Familien Photoshoot: Talila

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Talila was also photographed at the end of May, worn by the gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with beautiful hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and stunning Carmen boots by Monica Stålvang, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The pattern is recently published in the new digital magazine called På Pinnen/On the Needles for members of Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association, and will be released shortly in English on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to Talila: Just as the morning dew, they are named after, these cables move from one end to another across wrist warmers and all over a divine large cowl, with a matching clutch. The warm accessories are knitted in the beautiful Norwegian pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa to make the cables soft and the background texture pulsating. The set is knitted in the round but can easily be adjusted by adding a pattern repeat or stitches in garter stitch. The clutch is reinforced and has magnetic bag closures.

The set is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5, and comes in one size. The cowl and the wrist warmers can easily be adjusted in size. I began knitting a swatch in the round in this lovely burgundy yarn and discovered I might as well make it straight into a wrist warmer. Hence I did make a second before I asked Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry to assist me and knit the cowl. It was Grete’s marvelous idea to also make a clutch to go with the set and used a firm placemat, cut to size, to reinforce it. I did not need a lot of convincing, and loved the finished set! The yarn is generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The cowl is knitted sideways, in the round as the wrist warmers, both with centering stitches making a ladder to frame the pattern. Adjust the width by adding pattern repeats of 10 sts or an equal number of garter sts in each end of the round. The clutch is knitted in 2 parts; a main part knitted in the round in pattern and st st for lining and divider. Reinforce it with e.g. a firm place mat which is put inside the main part. The divider is folded and attached in the sides, the bottom and then a pocket is made by sewing seams on the inside. See the detailed photos below.

Dorthe is wearing the amazing Karakoram large earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver, which fitted so well to the geometry in the stitch pattern as well as the melange yarn.

The Norwegian pattern will also become available on Ravelry when the rights revert to me in 6 months time. But in the meantime the board of the Norsk Strikkeforening will also discuss to make the digital magazine available for non-members and I will keep you posted.

New Design: Oili

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Why not try the newly discovered cables in a thinner cotton yarn, I thought. The tape yarn Bonnie from Permin, with a generous 220 m/240 yds on a 50 g skein as well as a recommended 4 mm/US 6 needle, was irresistible. First I chose the color Wine but it was out of stock, so I had to find another and went for Pale Blue, which looked more Sea Green online. The result was a greyish pale blue shade, that grew on me. I am pleased to present Oili: Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili. The sample is knitted in sponsored yarn by the talented, super speedy, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry and then released.

The top is worked in the round to the armholes, then separated. I wanted to create a visible fake side seam and a divider between the parts. A few stitches in garter stitch and one in a reverse stocking stitch made the look I wanted. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. The armhole band and the neck band are worked in the round on a smaller needle; 3.5 mm/US 4.

I decided to make a similar divider and folding point on the cowl. But the cotton is lovely and soft so it does not fold as neatly as expected. As you can see in the photo above. They are all taken by my husband a few days ahead of the professional photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

The cowl can be folded twice around the neck, see above. Just like the top the cowl has 3 cables on each side. You can look forward to seeing how marvelous it looks on Anne Dorthe!

New Design: Imra

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I found this cable pattern online and instantly adored it. The pattern repetition is long hence length and cable placement had to be carefully planned. This is my introduction to it: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. Named after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front and bottom edge. Match with a pair of loose sleeve that can also be around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn; the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The mix as well as the color is one I have used before (read: hooked on) in my Shawl Sleeves. I also choose to knit them with a dense gauge using a 4 mm/US 6. I was delighted that Grete Jenssen – aka turbo test knitter, aka ma9 on Ravelry – knitted the sample vest and the loose sleeves for me! The Norwegian pattern will be published in “Familien Strikk” at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted then released on Ravelry this autumn.

I-cord bind off on the neck and the armhole was essential to me. Why not give the fronts and the bottom I-cord edgings too? I thought. For the bottom one, I tested out a new method to me, make an I-cord and pick up and knit stitches from it. There is an I-cord cast on, but as you may know it does create a very loose first row, hence a different solution had to be found. I found it on YouTube. It has elasticity but holds in the bottom at the same time. Another solution would have been to use a provisional method and then afterwards use the I-cord bind off. The I-cord at the front is worked at the same time as the front using this method: newstitchaday.com/how-to-knit-the-i-cord-edge-stitch. Grete suggested adding a few extra rows in even intervals on the I-cord edge to avoid it holding in the edge, and tested it out, to my utter satisfaction.

The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

I choose double seed stitch as the main contrast stitch and reverse stripes – a welt pattern – in each side bound off for the armhole. To make the armhole smaller, a band was made by picking up and knitting rounds in double seed stitch while decreasing. I could easily have continued to do so to make the armhole even smaller. The vest is graded to fit sizes XS to 2XL, with a finished bust measurement of 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (33.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”. Both yarns have been kindly sponsored by Hifa and Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent.

Above, I have joined the loose sleeves with 2 shawl pins and wear it as a belt. All the photos above where taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. I look forward to showing you those stunning photos.

