Tag Archives: Cappelen Damm

Book Launches at Cappelen Damm

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Last Wednesday my husband and I attended a knitting evening at the Norwegian publishing house Cappelen Damm in Oslo. We knew the authors and their photographers: Helle Siggerud (left), was publishing her first knitting book called “Strikk til alle tider“/Knitwear for all occasions, while Nina Granlund Sæther was publishing her 10th book called “Sokker fra hele Norge“/Socks from Around Norway. Both books are beautifully photographed: Helle’s by no other than Eivind Røhne and Nina’s by Guri Pfeifer. Both authors have travelled around Norway visiting museums and studying local traditions. They did bump into each other at a carpark at a small museum in Telemark late one afternoon. Both talented designers held a talk; Helle on the costume traditions she discovered on her trip and Nina on the history of stockings going all the way back to the Egyptians. We were offered sparkling wine, the opportunity to study their sample projects, buy books at a discounted rate, take part in the raffle as well as ask our questions. Some of the women present were knitting, but I could only focus on their talks and gladly gave up my attempt.

Helle’s book is published in Norwegian, but the Cappelen Damm Agency presents the book as follows in English in order to sell the foreign rights: “40 garments inspired by Norwegian traditions In this wonderful knitting book, Helle Siggerud has been inspired by costume traditions and folklore from all over Norway. She has traveled far and wide and immersed herself in Norwegian patterns; used in knitting, weaving, embroidery and wallpaper; and has transformed it into beautiful knitwear. Helle is famous for her figure-hugging garments, good cuts and snappy details. And you’ll find all that here. The book features mostly women’s garments, but there are also great designs for men and children – and for dogs!”

Nina’s previous book “Votter fra hele Norge”/Mittens from Around Norway is in its 5th edition in Norwegian and has sold more than 31 000 books so far. The English translation has been reviewed in magazines abroad as well as promoted by the library in New York in the US. Here is an introduction to her latest book from the Cappelen Damm Agency pages: “Nina Granlund Sæther is back, this time with the follow-up to her best seller Mittens. In Socks From Norway, we travel once again through Norway’s countryside and it’s knitting traditions – this time while keeping our feet warm. In this book you’ll find fascinating stories about the origins of the various socks, archive images from museums around the country, and plenty of instructions for socks for the whole family.” I believe it is only a question of time before these books are translated into English.

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Nina Skarra Strikkebok Launch

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Nina Skarra is a name you recognise if you are into fashion and Norwegian. She is a fashion designer whose name I only recognised from the media until Tuesday, when she launched her first book – a knitting book, no less!  We have seen her galla dresses worn by Angelina Jolie, Livia Firth and the Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as on the catwalk in New York. But now it is time for knit. It is Nina Skarra herself wearing one of her designs on the cover of her book! Here is a detailed photo of the pullover with intarsia flowers on the ballon shaped sleeves. I was fortunate to spot a few friends in the long queue before the doors opened at the publisher Cappelen Damm on Tuesday evening. We were given a raffle ticket on entry, a selection of fruit and sparkling wine. It did not take long until all the table and chairs were taken. Nina Skarra was interviewed by editor Kaja Marie Lereng Kvernbakken who had knitted the long jacket from the book called Nina’s favourite jacket (see below) and told us how the book started a few years back and how she nows want to focus on handknit.

The book contains 29 amazing patterns, all for women except one cable sweater for men. She uses different techniques and has also created a few new ones, especially for this book. All the garments in the book are made in Norwegian yarn, and yarn kits are available from her newly created website www.ninaskarrastrikk.no. All the garments are photographed on several different models to show how they look on different ages and body shapes. Included in the book is also pages with photos on how the garments will look in different colours and how to choose the colours that suit you best. At issuu.com you can take a sneek peak inside the book. We were hoping for a fashion show, but had to make do with studying the samples on the stage, and seeing the stunning photos displayed on the wall. One lucky winner of the raffle won a yarn kit for the Genser med bobler/Pullover with bubbles & book. The Nina Skarra Strikkebok in Norwegian is available from selected bookshops and directly from Cappelen Damm. Nina Skarra plans to frequently add new yarn kits on her website, so stay tuned to it.

