Made By Me Magazine App Launched

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Linda Marveng

The Norwegian Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing and Hobby Magazine, created in collaboration with designer Tine Solheim, is now available as an App in English. Yes, I do know it well not because I have designed for it, but because I have translated it from Norwegian to English. Here is a presentation of it:

“Made By Me (MbyM) bursts with hundreds of “mega-cool” ideas and patterns designed to ignite your creative spirit. For those who have a passion for runway fashion, fibers, fine furnishings, or fabrics, buttons and beads; for those of you who are driven to express yourself by creating something by hand, something uniquely you, MbyM feeds your need with elegantly photographed, hand-crafted projects you can make yourself.

Inspired by high fashion designers, the knitted jackets, sweaters, scarves and more step from the catwalk onto your tablet. The latest trends in knitwear for children through adults, from cute to glamorous, pour from the screen. MbyM sparks your imagination with the vibrant color and texture of the finest yarns, ribbons and trims, stitched into garments to wear or cozies, cushions, blankets and bolsters for your home. Lace and sequins, velvet and gold, are crafted into the trendiest jewelry and accessories. World acclaimed designers share their insights and artistic visions.

MbyM stirs you to discover yourself and your creativity. Each edition is accompanied by printable patterns and information for sourcing materials. Visit our MbyM Facebook page and website for additional support. (mbymmagazine.com)

Newly translated for the US, MbyM is the epub of MadebyMe, the popular Norwegian creative publication launched in 2011.”

Available for iPad here: itunes or for PC here: zinio. On the blog, mbymmagazine, you can read what Sherry Mulne of Yarns And How says: “Made by Me a hit on Maker Faire. People were saying Made by Me is like Vogue Knitting (a fabulous magazine) on steroids. Good analogy.”

Cablewing Accessories Pattern Released

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Linda Marveng

Cablewing Wrap, Cowl and Wristwarmers. Cablewings surrounded by lace give these accessories a flowery expression. They coordinate with the Cablewing Sweater; for a wonderfully regal look pair the wrap with the sweater. It is warm, practical but also decorative. All accessories are knitted in a pure wool with bounce, Embla from Hifa. I chose an irresistible purple-pink shade, well suited for the stitch pattern, for the cowl and the wristwarmers.

Size: One women’s size

Finished Measurements: Wrap: Circumference: 100 cm/39.5”, height: 44 cm/17.25” Cowl: Circumference: 77 cm/30.25”, height: 30 cm/11.75” Wristwarmers: Circumference: 24 cm/9.5”, height: 30 cm/11.75” Tweed Cowl: Circumference: 48 cm/19”, height: 48 cm/19”

Yarn: Hifa, Embla – Hifa 3 (100% wool, 210 m/229 yds, 100 g) Ull: Wrap: 3 skeins in col A: Natural sh 6057: 567 m/620 yds. Cowl: 2 skeins in col B: Purple pink sh 6044: 294 m/322 yds. Wristwarmers: 1 skein in col B: purple pink sh 6044: 168 m/184 yds. Tweed Cowl: 1 skein in col A: Natural sh 6057: 65 m/71 yds, 1 skein in col B: Purple pink sh 6044: 65 m/71 yds, 1 skein in col C: Red purple sh 6076: 85 m/93 yds.

Yarn alternative: Cascade, 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 100 g, 201 m/220 yds). Cascade Yarns.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (80 cm/32” for shrug) and (60 cm/24” for cowl and tweed cowl or use straight needles) and dpns for wristwarmers (or use 80 cm/32” for magic loop), or size needed to match gauge.

Notions: Cable needle, stitch marker, and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 28 rows in Cablewing Pattern, 20 sts and 25 rows in st st, 20 sts and 38 rows in Tweed Pattern using 4 mm/US 6 needles equals 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: All are worked in the round, except the Tweed Cowl. Both wristwarmers can be worked simultaneously on a magic loop.

The pattern is only available in English from my Ravlery Store and includes charts and schematics, plus video links to techniques used. Here is the link to the pattern: Ravelry.com/patterns. I am thrilled to see photos of finished cowls appearing already, and on the design page you will find Anja Helene Præsttun Smith’s beautiful version!

