Tromsø Architecture

Posted on by

I wanted to share a selection of the photos Michael took of the architecture in Tromsø from our trip back in July. It was our first trip so far north, above the Arctic Circle, and we were so fortunate to have so many days with very warm temperatures for Northern Norway, that is; 24 degrees Celsius/75 degrees Fahrenheit, see the Postcard from Northern Norway. On top of our list to visit was the Tromsø landmark, the Ishavskatedralen/Arctic Cathedral and Michael chose our hotel Scandic Ishavshotel based on its location with a view towards it. The photo above is taken with a zoom in the evening after 7 PM, while I have captured Michael in action for scale in the photo below.

The architect is Jan Inge Hovig and the cathedral was dedicated on November 19, 1965. Above is the main entrance on the western side; it is surrounded by a large glass façade with a pronounced cross. The cathedral is built of eleven cast-in-place aluminium-coated concrete panels.

The view from the backside, which we saw first as we came walking from the Fjellheisen/Cable Car.

Below is the side view, where you can see the construction and the eleven panels.

The cathedral was open so we were able to take a close look inside too.

“The fantastic glass mosaic on the eastern side was added in 1972. The glass mosaic is one of artist Victor Sparre’s most prominent works. It depicts God’s hand from which departs three rays of light: one through Jesus, one through a woman and one through a man”. Continues on the webpage to the Arctic Cathedral.

Take a closer look at this photo and you will see the glass mosaic in one end and the organ at the other end of the church.

Next on our list was the Tromsø bibliotek/Library. The building was erected beneath the original roof of the old Fokus Kino/Cinema, drawn by architect Gunnar Bøgeberg Haugen and opened on th 16th of March 1973. The special roof construction was made inspired by the Spanish architect Félix Candela’s construction, often labelled candela shell.

The architect behind the library is HRTB AS. The building was opened in 2005 and offers amazing views of Tromsø. Yet, only a few of the study desks, with a view, in the reading room were taken on the day we visited the library.

The staircases criss-crossing the interior looked like an elaborate sculpture.

Lastly, I wanted to share the very distinctive building exterior of Polaria – the Arctic aquarium – that represents ice floes that have been pressed up on land by the rough seas of the Arctic. Do check out the sketch made by the architects; Jaf arkitektkontor AS.

I hope you will enjoy these photos from the architecture of Tromsø. I recommend you visit Tromsø and explore Northern Norway, when it is safe again to do so!

Share

Northern Norway Knit Photos

Posted on by

I promised to show you some knitting photos from Northern Norway; here they are. I brought my Aife pullover with my so that we could photograph it at the Blåisvannet/Blue Lake in Lyngen, outside of Tromsø. Here I am photographed by Michael wearing my hiking trousers and mountain boots with my design Aife knitted in Dye Dye Done Pure Sport. I believed I would need it during our hike to the Blue Lake, but since the weather cleared and it got warmer, I had it in my backpack. The Aife pattern is available on Ravelry and on Love Crafts.

Aife was the Queen of the Isle of Shadow according to Celtic mythology. This elaborate cabled pullover with a slightly fitted waist, is made for a female warrior. A large cable panel, created by Devorgilla, is mirrored with two small cables at the center. The sweater ends in a generous turtle neck in ribbing. To show off the stunning hand dyed Pure Sport yarn by Dye Dye Done, the sleeves are in stockinette stitch with only two small centered cables. Aife is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit.

The next knit design I wanted to show you is the Autumn Symphony that Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted for herself – and not as a sample for me – photographed by Michael at smooth rock surface at Tungeneset with that view to the Okshornan/Ox horn cliffs at the island of Senja outside of Tromsø. You can see my photo of Michael at the same spot in this blogpost: Postcard from Northern Norway. Read about alpine climbing these cliffs here: Okshornan på Senja.

My introduction to the pattern, available on Ravelry and on Love Crafts, follows: Leaves cover this A-lined jacket knitted in one piece with a false seam in a middle of the stocking stitch panel. The sleeves are knitted in the round with leaves up to the shaping where the lace pattern is changed to reverse stocking stitch. A belt in autumn coloured tweed lengthens the jacket and introduces the orange wrap. Or why not wear the wrap as a belt and opposite. Choose your three favorite colours, then make your outfit.

