New Design: Vaga

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you another new design. Vaga, named after the Celtic Goddess of the River Wye is this pullover with cables that runs over the body and sleeves. A saddle shoulder allows the swing cable to continue to the neckband with its twisted rib ending. The pullover is slightly shaped for the the waist and knitted in the gorgeous The Fibre Co. Cumbria Worsted. I choose this yarn – which I used for the first time in my Eira Pullover for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 – in the colour Yew Tree as part of my payment for the designs I made for The Fibre Company last autumn: Beckside and Dash Falls. Yes, it is an addictive yarn and I have another new design as well in this. So while I was knitting Ogma, sample knitter Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry & Instagram, brilliantly knitted this to my utter satisfaction.

Michael has photographed me at the beach in Ørje on a beautiful but cold spring day, just after the ice had melted from the lake, Rødenessjøen. I am wearing size S, and I have graded the sweater from size XS to 2XL, with a bust & hip measurement of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″ and a waist measurement of 78 to 120 cm/30.75 to 47.25″. Vaga is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows measuring 10 cm/4″ square in pieces and seamed together. The Fibre Co. Cumbria Worsted is made of 60% Merino wool, 30% masham wool and 10% mohair with 218 meters/238 yards per 100 gram skein.The herringbone cable on the center of the body and the swing cables are both found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. The English pattern will be released after test knitting beginning in July in my Ravelry group, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien. But before that, the pullover will be photographed worn by model Emma Ross at our photoshoot on Tuesday 29th of May at Villa Malla.

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Iglu Knitted by Beth

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Now, look at this fantastic fade project. This is Beth, aka yarnbeth, living in South Carolina in the US and her test knit version of my design Iglu. She made a swatch with her fade options from her stash and selected the darker tones and less variation in colour, all in Madeline Tosh yarns, as Beth wrote on her project page: “Toner Cartridge, Pigeon Wing, and Cove are “in”, and I bought some Pelican in Pashmina”. Beth is an experienced knitter (read: knitted from the age of 12) and the perfect test knitter, with her meticuluous attention to detail. On her project page there is a lot of information including the modifications she made to the one sized poncho: The major ones are that Beth worked 1 pattern repeat less on the body to shorten it, and added rounds of ribbing on the sleeve part to fit her perfectly. Beth also wrote down her fade progression, from top down:
(1) Pelican on Madelinetosh Pashmina
(2) Pigeon Wing on Madelinetosh DK Twist
(3) Cove on Madelinetosh MCN Sport
(4) Toner Cartridge on Madelinetosh Work SockBeth has also styled and photographed the poncho so beautifully. The garden backdrop highlights the colours in her poncho and hair. She also writes the following on her project page: “Love the cable on this design – really pretty”. I am very happy to hear it, and that she is test knitting more of my designs! Thank you so much, Beth!

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 pattern is available in English and in Norwegian at Ravelry and on Loveknitting. A yarn kit is available with a Norwegian pattern from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

New Design: Ogma

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I have been following the popular Fade movement in knitting and wanted to have a go myself. Now, which yarn should I use I pondered before I had the epiphany to ask Shireen Nadir of The Blue Brick since she had already asked if I wanted to test out her yarn. Shireen and I both designed a piece for the SweetGeorgia Yarns Fall Collection volume 1 and she made my Aine Cowl – Shireen photographed her stunning version in Rome, see my blogpost here. Online, I picked four of her hand painted colours which I hoped would work in a fade sequence: Cobblestone, Bauline, Winter Grass/Muddy Husky and Succulent. I choose the Escarpment DK base made in 100% superwash merino with 267 meters/260 yards per 105 gram skein. The colours were different from what I had in mind, so I decided to use Succulent – a pale green with a grey tinge (read: and not the opposite way around) – on the sleeves.

The sleeves were given a few stitches at the center in garter stitch so that I would not loose interest in my knitting. The cable I wanted to use on the body is from Elsebeth Lavold’s book on Viking Knits. I mirrored it so I had two at the center on a reverse stocking stitch background and with garter stitches in the sides to show off these beautiful colours better! The boots in the top photo are new! And yes, they are Evalina boots by Monica Stålvang discovered at her warehouse sale.

