New Design: Wilma Lind Jacket

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Who is Wilma Lind, you ask? If you are Norwegian and have read the crime books by Hanne Kristin Rohde, you will know that she is a fictitious Police Inspector in Oslo. Author Hanne Kristin had the real job for many years, before she began writing crime and holding talks on improving business management. I recognised Hanne Kristin’s name from the Norwegian television news (lately also seen in a series called Åsted Norge/Crime Scene Norway) and her crime books, when she approached me several months back with the idea of designing a long jacket for Wilma Lind. That was the beginning of our collaboration. And yes, she does knit but have not done so for awhile since her writing take up most of her time. A strong red colour was chosen since Wilma is brave and daring.

A long a-line jacket with cables covering the back, and moving cables on the front. Instead of a shawl collar the jacket was given a deep v-neck and a loose shawl to use as a collar. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round after the rib to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The cables are the same I used in both the sweater Idunn and Elfa, both designed for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. But this jacket has a rib at the bottom and a button band unlike Elfa (currently being test knitted in my Ravelry group). I liked the idea of the moving the cables towards the shoulder on the front, while working them straight on the back and on the sleeves.

The jacket is beautifully knitted in size S on 3 mm/US 2.5 needles by Nadia Bresky, aka 77stricknadel on Ravelry while I was finishing off another design for Interweave’s knit.wear magazine. I finished in time to knit the accompanying shawl. Worn twice around the neck in the top photo and as a shawl collar in the photo above.

The shawl has 3 cables in the center and ends in a rib. It is shaped in the reverse stocking stitch panels in between the cables. All the photos are taken by my husband, a short walk from our house in Ørje by the Rødenessjøen in late May, just before the rain. Also before the photoshoot we had 29th of May at Ingierstrand Bad. I have finally been able to select the photos I want from Eivind Røhne’s contact sheet and look forward to showing you those. The Norwegian pattern will be sold digitally on www.wilmalind.no from late August/September, while the English pattern will be released after test knitting in my Ravelry Group set to begin 26th June. Hanne Kristin is a blogger too, so expect to see a lot more of this jacket…

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Freja Knitted by Kristina Ringness

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Canadian Kristina Ringness decided to knit my Freja pattern last year to my delight. She choose Artyarns Ensemble Light – a luscious silk & cashmere blend – in Turq Blue and called her project Blue Lagoon. I am so pleased to present the stunning result of her modified version in size Small. Here you can her notes: “Fabulous pattern, fabulous yarn. It should be a gorgeous combination! I opted to add some little cap sleeves, lower the neckline a bit, and shorten the back. This was a wonderful pattern to knit; easily memorized and fun to watch grow. I knit this in the round, to avoid the abrupt colour change at side seams in this multi-coloured yarn. The colour in the finished garment photos is true, this is a beautiful colourway! The yarn itself is, of course, heavenly to knit and scrumptious to wear! As predicted, a perfect combination of pattern and yarn!!” Thank you so much, Kristina!

Her Ravelry id reveals her job; Kristinavet. According to her profile page, she is “…a veterinarian by day and obsessive knitter whenever I am not working.” I can vouch for that, she has test knitted a number of my patterns without any deadline issues! Recently she has also started to hand dye her own yarn. And as if that was not enough, the yarn Kristina used for to knit another of my designs is spun from her own alpacas. Yes, you will definitely see her version of Kori too! Maybe we can request a few photos of her alpacas too? I live in hope!

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Sarya in Familien 12/2017

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The Norwegian bimonthly magazine Familien, well known for their handcraft pages, has 40 extra pages with knitting, sewing, embroidery and crocheting in their next issue number 12/2017 out on Monday 12. June. On the cover at the bottom is my design Sarya, earlier self published on Ravelry in both English and Norwegian. It was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by the beautiful model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and statement jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at my photoshoot at the Ekeberg Restaurant in Oslo. You will find the Norwegian magazine for sale in selected supermarkets and news agents. 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.

