Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Mella

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Linda Marveng

The next new Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk design we photographed was the sweater Mella at Hvalstrand Bad, back in May. I chose to style it with black pencil trousers and and Evalina Olive ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. Model Aksa Mortensen, with make-up & hair styling by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, looked gorgeous in the pullover, as you can see in these pictures by Eivind Røhne. A yarn kit with either an English or a Norwegian pattern will soon be available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Mella, Norse for knot, is a straight cabled pullover. A wide central cable panel adorns the center of the body and the sleeves. Boxes of garter stitches interfere with the cables and erase half the cable. The sleeves have garter stitch edging while the front and back fade into a check pattern. The sweater ends in a crew neck decorated with an I-cord. Mella is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Aksa is wearing size Small with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease. I have graded the pullover in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 85 to 165 cm/33.5 to 65″.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration.

Above is a detail of the cable pattern and the neck. The English and Norwegian pattern will be released after test knitting beginning on February 7th. I am so thrilled with these photos and want to thank my wonderful photoshoot team!

Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Keila

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the photos that Eivind Røhne took of the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen wearing the Keila dress, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, with make-up & hair styling by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Hvalstrand Bad, back in May. We photographed Keila first thing on the diving tower in the shadow with a bright backlight. Eivind and I agreed that we only had one great angle and that was from the front. Of course having the diving tower in the background would also work, but then we would have to wait for two hours for the sun to come around. By that time the beach was heaving with people – as it was the very first warm summer day, so we gave up on that idea. Above you see the dress worn with boot laces inserted into the hem and tied to give a balloon effect.

I choose to style Keila, knitted in the bouncy Sølje – a pelt wool yarn – with thick black tights and a black Wolford tube top beneath, both with and without a narrow belt and with funky Trippen shoes as well as ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. Above you see the dress hanging loose and Aksa holding on to a ball of the Sølje yarn.

Above is the third way of wearing the dress, again with boot laces (or use elastic, if you prefer) inserted into the hem and pulled all the way up so that the skirt is double and turned into a tunica or mini-dress if you like.

Keila is Norse for straight, just as the skirt part of this honeycomb dress is. Elongated honeycomb covers the skirt, while ray of honey makes the high waistband, both are worked in the round. The pattern flow continues with a body in honeycomb including armhole stitches in stockinette stitch. Keila is worked flat from the armhole and ends in a Henley neck. Only the center of the sleeve has a honeycomb panel. Wear the dress as a balloon dress or a tunic by inserting a cord into the double hem. Keila is knitted in the bouncy Sølje, a pelt wool yarn, from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The sample shown is in size Small with a 92 cm/36.25″ bust circumference and worn with 9 cm/3.5″ positive ease on Aksa, who stands 167 cm/5’6″ tall. Keila will be available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 86 cm to 158 cm/33.75 to 62.25″.

Keila is worked with a 24 stitches and 32 rounds in stockinette stitch gauge using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The hem is worked with 2 sets of circular needles held parallel when casting on, so that the hem can be closed by knitting it together. The skirt is worked straight, then decreased into the ray of honey pattern for the band before you increase for the honeycomb pattern and the bust. The Henley neck divides the front into two parts after the armhole.

Yarn kits with English or Norwegian pattern will be available early in September from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while the Keila single pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin 15th of November in my Ravelry group. A big thank you to my amazing photoshoot crew!

New Design: Mella

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Linda Marveng

The third new design made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a sweater. Mella, Norse for knot, is a straight cabled pullover. A wide central cable panel adorns the center of the body and the sleeves. Boxes of garter stitches interfere with the cables and erase half the cable. The sleeves have garter stitch edging while the front and back fade into a check pattern. The sweater ends in a crew neck decorated with an I-cord. Mella is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The sample was skilfully knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9, in size Small in a Dusty Air-blue. In these photos, taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje, you see me wearing beautiful silver rings by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the sample with 4 cm/1.5″ positive ease. I have graded Mella in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 165 cm/33.5 to 65″. The gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle.

