Aibell Pattern Released

The test knit of Aibell has come to an end, and the pattern has been corrected as well as improved. I am delighted to let you know that the pattern is now available in both Norwegian and English in my Ravelry Store and on Loveknitting. Aibell was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and is knitted in their divine Tinde pelt wool yarn using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 3.5 mm/US 4 needle. The dress came alive to me when Emma Ross wore it at the Vigeland Museum last November. Sissel Fylling who did her hair and make up also suggested wearing the cowl as a belt for those who dare. The stunning jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design, while the black Benedetta wedge boots are designed by Monica Stålvang. Eivind Røhne captured it all.

The idea began as a balloon dress, with a tight rib at the bottom and a voluminous stockinette stitch part. What if I used the stockinette stitches to make cables instead of decreasing and what if I made the introduction of the cables to look like a royal sash? Hence the front and back had to be opposite and not identical. I made a small swatch to see if the idea would work out. Yes, it did to my excitement. I choose to make the sample in a neutral colour and went for natural grey.

Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted the sample for me in her usual turbo speed and grafted the ends of the cowl together. After I had finished crocheting the dress together and made the neckband, I tried it on and discovered that I could wear it with the rib pulled up a bit, or folded in to make a thick layered tunic or merely hanging down.

Named after the Celtic Goddess of Munster who had a magical harp in her possession is this balloon shaped dress where the shaping is done by the cables. The a-line created by the cables is mirrored on the body. The front has Right cables beginning at hip one at a time, while the back has Left cables. A cowl make a high cabled collar or a belt. Wear it loose hanging down, slightly pulled up or as a tunic with the rib turned.

The dress is available in sizes XS to 2XL and you can see the gorgeous projects from the test knit on the pattern page on Ravelry.

Happy Easter! Enjoy the holidays!

You can read and hear more about my creative life, by becoming a patron with rewards such as monthly free pattern on Patreon.com

Share

Andaman Top Pattern Released

The rights to my pattern the Andaman Top has come back to me from Interweave and I have released the pattern in English on Ravelry with new photos. The Andaman Top was first published in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2018 and is knitted in the lovely Tahki Stacy Charles Fine Yarns BioMerino in Cobalt using 4 mm/US 6 needles. Above you see the gorgeous Emma Ross, with make up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design as well as skirt by Judith Bech, wearing the sample made in size Small at the Vigeland Museum. Em is brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne

The Andaman Top will have you craving the intense hues of a Mediterranean summer. With a cropped straight front, the flowing back creates a stylish contrast with its dramatic length and curved hem. The three elegant lace panels running up the front and back of this stylish top have an Egyptian art deco feel, with curving lines and geometric figures.

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

Finished measurements
Bust: 90 (98, 106.5, 114, 124.5, 134.5) cm/35.5 (38.5, 42, 45, 49, 53)“
Front length: 48 (49, 50, 51, 52, 53) cm/18.75 (19, 19.5, 20, 20.25, 20.75)”
Back length: 80 (81, 82, 83, 84, 85) cm/31.25 (31.75, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.25)“

Yarn: Tahki Stacy Charles, Bio Merino (100% merino wool, 50 g, 110 m/120 yds): Sample is knitted in Cobalt 1541: 7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10) skeins; 680 (750, 810, 870, 945, 1020) m/744 (820, 886, 951, 1033, 1115) yds.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 straight and circular needle (40 cm/16”) for neck and armhole bands.

Notions: Markers (removable), holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
17-sts Lace repeat measures 9 cm/3.5” wide.
24 rows Lace repeat measures 8.5 cm/3.25” high.

Notes: This top is worked back and forth from the bottom and up in pieces and seamed. The lower back is shaped by short rows. During shaping, if there are not enough stitches to work an increase with its corresponding decrease, work the stitches of the partial lace pattern as they appear.

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Andaman Top

I am delighted to show you the last of the photos from our photos taken at the Vigeland Museum in November, they are of the Andaman Top first published in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2018. Eivind Røhne took these brilliant pictures of Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing the top together with Judith Bech’s stunning skirt. It was my suggestion that Em hold onto and steer the the impressive cast iron dragon, a sample for the Vigeland Park Gates by Gustav Vigeland. Sissel did wonder what I had for lunch, coming up with that idea, as she wanted some of that inspiration too. But actually we had chosen exactly the same; a very delicious chicken burrito from Eckers which I had delivered, after reading that it was a “must visit lunch spot and coffee bar in Oslo” on the Little Scandinavian blog.

I knew I wanted to borrow Judith’s skirt for this top, and it made a lovely contrast to the photos Interweave took of the top with a white shirt and trousers. The Andaman Top will have you craving the intense hues of a Mediterranean summer. With a cropped straight front, the flowing back creates a stylish contrast with its dramatic length and curved hem. The three elegant lace panels running up the front and back of this stylish top have an Egyptian art deco feel, with curving lines and geometric figures.

Em is wearing size S, but the top is available in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 90 to 134.5 cm/35.5 to 53″. The Andaman Top is knitted in Tahki Stacy Charles Fine Yarns BioMerino which is made of 100% merino wool with 110 meters/120 yards on each ball, in the Cobalt shade using 4 mm/US 6 and a 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch gauge. 

