The Complete Andor Poncho Gang

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I proudly present the complete Andor Poncho gang with all 7 knitters – all colleagues at Jotun – photographed in Sandefjord this glorious summer. My Andor design was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and part of the first collection. The pattern is available in Norwegian and English to download from Ravelry and in yarn kits online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk’s website: www.ull.no and in selected yarn stores. It was Nina Hove Myhre, aka FiberAndArt (far right) that wanted to knit the poncho and told her colleagues at their lunch table. I was so thrilled to hear that 6 of them wanted to join in. All knitted the poncho in the original Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull choosing different colours.

I love seeing their results and so honoured that they all wanted to knit it! Thank you so much to the gang! I first met Nina 5 years ago, when she organised a book presentation for me at Larvik Husflidslag/Handcraft association, see my blogpost. If you follow my blog you have seen several of the astonishing total of 22 of my designs Nina has knitted. She is showing off a number of them in this blogpost: www.FiberAndArt.no. Nina is also one of my group moderators at Ravelry. You can see the Andor Poncho Gang in London with a pregnant Nina here. This summer, Nina with her husband and little Olav – now 8 months old – came to visit us in Ørje. I can reveal that Olav likes to look at knitting charts and is especially fond of my colour coding. In other words, Nina is working on yet another of my designs, I am delighted to say!

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Lofn

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I knew red would look marvellous on model Emma Ross. This particular red has a grey core and is a wonderful pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje. The pullover Lofn is the last of four new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and the Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning in mid October before it is released. Lofn is Norse for praise. This pullover is praising texture with its sideways voluptous cables and welt pattern that works like a rib. The upper part is picked up andknitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured this moment at Villa Malla in late May. Sissel Fylling styled Em’s hair and makeup. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.The sample is brilliantly knitted by Grete Jenssen in size S using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5″ instead of 92 cm/36.25″ and height of 25 cm/9.75″ instead of 30 cm/11.75″ due to a tight gauge. However, it did fit Em perfectly. Lofn will be available in sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bottom width of 92 to 132 cm/36.25 to 52″ and a wingspan (without the lower sleeve) of 71 to 91 cm/28 to 35.75″.

The body is knitted in four parts with cables and welt pattern on the bottom part and Fisherman’s rib on the upper part. Increases are made in each side of the upper part for top of sleeve part. Bottom sleeves are worked flat separately. If you want to shorten or lengthen the sweater, adjust the height of the lower panel, adjust the stitch number in Welt pattern and allow more yarn. Lofn was the last of the new designs we photographed at Villa Malla. I also decided to photograph three old designs: The Free Falling Pullover returned from Interweave, The Tau Scarf returned from Vienna Wool & Design Festival as well as the Merino Omslagsvest/Merino Wrap Around Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. So stay tuned to see how these photos turned out. But next on my blog I will show you two new designs to be released on Thursday 2nd August in the Interweave Knits Fall 2018 issue.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

Posted on July 28, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I knew that model Emma Ross did not need to wear a wool cardigan on top of the Sigyn wool dress at Villa Malla in the sweltering heat at the end of May, but I did want to show how well they work together. Photographer Eivind Røhne knew my plan and captured these brilliant photos after Sissel Fylling had finished perfecting Em’s hair & makeup. The accessories are also of Norwegian design: Jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots are by Monica Stålvang. Michael was ready to hold the large reflector but did not need to hold it in the end. I was making sure that all sides of Irpa was photographed and also wanted Em to wear a pair of pencil trouser beneath instead of the dress to show off its versatility. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 12th of November before it is released.Irpa is Norse for dark brown and suited this long oversized cardigan with a v-neck and a slight shaping for waist. Pine cable cover the center back, while only one pattern repeat adorns the fronts and sleeve. A wide rib makes this casual jacket a perfect extra layer to the Sigyn dress.

Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on both Ravelry and Instagram knitted the beautiful sample in size Small for me, while I was working on another project you will see later this autumn. Irpa is knitted in the luscious and bounce Tinde – a breed specific Norwegian pelt wool – from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The button band is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The sample has 11 buttons with a diameter of 20 mm/0.78″.

The cardigan is knitted in pieces and seamed. The second part of the v-neck decreases on the fronts moves to the opposite side of the cable in order for the cable to continue to the shoulder.

