Stokke Bygdetun/Museum

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I spent last weekend at this amazing small museum consisting of historic buildings moved to this location during the last decades. Stokke Bygdetun was established in 1978 and consists of 5 buildings with the 6th currently being built. The Museum is in a beautiful forest with paths leading through it. All the buildings are currently in use, and I was fortunate enough to hold a workshop in Professional Finishing and Fairisle organized by Stokke Husflidslag/Handicraft Association in a small timber house called the Brewery House built in 1852 in Horten, rebuilt in 2003-2004. Stokke Husflidslag uses the building for their meetings, workshops, knit cafés and as a weaving studio (there is a small adjacent room with looms), while the basement has a large baker’s oven as well as a meeting room and is used by the local women’s institute. Here is the schedule for Stokke Husflidslag.

There were only 3 people signed on, but the workshop went ahead, so we all had an enjoyable weekend with plenty of knitting. I was fortunate to stay with Solveig Nodland, the study leader and herself a weaving teacher, on her mobile phone in the background. At her home, Solveig has a weaving studio approximately the size of our former London flat, with 3 giant looms, but no wonder since she and her husband runs Vevstol. The weather was beautiful and sunny on Saturday so we had our lunch on the benches outside, together with a group of visitors. The museum barn, the red building on the right below, was rented for a confirmation on Sunday, so we had the chance of studying a range of local national costumes worn by the guests. Unfortunately, for the guests it was raining on Sunday, but it was perfect for knitting. I would be very happy to come back here to hold more workshops.

I am thrilled to take part in two knitting festivals this autumn: Strik Bornholm in Denmark 4th to 7th September and Strikkehelg in Stavanger 15th and 16th November. More details and a complete list of workshop will come later.

As it Rises Forward. Nation, Tradition, Fusion.

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Jewelry designer and photographer Siri Berrefjord is currently showing at Bærum Kunsthåndverk, see bkh, in Sandvika, on the outskirts of Oslo. The title of the exhibition is taken from our National Anthem, and the painting shown at the bottom of the poster is from our Constitution, celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. I have not had time to visit yet, and going away this weekend holding a workshop in Stokke, but hope to have time next week. Here is Siri’s introduction to the exhibition: “I am impressed and excited by Norway’s rich cultural inheritance. I am inspired by the many treasures made here. For a long time, I have used the farming culture with its rich decorations as a basis for my own expression. In this exhibition I wanted to take a closer look on a few selected items; their cultural expressions and interpret these in my own way. I have been inspired by distinctive folk artists and color palettes. I have also used old handicrafts recalled from bottom of chests, and a forgotten past.

In addition I wanted to express something about time. We live in a time where time itself has become scarce. When studying earlier periods, where I find my inspiration, our relation to time becomes a paradox. Two hundred years ago man worked a lot more, they used more time on daily tasks such as house work and cooking. Life was cumbersome. Yet ordinary people used an awful lot of time on decoration and handicraft.

I wanted to do something similar in this exhibition. Both the clothes and the jewelry I make, take a long time to process. I want to make this time visible, in other words the time used on the presentation of these objects. What is really time in such a context? For me, it is also an expression of care, of lasting attention and of love to the thing itself. By using time to make items, you also give them a soul. When things are properly worked and have had time to evolve slowly, but surely, becoming visible, first then can they reach their potential.

Few expensive and exclusive materials have been used in these works, a conscious decision on my part. But they are carefully chosen; right materials – which suits the nature of the things themselves. And then it is time, the duration of the presentation which gives the things their exclusivity – where they finally rises forward.”

I am thrilled that Siri is making buttons for one of my knitted jackets, and look forward to seeing the result – I will show and tell when I can. It is one of the many special orders she receives throughout the year, in addition to her collection available from Designerkollektivet at Glasmagasinet in Oslo and online from sirisskattkammer.

