Strikketid by Marte Helgetun

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

This lovely book dropped into my postbox awhile back. Strikketid. Tidløse Hverdagsplagg” is the full title in Norwegian and it translates to “Knitting time. Timeless Everyday garments”. As you can see even from the cover it does contain just that. This is Marte Helgetun’s 3. book, and I would have loved to attend the launch weekend the perfect – in my opinion – “Strikkeweekend/Knitting weekend” at Thon Hotel Vårsøg in Surnadal. The program for the weekend included presentation of the book, a fashion show, an exhibition of the garments and a visit to her farm-yarn-shop, as well as a celebration dinner. It sounded like an excellent way to spend a weekend as well as way to launch a book. There are more than 30 patterns for women in the book, all written without any abbreviations and easy to understand. There are sweaters, cardigans, dresses, skirts, hats and scarfs in the book, all in Marte’s casual elegant and edgy style.

In fact you will find one of the book patterns, in Norwegian; Rillejakke free on her website. All the beautiful photos in the book are taken by Nathan W. Lediard, see lediardfoto.com. At the back of the book is a page of yarn alternatives based on gauge as well as an illustrated Strikke-ABC. You can have a look inside the Norwegian book here: issuu.com. Enjoy!

Regal Purple Jacket Knitted by Britt Grandin

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you Britt Grandin’s Mediterranean knitted from my pattern: Regal Purple Jacket. Here is Britt’s story behind the choice of pattern, she begins by describing the grey dull weather in February in Sweden and a planned holiday to Italy on her project page on Ravelry where she is brittg; “So to console myself, and dream of Italy, I took out my summer dresses. Hmm. I need a little short sleeved cardi to match. So I have been looking at patterns; and there are indeed plenty of pretty little cardigans, but I couldn’t make up my mind. Then yesterday evening I saw it. Perfect! Linda Marveng’s Royal Purple Jacket. Bought the pattern this morning, and bye bye to all other projects. They shall have to wait!” Britt knitted her jacket in Schachenmayr nomotta Catania Solids – a pure cotton – in size Medium. I love the turquoise color she choose for it and how well it suits her!

Britt is a very experienced knitter used to adjusting the patterns to fit her perfectly and also modify a design to become truly hers. Yes, she has started designing too! The modifications she did on this is on her project page: “It turned out my row gauge was a bit off, which means that my cardi is a little bit shorter than indicated in the pattern. I also needed a few more rows from the beginning of the armhole up to the shoulder, which forced me to do the v-neck shaping differently. Along the front edges I continued to do the three garter stitches and the lace pattern almost all the way up to the shoulder”. I am also very pleased that she added the following: “The pattern is very clear and well written, and the lace pattern is simple and very easy to remember”. Thank you so much, Britt!

Britt has knitted 11 of my designs, and have number 12 & 13 on her needles at the moment, incredibly enough! Regal Purple Jacket was first published in Norwegian in Familien Håndarbeid March 2014, and is now available in both Norwegian and English on Ravelry.

Hennika Knitted by Heidi Torres

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am so thrilled to show you these amazing photos of Heidi Torres wearing her Hennika. Heidi has taken part in many of my test knits and Hennika was no exception. She has not always been happy with the photos taken by her husband or one of her three children hence she decided to book a professional photographer, an idea she got from Sabine Brenner. Heidi chose the photographer P-O Gustavsson. The results are stunning and I love the fun that has been captured in some of these photos. Just take a look below!

Heidi knitted her jacket in Schachenmayr SMC Extra Merino in size XL without any modifications. Most of it she knitted on her holiday at the Maldives. We were fortunate to see some of her photos and you will find them on her project page on Ravelry where she is: Heidi197. Heidi lives in the US but spend a lot of time in Sweden. I love how Heidi has styled her jacket with orange and beige! All the colors suit her so well. Below you see a detail of the stitch pattern on the back. Thank you so much, Heidi!

Heidi has finished more test knits since knitting this and I, for one, cannot wait to see more professional photographs of her! The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Trend in February last year, now you can find it together with the English version on both Ravelry and on Loveknitting.

