Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Linda Marveng

On Monday, I had a photoshoot at Mortensrud Church in Oslo. Yes, it was the day with heavy snow in Oslo (read: it felt like a whiteout) where the traffic was at a standstill. Only the make-up & hair stylist Erica Poppe, recommended by Jens J. Wiker since both he and Sissel Fylling where busy on other jobs, made it on time arriving by the tube. The gorgeous model Olivia Lindtein, hired on Saturday due to a cancellation, joined Erica shortly afterwards. While the photographer Eivind Røhne, Michael and I came last and one hour late. Anyway, we made it in time and managed to photograph all the ten garments I had brought. No, they are not all new designs; only six are new, three are returned from the UK (Ataraxia in two colours) and the US (Euler Cardigan) plus one old design (Harding Cardigan). Above you can glimpse one of the new pullovers that has a matching pencil skirt made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

If you are Norwegian reading this and recognise Olivia’s surname, I can tell you that her mother is Tove Lindtein and that her Norwegian knitting book “Lindteinstrikk med stil” has recently been published by Cappelen Damm. Olivia and her sister Louise are models in the book and they feature on the cover of the book together with Tove. So I had seen a number of photos of Olivia before I sent the request via Tove. Olivia looked divine in my designs and I loved seeing them coming alive on her!

Michael and I were married in Mortensrud Church back in 2003 and we have been there for concerts as well as for my father’s burial in 2005. My mother still lives in the area and had planned to visit us during the photoshoot, but due to the heavy snow she stayed at home.

After I had placed all the designs and clothing on the clothes rail, Eivind and I walked around in the church to discover possible backgrounds. Further above you see us testing one, we did not use in the end. As we found several better than that, while Erica was preparing Olivia’s hair and then her make-up. I was wearing my Brewster Cardigan, in case you were wondering. Despite the delay, we took time to sit down for lunch, I had ordered catering from Eckers with juices and smoothies to keep us going, and we finished as we had planned at 3.30 PM, just as the daylight started to go away.

Michael made a behind the scenes video which will be available for all my patrons on Patreon only, after he has edited it and we are back from Barcelona Knits. So if you are interested in learning more about my life as a designer and want to support me, choose your level based on the rewards here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

We had a wonderful day and it was a magnificent photoshoot! Thanks to my brilliant team! I look forward to showing you the new designs – I still need to finish off those patterns – as well as selecting from Eivind’s photos!

Ena in Familien Kosestrikk 2019

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The Norwegian magazine Familien has just published another special issue on knitting called “Kosestrikk”/Cosy Knitting and it landed in my postbox the day before we went to Geilo for the Knitting Weekend! That was perfect timing since it has one of my designs featured in it and I had planned to wear my Ena going to the mountains. The pattern pages have two full page photos of Emma Ross, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, taken by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne at Bøler Kirke/Church in Oslo.

Ena is Celtic for fiery. As you need to be passionate about cables to make this jacket. The woven cables lean towards the left and the right hence the spine has been accentuated with a twisted stitch at the center back and along front opening. Ribbing in the sides make the jacket appear casually fitted. The collar in rib can be worn open or closed and folded over. Ena is knitted in the rustic Acadia with silk noil from The Fibre Co.

The jacket is made in pieces and seamed for the best possible fit. I have graded the jacket in sizes XS to 2XL with a finished bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/33 to 48.75″ circumference. Em is wearing size Small which measures 92 cm/36.25″ with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch using 4 mm/US 6 needles measures 10 cm/4” square.

The bespoke buttons are like small pieces of jewellery and hand-made by Siri Berrefjord. Above you see one of the photographs of them, taken by Siri herself. See more details about those buttons in this blogpost: Ena Buttons By Siri Berrefjord.

The English pattern is available on LoveCrafts and on Ravelry to download, while the Norwegian pattern is only available, printed in “Familien Kosestrikk”. The special issue Familien magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. If you are in Norway you can buy a digital version for iPad, see www.klikk.no. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.

Strikkehelg/Knitting Weekend at Geilo

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Friday morning my husband and I drove to Geilo, heading north-west from Ørje, half way to Bergen. I was booked to hold a talk Friday evening to the 460 attendees and workshops on both Saturday & Sunday at the Strikkehelg/Knitting Weekend organised by the magazine Familien published by Egmont (a Danish media corporation). Geilo is a ski resort, preparing for the upcoming season with snow canons, and the event was held at the posh Vestlia Resort. This weekend the knitters had taken over the hotel. Above you see me holding the talk “Teknisk Strikking”/Technical Knitting in front of about 300 knitters, I am wearing the Damara Skirt from the Norwegian book “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt” knitted in Tinde pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while on the huge screen is model Emma Ross with my Autumn Symphony set knitted in Ask (also by Hillesvåg). I was talking about the uses of left over yarn as well as sizing of the cowl and the belt which are included in the pattern. While other knitters were attending knitting yoga or a workshop in Entrelac.

