Familien Kreativ with My Designs

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Familien Kreativ is a new Norwegian magazine, which replaces Familien Håndarbeid, released on Monday 14. March with 4 of my Designs to my delight: Helka the long cardigan you can see the back of on the cover, Shinju the shawl, Elora the bolero and Adoe the jacket. Even though the picture on the cover is small, the coverage I have received inside is fantastic. I will show you the 6 pages that show off my designs with the brilliant photos by Eivind Røhne of stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and dresses by Judith Bech Design.

The heading says “Ready for a Party”, and continues; “Romantic and beautiful garments that add the finishing touch to the outfits for both bride and guests.” The introduction to Elora is mine: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn by Alexandria Eissinger over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Adoe: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch. The jacket is worn with a skirt designed by Judith Bech.

Shinju: Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle. Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl and highlight Judith Bech’s Secret; a divine felted wedding dress with a mermaid tail.

Helka: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

The magazine is available at newsagents, selected supermarkets and by SMS – Kreativ16 til 2205 – if you are in Norway. If you are abroad you can order the Norwegian magazine by e-mailing customer services: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Thank you to Familien for accepting my designs. You can also find my designs presented by former editor of Made By Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup on the blog “Tusenideer” by Egmont Publishing: http://tusenideer.no/familien-kreativ-for-deg-som-elsker-lage-ting-selv/

My First E-book is Out

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Time flies, so much in fact that I have not only released one e-book but two in the last few months. The first one: Nordic Vintage Collection is in English and contains the 11 patterns that were published in Norwegian in Familien Trend last February, all photographed at Hvalstrand Bad. Below you can see a look book page of the introduction, bio and contents pages.

Here is my introduction: Nordic Vintage is a collection of knitting designs made to enhance shoe designer Monica Stålvang’s Spring/Summer collection and dress designer Judith Bech’s selected coctail dresses. Former editor of the Norwegian magazine ”Made by Me”, Mary-Ann Astrup, now in charge of Egmont Publishing’s handicraft blog ”Tusen ideer”, instantly agreed to my idea and a meeting was organized to pick dresses, discuss colours and garment silhouettes. Judith brought several suitcases of her fairytale gowns, Monica brought her drawings of her outstanding shoes and I brought my knitted swatches. We chose ten dresses and color co-ordinated the ten knits.
In the introduction to these garments Mary-Ann wrote:
”The stitch patterns in these unique garments have clear lines going back to Norse tradition and the intricate pattern we see in the Dragon Style. Paired with gorgeous dresses in Norwegian design, the goddess look becomes complete.”
The eleven designs were published in ”Familien Trend”, a magazine initially planned to take over from ”Made by Me” in February 2015.

Hvalstrand Bad, an art deco restaurant on the beach with a diving tower, in Asker on the outskirts of Oslo, was the perfect location for the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to brilliantly capture the garments worn by the stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with gorgeous hair & make up by Sissel Fylling. I choose to order bespoke buttons from jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord and Monica suggested jewelry from Kaja Gjedebo Design in addition to my own Monies jewelry.

I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as technical editor Heather Zoppetti, sample knitters Grete Jenssen, Airin Hansen and Karin Elise Placht, my test knitters for improving the patterns and last but not least my husband, whose support and technical aid I could not have done without.

Gyda, cabled jacket is the most popular of these 11 designs, which are all available individually as well. My next task, as well as working on new patterns, is to make this e-book available in Norwegian. So if you are waiting for just that, keep knitting for now!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Adoe

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Last design and series of photos from our photoshoot is Adoe, worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger over a fringe skirt by Judith Bech, with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The scene was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. The jacket looked best with this amazing skirt with a train – yes, I have borrowed the black one previously – instead of the wedding gowns due to its color and style. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in June in my Ravelry group before its release.

Here it my introduction to the pattern: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. The body of the jacket is straight and knitted in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch.

Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. It is of a chainette type construction and holds its shape unlike silk yarns in general. The jacket is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 4″/10 cm after blocking. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent.

The body is worked back and forth in parts, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The front band is the first part of the wavy lace pattern, and creates a scalloped end to it. Attach buttons and use the holes created by the lace as buttonholes if you prefer. The yarn is a chainette type construction which means the garment will hold it shape.

