Strikkefestivalen at Fefor 2019

For the first time I attended the Strikkefestival/knitting festival at Fefor Høifjellshotell/High Mountain Hotel at Vinstra in the Gudbrandsdalen. Designer Kari Hestnes asked me last year if I wanted to attend and hold workshops as well as a talk there, from the 3rd to the 5th of May.

I was delighted to accept and Michael wanted to join me. My sister-in-law Marianne Spæren Marveng and her friend Tove Wahl took the challenge to become my models for the Saturday evening Catwalk. Neither of us stayed in the historic amazing suites dating back to 1902 pictured on their website but in the newer wing of the hotel. After a very warm April, we drove from Ørje to Vinstra and had snow on the way up, during the five hour long drive. The nearby Fefor Lake was still frozen, see the photos above.

We arrived just in time for lunch on Friday, then we had time to look around before the opening of the festival at 5.30 pm. Lunch was a small buffet with soup of the day and a large selection of cakes. There are several lounges and salons to sit and knit in. A total of nine stands were placed in some of these: Designers: Helle Siggerud; May Britt Bjella Zamori; Pinnedans (read: Needle dance – sisters; Heidi and Mette) and Kari Hestnes. Yarn dyers: Nina Petrina and Hege Dagestad. Yarn spinners: Amadeus Angora and Natur Gull. Yarn shop: Håndarbeidsstua. Kari showed us around the knit cafe areas, the dining hall and the large conference hall where I also would hold my workshops: Flettestrikk Masterclass/Cable Knitting Masterclass and Engelske Mønstre/English Patterns.

Before dinner at 7 pm, I used the opportunity to meet Nina Petrina in person and look at her hand dyed yarn – all dyed on Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk pelt wool and lambswool bases. She presented gorgeous colours and the book “Strikk med Gradienter”/Knitting with Gradients available in English on Ravelry.

Photographed by Nina but also with design by other designers. I also caught up with May Britt, Pinnedans and Helle. It was also fun to meet new knitters and friends from Ravelry there. Some Norwegian knitters seem to be on all or many of the knitting festivals I attend; Hello Marianne Skatten and Lill-Ann Borgen!

Breakfast began at 7.30 AM and we were ready for it by that time on Saturday. I had my first workshop at 9.30 AM to 1 PM, so Michael helped me set up the room. 13 participants had signed on for my first workshop: Cable Knitting Masterclass. Above you see us all in action, captured by Kari Hestnes. After my workshop, my sister-in-law Marianne and her friend Tove arrived in good time for their catwalk meeting with Kari. Marianne is size Extra Small and her friend Tove is size Small so they were both perfect for my sample garments as well as some of the other designers samples. I had an hour to spare and decided to try the swimming pool before my talk.

Kari chose the Digital Knitting talk, and everyone was welcome to join in, if they wanted. After my talk most of the knitters rested before dinner at 7 PM and the catwalk at 9 PM. I rested in the bar with my knitting and talked to Kari. This was her 6th and last as knitting festival general. New generals are May Britt Bjella Zamori and Hege Dagestad, they were presented at the closing do on Sunday afternoon. Above you see me presenting Tove wearing my Gyda jacket with Gyda Cowl knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Ask, photographed by Marianne Skatten. I am wearing my Yellow Gold Pullover knitted in Jamiesons Spindrift.

There were strong spotlights on the catwalk so all the photos became a bit washed out. All the models were told to relax and have fun. There was no need to take this too seriously. It worked, they all seamed to enjoy themselves, even though it was the first time for some of them. Above you see my sister-in-law Marianne wearing the Harding Cardigan knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter. In the background you also see the Pinnedans sisters.

Here is my Oydis Sweater with the Oydis Cowl worn by one of Kari’s models whom she also uses for her designs. Michael has taken many more photos of the catwalk and I will share more of those, but I will end this blog post with a photo of Pinnedans that shows some of the fun we had.

Of course it is an advantage to be two when present your designs, it is so much more fun… I had a wonderful weekend in the best company! More photos of the catwalk will come next.