Last but not least is Grete on the beach outside their house in Markenes, Storsteinnes outside of Tromsø, close to midnight late in July, wearing her stunning Mohair Poncho. One she knitted for herself from my Norwegian book, but now also available in English on Ravelry and Love Crafts.

A poncho not reminiscent of the -70s but fashionable in addition to being warm, was my aim. It is easy to knit in 3 identical rectangular pieces but an intermediate challenge to sew together. The yarn I have chosen is a mixture of alpaca and mohair with a little acrylic from Texere Yarns.

We were waiting for the midnight sun to disappear behind the mountains. The sky went more red by the minute, see the best photo here: Postcard from Northern Norway.

I also want to share a selection of Michael’s amazing architectural photos from Tromsø in a later blogpost!

Share

Photoshoot at Bøler Church May 2020: Skyla

Posted on by

The time has come to share the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took of model Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at out second photoshoot at Bøler Kirke – a community church by HBA Arkitekter completed in 2011 – at the end of May. Olivia is wearing the pullover – or tee if you like – Skyla knitted in the hand dyed Dye Dye Done, Pure Sport, the new design first out in this series of pictures. Both the English and the Norwegian pattern is available on Ravelry and also on LoveCrafts. I choose to style this sweater and cowl with my cream coloured silk slacks. In times of order, it was the third garment we photographed because I wanted to photograph it outside by the window and we had to wait for the shadow to come around to the corner we wanted as the backdrop.

Kaja arrived at the church from her nearby home just in time for Olivia to borrow her Eo Ipso Armring and earrings. I had already tried my Monies statement jewellery, while waiting for Kaja, and Sissel was adjusting Olivia’s pony tail. The bracelet looked way too heavy on her slim wrist, in fact so heavy that it looked like the weight would topple her, Sissel joked. See the situation photo here: Behind the Scenes Photoshoot at Bøler Church May 2020.

We had our first photoshoot at Bøler Church back in October 2017, and enjoyed being back at this perfect spot, especially since the Corona virus restrictions were still in place.

Skyla is a cabled a-line pullover with short sleeves, adorned with two central mirrored cables divided by twisted stitches. The small cables, created by Devorgilla, run towards each shoulder and make a v-shaped panel of reverse stockinette stitch at the center. The sweater ends in a casual wide rounded neck. To show off the stunning hand dyed Pure Sport yarn by Dye Dye Done, the sides are all in stockinette stitch. Skyla is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit and has a cowl that can be worn as a collar.

The sample was perfectly knitted by sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a gauge of 25 sts and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Olivia is wearing the Skyla sample in size S with a bust circumference of 90 cm/35.5” with + 7 cm/2.75” ease. I have graded the pattern from sizes XS to 5XL with bust circumferences of 82 to 164 cm/32.5 to 64.5″. I loved seeing Skyla worn by Olivia and want to thank my amazing team for these photos!

Share

Postcard from Northern Norway

Posted on by

I have been to Northern Norway for the first time ever! Michael and I have spent four nights with my sample knitter Grete Jenssen & her husband Jan Sverre in Storsteinnes and three nights at Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromsø. We decided early in July to travel north and to meet Grete for the first time in real life. Grete and I have been in touch since 2012, when she found me on Facebook. It did not take long until I felt like I had know her for ages! Above you see the view of Tromsø from the Cable Car going up to the mountain ledge Storsteinen (421 m above sea level). The weather was surprisingly warm and summery with 24 degrees Celsius/75 degrees Fahrenheit for being so far north – a two hour flight from Oslo. Michael and I did not walk down, but there were plenty of people who did. The 1250 steps are built by sherpas and some of the stones had their names inscribed, see below.

We had a magnificent view of the cable car and the Arctic Cathedral, in the centre of the photo below, from our room at the Scandic Ishavshotel to the right.

Grete had researched what to do while we were staying with them and we happily agreed to hike to the Blåisvannet/Blue Lake in Lyngen on Friday and to visit Senja on Saturday. On our first day, it was raining heavily so we went for a short drive to see some rock carvings nearby. The rain stopped and we had a lovely walk.