We tried out several backdrops for this garment including Alexandria standing on the high window sill in the Ball Room, sitting next to the window in a portrait style but this worked the best. She also tried to place her arm on the window but it appeared way too surreal through Eivind’s lens. It just goes to show that we never run out of ideas!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Saqqara

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Linda Marveng

When I saw gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing the amazing wedding gown Swan Lake by Judith Bech with my Saqqara on top, I was gobsmacked. The gown fitted Alexandria as a glove and the sight of her was of a sacral kind; like a vision. Thankfully she was captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne so I can share these photos. Sissel Fylling was in charge of Alexandrias hair & make up and much else, as usual. The statement gold brooch and ring are by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be released on Ravelry in the next few days on its own and as an e-book together with six other patterns, while the English pattern will be test knitted first.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the step pyramid in Egypt, I have created my own Saqqara. A stunning reversable lace pattern with triangular shapes, adorn the rectangular shawl with a shawl collar and the matching loose sleeves. Like jewelry the tucks frame the hands on the loose sleeves and divide the patterns on the shawl. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, I found my rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer, with or without the loose sleeves.

Huldra Kamgarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a combed wool of a 3-ply thickness which comes on a 200 gram cone with 850 meters/929 yards, while Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka is an alpaca and nylon mix of lace thickness with a chainette construction and with 177 meters/195 yards in each 25 g ball. Held together I used a 4 mm/US 6 and found a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in Stockinette stitch to measure 10 cm square. The yarn was generously sponsored by both Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and Du Store Alpakka.

Above you see the collar worn up which suited this dramatic gown perfectly but it can also be worn down as a shawl collar. Both the shawl and the loose sleeves come in three different sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL). The shawl lengths are: 113.5 (119.5, 125.5) cm/44.75 (47, 49.5)”, while the widths (including the widest collar) are: 43 (44.5, 46) cm/17 (17.5, 18)”. They can easily be adjusted to your perfect measurements if desired.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round, unlike the shawl, with 2 circular needles held parallel to make the hem and tucks. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. One tuck divides the patterns before the collar on the shawl and a second one is worked on the wrong side to emphasize the reversible shawl.

In days after the photoshoot we had feathers flying around from the wedding gown, and I felt as if I was blessed by Judiths angels. The wedding dresses were returned but I have wonderful memories of them and all these fantastic photos.

I have one more design photographed to show you for now; Adoe and it is coming next.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Maith

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the professional photos of Maith taken by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I was hoping that the color would be a shade of gold and not green, but I have grown fond of the pale green color named Hush. Instead of showing it off over a wedding gown, I opted for a silk top in cream and taupe silk trouser. Eivind suggested a neutral but stark background as the staircase on the side of the restaurant could offer. The Norwegian pattern of Maith will be released on Ravelry very soon, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before it is published. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Divine silk and gracious cables give this shrug a feeling of goodness just as the old Irish word ”maith”. The shrug is worked from one sleeve cuff, across the back to the opposite sleeve cuff. Knit a cowl and use it as a collar on the shrug. Rowan Truesilk gives you a luxcurious feeling and makes it perfect even for evening wear.

Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk and is a chainette yarn – in other words the strand looks like it is knitted already, just like a narrow I-cord – with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. Unlike other pure silks due to its construction it does not grow with blocking. The shrug and cowl is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 23 stitches and 30 rounds in stockinette stitch. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent. While I was busy knitting up designs for upcoming Interweave Knits, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry assisted and knitted up this sample for me. As usual in a speed I can only dream about, especially with all the cables with give the set a lovely texture.

The shrug is worked from cuff to cuff in one piece. The cuff and sleeve are worked in the round, then worked flat across the back to the opposite sleeve where it is worked in the round to the final bind off at the cuff. The increases on the sleeve is first worked into the purl stitches between the cables in reverse stocking stitch, then in garter stitch at each end of round. Only the width varies between the different sizes, not the length. Adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats to each sleeve if desired. The cowl, with the same width as the back, is knitted lengthwise as a scarf with a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. As you might have noticed, I like wearing shrugs like these over dresses in the summer but also over tops with decorative backs like the one in the photo above. Next up is Saqqara worn over a gobsmacking wedding gown by Judith Bech. So be prepared…

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Sarya

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the brilliant professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing Sarya. The jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and her hair and make up was done by Sissel Fylling. The Norwegian pattern will be published shortly on Ravelry while the English one will be test knitted in my group before its release. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful lace pattern adorn 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 JaggerSpun Zephyr Lace, held double, because of its luster and drape.

JaggerSpun Zephyr Lace is a divine mix of 50% merino and 50% tussah silk with 1024 meters/1120 yards on each 100 g skein. I prefer to hold it double to create a dense fabric with extra texture. The yarn was generously sponsored by JaggerSpun. The jacket is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5. The gauge is 25 stitches and 36 rows in stocking stitch using yarn held double throughout. The bottom hems and tucks are worked using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. By mistake I used 3.5 mm/US 4 for the front band since too long time had passed from the beginning of the knitting to the end and there were too many projects made in the meantime. Despite the mistake the result was better than I could hope for. The extra long front bands pull the overlapping jacket into an asymmetrical waterfall front. If you prefer to wear it with the fronts overlapping as originally intended I suggest you use 3 mm/US 2.5 for the front band.