I wanted to make a cowl or two to join the colours at the top, so in the end I made one cabled cowl which I preferred to wear folded and one large garter stitch cowl that can be worn twice around the neck. I used a 4 mm/US 6 needle throughout and a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows per 10 cm/4″ square. I am wearing size S but have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL.

With one small and one large cowl they can be worn one over the other, essential during the spring and fall in Norway. My husband took these photos on Sunday, when the weather was magnificent. First we took photos at the Boat Café and then we walked over toward the beach in Ørje. I had to hurry and finish off the large cowl before we took the photos.

The last photo I will show you is of the large cowl worn twice around my neck. The English pattern will be test knitted before it is released on Ravelry together with the Norwegian version. Do take a look at the stunning yarns from Shireen at The Blue Brick, whether you want a fade, a wild fade or a single colour.

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Donia Pattern Released

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Seven test knitters have completed their versions of my favourite poncho, Donia. It has been wonderful to see the garment knitted in different colours, with and without sleeves, with a pocket, with a different colour on the cable parts and in avantgarde stripes. You can see the different versions on the pattern page on Ravelry. The pattern is also available on Loveknitting, in English as well as Norwegian. Donia Yarnkit with the Norwegian pattern is available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. I selected the Medium Blue shade of Tinde Pelsull to suit model Emma Ross’ magnificent hair colour, and love how she looks in it. Sissel Fylling did her hair & makeup. Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured the scene at Bøler Kirke/Church in Oslo last October.

Round knot cables adorn the bottom and the top of this poncho. A high collar gives it a noble look, hence the name Donia; Celtic for rules all. The upper part is picked up and knitted from the lower cable panel and worked in stockinette stitch with shaping for the shoulders. The short sleeves in rib hold the poncho together. You can wear it with a belt or a shawl pin to gather it at the front or loose, just as you prefer.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements:
Bust: 194 cm/76.5”
Length: 74.5 cm/29.25”
Sleeve length: 32 cm/12.5”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Medium Blue 2135; 9.5 skeins;
2392 m/2615 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…
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” and 40 cm/16”).
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge

Crochet hook: 3.5 mm/US E/4 (for provisional cast-on).

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

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square.
48-sts Donia Cable measures 16.5 cm/6.5” across.

Notes: The body is knitted in four parts with cables on bottom part and stockinette stitch on the upper part. A long circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round in rib. The collar is knitted separately using a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. If you prefer to have the collar loose, pick up and knit stitches around the neck and work an I-cord bind-off.

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Ena Knitted by Siret

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Siret took part in the test knit of Ena and chose to make it in another yarn from The Fibre Co. than the one I used in the sample; Cumbria Fingering as opposed to Acadia. She made size Medium and shortened it with 9 cm/3.5″. Here are some of the stunning photos Siret took of her daughter with an iPhone, close to her home in Estonia, on an island called Saaremaa. Siret told me that the beach is in the city of Kuressaare and has been given a funny name among locals “Titerand” which means “the beach for the babies”. Regardless of its name it is such a perfect backdrop for the taupe coloured cardigan. Siret has knitted it in the shade Eden Valley #11.

This is what Siret writes on her ravelry project page: “Ena is wonderful cabled cardigan! I love these little cables. I was afraid of sewing sleeves. But Linda has designed sleeves that fits perfectly and there’s no worries at all. Eden Valley color is green-blue. Hard to catch on photo”. You can read more on her project page, you will find her as kollane on Ravelry and Siretsini on Instagram.

Siret reveals on her profile page on Ravelry that: “My grandmother taught me to knit when I was four. I love to knit mostly cardigans and pullovers, socks and shawls. At summers I love to crochet. I have been in Raverly for a long time but I started posting my works here from June 2017.”

I love how young and cool the cardigan appears, thanks to her daughter! This was the first of my designs that Siret knit and I do hope it will not be her last. Thank you so much, Siret!

The test knit is finished and I have released the Ena pattern in English on Ravelry and Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien at a later date. Here is my introduction to it: 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 Company.