Jan Sverre drove us for about two hours to the carpark about 4 kilometers from the Blue Lake and we quickly realised that we were far from alone. A number of Finnish families had driven across the border and prepared for the easy trek. The last part of the walk up to the lake involves climbing over large stones and scree. The blue colour is due to the high content of silt particles in the meltwater from the Lenangsbreen glacier.

Here you see a number of people on their way up to the lake and with shadow on the glacier at the top.

Senja is the second largest island in Norway and spectacular! We stopped at a Norwegian Scenic Route point with a view that took my breath away! Jan Sverre is photographing the view. You can read more the Norwegian Scenic Route at Senja here: www.nasjonaleturistveger.no.

The view the other direction give you an idea of the scale and ruggedness of these mountains facing the Atlantic coast.

Senja has amazing beaches but very cold water. We spotted a few children in the water but only one brave adult.

Here is Michael sitting at the smooth rock surface at Tungeneset with that view to the Okshornan/Ox horn cliffs. I should specify that all these photos are taken by me and not Michael.

The easy access to the rock surface from another Norwegian Scenic Route viewpoint. Do notice the rugged mountains and the people photographed to add scale.

The Midnight Sun from the beach in front of Grete’s house, taken 15 minutes past midnight. The brightly light nights made it difficult to sleep, but they were amazing. One more post from Northern Norway is coming, this time including some knits! We had a fabulous week in the north, and want to come back to see more! If you have not been, do add it to your bucket list for the future, when it is safe to travel abroad again! Stay safe and healthy! Regards from Northern Norway!

Share

New Design: Caravay

Posted on by

My third design for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk this autumn, is Caravay. Named after the herb, which seeds look like this all-over domed check pattern, is this oversized pullover. Caravay begins and ends in a broken rib. The crowing collar is worked double and folded down to the wrong side and attached. A ribbing detail in the side separate the pieces that are knitted in pieces and seamed. Wear it with or without a belt. Caravay is knitted in the stunning pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, called Tinde.

The sample is size Small with a 136 cm/53.52 bust circumference was brilliantly knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10cm/4″ square.

I have graded the pullover in sizes XS to 5XL with bust circumferences of 129 cm to 186 cm/50.75 to 73.25″ and a intended ease of +46-56 cm/18-22″. I am wearing size Small with +48 cm/19″ ease in these photos taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje.

My aim was to make a classic oversized pullover with an understated cable and a large collar. The cable I chose is the same I used for my Kohno Kimono with cable crossings both on the right side as well as on the wrong side.

The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neck is deeper on the front, than on the back.

The yarn kit with either English or Norwegian pattern will be launched this autumn, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning in Mid November before it is released.

Caravay looked smashing on modell Olivia Lindtein at our photoshoot and I look forward to showing you the pictures that photographer Eivind Røhne captured.

Share

New Design: Bubala

Posted on by

The second design I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for this autumn is the pullover Bubala, the sample is brilliantly knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, in the shade “støvet rosa”/Dusty Pink. Named Bubala Jewish for close to one’s heart is this cabled pullover with bobbles. A deep v-neck that can be worn on the front or on the back, split the cable into two single cables. The same single cable adorn the sleeve. Ribbing frame the cables in the sides and make the sweater figure hugging. The v-neck ends in an I-cord bind-off. Bubala is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The yarn kit with either English or Norwegian pattern will be launched this autumn, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning in Mid October before it is released.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The half double crochet bobble (US. Half treble UK) is made using a crochet hook with an extra fastening trick that Grete discovered while making the bobbles. As a starting point we used the video made by designer Andrea Mowry.

I have made a video on how to make the bobbles which I will link to in the pattern. My patrons have early access to this video as well as behind the scenes photoshoot video, monthly newsletter, sneak peeks of new designs, Hillesvåg yarn discount, pattern discount and more rewards based on the membership level you choose. See www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

In these photos taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje, you see me wearing size Small with a 92 cm/36″ bust circumference with 4 cm/1.5″ of positive ease. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 cm to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″. The pullover is not fitted but the ribbing surrounding the cable will make it follow the lines of your body. Michael did want me to wait until the duck was in the photo, see the top two pictures.