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Strikke 2017 at Hadeland Glassverk

For the second time around the knitting festival and exhibition Strikke 2017 is organised by Hadeland Glassverk at Jevnaker, by the south end of Randsfjorden, about 1 hour from Oslo. I am pleased to say that I was invited to exhibit and to hold workshops, this year too! The festival is on from 2. September to 29. October. Above you see the entry to the exhibition, with the list of participating designers. I was very excited to see my name listed at the top, and as you can see I am in excellent company. Luckily, I had my husband with me to take some great photos.

The most striking part of the exhibition was the designs made by Imogen Abbot. She is a London based Fashion Design graduate specialising in intricate textiles and knitwear. These garments are based on the topic “childhood and escapism”. Read more here: Imogen Abbot.I choose to exhibit 6 garments and above you see 4 four of them: Patent Poncho, Cablewing Sweater with wrap, Harding Cardigan and Kathe Cardigan. Large accompanying photos of model Alexandria Eissinger and Silje Andresen hang in background. I held two workshops on the Sunday I was there: Introduction to Sweater Design and Cable Knitting Master Class. That is why I choose to wear my Yellow Gold Pullover with the loose sleeves from my Saqqara pattern.Also exhibited is the Embrae and Irina Pullover. As you might see my photos are taken by Eivind Røhne either at National Museum – Architecture or at Ingierstrand Bad
Here is Nina Skarra’s exquisite designs from her book and available as kits.

Here is a few of the beautiful garments designed by Kari Hestnes who has recently published her 14th knitting book in Norwegian.

I also loved the texture and silhouette of these garments designed by StrikkeGry, Gry Johannessen.Just like last year, Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik – Makeløs/Remarkable was in charge of the Catwalk at the opening day of the festival and also for making this fantastic wedding outfit with the special designed “kofte” for the festival by Randi Ballangrud. The crown is made of knitting needles. Kristin is not an ordinary stylist she is The re-design stylist and she is remarkable in every sense of the word. This photo is taken by designer Nina Granlund Sæther of the catwalk at the opening day, Saturday 2. September. The model is wearing my Aran Bolero magically styled by Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik – Makeløs/Remarkable with an embroidered table cloth as a skirt.

Here is the beginning and end of the exhibition: The Yarn Shop and the coffee shop where the knitting café takes place. At the very front you see yarn kits with my Idunn and Halli made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.Here is a close-up of the missing yarn wall with exciting yarns. In the center you see the Sølje and Ask yarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Do visit if you can. You will find a lot more photos as well as videos from the exhibition and from the catwalk on the Facebook page for the festival: www.facebook.com/STRIKKE2017.

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Familien Strikk 2017

The special magazine Familien Strikk is out for sale here in Norway. I am delighted to have 4 patterns included in the magazine and a small photo of the back of the Irina Pullover on the cover. It is a very popular annual magazine, with a large number of patterns: 61 patterns from Norwegian designers, some translated patterns and some from different yarn producers. All my designs: Irina Pullover, Biondo, Embrae and Harding Cardigan were brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, modelled by Silje Andresen/Team Models with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at the National Museum – Architecture in November last year. The long stunning skirt worn together with Irina Pullover and Biondo is by Judith Bech Design.Irina Pullover (made for knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016, but the rights have reverted back to me now) Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, a fitted pullover with elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Biondo – Italian for blond – scarf is reversible with a twisted stitch as a divider between each of the three cables. The stitch also work as a folding line, hence emphasises the more relaxed alternate side. The scarf is knitted in a divine silk and alpaca mixture for that lovely feel and sheen, Du Store Alpakka Baby Silk.Embrae, a fitted cardigan with a lace collar, is like a flowery embrace. A lacy leaf pattern adorns the sleeves and the back of the cardigan. The lattice at the center of the lace pattern continues on each side of it and covers the collar. The collar can be worn flat or overlapping and pinned together or folded. The colour Iris, in the stunning yarn; Anzula Squishy is perfect for the lace pattern. The English pattern is currently under test knitting in my Ravelry group and will be released as soon as it is over.Harding Cardigan: An allover telescope lattice gives this long, straight cardigan a textural feel. A cabled rib-cord collar adds a modern look to the Harding Cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin or belt. The English pattern was first published in Interweave Knits Summer 2016. I suggested the rustic Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and editor Meghan Babin agreed with my choice and suggested the shade Foothills.

The magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. If you are in Norway you can also order it by SMS just write “Strikk17” in addition to your name & address to 2205 or buy a digital version for iPad, see www.klikk.no. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.

The samples and the professional photographs of all these, except for Biondo, together with Kathe Cardigan, Cablewing Sweater and Patent Poncho, will be exhibited at Strikke 2017 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk from 2. September to 29. October.

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Harding Cardigan Pattern Released

Today is 17th May and all of Norway is celebrating its Constitution Day. It is in short our National Day! To all of you Norwegians out there, and to anyone else who wants to join our celebration: Gratulerer med dagen/Happy Birthday! Michael and I will be watching the parade in our new home town of Ørje.

The Harding Cardigan was first published in the American magazine Interweave Knits Summer 2016. The pattern rights have now reverted back to me and the English pattern is available in my Ravelry store and on Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the magazine Familien at a later date. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured the beautiful model Silje Andresen/Team Models, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and Ivy hanging earrings by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at the National Museum – Architecture in November last year. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An allover telescope lattice gives this long, straight cardigan a textural feel. A cabled rib-cord collar adds a modern look to the Harding Cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin or belt.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 85 (90, 96.5, 105.5, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”
Length: 70 (70.5, 72, 72.5, 73.5, 75) cm/27.5 (27.75, 28.25, 28.5, 29, 29.5)”
Sleeve length: 45 (46, 47, 47.5, 48, 48) cm/17.75 (18, 18.5, 18.75, 19, 19)”

Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed, Shelter (100% wool, 50 g, 128 m/140 yards)
https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/shelter/
Sample is knitted in Foothills.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins; 1203 (1306, 1410, 1541, 1673, 1834) m/1315 (1428, 1542, 1685, 1830, 2005) yds.

Alternative yarns:
Dale Garn, Pure ECO Wool (70% ecological wool, 30% alpaca, 50 g, 112 m/122 yds)
http://dalegarn.no/garn/pure-eco-wool/?sf_paged=3
BC Garn, Loch Lomond (100% wool, 50 g, 155 m/170 yds)
http://www.bcgarn.dk/pi/LOCH_LOMOND_3861_8.aspx
The Fibre Company, Acadia (60% merino wool, 20% silk, 20% alpaca, 50 g, 133 m/145 yds)
http://www.thefibreco.com/product/acadia/
Tahki Stacy Charles, Scotland (100% merino wool, 50 g, 160 m/174 yds)
http://tahkistacycharles.com/product/yarns/scotland/

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (80 cm/32”)
4.5 mm/US 7 DPNs.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Cable needle (cn), stitch holder, stitch markers, waste yarn, 4.5 mm/US 7 crochet hook and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 27 rows in Telescope lattice measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 25 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
26 sts and 18 rows in Cabled Rib Cord measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The back, fronts, and collar are worked back and forth in separate pieces, the sleeves are worked in the round, and the garment is seamed together. During shaping, if there are not enough stitches to work a complete cable crossing, work the stitches of the partial cable as they appear.

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Photoshoot at Architecture Museum: Harding Cardigan

@Eivind Røhne

Here is the last of the ten garments photographed in late November at the National Museum – Architecture; the Harding Cardigan. The English pattern was first published in Interweave Knits Summer 2016 and will be released on Ravelry with these new brilliant photos taken by Eivind Røhne at the beginning of May. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the magazine Familien at a later date. Model Silje Andresen/Team Models looked stunning in the cardigan worn over a pair of black pencil trouser and a black top. Her hair & makeup is by Sissel Fylling and you can glimpse the Ivy hanging earrings by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

@Eivind Røhne

Here is my introduction to the cardigan with the working title of Barr Cardigan: Allover telescope lattice gives this straight long cardigan a textural feel. An open rib cable cord collar, knitted separately, adds a modern look to the cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin. The cardigan is named after the cabled rib cord pattern’s creator; Lynne Barr. The body is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort, while the sleeves are knitted in the round.