The English and Norwegian pattern will be released after test knitting beginning on February 7th, while the yarn kit with either an English or a Norwegian pattern will be launched at the beginning of September. Before then, I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen from our photoshoot in late May.

Bundingen in Tromsø

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Okay, Bundingen is actually a yarn shop located in Tromsø, at the Jekta shopping centre – close to the airport – to be precise. I went back for the second time around this summer, while Michael and I were on our holiday in Tromsø. Above is the entrance to the inspiring shop, showing about one third of the rather large shop. Owner Hege-Merete Benoni recognised me, just as she did last year. Yes, they do sell Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk yarn and yarn kits. I used the opportunity to have a look at colours at the Hillesvåg corner, the Rowan corner – where I found an old Rowan Magazine Rowan magazine that I have been looking for – and the Knitting for Olive section. Michael took these photos, as I was too busy looking at yarns!

In the photo above you can spot the Rowan Magazine number 59 that I discovered in the shopping basket. One of the collections in the magazine, including the cover photo, is photographed a Japanese Garden in the UK. I also wanted to have a look at the Knitting for Olive yarns and selected the silk, the merino, the mohair and the new Cashmere yarn. Bundingen also have Clover notions so I took the opportunity to buy another crochet hook and discovered some clips called Wonder Clips. Hege-Merete told me that I stood in front of her great grandmother’s bed which she inherited and is now being used to hold yarn kits. I am wearing my Eah hoodie with a pullover beneath and a jacket on top as it was only 8 degrees Celsius/46 degrees Fahrenheit and rain outside – even though it was summer; the end of July.

Above is a photo of my yarn haul from Tromsø. The tote bag – read knitting bag – says “There will never be too much yarn”, and it was a gift!

Here I am at the till with Hege who told me that they are busy these days and have just started a customer club. Hege loved my Eah that I wore and wondered about my new designs, I showed her and her employees some of the photos of my new designs. I was so chuffed to hear that she wanted to make the Keila dress! I hope to come back to Bunding in Tromsø!

New Design: Keila

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Keila is my new dress design made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their bouncy Sølje pelt wool yarn. My initial plan was an all over Honeycomb pattern with a wide skirt that could be turned into a balloon dress or a minidress/tunic with a Henley neck. The skirt and the band part are worked in the round in two different Honeycomb patterns, while the dress is divided into parts at the armhole. Skilled sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted this for me in size Small in light turquoise. Michael photographed me at the outdoor theatre seating at the lock in Ørje.

Above you see the dress worn as a balloon dress after I have insert long boot laces into the hem and tied it together. The dress is knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 24 stitches and 32 rounds gauge in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

The dress is worked in the round up to armhole, then back and forth to the end. The hem is worked with 2 sets of circular needles held parallel when casting on, so that the hem can be closed by knitting it together. The skirt is worked straight, then decreased into the ray of honey pattern for the band before you increase for the honeycomb pattern and the bust. The Henley neck divides the front into two parts after the armhole.

I have graded the dress from size XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 86 to 158 cm/33.75 to 62.25″, while the skirt width is 144 to 199 cm/56.75 to 78.25″. The dress length can be adjusted in length by removing or adding repeats of the Elongated Honeycomb pattern.

Here you see me tying the boot laces at the bottom of the dress. One of the behind the scenes photos that Michael took.

Yarn kits with English or Norwegian pattern will be available early in September from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while the single pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin 15th of November in my Ravelry group. Long before that I will show you how stunning it looked on model Aksa Mortensen, photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad at the end of May.

Ravelry Group 8th Year Anniversary

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Linda Marveng

My Ravelry group is now 8 years old! There are now more than 2100 members and my fear that only a few would join was needless. I am so pleased to have attracted so many wonderful knitters! It has been another thrilling year with many test knits of my English patterns, showing off of finished garments, discussions of different knitting techniques, chatting and Knit-A-Longs just to mention a few of the topics in this lovely group. I am delighted to have met so many new knitters. So it is time to celebrate that eight years has passed! How can I best do this? By organizing a draw in my group with 10 exciting prizes like yarn kits (2 sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and 2 from my stash), e-books and pdf patterns from my Ravelry Store.

