New Design: Sarya

XT1A5477I knew I wanted to design a jacket with a v-neck and overlapping fronts with at least two different stitch patterns; one for each part of the body. What I had not planned was how successfully it worked having the fronts hanging loose – as waterfall fronts – and the slight asymmetrical look it created. I had intended to close it with a piece of jewelry or a shawl pin, but without making any closures you are free to choose how to wear it. Sarya after the night traveler seemed an appropriate name for it. The jacket is knitted in the stunning Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace – a merino and tussah silk mixture – held double with a beautiful luster and drape. The yarn has been kindly sponsored. I plan to release the Norwegian pattern on Ravelry in February and have the English pattern test knitted in my Ravelry group in August, before I release it.

XT1A5501The body of the jacket is knitted back and forth in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Hems, tuck and garter stitch parts are knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5, while the lace pattern is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4. The double neckband is picked up and knitted afterwards, then sewn in place on WS. By mistake I used a larger needle; 3.5 mm/US 4 for the neck band and it assisted in pulling the fronts into a slight asymmetrical shape. If you prefer to wear it closed as in the top photo, I suggest using a smaller needle size a 3 mm/US 2.5 for the neck band instead.

XT1A5485I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference from 85 cm to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″, and a length from 62 cm to 67 cm/24.5 to 26.5″. The gauge is 25 stitches and 36 rows in stockinette stitch using double yarn and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. As usual I have preferred to hold 2 strands of the yarn together to create a dense and professional look, but you can always substitute the yarn with thicker yarn so that you can knit with 1 strand instead. I choose garter stitches as the accompanying stitch pattern and used it for increasing on the sleeves as well. All the photos above are taken by my husband on our terrace in November, since the neck band was not finished until a few days before our photoshoot in October. As I am sure you can imagine it looks even more ravaging on Alexandria Eissinger than it does on me. You just wait and see…

 

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Made By Me Magazine 2/2014

DSC_2035Our Jugend Love series is released. This has been a magnificent co-operation between Makeløs/Remarkable Re-design stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik and myself together with shoe designer Monica Stålvang and jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord for the Norwegian crafts magazine Made By Me. Editor Mary-Ann Astrup skillfully selected the rest of the team essential for the photo shoot at the Bjørnulfgården in Fredrikstad: Brilliant Photographer Eivind Røhne, stunning Model Pia Cecilie/Team Models and talented Make-up & Hair Stylist Janne Skarpeid Hermansen. In addition Kristin had asked her beautiful daughter Elise and handsome friend Adrian Bjørk to model some of her re-design pieces. Kristin’s preference of the Jugend period, especially its elaborate hand-made textiles, was the starting point, and fitted well with the intricate stitch patterns I favor. Truly remarkable is the way she drapes an embroidered table cloth into a skirt or dress or poncho, and accessorize it with contrasting fabrics preferably in bright clear colors. I had two designs I had already started that fitted well into this series: Icelandic Jacket and Cable Round Sweater, in addition I created two new ones: Lattice Back Jacket and Lyre Bolero. The article introduction actually begins four pages earlier with an interview of Kristin covering four pages, and then in these pages; four of her re-designed outfits.

DSC_2037Curtains, bell pulls, or a series of table clothes like these to the left; where one is made for the piano keys and the other for the piano itself. The latter one is skilfully used as a skirt. We occupied the stair case all day – thankfully it was not too busy – and were fortunate enough to borrow the keeper’s office as a changing and storage room to fill with Kristin’s suitcases and bags.

DSC_2038My Cable Round Sweater has interlocking cables framed by a rib in the side. The ribbing makes the straight sweater pull in and appear fitted. With a crew neck and a double stockinette band, I felt it need a long cowl you can wear twice around your neck. It is knitted in Norsk Pelsull/Norwegian Pelt wool by Hifa in a divine melange light denim color using a 3.5 mm/US 4. Styled with a masculine white shirt and trousers with a studded jugend motif. As a contrast an orange chiffon scarf, and stunning cuff links by Siri Berrefjord were added to the outfit. The to-die-for Carmen Boots in petrol are by Monica Stålvang. Both designers are briefly presented with a photograph on the page. Notice that Adrian is wearing bell pulls as braces. I will release the English pattern after a test knit in my Ravelry Group, date to be confirmed. I am delighted to share that this sweater has made it to the blogsphere; Knitigating Circumstances by Kelly Dawn see her post: Pattern Radar August 2014.