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Ena Pattern Released

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Orange Storm is the name of this divine shade in Acadia, a luxurious yarn mixture made of merino wool, alpaca and with silk noil from The Fibre Co. I was smitten and had to order it. Ena is the jacket I designed with the yarn, using some beautiful cables from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook, and with bespoke buttons from Siri Berrefjord. Model Emma Ross with her flaming red hair made it look even more stunning through Eivind Røhne’s camera lens. With a little help from Sissel Fylling, who did her makeup & hair. As well as a gorgeous statement ring by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The pattern has now been test knitted in my Ravelry group, with some wonderful results. The English pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern will be published in the magazine Familien at a later date.

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 Company.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished measurements:
Bust: 84 (92, 100, 108, 116, 124) cm/33 (36.25, 39.25, 42.5, 45.75, 48.75)“
Length: 73 (74, 75, 76, 77, 78) cm/28.75 (29.25, 29.5, 30, 30.25, 30.75)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 20, 20, 20, 20)“

Yarn: The Fibre Company, Acadia (60% merino wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk, 50 g, 133 m/145 yds).
Sample is knitted in Orange Storm:
13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) skeins; 1621 (1755, 1889, 2023, 2156, 2289) m/1772 (1919, 2065, 2212, 2357, 2503) yds.
http://www.thefibreco.com/product/acadia/

Needles:
4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32”) or straight needles.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32”) for buttonband.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 12 buttons (18 mm/0.7”). Bespoke buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, siri@fredenshavn.no see http://epla.no/shops/sirisskattkammer/, cable needle, 8 Stitch markers, 4 stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4” square.
30-sts Left/Right Weave using 4 mm/US 6 measures 8 cm/3.25” across.

Notes: The jacket is made in pieces and seamed. The collar is picked up and knitted before the buttonband. The last buttonhole is on collar before fold over.

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Melva Knitted by Barbara

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I want to show you the Melva pullover Barbara, from Vienna, knitted in the divine Wollmeise Pure 100% Merino Superwash in the hand dyed shade “Dunkle kirsche” in size Large. Barbara took part in the test knit and helped me correct and improve the pattern. I have been fortunate enough to meet Barbara both times I have been to Vienna. I have seen how she holds her needles, unlike most other knitters, since she was born with only one hand. It is impressive and so is Barbara’s knitting skills, I have come to discover as she has taken part in many of my test knits. Her former Ravelry name, before she began to share the account with her mother, was “one-hand-wonder” and indeed she is! Now, you can find them both as “Klemens1“.

Back in March, Barbara went to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, and she stopped by at The Little Grey Sheep stand to meet Emma who dyes her own unique British yarns. The yarn comes from Emma & her family’s fine wool flocks exclusively nurtured and bred for their quality fibre. Emma is also wearing Melva, knitted by sample knitter Amanda, in the colour “Out of Africa” in size Large. Thank you so much, Barbara & Emma!

Named after Melva, Celtic for ruler, a straight sweater with fancy cables at the top and the bottom. The intricate cable is fit for a ruler. Ribbing in the side makes the sweater figure-hugging, while the stockinette stitch center panel shows off the stunning hand dyed The Little Grey Sheep, Stein Fine Wool 4ply. The sleeve mirrors the body, but it is worked flat.

The Melva pattern is available in English and in Norwegian on Ravelry and on Loveknitting.

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Wool Studio Book

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I was so pleasantly surprised to discover my Wool Studio design – Brewster Cardigan – in a printed book, called Wool Studio: The knit.wear Capsule Collection by Meghan Babin, published by Interweave Press, on Instagram. I was tagged and instantly recognised the design and was thrilled to see images from the printed book. Two days later it was delivered to me, sent by Interweave Press. Meghan Babin is the editor of the digital look-book series Wool Studio and now the printed book, as well as two other magazines: knit.wear and Interweave Knits. The hardcover book contains 21 designs and is photographed by Harper Point Photography. Wool Studio …”is a capsule-collection series for the modern woman featuring sophisticated, simple, and luxurious knitwear” writes Meghan in the introduction. On the cover is the beautiful Pismo Beach Pullover by Amanda Scheuzger.