We were three designers holding talks: Nina Granlund Sæther about the oldest “kofte” found in Norway with photos from her lates book Norske strikketradisjoner/Norwegian knitting traditions (take a look at the photos in the issuu link) and Bjørg Minnesjord Solheim about her company Telespinn who spins wool from the mohair goat. Below you see some of the colours and pullovers made of the Telespinn yarn.

In addition four designers held workshop in different topics: Nina in Knitting with Beads, Pinnedans in Entrelac, designer Anne Tvedt in Steeking & Securing the Seams without a sewing machine and I held a workshop called Perfect Fit. Many of the knitters wanted to join so we all held the same workshop two or three times during the weekend. I held three workshops and there were still waiting lists, in case someone dropped out.

There was a small shopping street in the reception area, mainly with yarn store stands but also a jewellery stand, an optician and a health supplement stand. Above you see the shopping street early Sunday morning and below late on Saturday evening. Take a note of the amazing art collection found throughout the hotel, woodcuts on paper by Edvard Munch in the Telespinn stand photo.

Mohairia is another yarn shop stand. I can tell you that the stands where very busy in the middle of the day. There was also an excursion to the nearby knife factory Brusletto. Michael went together with Nina’s husband on the Saturday and they did not come back empty handed…

Here is the view from our hotel room in the old part of the hotel. I had time for a quick walk and a visit to the Spa (with a small pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and a cold plunge pool) while Michael had time to visit the town of Geilo.

We had delicious food during the weekend, above you see a part of the seafood on offer for dinner on Saturday.

The organisers had booked a separate room inside the dining hall during meal times for us working during the weekend. Do notice the art pieces in the room.

The bar and lounge area had a number of seating groups with comfortable chairs and sofas. In addition to the art collection there was also a number of historic posters promoting Norway on the walls. I met a number of knitters I knew and also new knitters during the weekend. I enjoyed having time to catch up with Nina, Pinnedans and the Egmont team. After my third workshop on Sunday morning we headed home! I had a great weekend! Thank you to the organisers, designers and knitters!

Macha Jacket Pattern Released

Posted on November 2, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl has come to an end and the patterns have been released. I was so excited to see the colour combination chosen by my test knitters, one of them even let her what she had in her yarn stash decide upon the colours. Soon I will show you more versions of Macha Jacket. Both the designs were made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Vilje Lamullgarn and in Sølje Pelsullgarn. On the pattern cover the jacket and the cable cowl is worn by Emma Ross, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, photographed by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum in May.

Macha is the Celtic protectress in peace as well as the name of this heavily textured jacket with cable and tweed body and stranded colorwork sleeves. A tuck marks the end of the cable pattern, the beginning of both the tweed pattern and the deep v-neck shaping. The Macha body is worked in pieces but the sleeves are knitted in the round to the armhole in stranded colourwork with purl stitches and garter stitch stripes in three contrasting colors in both Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Vilje Lamull and Sølje Pelsull. A cable cowl completes the jacket which can also be worn together with the Macha cowl.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 86 (92, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/34 (36, 40, 42, 46, 50)“
Hip: 92 (98, 106, 112, 122, 132) cm/36 (39, 42, 44, 48, 52)”
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)“
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 50, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 20, 20)”
Cable cowl: Circumference: 49 cm/19.25” Height: 19 cm/7.5”
Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75”. Sample shown is 92 cm/36” and worn with + 6 cm/2.25” ease on model.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Vilje Lamull (100% lambswool, 100 g, 375 m/410 yds). The sample is knitted in;
COL A: Charcoal 7415: 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins; 825 (923, 1020, 1118, 1275, 1433) m/902 (1009, 1115, 1223, 1394, 1567) yds.
COL B: Natural 7400: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins; 225 (262, 300, 338, 401, 465) m/246 (287, 328, 370, 439, 509) yds.
Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in;
COL C: Lime 2107: 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins; 210 (245, 280, 315, 375, 434) m/230 (268, 306, 344, 410, 475) yds.
Cable cowl: COL A: Remnants or 1 skein: 168 m/184 yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/vilje-lamullgarn/
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/solje-pelsullgarn/

