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Leylak Knitted by Dawn Adair

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I wanted to add some colour to your day, so here is skilled test knitter and patron Dawn Adair’s Leylak wearing size medium, knitted in the hand dyed Woolbearers SW Merino DK in Toffee using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. Dawn emailed me asking if she could modify the wings to be triangular ribbed inserts instead during the test knit. I agreed and was curious to see how it would look. The result is stunning, in my opinion. On her project page on Ravelry, Dawn writes: “Turned out perfect – style and fit! As always, another gorgeous design and well-written pattern”. Thank you ever so much for these wonderful photos!

I am so thrilled to hear it and think the colour and style suits her so well!

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the Turkish leylak, the lilac tree, is this flowery cabled a-line cardigan with sidewings. The delicate cables, by Norah Gaughan, reminiscent of the lilac blossoms adorn the fronts, the back and the sleeves. Leylak ends in reverse stockinette stitch in a deep round neckline with a double neck- and buttonband. The jacket is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino DK yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. To crown Leylak, make the cowl to act as a collar in excess yarn held together with the stunning Kid Mohair Lace.

The Leylak pattern is available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 82 to 156 cm/32.25 to 61.5″ and a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch using a 4 mm/US 6 needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square, in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

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New Design in Progress for Spring 2022

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I am preparing for my next photoshoot and will therefore begin to reveal the new designs I have been working on. First one out is one of the four new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, this time knitted in their Ask yarn using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle in the stunning shade of “Melert klar eplegrønn”/Melange Clear Apple Green 6588. Above is the swatch I made for an oversized pullover with dropped shoulders and a standing high collar. A tuck divides the Double Seed stitch from the reverse stockinette stitches and the cable pattern, which I decided to mirror on the sweater. I will tell you more in a later post. If you do not want do wait you can always join the party on Patreon to see it finished together with all other designs updates and benefits.

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Beyla Knitted by Anne Thomas

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Let me introduce you to test knitter and patron Anne Thomas, aka annemade1 on Ravelry, from Australia. She used to knit as a teenager and picked up her needles again during a shoulder injury that kept her resting for six months. Anne test knitted Beyla for me and choose to make it in the Australian yarn Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12 Ply. Due to the thicker yarn she knitted it with a larger needle a 5 mm/US 8 instead of the recommended 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. Anne began with a size L and changed to an XL without any further modifications. Her stunning result is photographed where she lives in rural Gippsland, Victoria on 5 acres with husband, cat and two dogs.

Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12 Ply is a softly twisted yarn in pure wool with 260 meters/294 yards per each 200 gram ball. The recommended needle size is 6 mm/US 10, but Anne used a 5 mm/US 8 needle to achieve the gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square for this project.

Here is a photo of the back. Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos, Anne!

My introduction to the project is as follows: Named Beyla, Norse for little bean, well suited for the shape of the cables on this pullover. All over cables play on the front and back, while only three cables play on the sleeve. The purl stitches in the background make the sweater hug you. Beyla is crowned by a standing collar and knitted in Varde a bouncy pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The pattern is available in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″. Yarn kits with an English or Norwegian pattern can be ordered online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. While the individual pattern is available to download in English or Norwegian from my Ravelry Store or soon on LoveCrafts.

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Kolga Pattern Released

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I have been looking forward to releasing the Kolga pattern, with a new silhouette I have made. My test knitters did a wonderful job improving and correcting the pattern. Hence the pattern is available in both English and in Norwegian in my Ravelry Store and shortly on LoveCrafts. Kolga was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last summer. The stunning model was Aksa Mortensen, with hair & make-up by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Kolga is Norse for a cool wave, like the one created by the Honeycomb cable pattern on this pullover. The A-line front moves the side seam and vent backwards, making it flow like waves. Kolga is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino Sport yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. A folded down cowl gives the pullover a collar, while a standing cowl warms your neck.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size Small

Finished measurements:
Bust: 84 (92, 100, 108, 116) (124, 136, 148, 160) cm/33 (36.25, 39.25, 42.5, 45.75) (48.75, 53.5, 58.25, 63)”
Hip: 124 (132, 140, 148, 156) (160, 172, 180, 192) cm/48.75 (52, 55, 58.25, 61.5) (63, 67.75, 70.75, 75.5)”
Length: 65 (66, 67, 68, 69) (70, 71, 72, 73) cm/25.5 (26, 26.5, 26.75, 27.25) (27.5, 28, 28.25, 28.75)”
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 50, 50, 50) (51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19 (19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75) (20, 20, 20, 20)”
Cowl: 56 cm/22″ wide 15 cm/6″ high
Intended ease: + 5-10 cm/2-4″. Sample pullover shown is 92 cm/36.25″ and worn with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease on model.

