Apiri Collection E-book

Apiri Collection is my third E-book, made after I received several requests for gathering these four patterns on Ravelry. First out is the English version, the Norwegian version will be added shortly. Apiri is a collection of knitting designs made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their gorgeous pelt wool yarns called Tinde and Sølje. The names of the garments are inspired by the Eskimo-Aleut languages. Apiri means ”to ask” and seamed perfect since two of the designs are garments that can be worn in different ways and hence change their character and silhouette completely. On the cover is the Wa shawl, which means ”here it is” as it can be transformed into a vest or a wrap. The divine lime colour, and casual elegance that model Alexandria Eissinger wears the shawl made it the cover shoot.The collection has four designs; the poncho Iglu, the shawl Wa, the cardigan Suli and the pullover Aki. Iglu is oversized and available in one size, just like Wa, while the more fitted garments; Suli and Aki are available in six sizes.

The Ingierstrand Bad Restaurant, on the outskirts of Oslo is a functionalistic building with a view of the Bunnefjord. It is an icon in Norwegian modern architectural history and a popular place to celebrate weddings. As a background we choose the diving tower on the nearby beach and the quay, where the ferry from Oslo used to dock. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to capture the brilliant moments of model Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker, as well as statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as tchnical editor Corrina Ferguson, sample knitters; Airin Hansen & Kristin Nygård, 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.

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Aki Knitted By Kirsten

I wanted to show you this stunning version and photos of my design Aki knitted by Kirsten in Germany. Yes, these photos are taken with a rustic house as backdrop, near to where she lives with her family by the edge of the forest in Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen. Kirsten, aka Lavendelfreundin on Ravelry called her project “Yes, I Can :-)”. And she explains why on her project page: “I immediately fell in love with this pattern, but was skeptical that I would be able to knit so much cable pattern. So far, I only knitted a few cable knit projects. I like them so much. Just don’t like knitting … With a bit of encouragement from Valeria I dared to do it. And after I had memorized the cable pattern and no longer had constantly look at the instructions, knitting was funny. Many thanks to Valeria for the gifted pattern and the spirit and motivation she has given to me”.

Kirsten choose to work both the body and the sleeves flat and longer than in the pattern. She also made the collar a little higher 11 cm/4.25″ (2 times 40 rounds). “Yes, I can :-)” is knitted in Blacker Yarns Tamar 4-ply – a pure British wool (that is breed specific) with 347 meters/380 yards on each 100 gram skein – in the shade Shalesbrook – using 3.5 mm/US needles in size L. More info on the yarn can be found here: www.blackeryarns.co.uk.

Of course, I also wanted to show you the a photo of the back. There are many more photos you can see, as a member of Ravelry on her project page. Thank you so much Kristin for knitting Aki and for the wonderful photos. You can find the pattern with sizes XS to 2XL in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and in English on Loveknitting.

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Aki Pattern Released

The next pattern I have released in English is Aki, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The pullover has been test knitted in my Ravelry group and you can see the stunning results on the pattern page on Ravelry. The English pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. Aki was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Alexandria Eissinger with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Ingierstrand Bad, late May. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Round cables, reminiscent of antic coins hence the name Aki; Eskimo for value, adorn this a-line pullover with vents at the bottom. The pullover is crowned with a double collar with cables and garter stitches. The body is worked in two parts, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all parts with garter stitch in the sides. Aki is knitted in a soft heather pink in the luscious Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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

Finished Measurements
Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”
Bottom width: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)”
Length: 72 (72, 74, 74, 76, 76) cm/28.25 (28.25, 29.25, 29.25, 30, 30)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 50, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje pelsull (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 350 m/383 yds). Sample is knitted in Pink 2110:
5 (5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5) skeins; 1563 (1638, 1737, 1886, 2035, 2184) m/1709 (1791, 1899, 2062, 2225, 2388) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/nyhet-sol…

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 361 m/394 yds).
http://madelinetosh.com/tosh-sock/
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
34 sts in Aki Cable measures 11 cm/4.25” across.

Notes
The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The double collar is picked up and knitted in the round, allowing the cables to continue. The interfacing part of the collar is knitted in stockinette stitch.