I have graded the dress from sizes S to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 110 to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. Next out in this series is the last of the new designs: Lofn.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Var

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I have been looking forward to showing you the photos of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs taken at Villa Malla in late May. It look more like the Greek island of Santorini than Filtvet with the Oslo Fjord in the background due to the heat and the white wall that surrounds the upper terrace at the restaurant. I certainly get a holiday feel just being there and would have like to have the opportunity to stay for a few days. My plan for the day was to start photographing the warmest garment; the dress Sigyn, since it was bound to get even hotter during the day. Photographer Eivind Røhne agreed. Var was the next since it had to be photographed together with the Hillesvåg garments. While Sissel Fylling was doing Emma Ross’ hair and makeup, Eivind and I decided to use the upper terrace as background for the second time around, like we did in June 2016. Just as last time, I borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in September before its release.

Pine cables play on the center of this oversized vest, named Var, Norse for beloved. The side panels – giving the vest a dropped shoulder appearance – are knitted sideways in broken rib and is divided from the cable pattern with a tuck as well as a reverse stocking stitch band. Var ends in an I-cord bind off around the shallow neck. The vest is knitted in the luscious pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Em is wearing size XS/S, but I have graded it to include M/L and XL/2XL too. The finished bust measurement with the side panels is 156 (172, 188) cm/61.5 (67.75, 74)” and the length is 55 (57, 59) cm/21.75 (22.5, 23.25)”. The vestis knitted in two parts, then the stitches are picked up along the side. Size M/L has a wider side panel but the same center panel as size XS/S. Size XL/2XL has a wider center panel with one extra cable repeat.

The center panels are knitted by English knitter Jean Molloy, who also knitted a garment for my Norwegian knitting book back in 2011, using 3 mm/US 2.5 for the rib (and tuck) and 3.5 mm/US 4 for the cable pattern. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. I knitted the tuck, then the side panels after I had sewn the shoulders together. Var is styled with a black silk shirt and black pencil pants. Next in this series is the dress, Sigyn!

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Barra Pattern Released

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Linda Marveng

The last of the autumn 2017 designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; Barra, has been test knitted and released. Thank you to my test knitters for correcting and improving the pattern. You can see three of the finished jackets on the pattern page, one has been made into a shorter version and more versions will come. The sample jacket was beautifully worn by Emma Ross, with makeup & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, and captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church last autumn.

Elaborate spear cables run like a spine on the back of this long jacket before they are moved towards the shoulder at the top. At the front one cable follow the line along the v-neck. The sleeve has a spear cable running around it at the bottom, before the upper part is knitted in the round in stockinette stitch. The a-line cardigan is named Barra – Celtic for spear.

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

Finished Measurements:
Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Hip: 104 (112, 118, 126, 136, 146) cm/41 (44, 46.5, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5)”
Length: 79.5 cm/31.25”
Sleeve Length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)“

Yarn: Hillesvåg, Hifa Sølje (100% pelt yarn, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Light Brown 2102:
4 (4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) skeins: 1360 (1470, 1555, 1665, 1803, 1941) m/1487 (1607, 1700, 1820, 1971, 2122) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/nyhet-sol…

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 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needle (120 cm/48”) for frontband.
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 10 buttons (15 mm/0.52”), stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rows/rnds in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
Barra Cable (12-sts) measures 5.5 cm/2.25” across.
Barra Cable (50-rows) measures 14 cm/5.5” high.

Notes: The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round after the sideways cable panel cuff to the armhole. Stitches are picked up along right side of the cuff for the top sleeve.

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Ardra Pattern Released

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of Ardra has been completed and you can see a number of lovely versions on the Ravelry pattern page. Thank you to all my test knitters who corrected and improved the pattern. Ardra was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the divine Sølje Peltwool. I choose the shade Cognac, since I knew how well it would match gorgeous modell Emma Ross’ hair. Photographer Eivind Røhne captured this shot of Em, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Bøler Church, last autumn.

Round knot cables run along the body of this a-line pullover with a slightly longer back. Only one cable adorns each sleeve. The body is worked in the round and ends in a round neck with an I-cord bind-off. A false seam on the sides make the fit better. Ardra is Celtic and means noble.