A beautiful lace pattern adorns the lower part of this jacket with overlapping fronts, while garter stitch rules on the top part. The stitch patterns are divided by a tuck and the jacket has identical hems. A deep elegant v-neck allows it to be worn loose creating waterfall fronts. Or you can close it with jewelry or a shawl pin for a more tailored look. The jacket is named Sarya; the night traveler hence knitted in the stunning Jagger Spun Zephyr Wool-Silk Lace, held double, because of its luster and drape.

You will find the English pattern for sale at Ravelry and on Loveknitting.

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Indie June on Loveknitting

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The British online store and community Loveknitting is celebrating its 3rd annual Indie June. As an independent designer I was asked if I wanted to take part and offer some of my patterns with a discount. I certainly did; hence offer 10 patterns with a 20% discount. I was delighted to be featured in their loveknitting newsletter they sent out on the 30th of May, since it has boosted my sales of the Yellow Gold Pullover pattern. Thank you, Loveknitting! And to my gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger, hair & make up artist Jens J. Wiker and photographer Eivind Røhne! Not to mention Interweave Knits, where the Yellow Gold Pullover Pattern was first published in the Fall 2015 issue!

Here is a link to the special pattern offers: www.loveknitting.com/indie-june-offers. So use the opportunity before the sale ends on 30th June.

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Ravelry Group 4th Year Anniversary

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My Ravelry group is now 4 years old! There are now more than 1400 members and my fear that only a few would join was needless. I am so pleased to have attracted so many knitters! It has been another thrilling year with many test knits of my English patterns, showing off of finished garments, discussions of different knitting techniques, chatting and bi-monthly free pattern pdf draws just to mention a few of the topics in this lovely group. I am delighted to have met so many new knitters. So it is time to celebrate that four years has passed! How can I best do this? By organizing a draw in my group with 9 exciting prizes like yarn kits, e-books and pdf patterns from my Ravelry store.

All you have to do is join my group if you have not already done so, and answer one of these questions: “What design – with an available pattern – would you love to wear but never knit in a million years and why? Or if that is too difficult or impossible to imagine what have you knitted and never worn (or only once)?” in my Ravelry group. I have had numerous fascinating answers already. I anticipated a couple of the answers to the first question – like my design Halli, designs by Di Gilpin; designs from the book: Norwegian Knitting Designs; designs from the book Tudor Roses and designs from Christel Seyfarth (simply because those would have been my answers too) – while others have introduced amazing new patterns and designs to us. I will use Random org to pick winners based on the number matching the response/posting on Friday 9th. June. Here are the top two prizes, and a good reason to join, see ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng, in my opinion:

1. and 2. Prize: Choose one of these yarn kits from Hillesvåg and choose which size & colour you want (includes pattern in English as well as Norwegian): Andor or Idunn or Halli or Elfa. The yarn kits have been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. See kits, Tinde colours for Andor and Idunn, Sølje colours for Halli and Elfa

Or Elfa, the English pattern is currently being test knitted. These four designs all made for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk were brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in June last year. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger and her hair & make up are by Jens J. Wiker, while her jewellery are by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Good luck!

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Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad

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On Monday I had a photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad, just outside of Oslo, with an amazing crew. The weather was perfect; warm and sunny. The restaurant, open for private parties during the weekdays and for the public at the weekends, is a popular spot for weddings due to its location next to one of the most popular beaches with a diving tower in Oslo. In fact jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo, who came to join us, had her wedding party here 11 years ago and this was the first time she was back. You can find a video she made at Instagram. While Jens J. Wiker worked on gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger‘s hair & make up, photographer Eivind Røhne, second photographer/roadie/technical manager Michael Marveng-Puckett looked at possible back drops. As always it was a day filled with laughter and breath taking results. Eivind always gives everything, above you see how him delivering on his promise to make Alex taller. Jens, next to him is checking his mobile.