@Eivind Røhne

I suggested the rustic Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and editor Meghan Babin agreed with my choice and suggested the shade Foothills. Shelter is made of 100% wool with 128 meters/140 yards on each 100 gram skein. The gauge is: 22 stitches and 27 rows = 10 cm/4″ in Telescope Lattice pattern; 26 stitches and 18 rows = 10 cm/4″ in Cabled Rib Cord pattern. The sample was knitted using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle.

@Eivind Røhne

The open cable pattern I wanted for the collar, is the Cabled Rib Cord from “Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand New Groundbreaking Patterns. The allover Telescope Lattice is fun to knit and not as time consuming as it looks. The cardigan pattern is available in 6 sizes with a bust circumference of 85 (90, 96, 106, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”.

@Eivind Røhne

Yes, of course I had to pick a couple of photos with the divine boots you might recognise by now: Benedetta black by Monica Stålvang. Not only does it give you a better idea of the full length of the cardigan it also shows off the cloister next to the Fehn Pavilion at National Museum – Architecture even better.

@Eivind Røhne

Above is the last photo of the Harding Cardigan and from this recent photoshoot. But new designs are in the works, as always.

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Harding Cardigan in Interweave Knits Summer 2016

FC_KNSummer16_NB-768x1018I am so thrilled to be part of the exciting Interweave Knits Summer 2016 issue with my Harding Cardigan. On the cover is the beautiful lace top; Clemente Tank by Mary Anne Benedetto, aka Apriori Knits. I was inspired by the submission call and its topics: Boho Lace and Mountain House Retreat. My submission was accepted and fitted into the last theme. I choose to design in the rustic Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and instantly knew what stitch pattern I wanted for the collar: Cabled Rib Cord from “Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand New Groundbreaking Patterns. The openwork texture of it is a great contrast to any denser cabled fabric on the body. Here is my introduction to the cardigan with the working title of Barr Cardigan: Allover telescope lattice gives this straight long cardigan a textural feel. An open rib cable cord collar, knitted separately, adds a modern look to the cardigan. Wear it open or close it with a shawl pin. The cardigan is named after the cabled rib cord pattern’s creator; Lynne Barr. The body is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort, while the sleeves are knitted in the round.

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

I choose to use a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle for density and to accommodate the large number of stitches. While the body is densely cabled, the collar pattern is created by working extra rows in rib before each cable crossing. The gauge for the allover Telescope Lattice pattern is 22 sts and 27 rows, while it is 26 sts and 18 rows in the Cabled Rib Cord pattern. The cardigan pattern is available in 6 sizes with a bust circumference of 85 (90, 96, 106, 114, 123) cm/33.5 (35.5, 38, 41.5, 45, 48.5)”. The model is wearing the second size with 1.5″ of positive ease.

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

In my submission I suggested neutral colors like Woodsmoke, Nest or Sweatshirt, but editor Meghan Babin wanted Foothills. I had no objections to the color change and thought it was a clever choice, especially after reading how Brooklyn Tweed describes the color: “Prairie haze. Fields after the harvest. Foothills is a mild sage green comprising white, grey, and yellow shaded with black, the palest member of a family that includes Tent and Artifact.” This issue of Interweave Knits is Meghan’s first “full” issue and I think she has done a brilliant job, together with the Interweave team!

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

The photographs are taken by Harper Point Photography in the snowy mountains of Los Padres national Forest in California, as the Interweave team decided for this issue to follow the move of the photography studio from Fort Collins, Colorado to Ventura, California.

Knits-Summer-2016-1517-683x1024

Interweave/Harper Point Photography

The photo above also shows the sewn – not knitted – Whisperwool Clutch by Kathy Fogarty. Look out for her ready to wear and sewing patterns coming soon under her own label “Midnight Mercantile”. I am delighted with the trendy photos of my cardigan. The magazine is available in both print and digitally, in addition it is possible to buy each digital pattern separately. I hope you will enjoy the magazine as much as I do!

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