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

Finished Measurements
Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Bottom width: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)”
Length back: 75.5 cm/29.75”
Length front: 69.5 cm/27.25”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 50, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 20, 20)“

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Cognac 2103; 3.5 (4, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins;
1215 (1295, 1375, 1509, 1643, 1777) m/1328 (1416, 1503, 1650, 1796, 1943) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square.
48-sts Ardra Cable Body measures 13 cm/5” across.

Notes: The body is knitted in the round with short rows for a longer curved hem at the back up to the armhole. Then it is worked back and forth in Back and Front. The sleeves are knitted in the round up to the armhole.

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New Design: Lofn

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Here is the final new design – for now – a pullover called Lofn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Lofn is Norse for praise. This pullover is praising texture with its sideways voluptous cables and welt pattern that works like a rib. The upper part is picked up andknitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately. As you can see the bottom part with the cable is very tight, and was meant to be 92 cm/36.25″ and not 80 cm/31.5″ wide and 30 cm/11.75 instead of 25 cm/9.75″ in size small. There is a very good reason for that and it is that turbo knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, made this pullover in only 1 week’s time using a 3 mm/US 2.5 so it made it to the photoshoot. We lost several weeks due to an incredibly slow mail service and I had to find a new sample knitter to make this. So all in all I am delighted that Grete knitted it at such an amazing speed and that it made it to the photoshoot.

Lofn is knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull/Pelt wool made of 100% pelt wool, with 350 meters/383 yards per 100 gram skein. The sample is knitted in a stunning Red; 2132 in size S, but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5″ and height of 25 cm/9.75″ due to a tight gauge. The pattern gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square. I have graded the pattern in sizes S to 2XL with bottom width of 92 to 132 cm/36.25 to 52″. I could just squeeze into the bottom part of the pullover and I did provide entertainment for the bikini clad women sunbathing next to me at the beach in Ørje. It was a sweltering day, so I am pleased that my husband took this photos quickly so I could change back into my summer clothes.

The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group – beginning on 15th October – before its release. As you can imagine, this pullover fitted modell Emma Ross better since she is a size smaller than I am and she totally owns it. You wait and see!

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New Design: Irpa

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I have, for awhile, wanted to design a long oversized jacket, and when I discovered an intricate cable pattern online, I decided it was time. Irpa is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the lovely Tinde yarn, again in their Light Brown since it is a shade that seem to embrace several tones from the brown spectre. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry in November before its release. Irpa is Norse for dark brown and suited this long oversized cardigan with a v-neck and a slight shaping for waist. Pine cable cover the center back, while only one pattern repeat adorns the fronts and sleeve. A wide rib makes this casual jacket a perfect extra layer to the Sigyn dress.

I was busy knitting a design for a magazine, so I had Kristin Nygård knit this jacket for me. She did a wonderful job as always. The cable pattern is time consuming but very rewarding to knit, so Kristin had to return the jacket with express post to me so that I could finish it in time for the photoshoot. I choose some stunning handmade vintage buttons in bone, bought from Perlehuset before they closed down their shop in Oslo. You will still find Perlehuset online, though.

The cardigan is knitted in pieces and seamed. The second part of the v-neck decreases on the fronts moves to the opposite side of the cable in order for the cable to continue to the shoulder. The sleeve has one pattern repeat, just as the front, while the back has three pattern repeats and cover most of the cross back. Yes, I also used the same cable on the vest, Var.

Irpa is graded is sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bust circumference of 110 cm to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. I am wearing size S in these photos taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje. Not that I needed to wear wool at all that day and it was funny to see the women in bikini sunbathing on the beach just next to where I am standing.

Layering is popular and essential if you live in Norway, so Irpa was designed to be worn on top of the dress; Sigyn. I also wanted Irpa to give Sigyn a more casual as well as cool look. My model Em succeeded in making it look cool, while I show off the more classic look. Yes, it has to do with age and a certain edge, I believe.

The back of Irpa hangs loose over the more figure hugging Sigyn. I like how the cable patterns differs and move in opposite directions to each other. I have one more new design to show you, and that is the fourth of the new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. You can look forward to seeing the professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla. He sent me around 300 of the 10 garments we photographed and I finally managed to squeeze it down to a selection of 55. It was painfully hard for me to do, but the result is terrific!