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Euro Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 397 m/435 yds).
https://madelinetosh.com/collections/fingering-sock
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles: 2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needles (either 120 cm/47” or 2 sets of 80 cm/32”) for hems and buttonband.
2.5 mm/US 1.5 DPNs for hem on sleeves.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for body and sleeves (2 sets of 80 cm/32” for tucks and 40 cm/16”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.
3.25 mm/US 3 straight needles for sleeve cap.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for sleeves.
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 10 Buttons (12 mm/0.47”), stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 30 rnds in stranded colorwork in st st with purl sts using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 40 rnds in garter st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
26-sts cable panel using 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 10 cm/4” across.
50-sts cable panel using 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 19.5 cm/7.75” across.
22 sts and 54 rows in Tweed using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The jacket is worked in pieces and seamed. The stranded colorwork is worked mainly in stockinette stitch with a few purl stitches and the repeat ends in 6 rows of garter stitch worked on a smaller needle to stay in gauge. The cable cowl is worked in the round with ribbing on each side of cable panels. The tucks are made with 2 circular needles held parallel, hence the bottom part of the body is worked with circular needles for ease.

Thia and Damara Knitted by Patricia

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you Patricia’s version of Thia jacket and Damara skirt, which she test knitted for me early this spring, before the Norwegian book “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt“, which I take part in with 5 designs, was sent for print. I asked Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk if they would be willing to sponsor Tinde pelt wool yarn to five selected test knitters and to my delight they accepted. Patricia choose the colour Blåturkis/Blue Turquoise 2129 and knitted size small but made both the body and the sleeves 10 cm/4″ shorter plus the collar 1 cm/0.5 shorter than the pattern. The skirt she made in size S and shortened the skirt with 8 cm/3.25″ plus the waistband with 2.5 cm/0.75″. On her project page for the cardigan on Ravelry, Patricia, aka Bellllama, writes:

“I was invited to take part in the test knit of this gorgeous cardigan. It’s a wonderful knit using spectacular Norwegian yarn. The book is being sponsored by Hillesvåg and so test knitters received the yarn to complete the project. I ordered pewter buttons for it, as I couldn’t find the proper size here. A beautiful pattern that fits wonderfully according to size. The pattern as with all of Linda’s designs is easy to follow. I would strongly suggest ordering Tinde to create this sweater. It’s available now in Canada!” See Farm to Cable Yarns and Espace Tricot.

Pat continues: “I was also able to make the skirt, Damara and so I now have a wonderful suit to wear this fall and winter. Lovely patterns, Linda has done another great job!!” Thank you ever so much for the complements and for test knitting for me, Patricia!

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

Damara: Named after the fertility Goddess is this asymmetrical skirt with a seeded rib check pattern, that can also be worn as a poncho. The high waist in ribbing is loose so that the skirt can be worn around your hips or folded down, both with a belt to hold it up. Damara is knitted in pieces with a side seam in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde. The ribbing is worked last so you can easily adjust it to your preference.

The two patterns (plus three of my other designs) are included in the Norwegian knitting book: “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt“/Norwegian Knit Design. Knit Your Favourite has been released by publisher Cappelen Damm but is only available in a printed format in Norwegian and can be ordered directly from the publisher or from online book stores like: Adlibris. You can look inside here and see more photos in my blogpost: Book Club Presentation. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated. However, the rights will revert to me in January 2021 and I will make the digital patterns available on Ravelry and LoveCrafts.

Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Gillah

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Last out of the designs I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk that we photographed in late May, is the Gillah knitted in the divine Tinde pelt wool yarn in Grey Purple 2111. The gorgeous and talented Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wears size XS/S and has been brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. We have moved to the front of the small gallery building, opposite the Oslofjord Museum, and I wanted to show how this swoncho or pullover looks with and without a belt. Just as for the Epona pullover, the I choose to style the swoncho with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size XS/S with 56 cm/22″ positive ease. The circumference is 144 cm/56.75 and I have graded it into M/L: 152 cm/59.75 plus XL/2XL: 160 cm/63″. Intended ease: + 40-56 cm/15.75-22″. You can adjust the size to fit you by deducting or adding sets of 12 stitches.

Devorgilla’s stunning cable adorns this swoncho with garter stitches on the center sleeve and collar. It is knitted in pieces with vents in each side and shoulder shaping in the gorgeous Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The collar ends in a I-cord bind off to crown the playful center cable. Gillah means joy in Hebrew and it suited this swoncho tribute to Dorota Kowalczyk.