New Design: Nuala

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love this intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr. I found it so well suited to the cable structured Rowan Softknit Cotton and selected a color which captures summer in an instant; a turquoise called Marina. The stitch pattern is reversible so well suited for a rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. If you wear it with a cowl as a collar you have the perfect accompaniment to your favorite summer dress. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special issue Familien Småstrikk this autumn, while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry. The photos show me wearing it, they are taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

Both the shawl and the cowl are knitted flat with double seed stitch bands. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats. The shawl has 8 buttonholes, 4 at each end, and I found some beautiful dyed mother of pearl buttons at Perlehuset in Oslo. I have had knitting and pattern design (making neater buttonholes) help from both Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, and Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Thank you both for all your assistance!

The dropped stitch pattern has its own rhythm and it is not as difficult to work as it might appear. Since the stitch pattern has a number of centering stitches, I had to make separate buttonholes and could not use the dropped stitches since they were too far into the shawl itself. Above you see me wearing it with black but the set does look great with white too! I look forward to showing you the fantastic photos Eivind took of model Dorthe wearing this set.

New Design: Atika

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Hearts of Oak is an attractive stitch pattern I came across last summer, and just had to use in a design. The sculptural feel it gives make the texture stand out. Judith Bech has designed a stunning felted wool dress in exactly the same grayish aqua color I choose for my swatch made in the luscious Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino Tweed using a 4 mm/US 6 needles. A large cowl to cover your shoulders or neck that can also be worn as a tight wrapped top together with matching loose sleeves was my solution to grace Judith’s dress.

Fabulous knitter, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, agreed to knit the sample for me and to assist on deciding how to work the increases as well as whether to work them in the round or flat. It is a stitch pattern that is harder to work flat since the centering stitches on each side does not seem flow naturally, in my opinion. Grete found a great solution to increasing by working them on either side of the pattern increase or decrease, and suggested knitting both in the round for ease. Ideal solutions, I think! Thank you, Grete!

Above it is worn as a tight top with a twist around the neck. I know this is a style that does not suit everyone, but I love how it transforms the cowl completely. You can easily add or remove pattern repeats to both the width and the height of the loop, depending on how you prefer to wear it. The loop is worked straight without any increasing while the loose sleeves have increases on the inside of them, and a thin round elastic cord thread through the top to keep them in place around the upper arm.

It can also be worn twice around the neck if preferred. All these photos of me wearing it are, as usual, taken by my husband. You can look forward to seeing the gobsmacking photos photographer Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk beautifully styled by Sissel Fylling, wearing that stunning matching dress by Judith Bech and divine shoes by Monica Stålvang. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Trend, out on Monday 23. February, while I plan to test knit the English pattern in my Ravelry group before releasing it.

Tyrol Jackets Knitted by Grete Jenssen

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am far behind when it comes to showing off all the marvelous garments knitters have made from my patterns. Grete Jenssen, an avid knitter who designs for her own use, took part in the test knit of the Tyrol Jacket last winter, and made not one but three (yes: 3 – it is called Turbo Testing) during the testing period! All because the first one was tight around the waist (hence given to a friend) and the other two were adjusted to fit her waist and in different lengths, all equally beautiful in size medium! Here, I am proud to show the latter two, modeled by Grete (aka ma9 on Ravelry) with one of her cats, who take part in cat shows, with a lot of snow in the background and 10 degrees celsius below zero/= 14 degrees Fahrenheit at her home in Storsteinnes, Northern Norway. Brilliantly photographed by her husband: Jan Sverre Jenssen. The stunning lime green version is knitted in 7 Veljestä from Novita bought at her mums yarnshop: Bestemors Hjørne and so is the blue version further below. First the back.

The sleeve width was adjusted to a slimmer fit, than I had first calculated showing how useful these test knits are. I also decided to include one of Grete’s photos of how to gather or nip in the cables at the hems in the pdf pattern. Below is her final version of the Tyrol Jacket in a bright blue, in my Ravelry group we have call the color Grete Blue since it is a trademark of hers and so close to the color of her eyes as well as those of her cat. Thank you, Grete!

The Tyrol Jacket sample was knitted in the American hand dyed Tosh dk using 4 mm/US 6 in two different dye lots, the darker pink version chosen for the sleeves, ordered from Eat.Sleep.Knit, since it was first but unsuccessfully submitted to the American digital magazine Twist Collective. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in the special issue called Håndarbeid/Handicraft published by Familien in March last year, it is available in English from my Ravelry Store and will shortly be available in Norwegian. I will keep you posted.

Aran Bolero by Grete Jenssen

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the beautiful Aran Bolero, Grete has knitted from my book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” in Angora Soft in a zingy blue (30% angora, 50% wool and 20% polyamide, 50 g, 250 m/273 yds) ordered from Turkish online shop: Yarn Paradise. We had a knit-along on Facebook, just the two of us, with progress photos taken along the way. Well, it did not daunt Grete at all, she is now making her second one, this time in a wool mix yarn from Novita and taking part in the knit-along in my group on Ravelry. My bullfighter bolero, inspired by Dolce & Gabbano’s Spanish-inspired collection, is short but can be lengthened by knitting a belt. Mostly Merino is a yarn made of wool and mohair which creates sculptural cables. They and the bolero is meant to create a stir. The original yarn is unfortunately discontinued by can be replaced by Norsk Pelsullgarn from Hifa, see ull and compare here: marveng-puckett, the pattern is only available in my book in Norwegian and Finnish. Below is the stunning Francesca Golfetto, photographed by Kim Müller.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Grete Jenssen