Newly Released Norwegian Patterns

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I have just released 4 of my patterns in Norwegian: Nora Sweater/Nora Genser, Tyrol Jacket/Tyrol Jakke, Regal Purple Jacket/Kongelig Lilla Jakke and Lace Ridge Top/Hullkant Topp on Ravelry and on Loveknitting (shortly). All were first published in Norwegian in Familien Håndarbeid, a special edition in March 2014. Beautifully modeled on dancer Francesca Golfetto and brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The patterns have been tech edited and test knitted prior to their release on Ravelry, and they all include detailed schematics, video links and charts. The Nora Sweater, available in sizes S to XL, is knitted in BC Garn, Semilla Fino an ecological 4-ply/fingering yarn using 3 mm/US 2.5, can be knitted with puffed sleeves or with set-in sleeves. It is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to the end.

A mélange taupe in a delicate fingering weight yarn was chosen for this slightly fitted stylish cable sweater with a shawl collar. I chose a Missoni shaped puffed sleeve for a modern twist but you can chose a set in sleeve option if you prefer. A voluptuous small cable encased by side cables, reverse stocking stitch and double seed stitch was the beginning of this design.

The Tyrol Jacket, available in sizes S to XXL, is knitted flat in two different dyelots of the stunning hand dyed Tosh DK – a pure merino – using a 4 mm/US 6 needles: Inspired by the mélange soft pink color – not unlike the evening sky – and adorable Tyrol cables with their flower-bud shapes, I have designed an elegantly fitted jacket with a V-neck. The saddle sleeves allow the cables to flow all along the shoulder. A loose scarf with cables sewn into a tube works as a second shawl collar and adds textured volume.

The Regal Purple Jacket, available in sizes S to 3XL, is knitted flat in the lovely Hifa Perle using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needles: This vibrant rich purple is regal to me. I choose a lace pattern called Flower Wave, which is half lace and half garter stitch, hence easy to memorize. The Regal Purple Jacket has an A-line shape with added garter stitches in the side for decreasing, short sleeves and a V-neck with a garter stitch then stocking stitch band. It is knitted flat, in a divine 4 ply/fingering cotton called Perle from Hifa, and then sewn together to give stability to the garment. Optional 3/4 length or long sleeves patterns are included in addition to a stripy stocking stitch cowl, knitted in the round and grafted together, to accentuate the lace pattern.

The Lace Ridge Top, available in sizes S to XXL, is knitted in the same Hifa Perle held double using a 4 mm/US 6: A casual, stretchy long sleeveless top in an open lace ridge pattern, with a boat neck and a high twisted rib over the hips. The top is easy to knit in the round. It is worked in a divine mercerized cotton from Hifa, called Perle which is held double to emphasize the structure of the lace pattern. The cable cowl accentuates the design and gives the top a more dressy look.

Tyrol Jackets Knitted by Grete Jenssen

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am far behind when it comes to showing off all the marvelous garments knitters have made from my patterns. Grete Jenssen, an avid knitter who designs for her own use, took part in the test knit of the Tyrol Jacket last winter, and made not one but three (yes: 3 – it is called Turbo Testing) during the testing period! All because the first one was tight around the waist (hence given to a friend) and the other two were adjusted to fit her waist and in different lengths, all equally beautiful in size medium! Here, I am proud to show the latter two, modeled by Grete (aka ma9 on Ravelry) with one of her cats, who take part in cat shows, with a lot of snow in the background and 10 degrees celsius below zero/= 14 degrees Fahrenheit at her home in Storsteinnes, Northern Norway. Brilliantly photographed by her husband: Jan Sverre Jenssen. The stunning lime green version is knitted in 7 Veljestä from Novita bought at her mums yarnshop: Bestemors Hjørne and so is the blue version further below. First the back.

The sleeve width was adjusted to a slimmer fit, than I had first calculated showing how useful these test knits are. I also decided to include one of Grete’s photos of how to gather or nip in the cables at the hems in the pdf pattern. Below is her final version of the Tyrol Jacket in a bright blue, in my Ravelry group we have call the color Grete Blue since it is a trademark of hers and so close to the color of her eyes as well as those of her cat. Thank you, Grete!