Japanese Patterns Workshop Report

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Linda Marveng

My Japanese Patterns workshop was a success, and I enjoyed every minute just as everyone else present. To my delight Nina Hove Myhre, the study leader from Larvik Husflidslag was wearing my design; the Summer Leaves Sweater which she recently test knitted, and Inger Kamfjord Andersen was wearing her first – yes, she is already making her second in purple – Morbærsilkejakke/Mulberry Silk Jacket from my book. As if that was not enough, Kari-Mette Rolsø had brought yarn and started knitting my Milanese Lace Shawl/Milanesisk-Blondesjal while Karianne Karlsen was working on the swatch for my Regal Purple Jacket. So with my head in the clouds, we began our workshop at the marvelous premises next to Larvik Museum. Japanese patters are extremely detailed when it comes to numbers stated in the schematic, we all agreed and found them easier to understand than ordinary written patterns. You can have a look, at all the Japanese books & magazines, and also find the excellent free pdf “Interpreting Japanese Knitting Patterns” here: needleartsknitting. It is definitely an advantage to see inside the books before you buy them so do take a look at the acknowledged Japanese publisher here: nihonvogue. And of course there is a link directly to YesAsia, where I have bought most of my selection…

I had selected a number of my favourite swatches from the stitch dictionaries, which they had a go at, after we had studied how the Japanese write their knitting patterns. Nina had brought her selection of Japanese books as well, so we spent quite a bit of time studying them all. We agreed that the stitch patterns, as well as garments, are exquisite and mind blowing at times! I had a wonderful day in such great company!

Pickles’ New Shop in Oslo

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Linda Marveng

I have finally managed to visit the new Pickles’ new yarn shop at Grünerløkka in Oslo. It is bright, airy and tidy unlike their previous shop but that was their in their warehouse, so no wonder really. Pickles is the designers Heidi Grønvold and Anna Enge, who set up in 2009. The shop is not huge, but their website and sales are, due to several reasons I believe: A popular blog with easy and fun patterns, in Norwegian and English, with little finishing and beautifully photographed. They offer one of the pattern sizes for free while you buy and download the pattern for any other size. A huge selection of yarn at reasonable prices; the brand Abuelita from Paraguay in addition to their own brand. The shop was buzy on a Friday afternoon, during my visit, but I did notice that they had iPads for loan and comfy chairs so you could easily check out your pattern at Pickles.no. Very impressive, I thought! Here are more photos from the shop and a blog post on the opening: hurra-hooray.

A popular new pattern, at least according to the Norwegian Facebook group Strikkesida is Garland Sweater-poncho,where size L/XL is available for free, see: garland-sweater-poncho. In addition they also offer kits with pdf pattern and yarn, knitting equipment and buttons. I was attracted to Pickles Merino Tweed, see bottom shelf in the photo above or more here: pickles-merino-tweed. The bottom shelf in the shop had Pickles Extra Fine Merino, just to let you know what is outside the photo. So, well worth a visit when in Oslo!

Patent Poncho Pattern Released

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Linda Marveng

Inspired by all the Fisherman’s rib patterns in fashion, I have designed a poncho in an oversized sweater style with longs splits in the side. The poncho is knitted in parts to create a contrast between the unstructured cable and the linear rib, called patent in Norwegian. The large splits on the sides make the poncho less voluminous. The sleeves are knitted long, to keep you warm on cold days. The poncho is knitted in a beautiful camelbrown Ask – Hifa 2, a pure wool with plenty of bounce.

Size: One size

Finished Measurements: Bust: 150 cm/59” Length: 67 cm/261⁄4” Sleeve length: 44 cm/171⁄4”

Yarn: Hifa: Ask – Hifa 2: 6 skeins of Camelbrown sh 6098: 1890 m/2067 yds (100% fine wool, 315 m/ 344yds, 100 g). Ask-Hifa-2 also available from Strickideen.

Yarn alternative: Cascade, 220 Sport (100% Peruvian wool, 150 m/164 yds, 50 g). Cascade-220 Sport or a similar Sport/5 ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needles (100 cm/40”) and 3 mm/US 2.5 (60 cm/24”) for collar or size needed to match gauge .

