence its full length. That also gives me an excuse to show off Monica Stålvang’s Daniela boots I borrowed for the shoot. And yes, I did deliver them back the following day!

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Author Archives: Linda Marveng