Epona Knitted by Birgit Blumrich

I am thrilled to show you the two stunning Epona pullovers that Birgit made, one for each of her daughters for Christmas last year. German knitter Birgit is a skilled test knitter who first made one version in Cascade 220 Sport in Olive Heather, then the second in Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal in Blue. Both pullovers are knitted in size XS, with a bust circumference of 84 cm/33″, using 3 mm/US 2.5 and a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm4″ square. I love these photos of them together wearing their sweaters, so beautifully knitted! Birgit, aka blumi1412, writes on her project page on Ravelry: “I really loved this project!”. That is fun to hear, thank you so much, Birgit!

Birgit and her husband have three alpacas on their property in Leutersdorf, Sachsen in Germany, which include a lot of meadow, as you can see and read more about on their website “Alpakawiese Blumrich“.

Here is my introduction to the Epona pattern: Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

The English and Norwegian Epona pattern in sizes XS to 2XL, with bust circumference of 84 cm/33″ to 124 cm/49″, is available in my Ravelry store and on Love Crafts, while a yarn kit can be bought directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Epona Knitted by Siret

I wanted to share these brilliant photos that Siret – aka kollane on Ravelry and siretsini on Instagram – took of her beautiful daughter Annika wearing Epona, which she test knitted for me back in October last year. Siret knitted the cabled pullover in size Medium in Tinde pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and writes on her Ravelry project page: “Unlike the sample, I use Tinde yarn, which is a thicker yarn than Sølje. Lys Rødlig Beige is the name of my Tinde tone – It is not gray or quite beige, but has a pinkish undertone.”

Siret’s collar is 5 cm instead of 9 cm as specified in pattern and writes: “I knit the inside of the collar with a softer yarn to prevent Tinde yarn from tickling the neck – Chester Wool Company Tibetan 4ply with merino, silk and Yak.”

Here is my introduction to the Epona pattern: Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Siret writes on her project page: “The Epona is a beautiful pullover with a high standing neckline and slightly different cables in the center panel.  The high rib makes the waist narrower and feminine. The center panel cable is unique and not difficult to knit at all.”

Siret and Annika had their photoshoot at the Üügu-bluff on the island Muhu, next to the island Saaremaa, where they live, in Estonia. Thank you so much for fantastic test knitting and photography, Siret!

The English and Norwegian Epona pattern, in sizes XS to 2XL (84 to 124 cm/33 to 49″ bust) with a 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square gauge,  is available to download from my Ravelry Store and from Lovecrafts. Yarn kits are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Epona Pattern Released

The test knit of the Epona has come to an end and the pattern have been released in both English and Norwegian. My test knitters did a brilliant job; correcting and improving the pattern. I was so excited to see all the different colours they chose. Soon I will show you more versions of Epona. The design was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Sølje Pelsullgarn. On the pattern cover the sweater is worn by Kaja Kvernbakken, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, photographed by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum in May. The pattern is available from my Ravelry Store and also from Love Crafts. Below is my introduction to the pattern and pattern details.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Shown in size Small
Skill level: Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust: 84 (90, 98, 104, 114, 124) cm/33 (35.5, 38, 41, 45, 49)“
Hip: 74 (80, 88, 94, 104, 114) cm/29 (31.5, 34.5, 37, 41, 45)”
Length: 59 (60, 61, 62, 63, 64) cm/23.25 (23.5, 24, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25)“
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Green 2126; 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 7) skeins; 1193 (1351, 1561, 1719, 1982, 2245) m/1305 (1477, 1707, 1880, 2168, 2455) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/solje-pelsullgarn/

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 straight needles.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for collar (40 cm/16”).
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
29 sts and 32 rows in rib slightly stretched (average) using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.
26-sts cable panel using 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 10 cm/4” across.
50-sts cable panel using 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 19.5 cm/7.75” across.

Notes: The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Epona

Next out of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs series is the Epona pullover, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum. The background I wanted turned out to be dark, but the colour match was so good. The pullover is knitted in a divine bottle green shade called green in Sølje Pelsullgarn, all from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The stockinette gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. I choose to style the pullover with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, see the bottom photo.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/29 to 45″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 90 cm/35.5″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

Take a look at this fab photo of Emma Ross wearing the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl together Kaja wearing the Epona pullover. A yarn kit for the Epona is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in many different colours and will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

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New Design: Epona

It is time to reveal another new design. I knew that I wanted to use the cable from the Macha Jacket on a pullover and gave it a high rib. Epona is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and knitted in divine Sølje Pelsullgarn in a dark green shade. The yarn kit with Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair in August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning 14th October before the pattern is released. The sample is beautifully knitted by Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry and Instagram, using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. Michael has photographed me wearing size small at the The Halden Canal Museum in Ørje.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsullgarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/33 to 49″.  The pullover is knitted in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round.

A longer version of this post with more photos can be found on my Patreon page, available for patrons only together with monthly rewards such as a free pattern, newsletter and video. See www.patreon.com/lindamarveng. Thank you!

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