I loved the cable pattern that ends in bobbles as soon as I saw it and discovered that I could easily divide it into two parts by ending the center cable to create a deep v-neck. That meant that the outer two cables could follow along the shape of the v-neck. In addition I could use a single cable on each sleeve as the whole panel would be too wide for the sleeve.

It was not until we photographed it, that I realised that I could easily wear it with the v-neck on the back instead of the front. The back neck is only slightly shaped, but since the front v-neck shaping is so deep, it works. Hence you can choose if you want to wear the v-neck at the front or the back.

Bubala looked divine on modell Olivia Lindtein at our photoshoot and I look forward to showing you the pictures that photographer Eivind Røhne captured.

Share

Edia Pattern Released

Posted on by

The Edia test knit has come to an end and I am happy to release the pattern in my Ravelry store. The test knitters did a brilliant job improving and correcting the pattern. I will share some of their stunning versions here on my blog later. Edia was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and is knitted in their divine Tinde pelt wool yarn using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows measuring 10 cm/4″ gauge. Yarn kits with either Norwegian or English pattern is available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Above you can see the sample size Small worn by the beautiful Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Erica Poppe and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, photographed by Eivind Røhne at Mortensrud Church last November.

Edia is an oversized sweater with a central cable panel, vent in the sides and a crew neck crowned by an I-cord bind off. The pullover has dropped shoulders and simple cables on the sleeves. Edia is an old Norwegian female name fitting for this relaxed sweater knitted in the gorgeous pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
Shown in size Small.
Skill level Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust and bottom circumference: 136 (144, 152, 160, 168, 176, 184) cm/53.5 (56.75, 59.75, 63, 66.25, 69.25, 72.5)“
Length: 66 (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72) cm/26 (26.5, 26.75, 27.25, 27.5, 28, 28.25)”
Sleeve length: 44 (44, 42, 42, 40, 40, 40) cm/17.25 (17.25, 16.5, 16.5, 15.75, 15.75, 15.75)“
Intended ease: + 46-56 cm/18-22”. Sample shown is 144 cm/56.75” and worn with + 61 cm/24” ease on model.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g).
Sample is knitted in Burgunderlilla 2131; 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins; 1261 (1378, 1495, 1612, 1729, 1846, 1963) m/1379 (1507, 1635, 1763, 1891, 2019, 2147) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds).
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double…
Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds).
http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds).
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32”)
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for collar.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), cable needle, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
21 sts and 40 rows in garter st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
40 sts in Cable using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures about 18 cm/7” wide after blocking.
36 rows in Cable using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures about 12.5 cm/5” high after blocking.

Notes: The sweater is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neck is deeper on the front, than on the back.

Share

New Design: Yaelle

Posted on by

Next out in the series of new designs is one of the four new garments made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Yaelle is beautifully knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, in Tinde pelt wool in Cognac using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. Yaelle is a high-low pullover with an all over check pattern, swinging side panels and pockets. Named after Hebrew for the mountain goat, as it can take you everywhere. The pullover ends in a high loose turtle neck collar. Yaelle’s side panels are picked up and knitted after the side seams are done. The pockets are knitted at the same time as the front, including the pocket band and the lining. Wear Yaelle as you like; hanging loose or gathered with a belt or with a shawl pin at the front.

The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces from the bottom and up, then seamed. The side panel is picked up and knitted after the shoulder and side seams. Only the collar is worked in the round. 

The two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the top and bottom of the pocket.

All these photos are taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje of me wearing size S with a 136 cm/53.5″ bust circumference. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 5XL with bust circumference from 128 to 192 cm/50.5 to 75.5″.

Here you see me inserting the shawl pin after I have folded the front into something that feels like origami. The oversized pullover is knitted with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4“ square after blocking. 

Here is how Yaelle looks with a belt. On the back you can either divide the folds created by the belt evenly or place them all in the side.

Finally, here I am talking about the pocket lining, the small rectangle you can see from the wrong side in reverse stockinette stitch.

Yaelle looked absolutely stunning on Olivia Lindtein, captured by Eivind Røhne and I look forward to showing you those photos.