The Tyrol Jacket sample was knitted in the American hand dyed Tosh dk using 4 mm/US 6 in two different dye lots, the darker pink version chosen for the sleeves, ordered from Eat.Sleep.Knit, since it was first but unsuccessfully submitted to the American digital magazine Twist Collective. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in the special issue called Håndarbeid/Handicraft published by Familien in March last year, it is available in English from my Ravelry Store and will shortly be available in Norwegian. I will keep you posted.

Lattice Back Jacket Pattern Released

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Linda Marveng

It has been awhile since the test knit of the Lattice Back Jacket was finished, but I have finally released the English pattern in my Ravelry Store with video links and a detailed schematic. You can see all the different versions and the different yarn the test knitters selected on the pattern page (see the first link). The pattern was first published in Norwegian in the magazine Made by Me 2/2014. Above it is gorgeously worn by Pia Cecilie/Team Models, beautifully hair and make up styled by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, stunningly styled by Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik and brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne/Beyond the Ice. Here follows my introduction to it: An intricate panel of rocking cables adorns the back of this elegantly fitted jacket, hence each front and sleeve has a series of accompanying small cables. The body of the jacket is knitted flat with hems, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The sample is worked in a beautiful heathered color in the bouncy Ask – Hifa 2.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 65 (72, 79, 87, 93, 113) cm/25.5 (28.25, 31, 34.25, 36.5, 44.5)” Hip: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22,5, 22.75, 23,25)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 in melange purple 6657 (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins: 882 (1008, 1134, 1292, 1481, 1670) m/964 (1102, 1240, 1413, 1620, 1826) yds.

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/pashmina.html Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 384 m/420 yds). http://www.shalimaryarn.com/item/Breathless/237/c21 Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% wool, 50 g, 113 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Or another sport weight/5 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle. 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for hem and button band. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 11 buttons (13 mm/0.5″), stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. Rocking Cable Panel across 66 sts measures 22 cm/8.75″. Rocking Cable Panel over 36 rows measures 12 cm/4.75″. Small Back Cable Panel across 30 sts measures 10 cm/4″.

Notes: Each front is 1 cm wider than 1/2 the back circumference, to achieve symmetry, usual in typical vintage garments. This jacket is like vintage jackets very fitted, please compare your waist measurements to the size you need and adjust if necessary, to make sure it will fit.

The pattern will also shortly be available at Loveknitting.

New EU Law about VAT on Sale of Digital Property

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The new EU law about VAT on the sale of digital property went into effect January 1st, and I am so pleased that Ravelry (where I sell my digital patterns) has decided to co-operate with the British website Loveknitting, blog.loveknitting.com/loveknitting-ravelry-team-up-for-hassle-free-eu-digital-pattern-sales, who will deal with paying VAT to all the different EU countries, dependent on the buyer’s country, on my behalf. The announcement of this VAT led to an outrage because it affects not only the intended large internet companies such as Amazon but all of us micro businesses (I think nano businesses, fits even better for some of us) too. This article explains it well: How-the-EU-is-throttling-online-business-with-idiotic-VAT-reform. Here is a blogpost about the co-operation between Loveknitting and Ravelry: blog.loveknitting.com/update-loveknitting-ravelry-team-up-for-hassle-free-eu-digital-pattern-sales.

I have chosen to continue to sell my patterns to EU citizens – Norway is not part of the EU, only the EEA (European Economic Agreement; working with the EU) – through Loveknitting, while other designers have decided to block sales of patterns to customers in the EU (temporarily or permantly), or stop selling patterns completely, or pay the VAT themselves. I checked my Ravelry sales by country, and discovered that I sell 3 times as many patterns to the US as I do to Norway and Denmark, followed by Germany.

So any EU customer can either buy any of my patterns from Ravelry and be re-directed to Loveknitting where they will need to pay the added VAT according to their country’s VAT percentage, or log on and buy it directly from Loveknitting.