DSC_2039The Lattice Back Jacket worn over a beautiful dress; is actually a large table cloth pinned together with the fringes making a stunning back drop. Meters and meters of tulle tied into a bow around the neck, adds glamor to the outfit. Adorning the front and the sleeves is a series of small cables, while the back has a large intricate cable panel. Like a vintage jacket it is very fitted, and the body pieces are knitted flat while the sleeves are knitted in the round in a gorgeous melange purple in Ask-Hifa 2 using a 3 mm/US 2.5. The English pattern will be released after the test knit, which has just started in my group on Ravelry, is completed. Next is the Lyre Bolero with its accompanying cummerbund, which also can be used as a cowl worn twice around the neck according to Kristin. The bolero is cropped and the body is knitted flat in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round in the bouncy Embla-Hifa 3 using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. I made the cummerbund to add length to the bolero, which I imagined to worn with a beautiful skirt like this made of a table cloth with a black tulle petticoat beneath. The bolero is closed with magnificent jugend brooches from Siri Berrefjord. I will release the English pattern after a test knit, date to be confirmed.

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Last but not least is my Icelandic Jacket worn with a table cloth as a skirt, a tulle petticoat and gorgeous green Bettina Boots by Monica Stålvang. It is knitted in Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace in Juniper with cuffs in Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Fine Tweed, the latter is also used in the back panel and cowl, all using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The sleeves are knitted in the round while the remaining 3 panels are knitted flat. The cowl is identical to the back panel just longer. Kristin also demonstrated how to use the cowl as a belt, merely by using a shawl pin to adjust it to the waist measurement. Only one bespoke button by Siri Berrefjord made it to the photoshoot (due to slow mail service), but you can see it with the planned three on the pattern page. I plan to have the Icelandic Jacket test knit in October after the Conic Coat, then released in English.

DSC_2034My Lattice Back Jacket also feature on the contents page, where editor Mary-Ann Astrup writes under the heading:  “Boundless Creative Enthusiasm” referring to stylist and re-designer Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik: “You can also see some of her gorgeous outfits, composed around old embroidered table cloths, bell pulls and curtains. In combination with new beautiful cable knits from Linda Marveng, the unity becomes sensational.” The magazine is available from newsagents like Narvesen and selected supermarkets or online here: Familiens lille butikk.

It was an amazing photo shoot and co-operation, which we have decided to do again. In the mean time, I am already working on the next series of designs for Made By Me with Monica Stålvang and a dress designer this time. More to follow.

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New Design: Icelandic Jacket

TucksMy design began with a photo of the bare wild nature at Iceland, on the digital magazine Twist Collective‘s mood board, last spring for their Winter 2013 issue. I began with Rowan Felted Tweed Dk in Watery – a color, reminiscent of the lagoons, that I have admired for a long time but not used – and discovered that to create a contrast it worked well with Rowan Fine Tweed in Wensley, a darker teal moving towards bottle green. For the main yarn I wanted something luscious with a bit of silk, and did not have to look for long until I discovered that Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace has a divine teal color called Juniper, available online at Handweavers Studio. I began thinking about sleeves, and decided I wanted repeated tucks to adorn the hands in Felted Tweed, then a reverse stockinette stitch band in Rowan Fine Tweed, and then plain stockinette stitch in Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace.

DSC_1898I love reversible cables and needed to break up all the stockinette stitches so a cowl in Rowan Fine Tweed would hold it all together. I planned to work the shrug in two parts from each sleeve, and graft them together. My Icelandic Shrug was submitted but rejected. After a long period of rejection, this time from me, I was ready to continue, and realized I wanted an A-line jacket. I am not a big fan of stockinette stitch since I find it tedious to knit, and thought I could use the cowl cable pattern as a back panel. My Icelandic Jacket, had found its soul, and was born. In addition to the cowl it needed a focus on the front; the solution was bespoke jewelry buttons by Siri Berrefjord see Siris’ Skattkammer/Treasure Trove. The pattern will be published in Norwegian in Made By Me on Monday, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry in October before it is released in my Ravelry Store.

DSC_1903Both the jacket and the cowl is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5, and the body is knitted in three panels; Left Panel, Right Panel and Spine Panel. Each side panel is sewn to the Spine Panel and has an interfacing front band which is knitted simultaneously and then folded back. The bottom hem on the side panels is knitted into place. The sleeves with their tuck cuffs are knitted in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is identical to the Spine Panel, just longer and joined at the short ends. I made the jacket in sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) and the cowl just in one size.