Arcade Vest knitted by Marit Haugen Bergsrønning

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I am so pleased to show you Marit’s beautiful Arcade Vest, knitted in a stunning burgundy Norsk Pelsull by Hillesvåg – the original yarn, see Norsk Pelsull. The color is so vibrant is should really be called Ruby. If you are a knitter you will be drawn into the background – yes indeed, it is a yarn shop – Fortuna run by Marit’s daughter Ellen. No wonder, you can find a marvelous photo of Marit dancing around in the yarn shop on her Ravelry page. Her Ravatar is Marit, and she test knitted size 2XL. Marit has also test knitted the Tyrol Jacket for me, so I am honored. Thank you so much, Marit! Now, for the link to Fortuna, located outside of Trondheim in Norway, but with an online shop stocking Hifa yarn among others, here it is: Garnbutikken Fortuna. The Norwegian pattern for the Arcade Vest was published in Familien no 3, and the English pattern is available to download from Ravelry, see: Ravelry.

The Game of Thrones Exhibition in Oslo

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I had the best intentions of seeing the Game of Thrones Exhibition, until I spotted the never-ending queue that went along the block and continued around the corner. The security guard confirmed my suspicions; the first part of the queue would take one hour to reach the entrance, and then another to be able to see the exhibition. I did want to see the costumes from the popular television series, even though I did not have an urgent need to sit on the Iron Throne, nor use 4-D headphones with display to ascend the massive wall of ice. The exhibition has only visited two cities in Europe: Belfast, where it is filmed, and Oslo, due to the massive number of viewers. Since I did not have enough time to spare, I gave up and will continue to study the costumes on television. Here are photos from one who queued, see blackforestmag, and here is a video showing a selection of the brilliant costumes and their designer: Game of Thrones: The Costumes. Norwegian actor Kristofer Hivju – Tormund Giantsbane in the series – came to visit on the opening day, and feed a part of the queue on his way in, take a look at this video and enjoy: Kristofer Hivju meets the fans.

Design in Progress: Conic Coat

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Here is another of my designs in progress. I have slightly modified one of my Brooklyn Tweed Designs Submissions, and the pattern will be published in Familien’s Strikkebok this autumn instead. The yarn I chose is Embla – Hifa 3, a pure wool with bounce, in a shade called lilac beige (read: in other words; taupe) which is perfect for a certain pair of Monica Stålvang shoes. I do hope the coat will match her stunning shoes, and I am ready for the challenge! The stitch pattern I have chosen is Blocks and Triangles by Lynne Barr – the boring blocks are on the back, and they are completely flat unlike the sculptural triangles on the front. Yes, they are made with a DPN or a cable needle in hand. Above is the bottom of one of the sleeves, I will start making the other now, so that I can work them together to the end. After pondering for awhile I decided not to knit them in the round because of the equal amount of purl and knit, the yarn overs on the WS, and the folding. I have also tested how I wanted to make the hem and to make the set up perfect I chose the old fashion way of sewing it up. The coat itself will have an a-line shape and end in a large shawl collar in a seeded rib pattern. I am very pleased it is an addictive stitch pattern, just as long as I remember to increase along the way, since I am working as fast as I can with plenty of ideas flowing through my head at the moment!

Design in Progress: Scarftex

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I have had a lot of fun lately coming up with new designs, and if I could not find the texture or color I had in mind, I made it up by combining two different yarns. To make cables really pop I love working them in double yarns, usually of the same quality but this time I chose to hold a pure wool, Rowan Fine Tweed, together with an alpaca mixture, Rowan Lima, to add bounce to the cables. A chunky jewelry scarf just like the type of statement jewelry I prefer. The stitch pattern I choose is a combination of reversible cables to make a scarf with a lot of texture; a Scarftex! Rowan Fine Tweed is a thin 4-ply/Fingering weight pure wool that comes in 25 g balls with 90 m/98 yds, while Rowan Lima is an Aran/Worsted weight yarn of a chain construction made of alpaca 84%, wool 8% and nylon 8% that comes in 50 g balls with 110 m/120 yds. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien’s Strikkebok late August after being photographed professionally, while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry. More designs are in progress and coming here on my blog soon!