Here are my other pattern notes: The body of the jacket is knitted back and forth in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Hems, tuck and garter stitch parts are knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5, while the lace pattern is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4. The double neckband is picked up and knitted afterwards, then sewn in place on WS. Use a larger needle; 3.5 mm/US 4 for the neck band if you want it to pull the fronts into a slight asymmetrical shape, as done on sample.

The jacket is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 85 cm to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″. The length is from 62 to 67 cm/24.5 to 26.5″ but can be adjusted by removing or adding pattern repeats to the lace section. I am pleased over how the pattern parts came together, especially since I had my doubts over the garter stitch top instead of stocking stitch. But I came to realize that the garter stitch does make the tucks and hems stand out even more.

The excellent idea to include the plants came from my husband, and I like how they soften up the stark lines of the interior in addition to playing with the lines of the pattern on both the jacket and in the amazing jewelry in matted silver by Kaja Gjedebo Design. There are more magnificent photos to come.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Keya Shrug & Scarf

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Texture addiction is the key word for this design. I love how the colors came all together at the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne suggested we use the staircase on the side of the restaurant, and the result blew my mind again! To wear Keya with a pair of camel colored silk trousers was make up and hair artist Sissel Fylling’s advice since the wedding gowns looked to white against the sand colored shrug and scarf. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger is wearing Keya Shrug with and without the extra back piece and the Keya Scarf as a collar as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be published on Ravelry at the end of February as soon as I receive the pattern back from my Tech Editor. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

I knitted the scarf while I was waiting for sponsored yarn to arrive from Permin, Rowan’s agent in preparation for our meeting at Made by Me in august 2014. Then we decided to leave it out as it did not fit in the blue and grey color mix. Now with dress designer Judith Bech’s wedding gowns I decided to include it and design a shrug to go with it. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Voluminus hidden sand cables in a tweed mixture made of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed, creates a divine texture for this shrug with bell cuffs worked sideways in one piece. You begin at one cuff and shape it in the round until the back where it is worked flat until the opposite sleeve. Why not lengthen the back by adding a loose back piece attached with an earring or a brooch? Make a loose reversible Keya scarf and use it as a collar for the shrug; named Keya after the bloom of a flower.

The shrug comes in size: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL), while the scarf is one size. The shrug is worked from cuff to cuff with bell shaping at each end. The cuff and sleeve is worked in the round until armhole, then worked flat across the back to the opposite sleeve where it is worked in the round to the final bind off at the cuff. Only the width varies between the different sizes, not the length. You can easily adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats to each sleeve if desired.

Sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted the shrug at her usual speed and perfection using 5.5 mm/US 9 needles. That is the recommended size for Rowan Lima but since I wanted the sand cables to pop I decided to use the same size even though the yarn is held together with the Rowan Fine Tweed. By holding the yarns together the color becomes richer and the texture even more pronounced. The yarns were generously sponsored by Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent Permin.

The gauge is 16 stitches and 27 rows in garter stitch using both yarns held together. I often choose two thinner yarns held together, both with good meterage/yardage to create a denser texture, popping cables and a lighter garment instead of choosing a thick yarn usually with a shorter meterage/yardage that results in a heavier garment.

The loose back piece is attached using a gold brooch by Kaja Gjedebo Design at the center back of the shrug. It is knitted as a rectangle and meant to be pinned on when you need extra warmth on your lower back. An option would be to add buttonholes along the bottom of the flat back part of the shrug. In the photo above you see the scarf lying over the shrug as a collar from the back. Alexandria was ever so pleased that I kept her so warm in the cold October weather. This is one of the design that needed time to evolve, as some of them do.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Helka

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The time has come to show you the stunning photos taken by Eivind Røhne of Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design wearing Helka over a tulle skirt by Judith Bech. The Norwegian pattern of Helka will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, late Spring, before its release. The Helka sample is knitted in a combination of a pure combed wool in 3-ply Hifa Huldra Kamgarn and an alpaca mix in a chainette lace yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together using a 4 mm/US 6 needles by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

Helka is knitted with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch with both yarns held together. Both the yarns were generously sponsored. The Woven Cable has cable crossings on every second row, so it is time consuming, but also very rewarding to knit. I also wanted to add the most beautiful buttons I could think of, so I ordered bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. You can study the details in the photos, Siri herself took of them in this blogpost. There are 14 buttons attached on the jacket, but you can easily adjust it to your own preference.