Here you see Kaja and Eivind sharing Instagram tips. It was marvellous to have the whole place to ourselves. On the to do list was taking photographs of a total of 10 designs where 5 are new designs; 4 for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and 1 secret design; 3 designs returned from Interweave Knits and knit.wear in the US and 2 designs only photographed by the Norwegian magazine Familien previously. Judith Bech had as usual sent me a selection of dresses and skirts to choose from. One day I hope she will be able to fly from Northern Norway to join us. I find her dresses magical, hence I am spellbound and ask for more than I need so that I can see how they look together with the knitted garments. Just as with my ideas, some work better in my head than in real life. I ended up using only 2 of those.

Eivind and I are talking strategy, while Alex with Jens’ assistance is ready for action. We speak partly in Norwegian and partly in English all day, even though Alex speaks Danish and Michael Norwegian, they both prefer English. But Alex knows me very well and know that I want front, back and side photographed. Eivind is living in the hope that I will not demand full length photos of all designs, but I rarely give in. Alex is ready for photography of the back of Kathe Cardigan, made for Interweave Knits Fall 2016.

Alex heard a double set of camera clicks as Michael joined Eivind and photographed as well. Thankfully, neither Eivind nor Alex had any issues with that and knew that the Eivind was indeed the photographer of the day. Even Alex joined in and took a selfie, here she is, captured by Michael. Above she is wearing Aki, a new pullover designed for Hillesvåg and below wearing an old design Patent Poncho. Despite the heat, Alex managed to look incredibly cool and only suffered for a brief time when I added 3 cowls on top of each other. Yes, that would only be useful on a very cold day and not on a hot day, with women in bikinis nearby. Kaja wished that she had brought her swimwear.

Unlike me, Alex is always in control of her face when she is being photographed and do enjoy pulling some faces. I have reached the age where I tend to do so unwillingly so much of the time. That is why the back of my head as well as the side feature so much in the photos Michael take of me.

Take a look at the photo above and you understand the tone we have during the day as well as the fun! It took a few second before I saw her face! Alex is wearing Wa, a shawl vest as well as Kaja’s Abelia earring with pearls and Abelia necklace. I saw a number of Eivind’s photos during the day and know it will as usual be extremely difficult to choose photos from the hundreds of magical moments he has captured. Yet, I cannot wait to see them all!

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Nordic Architecture. Elements and Details by Takashi Koizumi

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A few days ago, this fascinating Japanese book arrived in our mail box. No, I do not read Japanese, but Professor Takashi Koizumi himself sent it to us, as a token since we allowed him to use a couple of our photos from the Bornholm Art Museum in his book: Nordic Architecture. Elements and Details. It started several months back when the Professor in the Department of Housing and Interior Design, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Kyusan Snagyo University wrote a comment on my blog after seeing our photos from Bornholm Art Museum by Danish architects Fogh & Følner, see my blogpost here. We promptly sent him a selection of photos for him to choose from just in case he wanted to use any of them and told him our about our backgrounds in architecture and architectural history. He choose one I took of the water well running down the staircase, with a sacral lighting more reminiscent of churches than art museums, and the one Michael took of me sitting in the alcove on the museum street.

Above are the pages from Bornholms Art Museum, and you see our photos at the bottom of the right page. Our names are found in the photo credit at the back. I also discovered that the Professor had visited Mortensrud Church by Norwegian architects Jensen & Skodvin, where Michael and I got married, as well as the National Museum – Architecture, where I held my last photoshoot, in the summer of 2015.  He would like to visit Oslo again and we would love to meet him. The ISBN number is: 978-4-7615-3232 and here is the link to the Japanese publisher Gakugei and amazon.co.jp.  Both the Professor and his wife are also interested in my knitwear design, to my delight. Now I wonder what he will think of my choice for the next photoshoot venue of Ingierstrand Bad by Norwegian architects Ole Lind Schistad and Eyvind Moestue.

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May in Ørje

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After a very cold April and some snow even into May, spring has finally arrived in my new home town of Ørje. The rain has stopped at least for now. Above is our view from the front terrace towards the lake: Rødenesjøen. Yes, it is another of Michael’s brilliant photos. Below is the view from the other side of our house.

Norway’s National Day 17th of May was celebrated watching the parade in Ørje, and below you see the start of it. I surprised me that included both schools with all their grades and all the kindergartens in the area. Unlike in Oslo were a selection of grades and no kindergartens take part.