Yarn kits with English or Norwegian pattern will be available from Hillesvåg ullvarefabrikk this autumn, while the individual pattern will be released after test knitting beginning in mid September.

If you want to read more Yaelle, see my other three new Hillesvåg designs & behind the scenes photoshoot videos and learn about my life as a designer, choose your level based on the rewards – such as monthly newsletter, sneak peeks of new designs, Hillesvåg yarn discount, pattern discount, free monthly pattern and monthly video – here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

Share

Sirona Knitted by Melissa Wehrle

Posted on by

I am so thrilled to show you the gorgeous Sirona pullover that Melissa Wehrle has knitted in Foxhill Farm Cormo DK. Melissa is not one of my test knitters but a knitwear designer better known as neoknits on Ravelry and Instagram. I instantly recognised her name from the Brooklyn Tweed Wool People Collections. She graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2002 with a BFA in Fashion Design. Currently, Melissa is a Sweater Tech for a manufacturer in New York City.

Melissa worked size L and explains why on her Sirona project page: “The yarn chosen is a little bit lighter than what the pattern calls for. I’ve worked around it by casting on for the size L, once all said and done, it will probably measure to about the size M”. Foxhill Farm Cormo DK is made of 100% wool and each 100 gram skein has 282 meters/308 yards. Melissa used 3.5 mm/US 4 and 4 mm/US 6 needles as the pattern suggests. The gauge, in the pattern, is 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4” square. The pattern is available in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 86 to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5, in English on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

Here is another beautiful photo, this time of the sweater in progress. Melissa writes on her project page: “Really loving the cables. The center main cable is tough to memorize, but the more twists the better!” Thank you ever so much for making such a stunning version of my design Sirona, Melissa!

Share

New Design: Milana

Posted on by
I am thrilled to show you my new design Milana, knitted in the divine Norwegian Norne Yarn, Merino-Silk-Yak in Volva. I was introduced to the yarn dyer Tuva Hoen at Oslo Knitting Festival back in October last year by designer Marianne Skatten. Tuva also took part in both Bergen Knitting Festival and Barcelona Knits, so I had reminders to pick a yarn and colour to make a design. I decided to go for Volva and requested six skeins.
The cable I chose for Milana is a favourite from the Charted Knitting Designs (third book) in the Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting series. I wanted the cables to move towards the shoulder and decided to add a high waisted rib with the straight silhouette, since the rib holds in the waist, that was popular on Epona. I told Tuva about my idea and colour choice! She dyed the yarn and sent it to me, without any costs. 
I really wanted to test out this yarn and knit this pullover myself, but as usual, my hands were not free to do so as I was working on my Leylak. But I knew I could trust Grete, aka ma9 on Ravelry, with the task. Grete did a brilliant job, as usual! Thank you, Grete! So I only knitted the swatch with the Body cable (wider than the Sleeve cable), crocheted the pullover together and worked the neckband in the end. 
In these photos you can see me wearing size S, with a 92 cm/36.25″ bust circumference with 4 cm/1.5″ positive ease. I have not finished the pattern yet, it is the last one of the new ones I am working on, but it will be graded from XS to 5XL. And yes, Michael did make me wait for the duck to come into the photo.
There was so little yarn left over, since I wanted a cowl instead of a high neck, that I had to use scrap yarn for crocheting the pullover together so I had enough yarn left over for the neckband. In the end, the neckband had to be shorter than I would have wanted, but I ran out of yarn. I also had to search for a video for a tubular cast on method that did nor require several rounds of double knitting first, since I did not have enough yarn for it. Very Pink Knits has this Tubular Bind Off, that I used. 
The Norne Yarn, DK – Merino/Silk/Yak is made of 60% Superwash Merino, 20% silk, 20% Yak and comes in 100 gram skeins with 212 meters/232 yards. It is lovely and soft with a beautiful sheen as well as a slight halo. Milana is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.
My plan is to schedule the test knit for mid August with a release of the pattern on 12th of October.  
If you are interested in learning more about my life as a designer, read more about Milana, see my new Hillesvåg designs and want to support me, choose your level based on the rewards – such as monthly newsletter, sneak peeks of new designs, Hillesvåg yarn discount, pattern discount, free monthly pattern and monthly video – here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.
 
 
 
Share