Freja Knitted by Kristina Ringness

Canadian Kristina Ringness decided to knit my Freja pattern last year to my delight. She choose Artyarns Ensemble Light – a luscious silk & cashmere blend – in Turq Blue and called her project Blue Lagoon. I am so pleased to present the stunning result of her modified version in size Small. Here you can her notes: “Fabulous pattern, fabulous yarn. It should be a gorgeous combination! I opted to add some little cap sleeves, lower the neckline a bit, and shorten the back. This was a wonderful pattern to knit; easily memorized and fun to watch grow. I knit this in the round, to avoid the abrupt colour change at side seams in this multi-coloured yarn. The colour in the finished garment photos is true, this is a beautiful colourway! The yarn itself is, of course, heavenly to knit and scrumptious to wear! As predicted, a perfect combination of pattern and yarn!!” Thank you so much, Kristina!

Her Ravelry id reveals her job; Kristinavet. According to her profile page, she is “…a veterinarian by day and obsessive knitter whenever I am not working.” I can vouch for that, she has test knitted a number of my patterns without any deadline issues! Recently she has also started to hand dye her own yarn. And as if that was not enough, the yarn Kristina used for to knit another of my designs is spun from her own alpacas. Yes, you will definitely see her version of Kori too! Maybe we can request a few photos of her alpacas too? I live in hope!

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Familien Trend Photoshoot: Freja

20141023 MbM LM 0872 cropMy design Freja, worn by model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk looking like a goddess, with a stunning fringe skirt with a train by Judith Bech, beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, and captured by Eivind Røhne. No wonder it was chosen as the introduction to our Nordic Vintage series in the recent Norwegian magazine Familien Trend. Freja, named after the goddess of love with the added meaning of like a lady, is knitted with a longer back shaped at the bottom. Three Lace panels adorn the sleeveless top with garter stitch bands and vents in the side. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

20141023 MbM LM 0883I was enchanted with the result of combining Dreamline Soul, a fine lace weight alpaca mix in tonal colors from Du Store Alpakka with Merino Tweed, a fingering/4-ply yarn from Pickles in the same range of shades of light turquoise. Using a 4 mm/US 6, I got a gauge similar to a thick DK with 20 sts and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The top is knitted flat in two pieces, while the armhole and neck band are worked in the round. The bottom of the back is shaped by short rows in garter stitch before the decreases are worked in between the lace panels. Both parts have edge stitches in garter stitch at the bottom for the vents.

20141023 MbM LM 0894I made a chocker to go with the top using one lace panel with garter stitch all around. 3 snap fasteners where sewed onto the chocker for closure. The chocker is one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing garter stitch rows as well as pattern repeats. The top is made in size XS to 2XL with a finished bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

20141023 MbM LM 0859 cropAbove is another gorgeous photo Eivind took, I could not resist! Why? Because, here you see the train on the skirt, and how the back of the top mimics it, at least it does in my imagination. I would like to have the English pattern test knitted before it is released in my Ravelry store. In the meantime I will show you some more of the fantastic photos Eivind took.

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Familien Trend February 2015

made_by_me_1_2015_var_og_sommer_2916731-640x855The new Norwegian magazine; Familien Trend that takes over from Made by Me came out on Monday. My series called Nordic Vintage which includes 10 designs is part of it, and Saga has made it on the cover, worn over a stunning dress by Judith Bech with outstanding shoes by  Monica Stålvang, by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. In addition to jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. I am so thrilled with the result as well as the feedback I have received for this series, and hope to work with this fantastic team again! Thank you!

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_1The series was commissioned by the skilled former editor Mary-Ann Astrup of Made by Me, now in charge of Egmont Publishing’s handicraft blog Tusenideer.no, and presented by her: “The stitch patterns in these unique garments have clear lines going back to Norse tradition and the intricate patterns we see in the Dragon Style. Paired with gorgeous dresses in Norwegian design, the goddess look becomes complete.”

