Let me introduce you to Briana Thompson from the US, who has knitted this wonderful version of Sirona in Tinde in Green 2126 from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in size Medium. On her project page for “My Emerald Isle” on Ravelry she writes: “Yarn color is insanely gorgeous! Must be the prettiest green I’ve ever seen. It’s luminous!”. Briana also designs and you can find her gorgeous mittens for sale on Ravelry. Briana draws a sheep cartoon “Woolen Spun” about knitting on Instagram. Do join her for a laugh @brianajthompson. Continue reading
Category Archives: Knitting
Happy New Year! Welcome 2022!
A new year is approaching and I do hope it will be a better one than 2021. “Takk for det gamle”/Thank you for the old one, as we say to each other when the new year approaches in Norway! It is a good custom, in my opinion to thank friends and family for making the year richer, and so much better. So thank you for following me this year, and I wish you a happy and healthy new year! I hope it will be a peaceful year with the Corona virus under control. I also hope that it will be a year that bring you all lots of happiness and shared pleasures! Continue reading
Happy Knitmas & Holidays, Merry Christmas 2021
Christmas 2021, unfortunately another Christmas with Corona restrictions in place, but knitting will keep me sane during Knitmas. The holidays always seem to sneak up on me and suddenly it is Tiny Little Christmas Eve; 22nd of December. Despite the fact that I have worked with Christmas patterns for the Norwegian magazine Familien since July, so I received my first Christmas greeting from the handicraft editor back then. No wonder I loose track, really. Just like the previous years Michael and I will be celebrating Christmas Eve with my brother and his family, as well as his in-laws and my mum, but this time keeping the required Corona distance in between us.
I will take some time off to relax between knitting and pattern writing, before my next pattern release coming soon.
Above is the Hallgrimskirkja, photographed by Michael during our holiday in Reykjavik, Iceland back in October 2011. In front of the church is a sculpture of Leif Erikson by Alexander Stirling Calder which predates its construction.
The church was commissioned in 1937 but not completed until 1986. The state architect was Guðjón Samúelsson and he designed it to resemble the trap rocks, mountains and glaciers of Iceland’s landscape.
You can see more photos from our trip to Iceland here: 101 Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon and – of course – Knitting Iceland.
Stay well and safe! I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Knitmas and Holidays!
Join the Patreon Party
Join my party at Patreon to see all the new designs we photographed at our photoshoot on Friday 4th of December in the 28 minute long Behind the Scenes Video from the shoot, with more details in the monthly newsletter including an update of the organising of the shoot as well as other jobs I have done this month, and depending on the level you choose; a Monthly Video – the one above is 1 hour and 20 minutes long – together with a free pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store. Both of these cover photos show the photographer Wenche Hoel-Knai, make-up & hair stylist Nina Hjertaas Bull, model Olivia Lindtein and myself in action at Sentralen in Oslo.
My Patreon Party also offers Sneak Peeks of new designs, 30% discount on all my self published patterns, 10% discount on yarns directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, test knit invitations, technical videos and more.
What you need to do is to join with a monthly subscription, do take a look at my Patreon page for more details about the different levels and join us. Thank you ever so much to all of you that have already done so!
Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Sentralen 2021
Last Friday I had another photoshoot, this time at Sentralen – the former Christiania Bank HQ, now a meeting place for culture and innovation – in Oslo city centre. The oldest of the two buildings date from 1901 and is by architect Henrik Nissen. A fascinating fact about it is that railway tracks were stacked into the walls to keep the robbers from digging their way into the building. But I digress. I was there for the photoshoot of six new designs and four old ones, that needed new photos for different reasons. My initial plan was to rent the Marble Hall, but that proved way too expensive. In the end I rented a meeting room the team could use a base camp and received a permission to photograph in the public spaces at Sentralen. The team booked was photographer Wenche Hoel-Knai, make-up & hair stylist Nina Hjertaas Bull, model Olivia Lindtein and hobby photographer & technician Michael Marveng-Puckett. Above you see us preparing to photograph the first garment the Adeline’s Cardigan, first published in Interweave Knits Winter 2021.
PhotographerEivind Røhne cancelled the day before due to a cold which meant he had to be tested for Covid-19 to be certain. His test was negative, we heard later. First I contacted a photographer Eivind recommended but she was not available, then I rang Wenche Hoel-Knai, who was recommended by former editor Mary-Ann Astrup. Wenche could step in on a short notice, I am pleased to say. Above you see the new jacket & trouser set I have designed in Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 5 Ply. If you are wondering what I am wearing, I can tell that it is Helka. Below you see me hanging up the clothes in the meeting room I had booked.
