New Design: Helka

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I was instantly captured by these intricate cables that look woven with such a sculptural feel to them. They needed a lot of space so I decided to make a long straight jacket with those diamond shaped cables covering all central parts of the jacket. I loved the idea of the cables vanishing first into a rib then into stocking stitch in the sides of the body and into a rib on the top of all the parts. The sleeves are made in cables and rib, but the increases could easily be made in stocking stitch if preferred. Named after Helka the prosperous one, the jacket has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Of course, I wanted bespoke buttons and Siri Berrefjord obliged. I initially planned to make this long jacket to go with a wedding gown with a straight skirt hence I choose white Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka and held it together with the Huldra Kamgarn from Hifa for a slight tweedy structure to it. With cabling on every second row and round, I need help to knit the sample and Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, was ready to assist and knitted it to my utter satisfaction. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special magazine: Familien Håndarbeid out in March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group late spring before it is released.

The jacket is knitted with the 2 yarns held together using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. 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. I have graded the jacket from size XS to 2XL, with bust circumference from 84 cm to 124 cm/33 to 48.75″. The length is from 79 cm to 84 cm/31 to 33″, but it can easily be adjusted to preferred length. I am wearing size S (sample size) in these photos taken by my husband on our terrace on a cold November day. Both yarns were generously sponsored by Hillesvåg and Du Store Alpakka.

I was uncertain how many buttons I wanted. Personally, I would probably only use 3 around the bust area, but also loved the idea of of filling the double button band with Siri’s jewelry buttons to adorn the jacket even further. In the end I reasoned that it was better for me to calculate too many buttonholes and for the knitter to remove those not wanted. First, I thought 13 buttons would be enough but ended up adding all the 14 buttons Siri had made. The rib at the top of the back also required that I decrease the number of stitches of the button band at the back neck. This was not done on the sample since I was knitting the button band the evening before the photo shoot and had no time to undo the more than 400 stitches and re-do. The pattern has been corrected to decrease 8 stitches, and is now in a queue with my American tech editor Corrina Ferguson of Picnic Knits. I ended up choosing 5 of Judith Bech’s wedding gowns for the photo shoot and which one suited the Helka best? The tulle petticoat/underskirt which I preferred to use on its own and not under any of the wedding gowns…

Bech Pattern Released

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I released my Bech pattern in English last month on Ravelry, after a successful test knitting. Bech was one of the patterns in the Nordic Vintage series first published in Norwegian in Familien Trend published in February. The whole series was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, gorgeously modeled by Alex Eissinger/Sweden Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, and dresses byJudith Bech. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A stunning halterneck silk dress with a high waist and bare back, handprinted by Judith Bech made me want to design a shawl, loose sleeves and a matching belt to accessorize it. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra Kamgarn from Hifa 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. The belt made of tucks can also be worn around your neck as knitted jewelry, tied or pinned together with a brooch.

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

Finished Measurements: Shawl: Length: 110 (119, 126) cm/43.25 (46.75, 49.5)” Width excl collar: 22 (25.5, 29) cm/8.75 (10, 11.5)” Width incl widest collar: 36 (39.5, 43) cm/14.25 (15.5, 17)” Loose sleeves: Cuff width: 25 (28, 32) cm/9.75 (11, 12.5)” Width at bottom: 22 (25, 29) cm/8.75 (9.75, 11.5)” Width at top: 32 (35, 39) cm/12.5 (13.75, 15.25)” Sleeve length incl cuff: 50 cm/19.75″ Belt: Length: 72 (87, 102) cm/28.25 (34.25, 40.25)” Tie length: 50 cm/19.75″ Width: 10 cm/4″

Yarn: Hifa, Huldra Kamgarn 8,5/2 (100% combed wool, 200 g cone, 850 m/929 yds) Sample is knitted in Light redish grey http://www.ull.no/garn/maskinstrikkegarn/huldra-kamgarn-8-5-2-tykt. Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds) Sample is knitted in Melange light grey DL203 http://www.dustorealpakka.com/garn-sortiment/?category=29 Shawl: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 3 (4, 4) skeins of Soul; 460 (558, 656) m/503 (610, 714) yds of each yarn. Loose Sleeves: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 3 (3, 3) skeins of Soul; 374 (414, 467) m/409 (453, 511) yds of each yarn. Belt: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 2 (2, 3) skeins of Soul; 272 (314, 356) m/297 (343, 389) yds of each yarn. Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

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

Notions: 1 m/1 yard thin elastic cord (1.5 mm/0.059″) for loose sleeves, 2 stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows in st st using 1 strand of each yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts x 28 rows in Bech Lace using 1 strand of each yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square. 1 Bech Lace pattern repeat using 1 strand of each yarn measures 7 cm/2.75″ across.