Freja Top and Chocker: A stunning skirt with a train by Judith Bech, deserves a top with a train. Freja, named after the goddess of love with the added meaning of like a lady, is knitted with a longer back shaped at the bottom. Three Lace panels adorn the sleeveless top with garter stitch bands and vents in the side. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

Yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino TweedSizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_2Eira Cowl and BeltA sporty looking cowl with a matching belt knitted in a reverisble rice pattern closed with snap fasteners was the idea for Eira; A Norse name meaning merciful. A thin drapey mercerized cotton called Hifa, Perle, held doubled, seemed ideal for these accessories.

Yarn: Hifa, Perle held double. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 2.

The bangle is privately owned. Shoes by Monica Stålvang.

Honeysuckle Shawl, Cowl and Belt:  Inspired by the climbing of the Honeysuckle is this lace pattern which adorns a soft summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle it is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in stockinette stitch. The belt is worked as a hem and can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch. Knit all parts in the cozy Rowan Softknit Cotton.

Yarn: Rowan Softknit Cotton. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 4.

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_3Atika Cowl and Loose Sleeves: A cowl to warm your shoulders or your neck. Or why not wear it as top with matching loose sleeves gracing a stunning dress like this designed by Judith Bech. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Hearts of Oak with both texture and a drapy edge. 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.

Yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino TweedSizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

The divine jewelry:
Kaja Gjedebo
The earrings and ring you see worn by the model above is designed by Kaja Gjedebo under the brand KGD. Kaja says she is not lead by trends, but by personal interests. The result is elegant and timeless jewelry that combines natural shapes with delicate constructions. See more on www.kgd.no.

Hillevi Scarf : A reversible scarf with a large shawl collar in a self-made tweed mixture of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed. Two staghorn cables form the stitch pattern combined with garter stitch edges and shawl collar. Wear it as a scarf with the collar tight around your neck, or as a shawl with the collar around your shoulders. You can even wear it upside down with the collar as a shaped curve, or as a top around your bust pinned together with a shawl pin.

Yarn: Rowan Lima held together with Rowan Fine Tweed. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 3.

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_4Gyda Jacket: Cables that create diamond shapes adorn this fitted jacket on all its parts. A deep v-neck and a button band with three bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord make it suitable to wear on top of any treasured outfit. The fronts and back are knitted flat, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all in the bouncy pure wool melange Ask – Hifa 2.

Yarn: Hifa Ask. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Difficulty level: 4.

Gyda Cowl and BeltA belt in tweed pattern lengthens the jacket and introduces the brown cowl. You can also wear the cowl as a belt and the belt as a large collar.

Yarn: Hifa AskHuldra Kamgarn held together with Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline SoulSizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Difficulty level: 4.

The nice buttons:
Siri Berrefjord
The buttons on this set are designed by Siri Berrefjord. They are casts of antique national costume silver. The jewelry is available for sale at Designerkollektivet, Norway Designs in Oslo and Trondheim, Sugarshop Bislett and Briskly, Maihaugen at Lillehammer and Galleri Osebro in Porsgrunn. See more at www.fredenshavn.no.

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_5Saga Jacket with Extra collar/Belt: Inspired by the ancient sagas, I have designed a warm jacket with cross chain link cables that prepares you for the battle of the winter or for a cold Northern summer day. The jacket is straight and closed with three large bespoke buttons at the top, with cross chain link cables continuing across the saddle shoulders. The standing collar is a cable knitted separately and attached at the end. I knitted a second loose collar you can use as a belt if you prefer. The vivid melange color and lovely texture is created by holding Rowan Lima and Hifa Pelsull together.

Yarn: Hifa Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool held together with Rowan Lima. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

The standing collar is knitted in cables separately, and attached afterwards. The extra collar is loose, and it can be worn as a belt if you prefer.

Hennika Bolero: A lace pattern with Gotic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reigns. 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.

