Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt

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The Norwegian knitting book: “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt“/Norwegian Knit Design. Knit Your Favourite has been released by publisher Cappelen Damm and I have received it! Thank you to editor and participating designer Iselin Hafseld and publishing editor Anne-Berit Tuft! On the cover is model Emma Ross wearing “Jennys genser” designed by Arne & Carlos. The other participating designers are: Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and me. The book will be marketed at the Frankfurt Book Fair beginning tomorrow, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated. The brilliant photographer is none other than Eivind Røhne. Below is the back cover. You can look inside here and see more photos in my blogpost: Book Club Presentation. The book is only available in a printed format in Norwegian and can be ordered directly from the publisher or from online book stores like: Adlibris. Cappelen Damm will organise a book launch in Oslo on Thursday 21. November.

We all have 5 designs each and my ones are all knitted in Tinde pelt wool yarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5 needles with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge. One of my designs, Thia, is made in the hand-dyed colour called “Mikkel Rev”/Michael the fox (based on a children’s rhyme) by Værbitt, Oslo based yarn shop owner Laila Henriksen. Below is model Kaja Kvernbakken wearing Thia in size Medium. All clothes styling as well as make-up and hair styling was done by Line Cartridge Lislerud.

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.

Named Cian Pullover 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 pullover is knit in pieces in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Cian Cowl crowns the Cian pullover which is named after the Irish God who rules over love magic. The cowl is made up of two moss cables and framed by reverse stockinette stitches.

Cian Beret: A moss cable adorns the brim of this beret to accompany the Cian pullover. Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic. Ribbing holds the pull up, which is knitted in stockinette stitch. Wear the beret tilted to one side of the head.

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.

I have also been asked a few questions on different topics, so here are the responses to those:

Digital: Cappelen Damm will not offer the book in a digital format, nor as individual pdf’s.

Technical editor: For Cappelen Damm: Kaja Kvernbakken. I have also had my English patterns tech edited by: Barbara Khouri.

Secret Test Knit: I held a secret test knit, by invitation only, with a short deadline late this spring before the book went to print. I will be sharing their lovely results here on my blog.

Rights: The rights revert to us designers on January 1. 2021, and we are then allowed to sell the patterns individually.

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Bergen Strikkefestival 2019

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I was delighted to be invited to hold workshops and a talk at the Bergen Strikkefestival in 2019 at the Norwegian Knitting Industry Museum at Salhus about 20 minutes outside of Bergen by the Salhusfjord. Michael had never been to Bergen, so he wanted to come along. I had already heard about the well organised event and the delicious food on offer before I arrived. That was no exaggeration, by any means. For the first time, I had access to a Backstage Room and used it well, since the knitting cafe was packed most of the time with a high level of buzz in addition to clicking knitting needles. I met a number of knitters I knew during the even and even spotted designers Marianne Skatten & Rasa Ziburkute, aka Galgen Design, on the same plane, flying from Oslo to Bergen.

The festival began on last Friday 27. September with an Opening Party including a concert with Sigrid Moldestad (vocals & fiddle), a talk by Pickles & Dagny about colour choices in their patterns and a knitting quiz. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert which was a perfect ending to the party. Pickles had encouraged knitters to wear their garments knitted from their recent book and it was fun especially to see all these women on the stage in different colours all wearing different versions of the same dress.

The opening party took place in the Spoleloft/Winding Attic, with seating at the front and tables along the sides of all the old machinery. I saw Rasa walk by, so she and Marianne came to join us. We knitted and chatted through the evening. Marianne was wearing my design Yellow Gold Pullover, Rasa her own design Royal Cardi and I was wearing the Damara Skirt as a poncho. Michael took most of these photos, but I am better at photographing the yarn stands as you can see below.

For dinner I had the lasagne on offer and it was delicious as if I was in an Italian restaurant! You could also have Norwegian homemade waffles or a selection of homemade cakes. On the menu for Saturday and Sunday was two different soups: Indian Dal Soup and Beta Soup (a vegetable soup) and freshly made baguettes instead of the Lasagne. I choose the Indian Dal Soup both days, enough said.

My talk on Digital Strikking/Knitting was moved to the same location on the Saturday afternoon since there was a cancelled talk. They had a technician giving me a microphone, but I had Michael to assist on setting up my laptop. I talked about my social media experience, how much the internet has changed knitting with events such Knit-A-longs and Test Knitting on Ravelry, technical videos and Podcasts on YouTube as well as all the useful dictionaries as tips to be found these days. My experience with the different pattern sales platforms and magazine submissions. I was thrilled with the comments afterwards that it had been a revelation packed with useful information and very professional.