DSC_1915I ordered 3 bespoke buttons from Siri, who suggested sewing snap fasteners on the back. Unfortunately due to slow mail, only 1 button made it for the photo shoot in Fredrikstad in June but it was sufficient to show it off. Here are the button details and do look at Siri’s photos of my swatches in a previous blog post: 3 buttons (17 mm/28L, 0.70″) and 3 sets of snap fasteners to attach on the back. Special ordered buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, siri@fredenshavn.no see Siris’ Skattkammer/Treasure Trove, and buttons-by-siri-berrefjord.

DSC_1923The cowl looks beautiful also wrapped twice around the neck, or adjusted with a shawl pin into a belt as Remarkable Stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik (see facebook.com/Makeløs Kristin E Halkjelsvik) demonstrated to me on the evening before the photoshoot. She has taught me how to wear unheard of textiles such as tablecloths as skirts, and I have taught her how to structure a photo shoot. During our lunch meetings we also found out that Monica Stålvang has the perfect bottle green wedge boots to match, called Bettina with a stunning stiletto look from behind, see shop.monica-stalvang.com/product/bettina-green . Below is a photo from the photo shoot in Fredrikstad, which was such a fun day with photographer Eivind Røhne (see beyondtheice), make-up & hair stylist Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, model Pia Cecilie/ Team Models and editor Mary-Ann Astrup. Not present in the photo is stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik who had started packing her suitcases of treasures.

DSCN1763I cannot wait to show you the result of the photo shoot and all the pages in upcoming Made by Me.

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Buttons by Siri Berrefjord

_SBB4025I have for a long time admired Siri Berrefjord’s jewelry, see Siris’ Skattkammer/Treasure Trove, and when I finally met her at a Designerkollektivet event last year, I asked if she could make buttons for my designs. The answer to my delight was positive as long as I did not need 10 identical ones since they are cast from a mold. All that Siri needed was a yarn sample, and an idea of the size I wanted the button to be. I showed her my swatches when a brilliant idea popped into my mind; would she photograph them with her buttons on? Siri is a former professional photographer of antiques and jewelry so she knows exactly how to capture colors and texture, see fredenshavn.no. Here is the unique result of the buttons made to order and the equally stunning photos she has taken. My swatches are of the Icelandic Jacket, a new design I will reveal next week, made in a combination of Jaggerspun Zephyr LaceRowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Fine Tweed to be published in Made by Me on 1st of September. The cuff has tucks in tweed and the cables adorn the back panel and the matching cowl. Notice the layers of color that Siri has applied to the buttons making them a perfect match to the color specks in the three different yarns. They are made in plastic inspired by traditional historic national costume silver and each one is unique.

_SBB4027Now, that I have been spoilt with these magnificent buttons, I am not sure I will be satisfied with a mass produced buttons ever again! Yet another addiction of mine. If you want Siri’s unique buttons for a special garment, you too can order directly from her stating what size, how many and sending her a small yarn sample. Just email: siri@fredenshavn.no

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Oriel Ballerina Pattern Released

Oriel Ballerina ENG COVERI am having a pattern summer; not only am I releasing a number of patterns in English I am also working on a collection of new ones. The next one in the queue for releasing is my Oriel Ballerina, first published in Norwegian in the magazine Made By Me in their Spring issue in February. Brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller and beautifully worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto. Thanks to my test knitters who have helped me improve the pattern! The English pattern is available to download from my Ravelry Store: The delicate teal colour filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves the body is knitted in stockinette stitch in the divine Zephyr Lace; a mixture of merino and tussah silk.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL)

Finished measurements:                                                                                                         Bust                     90 (94, 99, 104) cm/35.5 (37, 39, 41)”                                                               incl overlap       8 cm/3.25″                                                                                                             Waist                  78 (82, 87, 93) cm/30.75 (32.25, 34.25, 36.5)”                                             Length               48 (48, 50, 52) cm/19 (19, 19.75, 20.5)”                                                           Sleeve length    46cm/18″

Yarn: Jagger Spun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 in Teal, (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 4609 m/5040 yds, 453 g/1lb cone): 1323 (1831, 2340, 2849) m/ 1447 (2002, 2559, 3116) yds. Zephyr Wool Silk.