All you have to do is join my group on Ravelry, if you have not already done so, and post an answer to a simple question in the thread called: FREE YARN KITS – Group Anniversary Draw. I will use Random org to pick winners based on the number matching the response/posting on Monday 14th of June. Here are the top two prizes, and a good reason to join, see ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng, in my opinion:

1. and 2. Prize: Choose one of these yarn kits from Hillesvåg and choose which size & colour you want (includes pattern in English as well as Norwegian): Yaelle or Bubala or Caravay or Neva. The yarn kits have been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. See Tinde colours for Caravay and Yaelle, Sølje colours for Bubala and Neva.

These four designs, all made for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, were brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church in May last year. The gorgeous model is Olivia Lindtein and her hair & make up are by Sissel Fylling, while her jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Neva Pattern Released

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Neva, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their divine Sølje pelt wool yarn, is another pattern I released earlier this year after a successful test knit. You can see two of the brilliant results on the pattern page on Ravelry. I had fantastic help improving and correcting the pattern. Here you see Neva worn by the gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church back in May 2020. Yarn kits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The individual pattern in both English and Norwegian is available in my Ravelry Store and on LoveCrafts.

Spanish for snowy, Neva is this tabard with side panels. The front and the back panels are covered in a snowflake like cable, while the side panel is knitted in garter stitch. All the panels have I-cords in the side and they are knitted together. Neva is seamless and knitted in the luscious Sølje pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size Extra Small/Small.
Skill level Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bottom circumference: 116 (130, 144, 158, 172) cm/45.75 (51.25, 56.75, 62.25, 67.75)”
Back/Front panel width: 34 (39, 44, 49, 54) cm/13.5 (15.25, 17.25, 19.25, 21.25)”
Back/Front panel width with side panel: 58 (65, 72, 79, 86) cm/22.75 (25.5, 28.25, 31, 33.75)”
Length: 76 (78, 80, 82, 84) cm/30 (30.75, 31.5, 32.25, 33)”
Intended ease: + 18-36 cm/7-14.25″. Sample shown is 116 cm/36.25″ and worn with + 35 cm/13.75″ ease on model.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Oker 2108; 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins; 1015 (1155, 1295, 1435, 1575) m/1110 (1263, 1416, 1569, 1722) 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 Euro Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 397 m/435 yds).
https://madelinetosh.com/collections/euro-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 needle
2 sets of 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for side panels.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for side band.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.
22 sts and 30 rows in Broken rib measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.
24 sts and 32 sts in Cable measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

Notes: The vest is worked back and forth in two separate pieces and joined with a 3-needle bind off at the shoulders. The I-cord is then worked along the side edge before the side panel is knitted and attached to the opposite side using a 3-needle bind-off.

Patreon Fan Club

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Linda Marveng

First, I want to reveal that my next photoshoot is coming up on Friday 28th of May. The location this time will be Hvalstrand Bad Restaurant, where I had my second photoshoot with photographer Eivind Røhne organised by editor, of the former magazine Made by Me, Mary Ann Astrup back in 2014. I have seven new designs; 4 made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and 3 individual patterns I will release myself. Above is a detail of Varun, photographed by my husband in our back garden.

Second, I would like to invite you to become a member of my Patreon Fan Club – if you like my designs – and would like to see sneak peeks of my new designs, a monthly newsletter, bimonthly tips and techniques videos, behind the scenes on the photoshoot videos and discounts for my patterns as well as for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk yarns on all membership levels. Furthermore on the next levels you will receive one or two free patterns every month, early test knit invitations and a monthly video usually about an hour long, just to mention some of the rewards.

Third, I will of course reveal more about the photoshoot and my new designs, to a smaller depth here and my other social media platforms such as Ravelry and Instagram. I will leave you with the cover of my latest two Patreon videos, that reveal a photo of two of the new designs. Thank you to all of you who have joined my Patreon Fan Club! Until next time I wish you happy knitting and hope you stay well!