The festival volunteers made sure I was driven to and from the festival so I did not have to take the two buses to get there. 9 AM on Saturday, Michael and I was picked up outside our hotel – the festival hotel Augustin close to the harbour. I was quick to spot Julie Dubreux, aka JulieKnitsInParis, at breakfast since her hair is bright blue and introduced myself. We went in the second car, while the third car had to carry one extra suitcase, and were driven to the door. We had a lovely chat on the way there and will meet up again at Barcelona Knits. Below you see us in the Market Hall, Julie is wearing her Tuva’s Arrows and I am wearing my Aife, in case you were wondering.

I had booked the chartered festival ferry going back to Bergen at 6 PM, since it was so tempting to travel on the fjord. It also gave me some time to check out the Market Hall after my talk.

Flettestrikk Masterclass/Cable Knitting Masterclass was my first workshop, held on Saturday morning at the Strikkeloft/Knitting Attic. Again a very atmospheric large room with a view of the fjord. It was nice to meet knitters I have met at other festivals, that I knew as well as new ones. I had an hour in between the workshop and the talk so I had lunch Backstage. The photo above is from Japanske Mønstre/Japanese Patterns workshop I had on Sunday and you see Rasa wearing her Lithuanian Lily Cardigan at the front.

Here is the view from down along the inner wall.

The view towards the fjord from the Backstage room. Bergen is know for all its sideways rain as it is on the west coast of Norway, but we were lucky and sunshine one day and only a few scattered showers the next day.

I had to photograph all the lovely yarns on display at Norne Yarn where I found Julie again. The yarns are dyed by Tuva, who is an indie-dyer based in Oslo, to the left in the photo above.

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is located quite close to Salhus, at Hjelmås, so they had a stand. I had asked them bring more brochures and they had. I met the “Princess” as she introduced herself as from the Faroe Island there. Above you see her flicking through the latest brochure. She knew my designs and book well, I was happy to hear.

Saturday night, Michael and I had another nice evening with Marianne and Rasa. I had brought my knitting, but I got very little knitting done, as usual! Above is another photo from the Market Hall, of Ystabø Gull, taken late Saturday afternoon when it was possible to walk around in there. I had a wonderful weekend! Thank you to all the knitters, designers and yarn dyers I met! Well done, Bergen Strikkefestival!

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Aife

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Next out in this series of photos taken by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum is Aife, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I decided to style this fitted pullover, knitted in the divine hand dyed Dye Dye Done Pure Sport using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles, with a pair of Japanese culottes and Evelina ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. The yarn is made of 100% Superwash Merino and comes in 100 gram skeins with 300 meters/328 yards. The sample in size Small took 5 skeins and 1470 meters/1608 yards to make.

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.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust and hip circumference of 86 to 123 cm/34 to 48.5″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 92 cm/36″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

Above you can see the hand dyed tones in the yarn as well as the details of the cables. The pattern is being test knitted and will be released tomorrow in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry as well as LoveCrafts.

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Gocce Knitted by Siret

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I am delighted to show you these stunning photos taken by Estonian knitter Siret of her daughter Annika wearing my design Gocce. Siret test knitted the cardigan in Malabrigo Susurro in the divine Teal Feather shade using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles and only used a bit over 3 skeins of 100 grams. On her project page on Ravelry you can read: “We went to take pictures on Harilaid Peninsula on the northwest coast of the island of Saaremaa in Estonia. It was raining heavily. We waited in the car until the rain stopped and used the moment to take a pictures before the next heavy rainfall. While taking the last pictures, my daughter gave up her boots and enjoyed nature”.

Let me show you a wonderful picture of Annika in the rain in the sea. Pure joy, in other words! Siret made size medium and comments on her project page: “My first Linda design, not covered with cables. The lace pattern is not complicated, but requires attention on both rows. Gocce is a very nice cardigan for the cooler summer weather. This is a fast knitting, despite the fact that it took me more time than usual to knit. But I really enjoyed knitting!”

I am very happy to hear it, Siret! Thank you! Here you see the front of the cardigan as well as the change of weather.

The back with three central lace panels, while the sleeve and the fronts have one each. All parts have garter stitch edging at the bottom and in the sides to mark the seam. The button band is also knitted in garter stitch. The cardigan comes in sizes XS to 2XL.

Finally,  I wanted to share a photo that shows the full outfit. Thank you for these amazing photos, Siret and Annika! You can find Siret as kollane on Ravelry and as siretsini on Instagram, if you want to check out more of her projects and photos.

Here is my introduction to the Gocce pattern which includes a cowl: The poetic introduction to Shibui Knits’ Rain, a stunning chainette cotton yarn, inspired the name choice of this fitted summery lace cardigan. ”Fleeting drops fall…” not unlike the lace pattern on this jacket. Gocce is Italian for drops and selected to give this v-neck cardigan the sophistication it deserves. The jacket is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit and seamed. A cowl crowns the cardigan and can be worn loose or twice around your neck.

The pattern is available in English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

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Strikkefestivalen in Fredrikstad 2019

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I have been back to the lovely Fredrikstad Old Town; the oldest fortified town in Norway (founded in 1567) and in the Nordic countries, and one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Northern Europe. The Strikkefestivalen/knitting festival is in its 4th year and still going very strong, run by four Knitting Motors: Marit Larsen, Lill Bjørnstad, Mette Bakken and Rita Walter together with numerous volunteers. They offer an impressive program with workshops, talks and including events such as “Knit & Poetry”, “Psalms & Knit” and “Knitting Cinema”. Above you see the courtyard surrounded by the museum, the market hall and the knit café, all held in these magnificent historic buildings dating back to 1775.

Michael and I went down to the Fredrikstad Museum on the day before the festival to mount my exhibition. Above you see a photo Michael took of me and my corner. I am wearing Aylwen next to my blue Vela, behind it is the grey Prescott Pullover. On my other side is the natural Nemetona and behind it the green Rørbye Cardigan. I used the opportunity to check if Makeløs – Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik if she wanted to meet us for lunch at Café Magenta and she did! Read more about the café at the bottom. Indeed, she found me several times during the festival too and brought her husband to the Indian restaurant where designer Tove Fevang, Michael and I had our dinner on Friday night.

Lunchtime on Friday, Kristin found Tove and me having lunch at the knitting café. Kristin is a culture stylist and her outfits are magnificent and combines stylish elements with bright splashes of colour here made of tulle around the neckband plus cuffs of this otherwise traditional Setesdal Inspired Kofte (read: stranded colorwork jacket with traditional borders from the Setesdal Valley). Michael captured them better than I did.

I held two workshops on Friday: Flettestrikk Masterclass/Cable Knitting Masterclass and Engelske Mønstre/English Patterns. Luckily, I met both knitters I knew from previously but also knitters I had not met earlier! Above is three of them yarn shopping at the Projo stand.

Of course I also had a chat with the other designers present: Tove Fevang, Helle Siggerud, Denise Samson, Kari Hestens and Annemor Sundbø – the Norwegian knitting legend.

Just like me, Helle Siggerud also had an exhibition in another corner of Fredrikstad Museum. Unlike me, Helle is a sewer and have designed all these lovely outfits, inspired by our national costumes. Yes, Helle also sews national costumes, see more on her webpage: Helles Syskrin.

Yarn dyer Hege Dagestad was there – see above – and so was Karen Walthinsen of Enchanted Forest Fibers, who I had not met before. Below is another yarn photo, as I know I cannot include too many of those for you to look at.

Below is a photo Michael took of Tove and me checking out the stands. I am wearing my Aife knitted in the gorgeous hand dyed Dye Dye Done, Pure Sport and it is currently being test knitted before I release the pattern in English and Norwegian on Ravelry and Love Crafts.

I took the other photos above on Saturday morning before the Market Hall became too full and before my third workshop. The festival had booked all the workshops holders into the same hotel so we all met up for breakfast on Saturday morning. That was a nice treat.

Above is the sign and the outdoor seating for my favourite coffee shop in the Old City, Café Magenta – where the captives of the fortress were held back in 1731. The owners have come to love the knitting festival. Back in 2016, they had no idea what caused the invasion (of mainly female vistitors that is) during the first knitting festival. This year they were prepared and their meny was found printed to take away, inside in the Market Hall.

After my workshop on Saturday from 3 to 6 PM, Michael and I drove home. While I was finishing up my workshop, Michael dismounted my exhibition. I had a fab time, as always! Thank you to the organisers, to all the knitters I met and all my designer friends!