Gillah is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

A yarn kit for the Gillah is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The test knit of the English pattern begins in November and it will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Epona

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Next out of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs series is the Epona pullover, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum. The background I wanted turned out to be dark, but the colour match was so good. The pullover is knitted in a divine bottle green shade called green in Sølje Pelsullgarn, all from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The stockinette gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. I choose to style the pullover with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, see the bottom photo.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/29 to 45″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 90 cm/35.5″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

Take a look at this fab photo of Emma Ross wearing the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl together Kaja wearing the Epona pullover. A yarn kit for the Epona is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in many different colours and will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

Cian Knitted by Valeria

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Early this year, I invited five experienced test knitters to take part in a secret test knit for my patterns going into the Norwegian book “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt”, and here is Valeria’s result the Cian Pullover and Cian Cowl modelled by her youngest daughter Eleanor. I asked Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk if they would be willing to sponsor Tinde pelt wool yarn to these knitters and to my delight they did. Valeria, aka nickknitterton on Ravelry, chose “Lys dongeriblå” (read: light denim blue) for herself but the set now belongs to her beautiful daughter.

On her project page, Valeria writes: “I had been so happy about Linda´s invitation to a secret test knit of one her five designs in the upcoming book Norsk Strikkedesign. It contains the designs of six Norwegian designers and will be published in early October by Cappelen Damm. Thank you, dear Linda, for your trust and confidence! It was a great honour and pleasure for me!
And I´d like to say a big Thank You to the Norwegian yarn company Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for its tremendous generosity to sponsor this test by gifting us a great amount of yarn. Tinde is a wonderful yarn, so lovely to knit with, light but warm at the same time.”

Thank you ever so much for test knitting for me and to Eleanor for modelling! Valeria knitted size Medium and used the recommended 3.5 mm/US 4 needle to achieve the gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch. I have graded the pullover in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, while the cowl is one size and easy to adjust to your preference.

Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic, is this long a-line pullover. Three central Moss cables, framed by double seed stitch, adorn the center of the body which ends in a vent. Cian is crowned with an I-cord decoration around its crew neck. The sweater is knit in pieces in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull.

Aife Pattern Released

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of Aife has come to an end and my test knitters did a marvellous job improving the pattern. Both the English and the Norwegian pattern is available on Ravelry and also on LoveCrafts. Above you see the slightly fitted Aife pullover knitted in Pure Sport by Dye Dye Done, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken, with make-up & hair styling by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne.

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.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust/hip: 86 (92, 98, 104, 110, 123) cm/34 (36, 38.5, 41, 43.5, 48.5)“
Waist: 80 (86, 92, 98, 104, 117) cm/31.5 (33.75, 36.25, 38.5, 41, 46)”
Length: 63 (64, 65, 66, 67, 68) cm/24.75 (25.25, 25.75, 26, 26.5, 26.75)“
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20)”
Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75”. Sample shown is 92 cm/36” and worn with + 4 cm/1.5” ease on model.

Yarn: Dye Dye Done, Pure Sport (100% Superwash Merino, 100 g, 300 m/328 yds)
Sample is knitted in Baby Elephant: 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins; 1350 (1470, 1590, 1710, 1830, 2085) m/1476 (1608, 1739, 1870, 2001, 2280) yds.
https://dyedyedone.com/en_US/i/Our-Yarns/20

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needle.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (60 cm/24”) for turtle neck.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (60 cm/24”) for turtle neck.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 25 sts and 32 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square.
34-sts cable measures 10 cm/4” across.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The collar is picked up and knitted in the round.

Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Macha Jacket & Macha Cowl

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The time has come to show you the Hillesvåg designs professionally photographed at the Oslofjord Museum. First out is the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl beautifully worn by Emma Ross, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne. I chose to style the jacket with cream coloured silk slacks and high heeled cream shoes.

The background I wanted turned out to be dark, but the colour match was so perfect, especially the oars. The jacket is knitted in the shades Charcoal and Natural in the yarn Vilje Lamullgarn (yes: lambswool) and Lime in Sølje Pelsullgarn, all from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using mainly 3 mm/US 2.5 needle but also, 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle, 3.25 mm/US 3 needle and 3.5 mm/US 4 needle. The stockinette gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Em is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference 86 to 126 cm/34 to 50″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 92 cm/36″ and worn with + 6 cm/2.25″ ease on model.

The jacket is worked in pieces and seamed. The stranded colorwork is worked mainly in stockinette stitch with a few purl stitches and the repeat ends in 6 rows of garter stitch worked on a smaller needle to stay in gauge. The cable cowl is worked in the round with ribbing on each side of cable panels. The tucks are made with 2 circular needles held parallel, hence the bottom part of the body is worked with circular needles for ease.

A yarn kit for the Macha Jacket is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg and the Macha Cowl will come soon. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in many different colours and will be released together with the Norwegian one at the end of the month.