I had pre-ordered pizzas for lunch at 1 PM, giving us time to photograph a number of garments before hand, as we started at 9 AM. On my previous visit to Sentralen I had identified three possible backdrops I wanted us to use: The Marble Hallway & Stairs, the concrete staircase with orange railings and The Golden Bar.
Our first venue was The Golden Bar – that did not have a bar, just seating – named after the monumental sculpture called “Growing Gold” made in textiles by Hanne Friis. Inspired by the history of the building and the future cultural building containing values of a different kind. In short not all that glitters is gold. Olivia is wearing the Cable Round Sweater in the photo above. We photographed five of the designs in the bar, using every minute until our lunch break at 1 PM. A delicious lunch later we started again, this time in another room.
The second backdrop was the Marble Hallway and in the end we photographed the remaining five designs in this room choosing different angles. All the four Hillesvåg designs made in the yarn Ask were photographed here, above you see the oversized pullover called Jari.
In the large room next door to this, a film was being made. Hence all the extra plants and furniture were moved around. Michael took most of these photos, above is one of the few I captured of the paparazzi Michael, planning to capture model Olivia in action. For the last two designs we moved down to the bottom staircase. As always it was a day filled with laughter and fun, while working hard to make it all work. Olivia had to stretch her neck, pretending to be a puppet, while keeping her chin low. My team did a wonderful job and I had an amazing day!
Varun Pattern Released
I am thrilled to announce that the Varun pattern has been released after a successful test knitting in my Ravelry group. My test knitters did a wonderful job and I look forward to sharing some of their result here later. The sample pullover and cowl is worked in the divine hand dyed Norne Yarn DK – Merino/Silk/Yak. Above you see it worn by the gorgeous Aksa Mortensen, with make-up & hair by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad back in May. The English and Norwegian pattern is available on Ravelry and will shortly be available on LoveCrafts too.
Varun is an A-line pullover with a cable panel that travels across the front and the back like a sash, that signifies a position not necessarily a royal one but a secret one. Varun is Norse for secret keeper. The cable sash meets on top of the left shoulder and at the right hip, like a sash. To highlight this the right sleeve has a cable cuff, while the left sleeve has two small cables running along it next to stockinette stitches. Garter stitches play along the seams on all the parts. Varun ends in an I-cord bind off neck but can be dressed up with a cable cowl, both are knitted in the divine hand dyed Norne Yarn DK – Merino/Silk/Yak.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Cowl in one size.
Shown in size Small.
Finished measurements:
Bust: 82 (90, 98, 106, 114) (126, 138, 150, 162) cm/32.5 (35.5, 38.5, 41.75, 45) (49.5, 54.25, 59, 63.75)“
Hip: 94 (102, 110, 118, 126) (136, 150, 162, 174) cm/37 (40, 43.5, 46.5, 49.5) (53.5, 59, 63.75, 68.5)”
Length: 62 (63, 64, 65, 66) (67, 68, 69, 70) cm/24.5 (24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26) (26.5, 26.75, 27.25, 27.5)“
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 49, 49, 50) (50, 50, 50, 50) cm/19 (19.25, 19.25, 19.25, 19.75) (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75)”
Cowl: Height: 13 cm/5”. Width: 56 cm/22”
Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75”. Sample shown is 90 cm/35.5” and worn with + 7 cm/2.75” ease on model.
Yarn: Norne Yarn, DK – Merino/Silk/Yak (60% Superwash Merino, 20% Silk, 20% Yak, 100 g, 212 m/232 yds). Sample is knitted in Fimbulwinter:
Pullover: 5 (6, 6, 6, 7) (7, 8, 9, 9) skeins; 1030 (1114, 1198, 1282, 1366) (1492, 1618, 1744, 1870) m/1126 (1218, 1310, 1402, 1494) (1632, 1769, 1907, 2045) yds.
Cowl: 1 skein; 117 m/128 yds.
https://www.norneyarn.com/yarns
https://knitwithattitude.com/norne-yarn-merino-silk-yak-d…
Needles: 4 mm/US 6 straight needles.
4 mm/US 6 circular needle (60 cm/24”) for neckband.
4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32”) for bottomband.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders and yarn needle.
Gauge: 20 sts and 30 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
16-sts Body cable measures 5.5 cm/2.25” wide after blocking.
4-sts Back/Front cable measures 1.5 cm/0.5” wide after blocking.
Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The cable move is worked at the same time as the A-line shaping and the armhole shaping. The cable cowl is knitted back and forth and grafted together.