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Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad: Aki

I am thrilled to show you the professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing Aki, at Ingierstrand Bad, late in May. Aki, is part of the collection I have made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The Norwegian yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at Lillestrøm 30. August to 2. September. Round cables, reminiscent of antic coins hence the name Aki; Eskimo for value, adorn this a-line pullover with vents at the bottom. The pullover is crowned with a double collar with cables and garter stitches. The body is worked in two parts, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all parts with garter stitch in the sides. Aki is knitted in a soft heather pink in the luscious Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sølje is a pelt yarn that comes in 100 gram skeins with 350 meters/383 yards and has a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle to 10 cm/4″ square. I am wearing size Small but it will be available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The double collar is picked up and knitted in the round, allowing the cables to continue. The interfacing part of the collar is knitted in stockinette stitch.

I have been fantasising of using a diving tower in a series of photos, but for the second time around it did not work out. This time it was closed off for maintenance work, while the weather ruined it the first time around several years back at Hvalstrand Bad. Instead Eivind suggested we include it in the background with the view towards Oslo. I choose to style Aki with pencil pants and high sculptural shoes by Danish designer Camilla Skovgaard.

Yes, I do tend to choose a number of photos where Alex is looking dreamingly down. Their sensuality draw me in and make me focus on the pullover, at least I imagine it does. I also try to select photos with different arm positions to reveal more of the garment. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, it is scheduled to start 2nd of October and will be released approximately 6 weeks later. Do join us. In the meantime you can look forward to seeing more designs worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger as well as 2 designs made for The Fibre Company. Stay tuned, enjoy the summer and keep knitting!

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Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad

On Monday I had a photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad, just outside of Oslo, with an amazing crew. The weather was perfect; warm and sunny. The restaurant, open for private parties during the weekdays and for the public at the weekends, is a popular spot for weddings due to its location next to one of the most popular beaches with a diving tower in Oslo. In fact jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo, who came to join us, had her wedding party here 11 years ago and this was the first time she was back. You can find a video she made at Instagram. While Jens J. Wiker worked on gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger‘s hair & make up, photographer Eivind Røhne, second photographer/roadie/technical manager Michael Marveng-Puckett looked at possible back drops. As always it was a day filled with laughter and breath taking results. Eivind always gives everything, above you see how him delivering on his promise to make Alex taller. Jens, next to him is checking his mobile.

Here you see Kaja and Eivind sharing Instagram tips. It was marvellous to have the whole place to ourselves. On the to do list was taking photographs of a total of 10 designs where 5 are new designs; 4 for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and 1 secret design; 3 designs returned from Interweave Knits and knit.wear in the US and 2 designs only photographed by the Norwegian magazine Familien previously. Judith Bech had as usual sent me a selection of dresses and skirts to choose from. One day I hope she will be able to fly from Northern Norway to join us. I find her dresses magical, hence I am spellbound and ask for more than I need so that I can see how they look together with the knitted garments. Just as with my ideas, some work better in my head than in real life. I ended up using only 2 of those.

Eivind and I are talking strategy, while Alex with Jens’ assistance is ready for action. We speak partly in Norwegian and partly in English all day, even though Alex speaks Danish and Michael Norwegian, they both prefer English. But Alex knows me very well and know that I want front, back and side photographed. Eivind is living in the hope that I will not demand full length photos of all designs, but I rarely give in. Alex is ready for photography of the back of Kathe Cardigan, made for Interweave Knits Fall 2016.

Alex heard a double set of camera clicks as Michael joined Eivind and photographed as well. Thankfully, neither Eivind nor Alex had any issues with that and knew that the Eivind was indeed the photographer of the day. Even Alex joined in and took a selfie, here she is, captured by Michael. Above she is wearing Aki, a new pullover designed for Hillesvåg and below wearing an old design Patent Poncho. Despite the heat, Alex managed to look incredibly cool and only suffered for a brief time when I added 3 cowls on top of each other. Yes, that would only be useful on a very cold day and not on a hot day, with women in bikinis nearby. Kaja wished that she had brought her swimwear.

Unlike me, Alex is always in control of her face when she is being photographed and do enjoy pulling some faces. I have reached the age where I tend to do so unwillingly so much of the time. That is why the back of my head as well as the side feature so much in the photos Michael take of me.

Take a look at the photo above and you understand the tone we have during the day as well as the fun! It took a few second before I saw her face! Alex is wearing Wa, a shawl vest as well as Kaja’s Abelia earring with pearls and Abelia necklace. I saw a number of Eivind’s photos during the day and know it will as usual be extremely difficult to choose photos from the hundreds of magical moments he has captured. Yet, I cannot wait to see them all!

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