Book Launch: Poncho by Denise Samson

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Last Wednesday my husband and I went to the launch of Denise Samson’s second book: Poncho at Cappelen Damm. This launch was held in the book shop which is long and narrow hence well suited for a catwalk. We found our seats next to designers; Ellen Andresen (photographer); Kristin Wiola Ødegård (with glasses on her head) and May Britt Bjella Zamori (in a beige poncho – not hand knitted) as well as knitters; Grete Nymoen (in burgundy) and Cathrine Lovord (in grey). Denise made this book with 50 patterns, not all ponchos but accessories to go with them, as well as shawls in an unprecedented 2 months period. No, Denise did not design all 50 in two months but she did design more than 30 of those. In case you did not know, Denise is a turbo knitter but this time she needed help knitting for once. She did find it, together with a selection of ponchos from other designers to make this tempting book. Above is the tempting invitation to the launch. Yes, “vinn” does means “win”.

Here is our table, as we are listening and knitting to Denise telling the story behind the book before the catwalk started. This photo is taken by Ellen. Denise told us she wanted to make not only those traditional triangular ponchos and not only those used for outerwear. Below is Denise presenting her favorite poncho with a Keltic Knot Cable here worn by Linda Aagnes, the sales manager at Cappelen Damm, photographed by Michael Marveng-Puckett. The cable can be worn at the centre front as below or with the cable across one shoulder.

My favorite is the delicate lace poncho with wrist warmers brilliantly photographed in the book by Guri Pfeifer and modeled by her daughter Anna Pfeifer. You might recognize Anna from my book too. This poncho and mittens set has been published in the Norwegian magazine Made by Me previously.

We were all given a raffle ticket when we arrived to we could take part in the draw for a number of incredibly prizes: 3 different yarn kits, 1 shrug designed & knitted by Denise, 1 pair of wrist warmers also designed & knitted by Denise. There were some very happy knitters who walked away with those prizes. Below you see one of them with Denise handing over a kit from A Knit Story, again captured by my husband Michael Marveng-Puckett.

lt was a great opportunity for us designers to meet up and have a chat. Yes, Kristin Wiola is working on her fourth book, May Britt is busy tech editing and translating as well as making crochet designs, Ellen has just sent off another design submission and so have I. Nina Granlund Sæther is back from her trip to Peru with so many stories to tell.

Finally I wanted to show you this photo off the organizers including, photographer Guri Pfeifer and Anna, photographed by Michael Marveng-Puckett. I first met Denise at Cappelen Damm, since she made the charts for my book. I convinced her to contact the handcraft editor Åse Myhrvold Egeland at Familien who bought everything she had designed up to then. Denise has since delivered designs to Familien at an impressive speed! You can find Denise’s book at www.cappelendamm.no, and you can join her group on Facebook to see all the knit cafes she will be visiting next!

Hennika Knitted by Julia Shevchenko

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to share more brilliant photos from test knitters in my group. This time it is Julia’s turn. She has taken part in several of my test knits I am pleased to say. Above you see her wearing my design Hennika knitted in Valley Yarns Northfield in a stunning deep red tone. The bolero is knitted in size Small with a modified collar and length. Unlike the original bolero with a scarf extra long collar and a short body, Julia has lengthened the body and made the collar the same length as the body. Both her styling and professional posing is impressive. The photographer is no other than her own daughter. Julia also has a garden well suited for photo shoots. You can see more of Julia’s stunning projects on her Ravelry page, she is FannyKaplan, named after the Russian Revolutionary – but with a photo of no other than Hyacinth Bucket from the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. Hence I assumed she was British, but Julia is fact an Ukrainian living in the US. Thank you so much, Julia!

Here is the back view, illustrating the perfect length for Julia! The Hennika pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Trend, then in English after the test knit was completed. The Norwegian rights have reverted to me so the pattern is now available in both English and Norwegian here: Hennika on Ravelry and Hennika on Loveknitting.

My Irina Pullover

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I knew I had to submit a design for the Film Noir Ballet theme and re-launch of knit.wear because I adore the grace of ballerinas and because knit.wear is such an outstanding magazine. A body conscious silhouette with set-in sleeve and tailored waist, was just what I had in mind. I obviously wanted to include cables and instantly knew which one I wanted to use for this pullover I had in my mind. The very same ones I used for a set of accessories, I called Talila was not forgotten and would be ideal as a panel on a sweater. In between the panels I decided to use garter stitch and also on the sides I opted for garter stitch. These were made to simplify shaping the garment but also to let the cables be the focus point. What if I move the cable panels towards each other, was one I idea liked and will continue to explore in the time to come. In the end I choose a minimal move. Above you see it worn on my, and yes, I do have an extra long back making the pullover seem cropped, not intentional. The Irina Pullover is available in English as a single pattern, in a digital version and in a printed version of knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016.