The body is knitted from the bottom and up in 3 parts, back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The Woven Cable pattern ends in a rib at the sleevecap and at the v-neck shaping on the fronts, as well as on shoulders at the back. The sleeves have one cable pattern repeat and rib on the remaining part.

I did consider making the sides in rib too, but realized that the Woven cables only need a frame and that stockinette stitch would highlight them more than a rib would. Hence the sleeve could easily have been made with stockinette stitches on the inside instead of rib.

The neckband was picked up and knitted the evening before the photoshoot, so I did not have time to adjust the number of stitches in the back neck to the rib below, but I have decreased a number of stitches in the pattern to make it lie flat. The brilliant idea to wear Helka only over the tulle skirt – intended as an underskirt/petticoat by dress designer Judith Bech – was Sissel’s since it did not work out as I had hoped with any of the wedding gowns I had borrowed. I am ever so thrilled with the resulting photos, and extremely grateful to be able to work with such a magnificent team!

Sculpted Frost Pattern Released

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Sculpted Frost is a pattern with a long history and a design which evolved over several years before it was ready to be knitted. The English pattern has now been released after a successful test knitting where some of the testers choose fewer tucks on the sleeve and a different edging on the body. You can see them all on the pattern page on Ravelry. It was first published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Strikk last August. The sample jacket was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn on gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm with overlapping collars/33 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Hip: 104 (112, 118, 126, 136, 146) cm/41 (44, 46.5, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5)” Length: 77 (77.5, 78.5, 79.5, 80.5, 82) cm/30.25 (30.5, 31, 31.25, 31.75, 32.25)” Collar width to v-neck: 7 cm/2.75″ Collar width (mid-neck) widest: 18 cm/7″ Sleeve Length (incl cuff): 52.5 (53.5, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5, 54.5) cm/20.75 (21, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5)” Cuff length: 7.5 cm/3″

Yarns: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds). Sample is knitted in Melange Pink/Purple Tones DL213. http://www.dustorealpakka.com/garn-sortiment/?category=29 7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10) skeins: 1157 (1246, 1383, 1485, 1593, 1701) m/1265 (1363, 1512, 1624, 1742, 1860) yds. Hifa, Huldra (100% wool, 200 g cone, 850 m/929 yds). Sample is knitted in Light Purple Pink 8012. http://www.ull.no/garn/maskinstrikkegarn/huldra-kamgarn-8-5-2-tykt 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2) cones; 1157 (1246, 1383, 1485, 1593, 1701) m/1265 (1363, 1512, 1624, 1742, 1860) yds. Note: Both yarns are held together throughout.

Yarn alternatives: See Sculpted Frost pattern page. Or another DK/8 ply yarn held alone to replace both Huldra and Dreamline Soul.

Needles: 2 sets 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for body and sleeves. 2 sets 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (120 cm/48″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 7 Stitch markers, 4 stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using both yarns held together measures 10 cm/4″ square blocked. 18 sts and 24 rows in Frost Flowers using both yarns held together measures 10 cm/4″ square blocked. Lattice Panel across 16 sts using both yarns held together measures 8 cm/3.25″ blocked.

Notes: The 3 larger sizes have been given a garter st panel on either side of the Frost Flowers, feel free to change this to st st if you prefer. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Elora

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The bolero looked stunning worn by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger on top of Judith Bech’s “Secret” wedding gown. Alexandria’s hair & make up is by Sissel Fylling and the jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The beautiful photos are all taken by Eivind Røhne at the Ekeberg Restaurant last October. Elora and three other designs: Shinju, Adoe and Helka will be published in Norwegian in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on Monday 14th March. The English pattern to Elora will be test knitted in April in my Ravelry group before its release. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Mondial Gold is an exclusive mix of 80% wool and 20% cashmere on a 50 g skein with 175 m/191 yds. The sample is knitted in Cream 426, to show off the crisp stitch definition. The bolero is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The yarn was generously sponsored by Mondial’s Scandinavian Agent: House of Hobbies. The sample was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, to my utter satisfaction.

The body of the bolero is worked in pieces from the bottom up, and is sewn together, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The bolero is slightly tapered. The collar width is in additon to the front and bust circumference so that it can be folded and pinned as desired. It is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose.

The bolero comes in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″, waist circumference of 82 to 123 cm/32.25 to 48.5″ and length from 47 to 52 cm/18.5 to 20.5″. The length of the bolero as well as the scarf is one that easily can be adjusted by removing or adding pattern repeats.

In the photos above you see the scarf collar folded in to create more volume to the neckline but it does look equally good just hanging flat or pinned together. The scarf collar width is in addition to the bust width so that it can hang loose as a scarf. The wedding gown with its feather mermaids tail had to be shown in all its glory, in my opinion.