Notions: Cable needle, 1 Stitch marker, 6 Stitch holders, and Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 sts and 20 rows in Fisherman’s rib, 24 sts and 32 rows in st st equals 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The poncho is knitted in 4 identical Fisherman’s Rib Side Panels and 2 Center Panels where the front is one pattern repeat shorter than the back. The sleeve is an extended Center Panel with 3 cables instead of 2. The length, including sleeve length, can easily be adjusted by knitting the panels/sleeves longer or shorter.

The pattern contains chart, schematic and video links to techniques used. Here is the link to the English pattern available to buy, then download from Ravelry: ravelry.com/patterns/library/patent-poncho.

Workshop Schedule

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Linda Marveng

The summer has finally ended, and the autumn workshop schedule has began for me. I am currently adding the final touches to a new workshop, I have called “Japanske Mønstre”/Japanese Patterns. How do you interpret those schematic drawings with sets of numbers on the sides? Is it possible to knit from a schematic pattern without understanding Japanese? It is obviously not a disadvantage if you do speak it, but it is not essential. I will go through examples step-by-step, and we will spend time knitting swatches from Japanese stitch manuals which are a huge source of inspiration for designers, myself included. We will discuss their never-ending appeal and useful websites like this one: tata-tatao.

My most popular workshop is the combined “Fargestrikk og Montering”/Fairisle and Finishing held during a weekend, where I cover how to knit colour-work with yarn in both hands, steeking, different ways of sewing up as well as essential tips, and how to love finishing. You will find some of the lessons in video form here with Norwegian sound: professional-finishing-course-online. I am also holding a weekend “Hullstrikk”/Lace workshop this autumn, where you learn how to read lace, identify pairs & spine, add a lifeline, and practice knitting from charts. It has taken awhile to adjust to doing this workshops in Norwegian instead of English, but I have discovered it is only an advantage that I know all the terms in English as well as Norwegian. I am seeing several of you this autumn, I am looking forward to it! Here is the schedule, in Norwegian with links:

Japanske Mønstre, lørdag 14. september, kl 10 til 18, hos Larvik Husflidslag. Kurskatalogen-Larvik-høsten-2013

Fargestrikk og Montering, lørdag og søndag 19. og 20. oktober, kl 10 til 16, hos Stokke Husflidslag. Stokke_husflidslag/lokale_kurs

Fargestrikk og Montering, lørdag og søndag 26. og 27. oktober, kl 10 til 16, hos Larvik Husflidslag. Kurskatalogen-Larvik-høsten-2013

Hullstrikk, lørdag og søndag 9. og 10. november, kl 10 til 16, hos Oslo Fylkeshusflidslag, Vestre Aker Husflidslag. Kurset er flyttet til fra september til november. Oslo_fylkeshusflidslag/lokale_kurs

New design: Lace Ridge Top & Cowl

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Linda Marveng

I have finished my summer top, far behind my own deadline as usual. A casual, stretchy long sleeveless top in an open lace ridge pattern, with a boat neck and a high twisted rib to be worn on your hips. The top is easy to knit in the round and worked in a divine mercerized cotton from Hifa, called Perle/Pearl, see ull, which is held double to emphasize the structure of the lace pattern. The cable cowl, also worked in the round, accentuates the design and gives the top a more dressed look. The pattern will be published in Norwegian in the magazine Familien, next summer while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry.

Both the top and the cowl is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 needles. The lace pattern is only a 2 row pattern repeat and quick to knit. If you recognize the cable from another of my designs, you are right. Some stitch patterns stick and I feel as if I have not finished using it yet. This cable I loved even after using it on the Patent Poncho, see professionally-photographed-patent-poncho. There is no neckband nor armhole bands, and the only shaping is after the twisted rib. The only sewing is the grafting of the ends on the cowl together. I also like to wear the cowl twice around my neck. Professional photos will follow.

Here is my first post on the project and a photo of the swatch: heather-lace-ridge.

Crafts Market

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Linda Marveng

Last Friday, I went to the Crafts Market in Oslo. There were ads in the national newspaper stating the 3 days, opening times and location. But I had already received first hand information here on my blog, from the two designers; Rita Nylander and Anne Grut Sørum behind the brand Duodu, whose book I reviewed and love! Here is my post, if you missed it: duodu. I could not miss the opportunity to meet the talented duo from Trondheim – they were lovely – and see more of their collection close up. Obviously, it did not disappoint, and received a lot of attention from visitors to the market.