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Book Club Presentation

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Above is the new cover of the upcoming Norwegian book: “Norsk Strikkedesign“, featuring model Emma Ross wearing a pullover designed by Arne & Carlos. The editor is Iselin Hafseld and she is also a participating designer together with Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and me. The book will be launched before the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated. The Book club, called Hobbyklubben, have sent out their magazine where the book is the main book for October. Below you see the cover they choose, a stranded colour work dress made by Bente worn by model Kaja Kvernbakken. The photographer, you will recognize I believe, is Eivind Røhne.

Gorgeous garments from six of our most popular knitwear designers. 30 knitting patterns. On the second page mittens by Arne & Carlos and the heading saying “Godt norsk” as in “Good Norwegian”.

“The interest for the Norwegian knitting tradition has had a surge during the last years. In the book “Norsk Strikkedesign” designer Iselin Hafseld has persuaded 5 other active Norwegian designers to join in. It has turned into a book filled with unique designs, with small and large garments for everyday use and party, for both women and men.”

Above is four garments named with designer name.

“Knit your favourite. The best of Norwegian design. Here you will find more than 30 gorgeous garments from six of our most popular knitwear designers.”

The book club editor writes that this includes the best from some of the best and that she has looked forward to flickering through this. The advantages of having a real book (read: printed book) in your hands and being able to flick forward and back. How easy it is to find  a pattern she wants to try out, evaluate what colour to use and suddenly she is back with her head into her yarn basket and just have to start.

 Next is Iselin’s introduction to the book: “The idea behind this book was to gather a group of designers active in the field today and who have made their mark on Norwegian Knitwear design. Six designers were invited to join with their unique designs for women and men. We, who have contributed hope that this will become your new inspirational book. A book that makes you want to create even more with needles and balls of yarn.” Then follows a few sentences from each one of us about our inspiration and information about the yarn used.

The book is on schedule and has been sent to print. I have also received all the photos of my garments taken so I will be sharing those soon.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Cambridge Cardigan

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The next series of photos I am going to show you is of the Cambridge Cardigan which was made for Interweave Knits Fall 2018 and returned in time for my photoshoot in May. I organised a KAL (read: Knit-A-Long) for this last autumn and you can see all the wonderful results on the pattern page on Ravelry. The pattern is also available at LoveCrafts. In these photos you see it worn by the gorgeous Emma Ross, with hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker in May. I decided to style it with cream coloured silk slacks and a matching top to show that it can be both relaxed but also very stylish.

The Cambridge Cardigan is knitted in three colour of Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift using 3.25 mm/US 3 and 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The Spindrift yarn is made of 100% wool with 105 meters/115 yards on each 25 gram ball. I have graded the pattern in five sizes from XS to 2XL and Em is wearing size L. Intended Ease: + 5-10 cm/2-4”. Sample shown is 111 cm/43.75” with + 40.5 cm/16” ease on model.

The Cambridge Cardigan is the quintessential collegiate cardigan. Inspired by Scottish tartans, this preppy, oversized cardigan is ready for a chilly library, reading on the quad, or for a visit to the local pub. The body of this project is worked in the round and steeked at the center and armholes.

The cardigan is worked back and forth from the bottom up through the hem, then joined and worked in the round with steeks at center front and armhole openings. The sleeves are worked in the round, with the sleeve cap worked flat. I steeked this cardigan by crocheting slip stitches on each side of center steek stitches before cutting, but you can also use a sewing machine or needle felting with a 3-pronged plus 5-pronged felting needle with brush/platform to secure the steeks: See this blogpost with a video tutorial by Meg Swansen: Schoolhousepress.com.

For more details about my design process and sneak peeks of new designs, support me on Patreon and get access to 38 patron only blogposts, including 6 videos and other rewards such a free monthly pattern. To those of you who already support me, thank you! www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

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Gocce Pattern Released

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I am thrilled to release my Gocce cardigan and cowl in both English and Norwegian, after a successful test knitting. As usual my test knitters did an excellent job of improving and correcting the pattern. You can see all their wonderful versions on the Ravelry pattern page. The English and Norwegian pattern is now available on Ravelry and LoveCrafts. Above you see model Emma Ross wearing Gocce, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. She was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker, outside of Oslo, in May. Below is the introduction to the pattern.