The sleeves have the same cable panel as the body. The remainder of the sleeve is knitted in garter stitch. Here is my introduction to the pullover: Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, this fitted pullover has elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I initially suggested Rowan Fine Lace an alpaca mixture which makes the cables flatter. Editor Meghan Babin suggested the well known combination instead making the cables pop and giving the pullover a fuzzy appearance. She also choose a lighter blue tone giving it a more delicate look. By holding the two yarns together and using a 4 mm/US 6 needle the cables stand out.

I knitted this myself, while sample knitter Grete Jenssen was busy knitting Helka, last October. Both the body and the sleeves are worked in the round up to the underarm and then worked back and forth to the end. It is an enjoyable knit. I love how it has been photographed on a ballerina and the styling of the theme in knit.wear. I look forward to sharing more of my design ideas, as my new ones come off the needles.

Mistale Knitted by Sabine Brenner

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you Sabine Brenner’s Mistale sweater. I met Sabine for the first time at Wollness Weekend outside Vienna in Austria last autumn. Previously we had only met online in my Ravelry group, where Sabine, aka Sabine010163, has taken part in several of my test knits! My German is close to none existent but I do understand quite a bit since Norwegian is a North Germanic language. Nevertheless I am unable to speak it. Our common friend Uschi who speaks better English than Sabine, acted as translator so we could be introduced. It was wonderful to meet her and to see so many of her test knits. I wanted to share with you her Mistale sweater in size 2XL which she knitted in String Theory Hand Dyed Merino DK in Laguna. The lovely yarn has a crisp stitch definition and a subtle semi-solid color. Sabine asked if she could change the neckline from the original squarish neck to a v-neck ending in a round neck. A modification she did brilliantly. Sabine was tired of taking selfies in front of the mirror and went to a photographer to obtain a few good photos for her project page. I am proud that she wanted to share them on the pattern page too. Below you see a photo of her back. Thank you so much, Sabine!

The Mistale pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August, while the English pattern is available on Ravelry. The sweater is straight but the rib on each side of the cable panel make the sweater pull in and appear fitted. I am looking forward to showing you more amazing test knits of this sweater and other designs of mine.

knit.wear with My Design

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Interweave’s magazine knit.wear Spring/Summer-2016 is now released digitally and I have design in this for the first time! The magazine is a re-premiere issue, as it has taken back its old name, instead of using knit.purl. I am delighted to have my design submission accepted in this fashion forward magazine. The theme I choose was initially called Film Noir Ballet but has been changed to Odile & Odette in the magazine. Editor Meghan Babin described it as follows: “1940’s drama and intrigue. Pulp fiction ingenues. Urban spaces. Body-conscious silhouettes and singular design elements. The set-in sleeve and tailored waist give way to low-backs and floaty fabrics, styled with tights and ballet flats and the unexpected leather jacket. Explode one element of a vintage sweater and go over the top—an outrageous intarsia flower on a cream mohair pullover; a plunging back; an exaggerated puffed sleeve cap, a profusion of bobbles. Subversive, beautiful, refined.” My submission with the working title Baranova Pullover was given its first name Irina Pullover. I am thrilled that the series, including my pullover, was photographed on a ballerina by Harper Point Photography.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, is this fitted pullover with elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Fine Lace.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Meghan suggested using Rowan Kidsilk Haze instead of Rowan Fine Lace and choose an ever more delicate color combination than I did. In Kidsilk Haze she choose a light blue called Heavenly which is held together with Rowan Felted Tweed in a whitish tweed with light blue flecks. They make the cables even more visible and make then pop. Using 1 strand of each yarn, I choose to use a 4 mm/US 6 size needle and got a gauge of 18 stitches and 30 rounds in garter stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. You might recognize the cables I choose, as they are the same I used for the accessories; cowl, wrist warmers and clutch called Talila. I discovered after designing Talila that I was not finished with those yet.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

I decided to use garter stitch as the background and make the cables into panels so that I could shape in between them. The sleeves were given a narrower panel than the one on the body. This body of this pullover is worked in the round to the underarm, then the front and back are worked separately back and forth. The sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up, with the sleeve cap worked flat. Decreases and increases are worked on each side of the body to create a fitted shape. I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Here is a detail of the square neckline that is knitted double, folded and sewn in place at the wrong side. I am delighted to be in the design company of my tech editor Corrina Fergusson, Carol Feller and Sarah Wilson who has designed the amazing huge Anna Cowl on the cover, just to mention a few. The digital version of the magazine is available to download from the Interweavestore.com and while the print version can be ordered here: knitwear-springsummer-2016. The pattern will be available in Norwegian after the rights return to me in a year, and new photographs will be taken. It will be a challenge to make them as brilliant as these.