Spring is here

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I captured yesterday’s beautiful weather from our terrace, where I have spent a lot of time during Easter, knitting swatches and new designs. Not long now, and I can show you some of my latest designs. Outside it is getting greener by the day, and we have had lovely summery temperatures for several days now. The smell of barbecues is all around in the early evening, since everyone is making sure they enjoy the warm sunshine. So this is where you will find me, sitting on the terrace knitting!

Summer Leaves Sweater by Siv Jorunn Hjellbrekke

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the beautiful Summer Leaves Sweater Siv Jorunn Hjellbrekke made during the test knit of the English pattern in my Ravelry group. It did not scare her off because she has taken part in many more test knits since then. Siv choose the same yarn, Hifa Luxor, a pure mercerized cotton, in the same color I choose; Wine Red, see Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and knitted size XL. She shortened the sleeves to 3/4 long, after consulting me. It was the first time she made a hem using two circular needles held parallel as I suggest in the pattern and shown in my video no 5 here: Marveng-Puckett. You can also see more detailed photos on Sivjor’s Ravelry page. I love the matching nail varnish and shoes, the pose as well as the stunning view from her garden! Thank you, Siv! The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien, date to be confirmed, while the English pattern is available to download from Ravelry.

Above is stunning dancer Francesca Golfetto, brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller.

Monica Stålvang Shoes

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I am in shoe heaven, and I have been there for quite awhile now. It is several months since I first spotted Monica Stålvang‘s amazing shoe creations at Designerkollektivet in Oslo. So what happened? Well, last week, I went to her showroom and studio at Bislett, and I have hardly slept since! Yes, her shoes have kick started a whole series of new designs to match their elegance and superiority. No, I did not leave the shop empty handed since I need to have them in front of me when I design! Entering the shop, with a studio at the back, feels like entering a smart shoe showroom in Milan. No wonder really since there are photos on the wall from Milan and Florence, indeed all of Monica’s shoes are made in Milan, where she has lived for years. I also loved seeing her sketches and then being able to study the finished pair. Monica has sourced the finest Italian leather, as well as Italian craftsmanship, and combines it with different materials, builds numerous kinds of soles and heals – that you can walk in and not merely totter around – into exquisite shoes and boots.

Above is Carla in wine, and despite Monica’s good photo, it does not do them justice because they are even more gorgeous in real life. The platform at the front and the stable heel do make them easy to walk in, to my utter astonishment!

Above is Carmen in petrol, which shows the play with different types of leather as well as colors. The interesting color and leather combinations makes each design seem like an unexpected innovation. Monica showed me some of the leather samples for the new collection which has not arrived yet, and I cannot wait to see it. There is, unfortunately, a limit to how many pairs I can buy, but thankfully I can borrow for press loans, so I am planning future photo shoot in detail far into the night.

Strikk til smårollinger

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Linda Marveng

Knitting clothes for small children is the English translation of this charming book by two sisters; Eli Østgård and Mette Harbo, who have 11 children together, and hence are very focused on children’s fashion and especially knitting. Together with their third sister, they have a popular blog called GustavogBerta, where you can see their retro style inspired by their own mother, and the outfits they wore as children. The book contains 50 patterns for children at the age of 0 to 6 years, in a classical, or modern or retro style in different difficulty levels. It is a book to treasure with stunning photos, taken by different photographers including the sisters themselves, that makes you smile, and wanting to dress up all the small children you know in these outfits. Take a look inside the book here: Issuu. The book is available in selected bookshops in Norway and directly from the publisher Gyldendal. You will find one of the patterns for a pleated skirt in Norwegian on Gyldendal’s blog, together with Easter Greetings, see Puff.Gyldendal.