New Design: Elora

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The luxurious softness of the Mondial Gold yarn, a mixture of wool and cashmere, together with its crisp stitch definition made it a favorite for this bridal collection I have made to match Judith Bech’s stunning bridal gowns. So this time the yarn came first and the stitch pattern second. I opted for the beautiful reversible lace pattern called Obstacles, and want to emphasize that the meaning of its name does not reflect the knitting experience of it. Like my previous bolero Hennika I wanted a scarf collar but this time decided to add its width to the width fronts so that it can hang folded like you would wear a scarf. The bolero is named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory. Perfect, when you see model Alexandria Eissinger wearing it over Judith Bech’s “Secret” wedding gown in felted wool. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Håndarbeid, a special issue, out in March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group late spring next year, then released.

Mondial Gold is 80% wool, 20% cashmere with 175 meters/191 yards on a 50 g skein with a 26 stitch and 34 rows gauge in stocking stitch using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The yarn was kindly sponsored, and it is Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, who knitted this bolero in just a week, in time for the photo shoot. The body of the bolero is worked in pieces, while the sleeves are worked in the round, all from the bottom and up. I wanted seams to make it more tailored, and for it to hold its shape. The sample is knitted using Annie Modesitt’s Lovely Left Decrease method, see videolink on this page: anniemodesitt.com/videos/.

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. For sizes L, XL and 2XL, I suggest adding a pattern repeat to the width of the scarf collar to make the proportions work better. The bolero could easily be adjusted in length if you would prefer a longer version. Above you can see me wearing size S over a black tube dress – photographed by my husband – but it does look gorgeous on Alexandria worn over Judith Bech’s wedding gown. You wait and see!

New Design: Oydis Sweater & Cowl

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The Shadow Diamond Cable, was love at first sight and one centered on all parts would be more than sufficient I thought. I have long wanted to test making a curved hem so I gave the sweater an A-line shape so that the bottom part would hang perfectly. I decided to begin with a provisional cast-on so that I could add an I-cord bind off all along the bottom at the end. The round neck has a thin garter stitch band, and there is a garter stitch edge in each side of the body. Of course it needed a cowl with the cable knitted on one side. The body of the sweater is knitted flat, while the sleeves and the cowl are knitted in the round. A fine tweed yarn, Pickles Merino Tweed, is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul to create a fabric with a beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo. I plan to publish the pattern in Norwegian on Ravelry in February, and the English pattern after test knitting in my group late next spring.

The inside of the sleeves have the same garter stitch panel as the sides of the body. You can glimpse it in the top photo. The unevenness of the yarn mixture does make the I-cord slightly uneven as you can see in the photo above. Parts of the yarn was generously sponsored by Du Store Alpakka. Oydis is a Norse name and means the Goddess of Good Luck, which I felt was very fitting especially when the sweater is worn with the cowl.

The set is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitches measuring 10 cm/4″. It will be available in sizes XS to 2XL with a finished bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, and length of 74 to 79 cm/29.25 to 31″. The cowl is knitted in the rounds and the ends are joined using mattress stitches, but you could easily choose a provisional cast-on and graft if you prefer.

The inside of the cowl is knitted in a rib but with garter stitches for folding so that it stays flat. It can be worn hanging loose or twice around the neck with the rib visible. All these photos are taken of me by my husband on our terrace in October just before the professional photo shoot.

I had no stylist available to tell me to pull the sweater down nor fold the cowl more neatly in the photo above, so I apologize. The stylist is usually me, magnifiscently assisted by hair & make up artist Sissel Fylling and whenever possible editor Mary-Ann Astrup. As you can imagine I had a very difficult time choosing among the professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne of Alexandria Eissinger on the other hand, and ended up with 7 fantastic photos, I am looking forward to showing you after I have presented all the new designs.

Strik Bornholm 2016

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I was delighted to be invited to teach at the next Strik Bornholm for a second time around. The festival is from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th of September 2016, at the idyllic Danish holiday island. The program with more than 50 workshops has been revealed, and it is already possible to book workshops and a full Festival package with a hotel stay included. Last time in September 2014, Norah Gaughan was teaching and speaking at the event while this time it is the prince of knitting Vithard Villumsen who is the big name, hence all workshops will be in one of the Scandinavian languages: Danish, Swedish or Norwegian. I have only seen Vithard on television as one of the judges in “Den Store Strikkedyst”/The Big Knitting Joust, you can find it here on Tv Syd, so I am looking forward to seeing him live! Above is a photo of me teaching Japanese Patterns on the beach part of Allinge Røgeri in the amazing warm weather in September 2014. This time I am teaching a shorter version of the same course as well as Design. The colorful Danish Designer Charlotte Kaae, in a yellow top above, is also back together with a number of other returning designers. Here is a link to the workshops information and catalogue: teambornholm.dk/strik/workshops. I cannot wait to go back, and hope to see some of you there…