“The knitwear design in this collection is nothing short of stellar. We have been overwhelmed by the skill, thoughtfulness, and care that each designer poured into her work. It has been a thrill to work on these collections with Bristol Ivy, Emma Welford, Mary Anne Benedetto, Linda Marveng, Amy Gunderson, Sarah Solomon, Véronik Avery, Norah Gaughan, Kate Gagnon Osborn, Lana Jois, Amanda Bell, Andrea Babb, Susana IC, Kephren Pritchett, Grace Akhrem, and Amanda Scheuzeger. Wool Studio would not be what it is without each of their contributions”. Meghan continues in the introduction. I am so thrilled by the designer company I am in and the release of this printed book, in addition to the digital version of Wool Studio. Above you can see the designers’ pages, with a stunning photo of the Monterey Tee by Kate Gagnon Osborn.

My Brewster Cardigan is on page 63, and introduced as follows: “Alluring cables and a draped loop cowl create the unusual but captivating silhouette of the Brewster Cardigan. The generous loop cowl can double as pockets, or the extension can be omitted entirely! Either way, the stunning cables and comfortable fit will make this cardigan a favorite for years to come”.

The cardigan is knitted in Valley Yarns Northfield made of 70% merino wool, 20% baby alpaca, 10% silk, with 113 meters/124 yards per each 50 gram ball, using a 4 mm/US 6 needle and a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch per 10 cm/4″ square. The finished size has a 89 (96.5, 101.5, 112, 120.5, 136) cm/35 (38, 40, 44, 47.5, 53.5)” bust circumference. The cardigan shown measures 101.5 cm/40″ and is modelled with 15 cm/6″ of positive ease. For more details see the pattern page here: Brewster Cardigan.

So for the first time, I have a pattern in a US printed book. Thank you Interweave Press and editor Meghan Babin for making this possible! You can find the book in selected yarn and books stores, as well as online here: Interweave Store and Amazon (where you can look inside).

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Andaman Top Again

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I have already showed you the professional photos taken of the Andaman Top by Harper Point Photography for Interweave knit.wear Spring/Summer 2018, but not the ones Michael took of me. I know a number of you knitters prefer to see it on me – a mere mortal – as opposed to a styled model. Instead of a white blouse and trousers I chose black and my tube dress. Michael photographed me at the Boat Café in Ørje, just 10 minutes from where we live, early last September.

This is how the top is presented in the magazine: “The Andaman Top will have you craving the intense hues of a Mediterranean summer. With a cropped, straight front, the flowing back creates a stylish contrast with its dramatic length and curved hem. The three elegant lace panels running up the front and back of this stylish top have an Egyptian art deco feel, with curving lines and geometric figures.”

The Stacy Charles Fine Yarns BioMerino yarn is made of 100% virgin wool, with 110 m/120 yds on each 50 gram ball. It is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch over 10 cm/4″ square. The top is available in 6 sizes with a 90 to 134.5 cm/35.5 to 53“ bust circumference. Top shown measures 96.5 cm/38.5”; modeled with 8.5 cm/3.25” of positive ease.

Finally, here is a close up of the front and the lace pattern. The knit.wear Spring/Summer 2018 magazine is available in both a digital and a print edition. In Norway you will find the printed magazine in the larger Narvesen, or order it from your local one.

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Spring or Sprinter?

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Linda Marveng

It is April and supposedly Spring, but with plenty of snow as well as cold temperatures, it feels like this winter does not want to let go. I recently came across the term Spring in Winter – Sprinter – and think that describes this very cold Spring well. So this is what Sprinter looks like in Ørje. The photo above was taken on Tuesday this week, the ice is still covering the lake – Rødenessjøen. Yes, we had more snow this week. Just when we thought we had seen the last snow of the season. While the photo below shows how the ice was clear for a short period of time after a few heavy rain pours last week. Michael has captured them both brilliantly from our house.

The edges around the lake is now melting and the ice unsafe to walk on. I am excited to see how quickly the ice will disappear. The last few days have been sunny with plenty of snow melting and that is good news. I cannot recall such a long winter at all and look forward to warmer days. I am craving colour these days, so it is a good thing I can find it in my yarn stash!

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