Alternative yarns: Drops, Lace (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 800 m/ 874 yds, 100 g) Lace.     DyeforWool, Baby Alpaca/Silk Lace Yarn (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 800 m/ 874 yds, 100 g) Etsy.                                                                                                                                                           Or another Lace/2 ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 (80 cm/32″) circular needle. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Notions: Scrap yarn for running markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 28 sts and 38 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 28 sts and 36 rows in Oriel Lace measures 10 cm/4″  square, steamed and stretched. 24 sts and 52 rows in garter st measures 10 cm/4″  square.

Note: The sleeves are knitted in Oriel Lace while the back and fronts are knitted in garter st for the belt and stockinette stitch for the body.

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Oriel Ballerina knitted by Elena Troshina

14333172273_9c05b24c8d_zRussian knitter Elena wanted, to my delight, to take part in the test knitting of the English Oriel Ballerina pattern in my group on Ravelry. I had been admiring her photos on her project page as well as the lace berets she has designed. Elena knitted size Large and tested out two different yarns before she discovered Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace in pure merino in Aqua a shade very similar to the one I choose for the sample called Teal – read Turquoise to me – in Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace a beautiful mixture of merino and tussah silk. Elena wanted a yarn “which emphasized to all the beauty of your design”. I had to include this quote, obviously. She found the pattern clear and easy of follow, I am happy to report. I was overwhelmed by Elena’s gorgeous photos, and I am so pleased to share some of them here. You will find even more on her Ravelry page where her name is Lenta. Thank you so much, Elena! The Norwegian pattern was published in the magazine Made By Me, issue no 1 this year, while the English pattern will be released shortly in my Ravelry shop: ravelry.com/stores/linda-marveng.

14126319909_96c258edcc_zThe ballerina wrap is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles in stockinette stitch with garter stitch edges and stunning Oriel Lace sleeves. The body is knitted in pieces and sewn together. Both the tie and the front band is knitted at the same time as the front.

14126321389_8de680e8dc_zI chose to end the outer Oriel Lace pattern repeats at the top of the sleeve cap and  made pleats at the top, while Elena chose to work the lace to the end without pleating the cap. These are small adjustments you easily can do to make the garment perfect for you. Here is a link to the pattern page: Oriel Ballerina.

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Oriel Ballerina in Made by Me

DSC_1306I have made it into the Norwegian magazine Made By Me, and since it is the first time I am contributing, they have presented me as well as my book. I am delighted. The heading is “Hooked on Knitting”, and the introductory paragraph reads: “Linda Marveng learned to knit as a 10-year old, but many years later, via a detour in business management, and a job as Design Consultant for Rowan, she is finally in her right element. Now she has the great recognition as a designer.” They have included the introduction to my book; and referred to my freelance work for MbyM, my blog and my Ravelry group.

The design they chose was the Oriel Ballerina, my wrap over, stunningly modeled on Francesca Golfetto, photographed by Kim Müller. The delicate teal colour filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves the body is knitted in stockinette stitch in the divine Zephyr Lace; a mixture of merino and tussah silk. The divine yarn is available at Handweavers Studio in London or can be replaced by Drops Lace by Garnstudio. See the pattern page on Ravelry for more details. The English pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin in mid-February on Ravelry. I look forward to seeing it knitted in different colors and yarns!

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New Design: Oriel Ballerina

Francesca, Marveng PucketI was instantly drawn to this light turquoise color in the stunning Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, a merino and tussah silk mixture in lace weight, at Handweavers Studio in London, many years ago. The delicate color filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves, the body is knitted in stockinette stitch, and the belt in garter stitch. The wrap was intended to be part of my book, but it was not finished on time, nor needed to fill the book, so instead it will be my first pattern printed in the Norwegian magazine Made By Me, also published in Swedish, in the next issue out on the 3.rd of February. The first three issues are now available in an English-US version as an app, see MbyM Magazine. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry, after test knitting, set to begin in February. The Oriel Ballerina is knitted flat and seamed, using a 3 mm/US 2.5 knitting needle. I was delighted to model it on a stunning ballerina; Francesca Golfetto from the Norwegian National Ballet and brilliantly captured by photographer by Kim Müller.

Francesca, Marveng PucketInstead of decreasing into the lace pattern on the sleeve cap, I decided to make a pleat at the top, see the detailed photo above. I also wanted to show the beautiful Oriel lace pattern in detail. The front band is a continuation of the garter stitch belt and makes the fabric lie flat. I cannot wait to show you how it looks in the MbyM magazine.

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