I was in the second selected batch of testers on Ravelry, and have used a considerable amount of time during Christmas editing my pattern descriptions to fit with Loveknitting’s formatting. There are still a few glitches that needs to be fixed before it is up, and running perfectly. If you are a member of Ravelry you can follow the discussions, the options and the testing in the Ravelry Shopkeepers Group. The Loveknitting option is giving me an additional 6 months (free trial period) to look into other solutions such as picking an EU country (unless you are a resident in one, that is), e.g. UK and Ireland, and register with the VATMOSS (Mini One Stop Shop) – nicknamed VATMESS – or hoping that Ravelry’s programmer Casey (code monkey is his preferred title) will figure out a smart technical solution to this mess. In the meantime I will try to focus on designing instead. Here is more recommended reading:

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Takk for det gamle/Thank you for the old one, we say to each other when the new year approaches in Norway! It is a good custom, in my opinion to thank friends and family for making the year richer, and so much better. So thank you for following me this last year, and I wish you a happy and healthy new year! I hope it will be one that makes us grow, not physically but mentally, that is! I also hope it will bring lots of happiness and shared pleasures. The lovely photo above is of my youngest nephew; Kristoffer aged 2, and his sister; Martine aged 7, but not showing their beloved older brother; Fredrik aged 16. They are having fun assisting their dad, my brother, refurbishing the basement of their house that is going to be Fredrik’s new room. In the meantime, the empty floor space is a perfect playground for Kristoffer. I will be welcoming the new year at home with my husband and my knitting! Bring it on!

Curvy Check Cowl Pattern Released

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I am finally ready to release the Curvy Check Cowl and Wrist Warmers in English in my Ravelry store. Above it is gorgeously worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto, beautifully styled by Line Sekkingstad, and brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Strikk in August. Here is the introduction to it: A beautiful orange tweed, made of combining Rowan Fine Tweed together with Hifa Ask for a perfect color with sheen and depth, ideal for accessories such as a cowl and wrist warmers. A check pattern shows off the tweed to its best.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements: Cowl: Circumference 88 cm/34.75″, height: 31.5 cm/12.5″. Wrist warmer: Circumference 22 cm/8.75″, height: 27 cm/10.75″

Yarns: Rowan Fine Tweed (100% wool, 25 g, 90 m/98 yds) sample is knitted in Col A: Tissington 386. knitrowan.com Hifa, Ask (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/344 yds) sample is knitted in ull.no. Col B: Melange orange 6570. Cowl: Col A: 4 skeins; 347 m/380 yds. Col B: 1.5 skein; 347 m/380 yds Wrist warmers: Col A: 2 skeins; 142 m/155 yds. Col B: 0.5 skein; 142 m/155 yds Note: Col A and B are held together throughout. 5 skeins of Col A is sufficent for the set.

Alternative yarn: Brooklyn Tweed, Shelter (100% wool, 50 g, 128 m/140 yds) brooklyntweed.com

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for cowl. 4 mm/US 6 DPNs for wrist warmers. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers and yarn needle

Gauge: 18 sts and 26 rnds in st st, 18 sts and 26 in Check pattern using Col A and Col B held together, steamed and stretched measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: Both cowl and wrist warmers are knitted in the round. The hem is folded in two and attached on the WS, but could easily be made using two circular needles.

Christmas is Here

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I cannot believe how quickly Christmas approached this year. I had plenty of time to buy Christmas presents, not! Yesterday was Lille Juleaften/Little Christmas Eve, and I did my last present shopping. I have been in my own little world of new designs, and studying the stunning new cones of Zephyr Lace plus a complete set of shade cards I have received from Jagger Spun. They will sponsor me to my utter delight, and I had to start knitting with one of the cones, but it would go even quicker with another pair of arms! Above is a recent view from our terrace photographed by my husband. Today is Christmas Eve which will be celebrated with my brother and his family, my mum, my husband and me. I will squeeze in as much knitting time as I possibly can during Christmas! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year! May it bring lots of happiness to you all!

Design in Progress: Sculpted Frost Coat

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I love the frost flower lace pattern with its lattice panels and want to create a a-line coat with lattice panels on the sleeves and the frost flower pattern on the back and the fronts. It is a design that has evolved from its beginning as a design submission to the Japanese magazine Amirisu. Now it has been given cuffs, and I am planning a shawl collar. I found that by combining the divine melange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo was created. The color that appeared was an extra deep pink color with lilac tones. This design is one of a series I am planning for the Norwegian magazine Familien’s special issue Strikk/Knit due out in late August next year, then in English on Ravelry.