Hennika Pattern Released

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I released the Hennika pattern in English several weeks ago, so it is about time I let you know. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend in February this year, with the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, dress by Judith Bech, shoes by Monica Stålvang all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The bolero is knitted in the bouncy Hifa Ask, and can easily be made longer as several of the test knitters choose to do. Here is my introduction to it: A lace pattern with Gothic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reign. Hennika is a name with Gothic origin and means master of the house. The bolero is tapered and worked in pieces, while the sleeves are worked in the round. Wear the collar lying flat or folded in half lengthwise to add volume and close it with a shawl pin or a beautiful brooch.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 83 (90, 97, 105, 115, 125) cm/32.75 (35.5, 38.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25)” Length: 37 (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) cm/14.5 (15, 15.25, 15.75, 16.25, 16.5)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/ 19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)” Scarf collar width: 12.5 cm/5″ Loose extra scarf length: approx 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 in melange farmblue (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/965 (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 Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% cotton, 50 g, 112 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 247 m/270 yds) https://www.theloopyewe.com/shop/g/knit-crochet/yarn/shalimar-yarns/breathless-dk/ Or another sport weight/5 ply or thin DK yarn.

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

Notions: Waste yarn, stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 18 sts and 28 rows in Hennika Lace using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: 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 collar is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose. Throughout the pattern, when shaping in lace, only work an inc (yo) if you can work the corresponding dec.

New Design: Shinju

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I wanted to make a whole series of designs to go with the stunning wedding dresses by designer Judith Bech. Initially it was Judith’s idea, and it was too brilliant not to accept. The series was first accepted by the Norwegian magazine Made by Me, but since it ceased production shortly afterwards, I am delighted to reveal that 4 of the designs will be published in the special issue Familien Håndarbeid/Handcraft due out in March. Shinju is one of these designs, and if you went to the Wollness Weekend or the Knit Café in Vienna (or spot me in Isabella’s car for that matter) you did see me knitting it, desperate to finish it in time for the photo shoot on the 28. October. I did!

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 (meaning pearl in both Italian and in Norwegian). Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl. I wanted to show that it does not necessarily have to be made for a wedding dress, nor in cream since the yarn comes in six other equally beautiful colors. The photos above are as usual taken by my husband. The shawl is made in one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing stitch pattern repeats. It is made from one short end to the other with no sewing required, except for the sewing in of ends, and knitted using a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle. The yarn Mondial Perle is made of 55% polyester, 30% kid mohair, 15% silk and with beads attached on a separate thread next to the yarn on a 25 g ball with 85 m/93 yds. It has been kindly sponsored for this project. In Oslo you can find it at the yarn shop Tjorven, but also in other yarn shops around the country. All the ones that have seen the yarn so far has been bewitched, and felt an urge to touch it but also get their hands on it. You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model Alexandra Eissinger – wearing one of Judith Bech’s wedding dresses – by Eivind Røhne.

Familien Julens Småstrikk with 3 of My Designs

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Linda Marveng

On Monday the special issue, Familien Julens Småstrikk/Christmas Small Knits is published with my designs; Hertha, Nuala and Syndra, to my utter delight. The shawl Hertha with loose sleeves, stunningly worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, fringe skirt by Judith Bech, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, is on the cover in the bottom corner – see above – but much larger both on the contents page but also inside – see below.

Here you can see Hertha’s traditional lace pattern with shadow triangels in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, tucks, shawl collar as well as magnificent jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo up close. The shawl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4, and is available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL).

“Gorgeous details. Beautiful garments in lace knitting designed by Linda Marveng, says the introduction”. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn in different ways. The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The hem and tucks are all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel.

“The shawl with a shawl collar can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shoulder pin. Anne Dorthe from Team Models is photographed at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with Poplar Necklace and Magnolia earrings by Kaja Gjedebo.” see kgd.no.

“An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern with dropped stitches is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug.” The Nuala shawl and cowl are both knitted flat using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method.

“A cowl to warm you shoulders and matching loose sleeves. Both are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.” The set is named after Syndra with her immense magical potential and knitted with both yarns held together to create a DK/8 ply yarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Familien Julens Småstrikk will be available in all newsagents and selected supermarkets in Norway, as well as digitally here: www.klikk.no. All the patterns will be published in English on Ravelry after test knitting; Syndra is ongoing while Hertha and Nuala will be test knitted in March.

Interweave Knits Winter 2016 with my Inverness Sweater

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am so proud to have been selected to have a design in the Classics Issue – Interweave Knits Winter 2016. My design is the Inverness Sweater – which introduces the A light in winter chapter – a classic Aran, has a becoming A-line shape. Twisted rib stitching introduces twisted long cables that are divided by ray-of-honey and moss-stitch side panels. I am delighted with the large selection of photos Harper Point Photography has taken of it, and want to show them all. Above is the cover of the magazine, now available digitally and in a few weeks time in print. My design was also chosen by editor (and a designer herself) Meghan Babin as her favorite project to my astonishment and utter delight, see the Knitting Daily newsletter here: cable-month-kick-off-interweave-knits-winter-2016.