Stige Pattern Released

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to release another of my patterns from my Norwegian knitting book in English. The Stige pattern has been revised, tech edited and given a schematic. My husband suggested I shorten its long Norwegian name “Oversized Stigehull Genser”/Ladderlace Sweater simply to “Stige” meaning “ladder”, and I did. The sweater is worn by Nasjonalballetten’s dancer Cristiane Sà with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad, and captured by photographer Kim Müller at National Museum – Architecture in Oslo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sweater inspired by Donna Karan’s style. I wanted to design a comfy yet trendy maxi sweater with a large collar that could be folded down on your shoulders. The yarn I chose has a subtle sheen and fabulous drape, made by Valley Yarns, and knitted double. The sweater is knitted in one piece so that the stitch pattern creates flattering vertical stripes casting shadows. A matching pair of wristwarmers is essential.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements: Bust circumference: 117 cm/46″ Length: 82 cm/32.25″ Sleeve length incl turn up: 42 cm/16.5″ (34 cm/17″ + 8 cm/3.25″) Wristwarmers: 34 cm/13.5″ long, 24.5 cm/9.75″ width.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Colrain Lace (50% Merino wool, 50% Tencel, 249 g cone, 1408 m/1540 yds). Sample is knitted in Steel: Sweater: 3 cones; 4141 m/4529 yds. Wristwarmers: 1 cone; 396 m/433 yds. http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/3DE2C30C-6D95-43DD-8AB5-B8DB265D6674/productID/09524FC9-99A1-49B6-B68D-23A9FC6DE02A/

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternative: Green Mountain Spinnery, Sylvan Spirit (50% Wool, 50% Tencel, 57 g, 165 m/180 yds). http://www.spinnery.com/shop/products.php?cat=13 Hand Maiden, Lady Godiva (50% Wool, 50% Silk, 100 g, 250 m/273 yds). http://handmaiden.ca/product/lady-godiva/ BC Garn Silkbloom Extrafino (55% Merino wool, 45% silk, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds) held double. http://bcgarn.dk/pi/SILKBLOOM_EKSTRA_FINO_2976_8.aspx Or another DK/8 ply held single or a Lace/2 ply held double.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (100 cm/40″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for neck and collar. 5 mm/US 8 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch holder or extra circular needle, stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 and double yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

Quamara Pattern Released

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of the English pattern is over and I have released Quamara in my Ravelry store. I am delighted to see the different versions of made by the test knitters. Above you see it worn Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk last August. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A combined lace and cable stitch pattern adorn the back, sleeves, and the generous loop closure on this straight cardigan named after a beautiful elf. The loop collar can be worn loose, folded once behind the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style. A fake garter stitch seam add a bit of structure to this cardigan. I knitted it in the luscious wool and silk mixture Zenta by Permin.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust (incl loop): 86 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Loop closing: 17 cm/6.75″ wide and 300 cm/118″ long Length: 55 (56.5, 57, 58.5, 59.5, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22.25, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 23.75)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Permin, Zenta (50% wool, 30% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 180 m/196 yds). Sample is knitted in Lime 883302: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1256 (1404, 1535, 1667, 1847, 2027) m/1374 (1535, 1679, 1823, 2020, 2217) yds http://www.permin.dk/uk/knitting-yarn/permin-knitting-yarn/zenta.html

Alternative yarn: Elsebeth Lavold, Silky Wool (45% wool, 35% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 176 m/192 yds). http://knittingfever.com/elsebeth-lavold/yarn/silky-wool/ Harrisville Designs, Silk & Wool (50% silk, 50% wool, 50 g, 160 m/175 yds) http://harrisville.com/silk-wool-yarn/

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needles (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 4 Stitch markers, 6 stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 22 sts and 30 rows in Lace measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body is knitted in one piece to the armholes, then divided into 3 parts. The loop collar is knitted separately in two pieces, bound off on 3 needles and sewed on from the back neck, while the cast on edges are joined by mattress stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round and set-in. If you choose to adjust the body length, remember to adjust the length of each part of the loop with the same removed/added length.