The yearly market, established in 1970, represents designers and artists who work with Glass, Ceramics, Metal and Textiles. For a full list of deltagere/participants and more photos, see here: kunsthandverksmarkedet. The number of participants has increased from 20 to 100, in addition to the permanent studios at the back which you can visit. The central and historic location, behind Oslo Cathedral, in an area called the Bazaar Halls built in the years 1841-58 by famous Norwegian architect Grosch has contributed to the growth. Out of view are the restaurant and cafes inside the Bazaar Halls, do look at these photos: visit Oslo.

The weather was perfect as you can see, and a lot of people came to see, admire, talk to the artists themselves and to buy. I, on the other hand, only had a brief look after meeting Duodu, because I was delighted to have the chance to meet Sandra, one of my Ravelry friends, who flies for a living at the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel at Oslo Gardermoen. Meeting a fellow knitter, especially one with the same design and project preferences, is always a treat! I had a marvelous lunch there, thank you Sandra!

3 Patterns in Familien Strikkebok

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to present my 3 patterns in Familien Strikkebok, that came out in Norway on Monday. It is a magazine even though the name implies that it is a Knitting Book, though all the 124 pages makes it the size of a book! My 3 patterns are: Flettevinger Genser/Cablewing Sweater, Flettevinger Løs Halser og Pulsvarmere/Cablewing Wrap, Cowl & Wristwarmers and Patent Poncho in the shape of an oversized sweater. I am thrilled that they appear just after the contents on page 4, with the heading “Klar for høsten”/Ready for Autumn. The Patent Poncho follows on a single page after the two double spreads. The photos are by Esten A. Borgos, and the stunning blanket with matching cushion is designed by Denise Samson, see more at andreboller.

The a-line Cablewing Sweater, which comes in size S to XXL, and accessories are knitted in Embla – Hifa 3 on 4 mm/US 6 needles which comes in magnificent shades, see ull. The Patent Poncho, which is one size but easy to adjust in both length and width, is knitted in the thinner Ask -Hifa 2 on 3 mm/US 2.5, see all the shades here: ull. The accessories and the poncho will soon be available in English in my Ravelry store, see designers/linda-marveng, while the sweater will be test-knitted in my group on Ravelry first; another reason for you to join us, if you have not already done so: groups/linda-marveng.

The magazine is available in most newsagents and in selected food stores throughout Norway. Here is a photo of the cover so that you can spot it, easily!

If you want to see more photos and read more about the projects, see my post: new-design-cablewing-sweater-and-cowls and new-design-patent-poncho.

Letters on Food Exhibition at The Thief

Posted on August 24, 2013 by Linda Marveng

On Tuesday The Thief, a unique hotel in Oslo which promotes Norwegian art & design, and DogA/The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture presented a new selection of young industrial designers in a pop-up exhibition called “Letters on Food” focusing on serving objects. Where better to present it, than at the restaurant, Fru K/Mrs K, so that the products could be shown in use, and we were able to taste the delicious samples? The initiative behind the exhibition is the List of The Thief which lifts industrial designers up from their narrow niches, and into people’s homes in Norway and Internationally. The main focus was on designers Runa Klock and Marte Frøystad who have created a series of innovative serving objects, produced by Figgjo. They consist of three different shell shaped dishes, each made to improve our taste buds by hitting different places of the tongue. Especially, the crispy bacon in a pea sauce garnished with herbs, was divine with its contrasting tastes and hit the right spot. According to the curator Benedicte Sunde the objects where chosen as examples on how to raise the esthetic experience, and at the same time safeguard the product’s functionality. The two are among the designers to be exhibited as part of 100% Norway at London Design Festival. The pop-up exhitibion is open to the public until 26th August, and why not try their the breakfast on offer at the same time since it was named the jet-setter and given six out of six points by the largest paper in Norway, see osloby. I have tested it too, see inside-the-thief and totally agree!

Linda Marveng

Knitwear Designer and Author

Category Archives: Knitting