Yarn: Hifa Ask. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

15_no_mbm_1_lindas_serie_293850_Page_6The lovely dresses
Judith Bech Designs
Judith designs fairytale bridal gowns and ballgowns with cool details and beautiful silhouettes. She likes to combine new and old style, and the fabrics are either made by her or antique Victorian fabrics from England. Do you want to see more of what she makes? Check out her Facebook page: Judith Bech Design.

The belt made of tucks can also be worn around your neck as knitted jewelry, pinned together with a delicate brooch.

Bech Shawl, Loose Sleeves and Belt: A stunning halterneck silk dress with a high waist and bare back, handprinted by Judith Bech inspired Linda to design a shawl, loose sleeves and a matching belt to accessorize it. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra from Hifa with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, she found a rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer.

Yarn: Hifa, Huldra Kamgarn held together with Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul. Sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL) Difficulty level: 3.

The knitted garments
Linda Marveng
Intricate and beautiful cable patterns characterizes Linda’s knit designs. See more on her blog: www.marveng-puckett.com/wordpress/ and www.ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng.

The divine shoes
Monica Stålvang Lange
The shoes in this series are by Monica Stålvang Shoes. They are clear-cut and urban in their style. The collections are designed in Norway, but produced in Italy in the best leather quality and often in uncommon combinations. www.monica-stalvang.com.

Jacket in CrossMissoni’s thin and featherlight garments inspired me to design this jacket that can be tied in the back or front. I chose a neutral but fashionable color, namely Taupe in a thin Tencel yarn, a newer form of viscose, knit double with a divine gloss. The pattern creates an intricate cross effect and looks a lot more complicated than it is to knit. Extra long sleeves adorn the hands.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 held double. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL). Difficulty level: 3.

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The magazine, Familien Trend, is available in selected supermarkets and newsagents all over Norway. If you live abroad and read Norwegian, or simply are desperate to get your hands on it, you can order a copy and receive an invoice for the magazine plus postage from Customer Services by e-mailing: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Do also check this link to see if it has become available as an iPad app: www.klikk.no/produkthjemmesider/familien/.

The photographer Eivind Røhne has also written a blogpost about the photo shoot with additional new photos available here: erohne.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/nordic-vintage/

All the patterns will be released in English. I will publish Jacket in Cross and Eira shortly, but want to organize test knits for the remaining patterns, beginning with Gyda in the beginning of March.

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New Design: Freja

DSC_2465I was spellbound by Judith Bech’s black fringed skirt with a train the moment I saw it, and knew I wanted to make a sleeveless top with a similar shape. To contrast the marvelous texture of the skirt, a delicate lace panel swatch knitted in Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino Tweed using a 4 mm/US 6 needle was chosen.  Freja, named after the goddess of love with the added meaning of like a lady, is knitted with a longer back shaped at the bottom. Three lace panels are centered on both the back and front with garter stitch bands and vents in the side, hence having the possibility of adding a belt to the front part. My initial plan with a longer back with a train, but I soon realized that I could not add too much extra fabric on the back to keep the lines sleek. The result was less shaping, first by short rows in garter stitch then by decreasing a few times in between the lace panels. It did not take me long to design an accessory for it; a chocker. The pattern is part of the Nordic Vintage series to be published in Norwegian in Familien Trend, out on 23. of February.

DSC_2498

Above, you can clearly see the shaping at the bottom of the back. I did not want the shaping to continue too high up to avoid making the bottom part shaped like a fan. The front I decided to keep straight, to create a clean line and so that it would hang well on the body. I knitted back and front separately, but chose to knit the neckband and armhole band in the round. Below you can see the chocker made of one lace panel with garter stitch edges on all sides. For a closure I attached 3 small snap fasteners.

DSC_2491The art deco interior at Hvalstrand Bad was ideal for this particular shade of turquoise, with a similar shade painted on the wall. There is no doubt in my mind that Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk wears Freja like a goddess! I will share all the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took soon, do not worry.

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