Bubala Pattern Released

Posted on May 15, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Bubala, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their divine Sølje pelt wool yarn, is another pattern I released earlier this year after a successful test knit. You can see a number of the brilliant results on the pattern page on Ravelry. I had fantastic help improving and correcting the pattern. Here you see Bubala with the v-neck at the back worn by the gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church back in May 2020. Yarn kits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern is available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The individual pattern in both English and Norwegian is available in my Ravelry Store and on LoveCrafts.

Named Bubala Yiddish for close to one’s heart is this cabled pullover with bobbles. A deep v-neck that can be worn on the front or on the back, split the cable into two single cables. The same single cable adorn the sleeve. Ribbing frame the cables in the sides and make the sweater figure hugging. The v-neck ends in an I-cord bind-off. Bubala is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size Small.
Skill level Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust: 85 (92, 99, 106, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153) cm/33.5 (36, 39, 41.75, 44.5, 48.5, 52.5, 56.5, 60)“
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69) cm/24 (24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26, 26.25, 26.75, 27)”
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 49, 49, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50) cm/19 (19.25, 19.25, 19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75)“
Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75”. Sample shown is 92 cm/36.25” and worn with + 9 cm/3.5” ease on model.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Støvet rosa 2137; 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8) skeins; 1034 (1174, 1314, 1454, 1594, 1794, 1994, 2228, 2462) m/1131 (1284, 1437, 1590, 1743, 1962, 2181, 2437, 2692) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/solje-pelsullgarn/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needles.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32”) for neckband.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), cable needle, 3 mm/US 3 crochet hook for bobbles, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
27 sts and 32 rows in rib using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.
21 st Sleeve cable measures 9 cm/3.5” across after blocking.
45 st Body cable measures 19 cm/7.5” across after blocking.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The bobble is made using a crochet hook with an extra fastening trick, see the separate video.

Caravay Pattern Released

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Caravay is another pattern I released earlier this spring after a successful test knitting. The oversized sweater was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, knitted in Tinde. On the cover you can see it worn by the gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Church in Oslo, last spring. Yarn kits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern is available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while the individual pattern is available in my Ravelry Store or on LoveCrafts.

Named after the herb, which seeds look like this all-over domed check pattern, is this oversized pullover. Caravay begins and ends in a broken rib. The crowing collar is worked double and folded down to the wrong side and attached. A ribbing detail in the side separate the pieces that are knitted in pieces and seamed. Wear it with or without a belt. Caravay is knitted in the stunning pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, called Tinde.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size Small.
Skill level Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust and bottom: 129 (136, 143, 150, 157, 164, 171, 178, 186) cm/50.75 (53.5, 56.25, 59, 61.75, 64.5, 67.25, 70, 73.25)”
Length: 72 (73, 73, 74, 74, 75, 75, 76, 76) cm/28.25, 28.75, 28.75, 29.25, 29,25, 29.5, 29.5, 30, 30)”
Sleeve length: 44 (44, 42, 42, 40, 40, 38, 38, 36) cm/17.25 (17.25, 16.5, 16.5, 15.75, 15.75, 15.75, 15, 15, 14.25)”
Intended ease: + 46-56 cm/18-22″. Sample shown is 136 cm/53.5″ and worn with + 53 cm/20.75″ ease on model.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g).
Sample is knitted in Mellom blå; 7 (8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 11) skeins; 1742 (1846, 1950, 2054, 2158, 2314, 2470, 2626, 2782) m/1905 (2019, 2133, 2246, 2360, 2531, 2701, 2872, 3042) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull/

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds).
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp
Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds).
http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds).
https://malabrigoyarn.com/yarns/arroyo
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″)
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for collar.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.
22 sts and 32 rows in Domed check pattern using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neck is deeper on the front, than on the back. When working in Domed Check pattern, if there are not enough stitches at the sides to work a complete cable crossing, work the stitches of the partial cables as they appear.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk