A deep rich wine red shade was a perfect choice for a leaf vines stitch pattern in lace, which makes up the sleeves of this summer sweater. The A-shape is created by the frame to the lace pattern and worked in twisted rib, while the rest of the body is made up of stocking stitch. The bottom hem is knitted double and folded while the v-shaped neckline is single and rolls up to the purl row. The sweater is knitted in a pure mercerized Egyptian cotton called Luxor, available in more than 60 stunning shades from Hifa, here: ull. The pattern has been bought by the Norwegian magazine Familien/The Family and will be photographed professionally and published this summer.

The sweater pattern is made in size small to extra large, with bust measurements from 90 cm/ 35½” to 114/45″ cm while the hip measurements are from 110 cm/43¼” to 134 cm/52¾” and length from  74 cm/29¼” to 77 cm/30¼”. To knit it requires from 600 grams to 800 grams of Luxor (100 % mercerized Egyptian cotton, 100 g, 253 m/277 yds). Both the body and the sleeves are knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 and worked in the round to the armholes, then flat. The lace pattern is demanding but the shapes guide you through it after a few repeats. Hence I found it satisfying to knit both sleeves at once using magic loop, see my post magic-loop-two-sleeves-at-a-time. I also preferred a simpler body stitch pattern to highlight the intricate sleeves. That also means that the body is quick to knit, and a nice rest after working the sleeves. The neckline needed a bit of pondering and I ended up with a different solution than I had planned. As most designs it had a life of its own and did not want a double neckline but a softer simpler one. But if you do decide to knit it, make the neckline you want and do the adjustments you prefer. I look forward to seeing it photographed professionally and will keep you posted when it will be published in Norwegian in Familien and later when it will be published in English on Ravelry.

Spring is finally here and the last of the snow has melted. Our neighborhood is busy again and our neighbors can be spotted in their gardens. We still need to do some gardening, but have been to IKEA to buy a few comfortable garden chairs for our terrace. Above is the view from our closest tram stop and I also wanted to share some of the old, amazing timber houses in our area of Bekkelaget at Nordstrand in Oslo.

We do not know JB nor the family living here but it is one of the poshest houses in the area, though not located at Solveien/The Sun Road which is one of the most expensive addresses in Oslo since the early 1900 century even though it is east of the city centre. Many of the old houses which used to house only one family now houses several, and numerous plots of land have been divided into smaller ones. Read more and see more photos at this great blog: mylittlenorway.

I have been to another book presentation, this time a joint one given by Arne & Carlos and Tine Solheim at their (and mine) publisher Cappelen Damm in Oslo. More than 250 people were there. We were welcomed through the book shop and given Garden Wine from boxes designed and served by Arne & Carlos, in addition to free raffle tickets before finding some seats in their canteen. I were in the very good company of fellow designer Nina Granlund Sæther (blog: syl.tynn), designer Sidsel J. Høivik (webpage: sidsel-j-hoivik) and her editor Ann Kristin Nås Gjerde from Gyldendal – Sidsel’s book is out next month and it looks marvelous! In addition, I met my editor Inger Margrethe Karlsen and other friends who were there, not wanting to miss this event.

Tine Solheim started by presenting her 5. book called “Masker og Interiør”/Stitches and Interiors with a focus on comfortable knitwear and fashionable interior items to knit and crochet. A huge selection of ponchos in different shapes, cushions and throws just to mention a few of her new designs. One throw was inspired by a pair of shoes she had bought in Paris and it was great fun to see her inspiration. You can read more about her and her designs here: tinesolheim.

After a short break, Arne & Carlos started their presentation and slide show. We were all envious seeing their beautiful garden, the source of inspiration for this latest book called “Håndarbeid fra Hagen”/Crafts from Our Garden. Packed with projects like the stunning throw on the cover and many fun smaller ones like the garden mouse called Magnus. Their newly released book has already been sold to 10 countries and will be published in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, The UK and the USA this year. Arne & Carlos are busy with promotion and working on patterns for the Japanese Knitting and Crochet Magazine Keito Dama in between enjoying their house (all 4 buildings which used to be the old Tonsåsen Train Station) and their garden! Here is their blog: arnecarlos. Both books in Norwegian are available to order from Cappelen Damm, here is the information in English on how to order: cappelendamm.

The raffle tickets were drawn and the prices were one neat sewing machine, two bags stuffed with yarn and other goodies plus another one I could not spot. As you can see from my photos it was packed but an ever so enjoyable and inspiring event!

I have become increasingly fond of my Destiny solid rosewood needles made by Lantern Moon, from certified sustainable forests. So much so that I recently ordered some more from jimmybeanswool and have been lucky enough to have some delivered by hand from New York, by a friend. Unlike bamboo, rosewood needles adorn my hands, feels more polished and firmer in addition the stitches slide better on them. They are also a lot sturdier than bamboo which might easily snap or the tip split in the smaller sizes. I prefer using rosewood needles to my Nr 1. Signature needles when I am working with silk and other slippery fibers as well as with complicated lace pattern when I need to knit more concentrated (read: slower).

The needles are made in Vietnam in a factory run by the family father Thuan. His amazing story and destiny has given name to the knitting needles he makes. “As Thuan reflects back on that time he recalls, “Each time we tried to leave we had less and less for the pirates and the police to steal, but things were also getting a little better in the country so I thought there must be something we are supposed to be doing here.” And, according to Thuan, that something turned out to be the needle factory.

“After 1975 it seems like I spent all my waking hours trying to keep the family together and get out of the country so that I could take care of them but for some reason it never worked. I never understood why until the opportunity to make the needles came along. Now it is what we do. It is why we are here. It is how we stay together. It is how I take care of my family and it was our destiny.”

Is it important to know who makes your needles and to know that they believe in destiny? We think so. Uncle Huyet asked me recently, “I spent two years in prison trying to gain my freedom. If my attempts to get out of Vietnam had been successful, who would make your needles?” End of quote, read the full captivating story here: lanternmoon.