The poetic introduction to Shibui Knits’ Rain, a stunning chainette cotton yarn, inspired the name choice of this fitted summery lace cardigan. ”Fleeting drops fall…” not unlike the lace pattern on this jacket. Gocce is Italian for drops and selected to give this v-neck cardigan the sophistication it deserves. The jacket is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit and seamed. A cowl crowns the cardigan and can be worn loose or twice around your neck.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust/hip: 77 (85, 92, 103, 114, 125) cm/30.5 (33.5, 36, 40.5, 45, 49)“
Waist: 71 (79, 86, 97, 108, 119) cm/28 (31, 34, 38, 42.5, 47)”
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)“
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20)”
Cowl: One Size. Width: 102 cm/40.25” Height: 29 cm/11.5”
Intended ease: – 6-10 cm/2.25-4”. Sample shown is 77 cm/30.5” and worn with – 9 cm/3.5” ease on model.

Yarn: Shibui Knits, Rain (100% cotton, 50 g, 123 m/135 yds). Sample is knitted in Mineral:
Cardigan: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 836 (934, 1020, 1155, 1290, 1425) m/914 (1021, 1115, 1263, 1411, 1558) yds.
Cowl: 3 skeins; 357 m/390 yds.
https://shibuiknits.com/products/rain?variant=10882248376363

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

Notions: 9 buttons (15 mm/0.59”), stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, yarn needle and sewing needle (to join new yarn).

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
14 sts in Lace (1 repeat) using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 7.5 cm/3” across.

Notes: The cowl is worked in the round, unlike the cardigan.

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Oslo Strikkefestival 2019

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I have spent an exciting weekend at Oslo Strikkefestival/Knitting Festival and since I was not teaching I had the opportunity to sign up to workshops but due to the packed program it was difficult to choose. Last time I attended a workshop was at Strik Bornholm in 2014 with Norah Gaughan. I picked three in the end, all held in English by; Canadian Artist/Maker Arounna Khonnoraj, aka Bookhou; American Designer Renate Yerkes, aka Elephino PDX; and American designer Jennifer Steingass, aka knit.love.wool. I have learnt several tips on the Social Media front, how to work double knitting and more in depth on colorwork design. Above you can see the Lain’amouree stand.

I discovered new yarns at the Market Place, got to fondle quite a number of lush yarns, met designers, knitters and yarn producers. I stopped Eli, aka Skeindeer, to introduce myself and I spotted Stephen West in his colourful designs. The festival was held at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History at Bygdøy, in the different historic buildings with the main attraction being the Gol Stave Church dating back to 1200. Like most of the tourists, I preferred to take the ferry from Aker Brygge/Wharf instead of the very full bus. Above is the Garthenor stand. “Garthenor Organic have produced exclusively organic yarn in the UK since 1999, being the first company in the world to gain organic certification for wool yarns from sheep to skein in 2003. They offer lovely certified organic, breed specific, fully traceable yarns in dyed and undyed shades. Nothing less than gorgeous!”

Instead of travelling from Ørje both days, I chose to stay with my mum in Oslo for the weekend. The market hall on the first day on Saturday was packed and with a queue to get into the second room. I spotted designer Kristin Wiola Ødegård in the queue and I exchanged position with her relieved husband. Below is another photo from “Lain’amouree is a hand dyed luxury wool brand from France offering a wide variety of soft and exclusive wools ranging from baby alpaca and silk, through mohair and merino, to yak and baby camel. Their colour palette is soft and delicate, and every colour has its own story— revealing itself stitch by stitch”.

While I was looking at yarns at the French Lain’amouree, Øyvind & Anette from Hillesvåg walked in together with designer Sidsel Høivik. They were heading for a talk by Erling Digernes of Rauma Ullvarefabrikk and I decided to join them. I enjoyed seeing old photographs of the factory and hearing about their production process.

After the talk I saw designer Marianne Skatten and her designer friend Rasa Ziburkute, aka galgendesign, who I met last time at Fefor Strikkefestival. We are all wearing our own designs in the rain. I asked if I could join them for lunch. We headed towards the coffee shop next to the entrance at the museum. It was packed with knitters and a fab place for sweater spotting.

Marianne and I had both booked the Social Media workshop, so we headed there after lunch. There were about 20 of us attending the class so we had ample opportunity to ask questions during Arounna’s presentation and after it. The workshop ended with her commenting on a few of the Instagram pages to some of the volunteers. I also had time for a quick spin in the knitting history exhibition at the museum and that is what you can spot above. Below is the full listing of the workshops I attended. I so enjoyed meeting these designers and learning new techniques, tips and ideas!