Take an extra look at the pedestrian crossing sign as well. It is an illegal, but very popular, sign that makes people do the Monty Pyton Silly Walk. Check out this video: www.youtube.com. It was made by the Swedish art collective Kreativiteket as an art project and delights everyone. You can read more here: This-silly-walk-sign-at-a-crosswalk-in-norway-is-the-future-of-traffic-management.

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Tau Again

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It is about time I show you the photos Michael took of me wearing Tau, the scarf I designed especially for the Vienna Wool & Design Festival. You have already seen it photographed on a handsome young man by the team behind the festival magazine “Wool 2 go”, but I thought you should see it worn by me too. Tau was photographed in our old garden, a day before it was sent off to Vienna back in the beginning of March. Above you see the wrong side out.

Here is my introduction to the pattern. I was instantly captivated by this teal coloured luscious Yak yarn by Lang Yarns, especially chosen and designed for the Vienna Wool & Design Fesitval. A rope like cable worked over rib stitches gives it a sculptural feel. Naturally, I named it Tau meaning rope in Norwegian, and human being in an Eskimo language.

The pattern is only available in the printed magazine in both English and in German. The magazine also contains 11 other designs by 9 designers who all participated in Vienna Wool & Design Festival. You can order the magazine from this webpage: viennawooldesignfestival.com.

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Harding Cardigan Pattern Released

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Today is 17th May and all of Norway is celebrating its Constitution Day. It is in short our National Day! To all of you Norwegians out there, and to anyone else who wants to join our celebration: Gratulerer med dagen/Happy Birthday! Michael and I will be watching the parade in our new home town of Ørje.

The Harding Cardigan was first published in the American magazine Interweave Knits Summer 2016. The pattern rights have now reverted back to me and the English pattern is available in my Ravelry store and on Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the magazine Familien at a later date. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured the beautiful model Silje Andresen/Team Models, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and Ivy hanging earrings by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at the National Museum – Architecture in November last year. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An allover telescope lattice gives this long, straight cardigan a textural feel. A cabled rib-cord collar adds a modern look to the Harding Cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin or belt.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 85 (90, 96.5, 105.5, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”
Length: 70 (70.5, 72, 72.5, 73.5, 75) cm/27.5 (27.75, 28.25, 28.5, 29, 29.5)”
Sleeve length: 45 (46, 47, 47.5, 48, 48) cm/17.75 (18, 18.5, 18.75, 19, 19)”

Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed, Shelter (100% wool, 50 g, 128 m/140 yards)
https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/shelter/
Sample is knitted in Foothills.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins; 1203 (1306, 1410, 1541, 1673, 1834) m/1315 (1428, 1542, 1685, 1830, 2005) yds.

Alternative yarns:
Dale Garn, Pure ECO Wool (70% ecological wool, 30% alpaca, 50 g, 112 m/122 yds)
http://dalegarn.no/garn/pure-eco-wool/?sf_paged=3
BC Garn, Loch Lomond (100% wool, 50 g, 155 m/170 yds)
http://www.bcgarn.dk/pi/LOCH_LOMOND_3861_8.aspx
The Fibre Company, Acadia (60% merino wool, 20% silk, 20% alpaca, 50 g, 133 m/145 yds)
http://www.thefibreco.com/product/acadia/
Tahki Stacy Charles, Scotland (100% merino wool, 50 g, 160 m/174 yds)
http://tahkistacycharles.com/product/yarns/scotland/

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (80 cm/32”)
4.5 mm/US 7 DPNs.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Cable needle (cn), stitch holder, stitch markers, waste yarn, 4.5 mm/US 7 crochet hook and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 27 rows in Telescope lattice measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 25 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
26 sts and 18 rows in Cabled Rib Cord measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The back, fronts, and collar are worked back and forth in separate pieces, the sleeves are worked in the round, and the garment is seamed together. During shaping, if there are not enough stitches to work a complete cable crossing, work the stitches of the partial cable as they appear.

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