Shortening note: If you want to shorten the sweater with 5 cm/2”, work either 8 more cable moves on every 2nd row and 8 fewer every 4th row. Or work 8 of the cable moves on a WS row in addition to the RS row ones and 8 fewer on every 2nd row. If necessary, to get the cable to the final position, you can also work 2 fewer rows after the Gather cable row.
Andor and Ovedine in Familien Vinterstrikk 2021
The next special knitting issue magazine by the Norwegian magazine Familien is out, it is called “Vinterstrikk/Winter Knits” and I am so fortunate to have two designs in the magazine. Both are knitted in the pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; The poncho Andor in the thicker Tinde and the shawl Ovedine in Sølje in two hand dyed shades by Værbitt. On the cover is “Snøfall” by Kari Hestnes.
Andor comes in one size with bust circumference of 212 cm/83.5” and a length of 72 cm/28.25″. Above you see it worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo Fjord, back in June 2016. The pattern in English, Japanese and Norwegian is available on Ravelry and in English on LoveCrafts.
A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has side bands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho.
Ovedine comes in one size with a wingspan of 162 cm/64″, a widest point width of 42 cm/16.5″ and a narrowest point width of 12 cm/4.75″. Above you see it worn by the beautiful Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make up by Erica Poppe and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Mortensrud Church in November last year.
The shawl/wrap/scarf is knitted in two colours: Drageegg, Værbitt hand dyed on Sølje pelsull by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 350 m/383 yds): 2 skeins: 497 m/544 yds and Lillebror, Værbitt hand dyed on Sølje pelsull: 1 skein; 315 m/344 yds.
Named after an old female name from Norway is this shawl with tucks, short rows and garter stitch stripes in two colors. The hem and one tuck made on the wrong side, in addition to the double I-cord bind off, make the shawl two-sided. Choose if you want to wear it as a shawl, or a wrap around your body or as a shawl collar. Ovedine is knitted in two gorgeous hand dyed shades by Værbitt on the pelt wool Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
Ovedine is available in English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. The “Familien Vinterstrikk” magazine is available from selected grocery stores and newsagents but can also be ordered in Norway by sending an SMS with VS21 to 2205.
Iglu Knitted by Rena Goeschel
Let me introduce to you to German test knitter and patron Rena Goeschel, aka Rainbow1907 on Ravelry, wearing her Iglu. The fuchsia colour is one of her favourites and this shade is called “I’m Off To Tinsel Town” in the stunning hand dyed Posh Yarn Martha Sock. Rena knitted the poncho that comes in one size with a bust circumference of 194 cm/76.5” using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.25 mm/US 3 needles to achieve the gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.
Rena is a very skilled knitter and has test knitted a large number of my designs, I am pleased to say. Thank you so much for these lovely photos, Rena!
Here is my introduction to the pattern: Iglu is a lightweight poncho to live in, hence the Inuit name Iglu, with a Celtic cable on center front and back. The poncho has sleeve parts in rib and a collar in garter stitch ending in a I-cord. It is beautifully knitted with shaped shoulders in the bouncy and lustrous Sølje Pelsull.
The Iglu pattern, is available in both English and Norwegian, on both Ravelry and LoveCrafts. In addition you will find yarn kits with an English or Norwegian pattern available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
Leylak Knitted by Dawn Adair
I wanted to add some colour to your day, so here is skilled test knitter and patron Dawn Adair’s Leylak wearing size medium, knitted in the hand dyed Woolbearers SW Merino DK in Toffee using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. Dawn emailed me asking if she could modify the wings to be triangular ribbed inserts instead during the test knit. I agreed and was curious to see how it would look. The result is stunning, in my opinion. On her project page on Ravelry, Dawn writes: “Turned out perfect – style and fit! As always, another gorgeous design and well-written pattern”. Thank you ever so much for these wonderful photos!
I am so thrilled to hear it and think the colour and style suits her so well!
Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the Turkish leylak, the lilac tree, is this flowery cabled a-line cardigan with sidewings. The delicate cables, by Norah Gaughan, reminiscent of the lilac blossoms adorn the fronts, the back and the sleeves. Leylak ends in reverse stockinette stitch in a deep round neckline with a double neck- and buttonband. The jacket is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino DK yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. To crown Leylak, make the cowl to act as a collar in excess yarn held together with the stunning Kid Mohair Lace.
The Leylak pattern is available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 82 to 156 cm/32.25 to 61.5″ and a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch using a 4 mm/US 6 needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square, in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.
Milana Knitted by Kelly
I just had to share these lovely photos of Kelly, aka Knobelknits on Ravelry, wearing her Milana and joined by her youngest daughter. Continue reading