  1. Arounna Khonnoraj, Bookhou — Social Media and Marketing your Business Online.
  2. Renate Yerkes, Elephino PDX — Two Sides to This Story: The Dynamic World of Double Knitting.
  3. Jennifer Steingass — Introduction to Colorwork Design.

For the first time I could look at the bright coloured Garnsurr yarns. They had a stand outside in the courtyard. Here is the introduction from the Market Hall listing: “Garnsurr is a Norwegian social entrepreneurship hiring refugee women. The women in Garnsurr dye yarn for sale, knit and learn Norwegian, so this truly is hand dyed yarn with a purpose. They offer beautifully hand dyed yarn in unusual and often surprising combinations—a real colour explosion!”

Værbitt also had a stand in the courtyard. Above you see Laila’s friend looking after the shop while she was holding a workshop. The four last skeins on all rows are hand dyed on Sølje by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Here is the introduction to Værbitt from the Market Hall listing: “Værbitt Garn is an Oslo-based indie dyery working their colour magic on no-nonsense wool, aka yarn bases that are locally produced here in Norway. With great care for the environment they make sure the yarn is short travelled and made from the wool of happy sheep wandering freely.”

I also met Sophie from Pom Pom, who took a photo of my holding up last issue 27 issue 27 Winter 2018 magazine with my design Ataraxia for their Instagram story. The weather only cleared up later in the evening after the festival ended on Sunday at 5 PM. I went back to the centre on the ferry and had a walk on Aker Brygge/Wharf where a boat festival was ending and the boats were leaving. My head has been buzzing for a few days now, but my what a knitting festival it was! Oslo is a Knitting Capital, I agree with Ronja Cecilie Moås! Thank you for a fantastic festival!

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Cambridge Cardigan Pattern Released

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The Cambridge Cardigan sample has come back to me from Interweave (Knits Fall 2018 issue) and so has the rights, hence I have released the English pattern in my Ravelry store and on LoveCrafts. I organised a KAL for this last autumn and you can see all the wonderful results on the pattern page. On the cover you see it worn by the gorgeous Emma Ross, with hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker in May.

The Cambridge Cardigan is the quintessential collegiate cardigan. Inspired by Scottish tartans, this preppy, oversized cardigan is ready for a chilly library, reading on the quad, or for a visit to the local pub. The body of this project is worked in the round and steeked at the center and armholes.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 87 (96, 102, 111, 126.5, 133) cm/34.25 (37.75, 40.25, 43.75, 49.75, 52.25)“
Length: 74 (75, 76, 77, 78, 79) cm/29 (29.25, 30, 30.25, 30.75, 31)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 20, 20, 20, 20)“
Intended Ease: + 5-10 cm/2-4”
Sample shown is 111 cm/43.75” with + 40.5 cm/16” ease on model.

Yarn: Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift (100% wool, 105 m/115 yds, 25 g):
MC: Storm 243 (gray-green); 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins.
CC1: Granite 122 (light gray): 4 (5, 5, 5, 6, 7) skeins.
CC2: Cinnamon 576 (orange): 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.
Total meterage/yardage: 1577–2524 m/1725-2760 yds.

Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 circular needle (30, 40 and 80 cm/12”, 16” and 32”).
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (30, 40, 80 and 100 cm/12”, 16”, 32” and 40”)
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Waste yarn for markers, markers (removable) and yarn needle.
Crochet hook or sewing machine or 3-pronged plus 5-pronged felting needle with brush/platform (see video) for steeks and if preferred 1 m/1 yd bias binding to cover steek at armhole.
9 (15 mm/5/8”) buttons.

Gauge: 24 sts and 33 rows in st st using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 33 rows in stranded colorwork in st st using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle measures 10 cm/4” in square.

Notes: The cardigan is worked back and forth from the bottom up through the hem, then joined and worked in the round with steeks at center front and armhole openings. The sleeves are worked in the round, with the sleeve cap worked flat.

Duplicate stitch or Crochet slip stitch:
The sample is worked with duplicate stitch on vertical lines in CC2 on the center two boxes on the back and five boxes closest to the opening on each front while the original plan was to do it all over hence the pattern text specifies all. So you knit the center stitch of the pattern repeat with the CC1 or MC (depending on the rnd) and then either use duplicate stitch or slip stitch crochet with CC2.
Tip: You might find it easier to purl the stitch instead of knit to make the duplicate stitch more even.

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