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Førjulskveld/Pre-Christmas Evening at Cappelen Damm

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12244574_10153557311424504_6695750695063281330_oYes, another year has passed since last Christmas and I spotted the invitation to this year’s “Førjulskveld”/Pre-Christmas evening at my publisher Cappelen Damm. I did not miss it, and was lucky enough to receive a well filled goodie bag with books, knitting needles, darning needles, Arne & Carlos Adventskalender, embroidery kit, knitting tools and a ball of yarn. The evening was brilliantly hosted by editor Kaja Marie Lereng Kvernbakken, former manager of Du Store Alpakka yarn store in Oslo & designer. Several newly launched Norwegian books and authors were presented: Alf Knutsen and his book: Salmesang/Psalm songs. Andreas Viestad and his book: Den Store Kjøttkokeboka/The Large Meat Cook Book. Lise Nymark and her book: Lett Og Lekkert Tilbehør/Easy and Gorgeous Accessories. Miriam Morken and Tone Stenkløv and their book: Førjulstid/Pre-Christmas Time.

DSCN0377Kaja Marie started by introducing us to books with sounds panels – new to some of us – and their success with the book “Fuglesang“/Birdsong. Now, they were launching “Salmesang”/Psalm songs. It was useful to hear the sound from the book presented but it was not until Kristin Kjemphol Lohne began singing that it felt like the roof was coming off. It was ideal to put us all into the spirit of Christmas.

DSCN0378Andreas Viestad did not need an introduction since he is so well know for his cook books, food writing and from television, but he still got one. His 10th book is about meat and how to use the full animal including a cow’s tail. He emphasized that the all the recipes were chosen because they were very good, including the tail one, and not out of curiosity.  Next on the agenda was Lise Nymark’s book on knitted and crocheted accessories. Above is the cover of her latest book.

DSCN0380Lise was wearing one the shawl from her book, see above. Her book is not only intended for women but also for younger girls, and her variation of accessories were impressive. It even included key ring decorations for handbags. Luxurious yarns and leather straps were chosen in addition the metal labels sewn on, see below.

DSCN0382The decorations on the stage, were all from the book by Miriam Morken and Tone Stenkløv. In their new book you will find numerous kinds of crafts represented. Below you can see a blanket made of both knitted squares and crocheted squares.

DSCN0386While all the presentations were going on, I sat next to designer Stella Charming – both of us knitting obviously – eating ginger bread and drinking the traditional drink gløgg. Neither of us won one of the many yarn kit prizes but thoroughly enjoyed the evening and met up with designer Denise Samson and the Cappelen Damm staff! Christmas is certainly coming soon.

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Garnglede i Rosendal

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Lindeland_GarngledeIRosendal“Cosy Concept” was the working title, but “Fun with Yarn in Rosendal” is the English title of this recently launched book by Turid Lindeland published by Cappelen Damm. So far the book rights have been sold to Finland and France. “The inspiration for this book came from an old sock pattern and an old hotel in Rosendal in romantic Hardanger by one of Norway’s most well-known fjords, Hardangerfjorden. Turid Langeland has given the traditional patterns a modern twist both in terms of colour and choice of models.” The book is both beautiful and inspirational, what I found the most captivating were the photos taken from the nearby glaciers called Folgefonna, with its dramatic icy colors and shape make an outstanding backdrop for long cosy socks and cushions in the matching two coloured Fairisle patterns. See inside the book here: issuu.com. “Turid Lindeland’s vision is to be mindful of old handicraft techniques, here in terms of knitting and crocheting, and make durable products suitable for daily wear and tear. Here you’ll find patterns for blankets for young and old, socks for big and small, cushions with and without patterns, covers for chairs, photo albums, mobiles, computers and much more”. All stunningly laid out, intercepted with recipes for Rhubarb and Lime Sugar, Raspberry Ice cream and Apple Cream. So why Rosendal? It was in 2007 she and her husband bought an old hotel from 1887 in Rosedal, where she has been able to cultivate her many passions: interior design, reuse, redesign and handicrafts. Do not miss their website with amazing photos here: Rosendal Turisthotell. It is ever so comfy and inspiring. The Norwegian book is available in selected book stores and online here: Cappelen Damm.

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