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New Design: Sigyn

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I know some of you have waited years for a knitted dress from me, well, here it is: Sigyn. Now, I just hope that you do not feel you have waited in vain. The reason it took me so long time is that I had so many conceptions of how to design a dress that is comfortable, flattering and that will suit most body types. In the end I choose a classic look with ribbing, an a-line silhouette and with a central cable that makes a v-neck at the front but follows your spine at the back. Sigyn is Norse for victorious girl-friend and ideal for this a-line dress with a central swing cable, surrounded by ribbing to make it figure hugging. Decreases are made in the purl sections to emphasize the silhouette of Sigyn. The dress is beautifully knitted in the bouncy Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, by Grete Jenssen, in size S but with a tighter gauge 28 stitches instead of 24 stitches, hence it has the bust measurement of size XS 88 cm/34.75″. So I am wearing it with zero ease in these photographs taken by my husband at the beach in Ørje in a sweltering 26 degrees Celsius/78 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, there were a couple of women sunbathing next to us, wearing only their bikinis. They smiled at me wearing a woolly dress, then even more as when I put on yet another woolly cardigan on top. Yes, a long cardigan that can be worn casually on top is the next new design. The swing cable is the same I used on the sweater Vaga and found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I mirrored it and added 6 stitches in rib in between the two swing cables. The dress will be available in six sizes from XS to 2XL with a bust measurement of 88 to 130 cm/34.75 to 51.25″. The suggested length is 118 cm to 123 cm/46.5 to 48.5″. You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer. I suggest shortening (or lengthening) it with up to 7 cm/2.75″ before the a-line shaping begins.

I decided to work the dress back and forth in pieces and then sew it together to make the fit even better. The reason I choose to move the cable towards the shoulder is that I did ponder on whether to make it a v-neck, but realised it is unpractical in Norway. The grass green colour of Sølje was ideal in my opinion and I knew it would suit the red-haired model Emma Ross well. Sølje is made of Norwegian pelt wool with 350 meters/383 yards per 100 gram skein and comes in 30 colours. The dress is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles and with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square.

The central cable continue straight up to the neckline unlike the front one. The neckline is lower at the front than at the back. And yes, the back of my legs are very white compared to my face and hands that has been in the sun these last weeks of Mediterranean summer temperatures in Ørje.

I like wearing a belt on my knitted dresses and picked a narrow leather one (read: not the same we used for the photo shoot). It is just hanging loosely around my waist. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in early September, before it is released. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be available launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. I will show you the dress looks with a long cardigan soon as well as how it looked on model Emma Ross at Villa Malla.

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New Design: Var

Posted on May 26, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk commissioned 4 new designs and this was the first one I completed. I had help from British knitter Jean Molloy, who also knitted a sample for my Norwegian knitting book several years ago, to knit the center parts, while I knitted the side panels. We are having very warm summer weather at the moment, so it was hot and also difficult to avoid the strong sunshine, photographing this vest. Pine cables play on the center of this oversized vest, named Var, Norse for beloved. The side panels – giving the vest a dropped shoulder appearance – are knitted sideways in broken rib and is divided from the cable pattern with a tuck as well as a reverse stocking stitch band. Var ends in an I-cord bind off around the shallow neck. The vest is knitted in the luscious pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.I am wearing the smallest size: XS/S but I have graded it into 2 more sizes: M/L and XL/2XL, with a bust measurement (including side panels) of 156 to 188 cm/61.5 to 74″. The vest is knitted in size 3 mm/US 2.5 for the rib and the tuck, while the main parts are knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and a 21 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch to 10 cm/4″ square.

The bottom two photos are taken in the shadow of our front terrace to show off the colour and texture of the melange Tinde pelsull/pelt wool yarn. The vest is knitted in two parts, then you pick up stitches along the side. Size M/L has a wider side panel but the same center panel as size XS/S. Size XL/2XL has a wider center panel with one extra cable repeat. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in September, before its release. Var will be photographed on Tuesday at Villa Malla together with the other new designs, and I am working on finishing off the last two.

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Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk

The Complete Andor Poncho Gang

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Lofn

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Var

Barra Pattern Released

Ardra Pattern Released

New Design: Lofn

New Design: Irpa

New Design: Sigyn

New Design: Var