Yarn: Walk Collection, Merino Sport (100% Superwash Merino, 100 g, 325 m/355 yds). Sample is knitted in Washed Out:
Pullover: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins; 1432 (1528, 1624, 1720, 1816) (1912, 2056, 2200, 2344) m/1566 (1671, 1776, 1881, 1986) (2091, 2248, 2406, 2563) yds.
Cowl: 1 skein; 195 m/213 yds.
https://www.walkcollection.com

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needle for bottomband and rib.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for bottomband on Front.
3.5 mm/US 4 straight needle for Back and Sleeves.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (60 cm/28″) for neckband.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for Front.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square, after blocking.
24 sts in garter st using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ across, after blocking.
24-st Honeycomb using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures about 8 cm/3.25″ across, after blocking.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The front is 40 (40, 40, 40, 40) (36, 36, 32, 32) cm/15.75 (15.75, 15.75, 15.75, 15.75) (14.25, 14.25, 12.5, 12.5)” wider than the back at the bottom before the armhole. The neckband and the cowl are worked in the round. A circular needle is used for the front to accommodate the large number of stitches.

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Mistale New Pattern Version

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The vivid lime green in the pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk felt intoxicating. Cross cables with round cables in the middle framed by ribbing makes the sweater figure hugging. Mistale ends in a square neckband and you can choose if you want to wear it with the matching cowl.

Sizes
Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Cowl: One size

Finished measurements
Bust: 89 (94.5, 101, 106.5, 118, 129.5) cm/ 35 (37, 39.75, 42, 46, 51)“
Length: 55 (56, 57, 58.5, 59, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22, 22.5, 23, 23.25, 23.75)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)“
Cowl: Circumference 34 cm/13.5”, length 124 cm/48.75”

Yarn
Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelsullgarn (100% Norwegian pelt yarn wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in 1107 Lime.
Sweater: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5) skeins; 884 (988, 1092, 1196, 1404, 1616) m/967 (1080, 1194, 1308, 1535, 1767) yds.
Cowl: 2.5 skeins: 572 m/626 yds.
http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds)
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double…
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds)
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 (80 cm/32”) circular needle for sweater body.
3.5 mm/US 4 (40 cm/16”) circular needle for neck band and cowl.
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeve or circular needle for magic loop.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Cable needle, 11 stitch markers (2 for side, 9 for pattern) and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 28 rows in rib measures 10 cm/4” square.
1 Cable measures 5.5 cm/2.25” across.
3 Cables with 3 sts rev st st on each side measure 17 cm/6.75” across

Notes: The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together.

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Sweater Dresses

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A sweater dress makes you feel both cosy and comfortable. The key is to make the dress in a lighter yarn instead of a thicker one and to choose a bouncy wool or another fiber you like wearing that will also keep its shape. I admit that I have several in my wardrobe that I wear a lot. Hence it did take me a long time to actually design one as I wanted to make it extra special. Now, four dress designs later I can tell you the story of Sigyn, Aibell, Gyro and Keila – coming very soon.

My first and most popular dress is Sigyn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the fine yarn Sølje pelt wool, modelled by Emma Ross. The A-line silhouette becomes bodycon with the ribbing and has two central swinging cables that are divided, then moving towards the shoulder to make a v-neck at the front.

The second dress I designed was Aibell made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk this time in the slightly thicker yarn Tinde pelt wool, also modelled by Emma Ross. The balloon dress is shaped by cables introduced one at a time and can be worn as tunic or a minidress.

I did not have to appoint Beth Robinson, aka yarnbeth, as my Aibell Ambassador – she actually volunteered after she had made her first Aibell dress. Beth has made another two, so far..

The third one I designed, also for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, is made in two colours and in two yarns both Tinde pelt wool yarn for the center panel and Sølje for the sleeve panels: Gyro modelled by Olivia Lindtein. This time I wanted to try out an oversized dress with bat sleeves. The center cable panel crowns the dress and ends in a wide neck with an I-cord bind off.

Keila is the latest one and you can guess which yarn company it is made for. Yes, it is for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk knitted in their Sølje pelt wool and modelled by Aksa Mortensen. Honeycomb cables cover most of the dress except for the armhole and half the sleeves. You shape the skirt part into the high bodice part by changing the sizes of the cables.

Wear the dress as a balloon dress or a tunic by inserting a cord into the double hem. I am looking forward to the launch of the yarn kit and the test knit of this pattern beginning in November in my Ravelry group. All the dresses are brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne. If you are wondering if I am going to design any more dresses, I can reveal that the next one is already in the works! Enjoy the Sweater Season and your Sweater Dresses!

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Eah Knitted by Anja Elsner

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Anja Elsner, aka knuettanni on Ravelry, is a skilled test knitter as well as one of my patrons, here she is wearing her stunning Eah. Anja has been knitting for more than 45 years and learned as a child from her grandmother in Germany. She knitted Eah in Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in size Large using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle to obtain the 20 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch. Instead of the I-cord band at the bottom, she chose to work a garter stitch band.

The hood on my sample was generous so Anja decided to work a number of decreases directly from the pick up line. I had the test knitters help me make a straighter hood version for the pattern so that you can choose how which option to knit.

Here is Anja’s hood from behind. I love how well it fits Anja and the beautiful colour of it! Thank you so much!