Other great design news is that one of my designs for Interweave Knits have been excepted and will be published in the 2015 Fall issue.

Kaja Gjedebo Jewelry

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Last Saturday I went to an event called Christmas at the Artist Dwellings located at the suburb of Bøler, close to the border to Marka – the forest that surrounds Oslo – where 12 artists in the fields of graphic, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry took part, and opened their homes & studios. The poster is drawn by Kjetil Fornes who together with Anne Thomassen also housed the coffeeshop that occupied every inch of their studio as well as kitchen and living room. We were many that came to visit. No wonder when you see the impressive list of artists who live in these artist dwellings, see trolltun.net. As the poster says we were welcome to art, culture and for a walk at the edge of the forest. I was invited by Kaja Gjedebo, whose jewelry I borrowed for the photo shoot I had in October for the next issue of Made by Me, due out at the beginning of February. You might recognize the statement paper & scissors silver earrings or go back here and look: sneak-peak-made-by-me-photoshoot. I was delighted to be able to look at a much larger selection, and many were tempted to buy themselves Christmas gifts on the spot!

I can reveal that I did not, since I have a taste for expensive jewelry, preferably gold. But it is ever so good to know what I really want, and to make sure that I also would be able to borrow other stunning pieces for my future photo shoots!

Below is a list of the participating artists from this year’s event. It was such a treat to come into their homes and studios to see, not only their work, but also to take a step into their world and gain a bit of a vision! Take a look at the photo gallery from the event and you will understand what I mean in a flash: julemarked. Thank you to each one, and hope to see you next year!

Arild Yttri – copper plate art
Anne Thomassen – ceramics
Dina Hald – enamel jewellry
Einar og Kirvil Stoltenberg – pewter casting
Heidi Rognskog Mella – painting / drawing
Kaja Gjedebo – jewelry
Kåre Bondesen – knives and watercolors
Marianne Boberg – graphics
Mikkel Hald – product design
Solveyg Schafferer – sculpture
Torunn Skjelland – painter and gardener

Julie Skarland Exhibition

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Paris – New Dehli – Oslo, is the subtitle of this magnificent exhibition at Kunstindustri-museet/Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Oslo, on to 1st of February 2015. Here is the introduction to Julie Skarland – photographed in a tulle dress with sneakers in the picture above – from the program: “Rough and poetic, with the whole world as her workplace: Welcome to fashion designer and artist Julie Skarland’s universe!”. Born 1960 in Trondheim, she has spent her entire career abroad. The label Julie Skarland/Princess Factory was set up in 1991 in Paris, where she presented annual collections and opened her own store in 1998. In 2005 she moved to India to produce according to fair trade principles, and today she resides in New Dehli. “Throughout Julie Skarland’s career handwork, such as knitting and embroidery, has been a hallmark of her folklore-inspired style. A style in which incongruity and ambiguity are underscored by the choice of materials and ornaments”. The combination of heavy knits with tulle, silks and other fine fabrics decorated with embroidery, pompoms and sequins is unexpected and characteristic of Julie Skarland. See the fox collar, below, knitted in a stranded color work motif designed by Per Spook and with a great sense of humor called “Spooky”.

“An original and varied use of recycled materials is characteristic of many of the designer’s piece. Fragments of knitwear and old embroidery create stories that both assert her fairytale aesthetic and convey tales of everyday Norwegian life”. In addition to Pret a Porter, Julie Skarland sets her instinct to work creating one-off designs by putting together, taking apart and recovering with painstakingly detailed work. Many of these one-offs have been sold to museums and art galleries. Embroidery is at the core in her new creative phase as an artist. Through these detailed embroideries she has achieved a greater sense of elegance. You can see her embroider, as well as glimpses of her daily life in New Dehli and the former Parisian collections; in fact the complete documentary from the exhibition here: vimeo.com.

The dresses Julie Saarland has made for this exhibition consists simple silhouettes in white fabric, across which she allows imagery inspired by nature, birds and islamic patterns to unfold, as if on a canvas. The embroidery is mind-blowing as it is done using a fine thread with precise execution. So if you are in Oslo before the beginning of February, you know where to go. I need to revisit and study her photo books available in the museum shop…