An acronym for each way is this casually fitted cabled hoodie adorned by a herringbone cable on the front, the back and the sleeves. Eah ends in a hood with the cable at the back and an I-cord edge. The pullover is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino Sportweight yarn held together with the Kid Mohair Lace, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit.

The Eah pattern is available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 160 cm/33 to 63″.

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Saxi Pattern Released

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The test knit of Saxi has come to an end, with a number of gorgeous sweaters as a result, I am thrilled to announce. Hence I have released the pattern in both English and in Norwegian in my Ravelry Store and shortly on LoveCrafts. Saxi was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last summer. The stunning model was Aksa Mortensen, with hair & make-up by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Saxi is a fitted cabled pullover that ends with an I-cord crown around the crew neckline. The play of texture begins with the round cable shape mirrored in the honeycomb pattern and continues with purl bands in all the stitch patterns. The squareness of the check pattern offers a contrast to the cable and ends the texture in the side of the pullover. Named Saxi after the Saxon in Norse, this sweater is knitted in a Donegal Tweed yarn. A cowl crowns the pullover and can be worn folded as a high collar or as a headband.

Sizes: Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Cowl: One size
Sweater shown in size S.

Finished measurements:
Bust/hip: 85 (92, 99, 106, 113) (120, 133, 146, 159) cm/33.5 (36.25, 39, 41.75, 44.5) (47.25, 52.25, 57.5, 62.5)“
Waist: 77 (84, 91, 98, 105) (112, 125, 138, 151) cm/30.25 (33.75, 35.75, 38.5, 41.25) (44, 49.25, 54.25, 59.5)”
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65) (66, 67, 68, 69) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5) (26, 26.5, 26.75, 27.25)“
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 50, 50, 50) (51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19 (19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75) (20, 20, 20, 20)”
Cowl: 50 cm/19.75” wide and 20 cm/7.75” high
Intended ease: 5-7 cm/2-2.75” positive ease. Sample shown is 92 cm/36.25” and worn with 6 cm/2.25” positive ease on model.

Yarn: Donegal Yarns, Donegal Tweed 3.8/1nm (100% Wool, 170 m/186 yds, 50 g) Sample is knitted in Boyne:
Sweater: 7 (8, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 14, 15) spools; 1088 (1224, 1360, 1496, 1632) (1768, 2020, 2272, 2524) m/1190 (1339, 1487, 1636, 1785) (1934, 2209, 2485, 2760) yds.
Cowl: 2 spools; 187 m/205 yds.
https://www.handweavers.co.uk/donegal-381nm.ir
https://heleendesign.com/product-categorie/alle-garens/do…

Yarn alternatives:
Rowan Yarns, Valley Tweed (100% Wool, 207 m/226 yds, 50 g)
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/valley-tweed?taxon_id=261
Debbie Bliss, Fine Donegal (95% Wool, 5% Cashmere, 380 m/415 yds, 100 g)
https://www.debbieblissonline.com/product/yarn/fine-donegal/
Pickles Merino Tweed (100% Merino Wool, 379 m/414 yds, 100 g)
https://www.pickles.no/en/garn/pickles-merino-tweed
Or another Sport or Fingering weight yarn.

Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 straight needle.
3.25 mm/US 3 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for neckband and cowl.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, waste yarn, 3.25 mm/US 3 (D) crochet hook, cable needle and yarn needle.
Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 34 rows in Check pattern measures 10 cm/4” square.
20-st Honeycomb measures 8 cm/3.25” across.
33 sts in Cable measures about 10 cm/4” across.

Notes: The pullover is knitted in pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration.

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Beyla Knitted by Siret

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It is time to show you another of my designs knitted by skilled Estonian test knitter Siret Sinimäe, aka kollane on Ravelry, the Beyla pullover designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Siret knitted the pullover in size Medium using a 3.75 mm/US 5 needle with a 18 stitches and 24 rows gauge in stockinette stitch. Beyla is modelled by her daughter Annika. On her project page, Siret writes: “The more complex the cables, the more exciting to knit for those who like the cables. But it doesn’t always have to be that way to get a stylish and beautiful result. Beyla’s simple twisted cables are an ideal project for those who are not yet very confident in knitting cables. And most importantly, Linda’s designs are worth knitting! You can always get a very well-fitting knit for yourself”. I am so honoured, thank you, Siret!

Siret used Rowan Island Blend yarn from her stash in the colorway Jet; “It works beautifully with this pattern. I have used this yarn before for cables and I was sure it would work well for this project as well. My Beyla is pleasantly light and due to the silk content, I can probably wear this sweater even in summer when the weather is cooler”.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named Beyla, Norse for little bean, well suited for the shape of the cables on this pullover. All over cables play on the front and back, while only three cables play on the sleeve. The purl stitches in the background make the sweater hug you. Beyla is crowned by a standing collar and knitted in Varde a bouncy pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part. Siret made the collar a bit narrower to make it stand, as her yarn was softer than the original Varde pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The last photo I will share is such a detailed one! Thank you so much Siret and Annika! The Beyla pattern is available in English and Norwegian in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″ on Ravelry and soon on Lovecrafts too. Yarnkits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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