This top is worked back and forth from the bottom and up in pieces and seamed. The lower back is shaped by short rows. During shaping, if there are not enough stitches to work an increase with its corresponding decrease, work the stitches of the partial lace pattern as they appear.

The English pattern will be available in my Ravelry Store later in March, will the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien at a later date.

I want to take my team for the fantastic day we had a the Vigeland Museum! Where are we going next, that is what I am pondering upon these days.

Share

Tweed Jacket Pattern Released

The number of request for the pattern in English, made me have the Tweed Jacket from my Norwegian knitting book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” (only translated into Finnish) photographed again and I also reviewed of the pattern. My American Technical Editor Barbara Khouri has checked it, and I am happy to say that it has been released on Ravelry with new fantastic photos by Eivind Røhne at the Vigeland Museum of model Emma Ross with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design as well as a skirt by Judith Bech.

A Tweed jacket inspired by Christopher Kane’s elegant tweed version. My version has sleeves in stranded colourwork in stockinette stitch as a contrast to the tweed pattern made with slipped stitches on the body and a fitted waist. The tweed jacket has been given a vintage look, by using the fine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Alv held double.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL)
Shown in size Small with Drewdrop Cowl
Skill level: Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust/hip: 90 (94, 98, 106) cm/35.5 (37, 38.5, 43)“
Waist: 78 (82, 88, 96) cm/30.75 (32.25, 34.25, 37.75)”
Length to highest point: 53 (54, 55, 56) cm/21 (21.5, 21.75, 22.25)“
Sleeve length: 50 cm/19.75”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Alv (100% wool, 200 g cone, 1400 m/1532 yds)
Sample is made in:
COL A: Black 418030: 1 (1, 2, 2) cones; 1050 (1260, 1470, 1890) m/1148 (1378, 1608, 2067) yds.
COL B: Dark grey 418073: 1 (1, 1, 2) cones; 1050 (1260, 1470, 1890) m/1148 (1378, 1608, 2067) yds.
COL C: Steel grey 418029: 1 (1, 1, 1) cone; 700 (840, 980, 1260) m/766 (919, 1072, 1378) yds.
Note: 2 strands of the laceweight yarn are held together throughout.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/alv-kamgarn-14-2/

Alternative yarns: Cascade 220 Fingering (100% wool, 50 g, 250 m/273 yds)
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Fingering.htm
Jamiesons’ of Shetland, Spindrift (100% wool, 25 g, 105 m/115 yds)
https://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-1-c.asp
Cascade Heritage (75% merino wool, 25% nylon, 100 g, 400 m/437 yds)
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Heritage.htm
Note: Use 1 strand of fingering/4 ply yarn.

Needles: 2.5 mm/US 1.5 straight needles and DPNs.
3 mm/US 2.5 straight needles and DPNs.

Gauge: 30 sts and 31 rows in Sleeve pattern, Stranded colourwork in st st with 2 strands of yarn held together, using larger needles measures 10 cm/4” square.
27 sts and 60 rows in Tweed pattern with 2 strands of yarn held together, using larger needles measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notions: Markers (removable), yarn needle and 8 buttons (15 mm/0.6”).

Notes: The body is worked in parts and sewed together, while the sleeves are knitted in in the round up to the armhole. Check your waist measurement before you begin and adjust if necessary.

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Canola

Next out in the series of designs photographed at the Vigeland Museum is the poncho I have designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Named after Canola the Irish deity who ruled over music magic is this poncho with sideways cables at the bottom and on the high collar. The upper part is picked up and knitted from the lower cable panel and worked in stockinette stitch with shaping for the shoulders. The short sleeves in rib hold the poncho together. You can wear it with a belt or a shawl pin to gather it at the front or loose, just as you prefer. Model Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wore the poncho beautifully, and photographer Eivind Røhne captured these brilliant pictures at the Vigeland Museum back in November.

I styled Canola with pencil pants and Benedetta high wedge boots from Monica Stålvang, to show off the oversized fit, and did also add a belt to the front. Canola comes in one size and has a 194 cm/76.5″ circumference and a 74.5 cm/29.25″ length, the sleeves which are worked separately are 32 cm/12.5″ long.

The sample is knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool yarn made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 gram skein in the divine shade of Burgundy 2104, using 3.5 mm/US 4. The gauge used is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch. 

The body is knitted in four parts with cables on bottom part and stockinette stitch on the upper part. A long circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round in rib.The collar is knitted separately using a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. If you prefer to have the collar loose, pick up and knit stitches around the neck and work an I-cord bind-off.

The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at “Fagstrikk (Knits trade fair)” in Oslo in April, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on 15th of April before its release.

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Corra

Let me present Corra worn by model Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at the Vigeland Museum in November last year. Corra is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and knitted in their divine Tinde pelt wool yarn in the blue turquoise colour 2129. The colour does look gorgeous on Em, I think. I choose to style it with black pencil pants and Benedetta high wedge boots from Monica Stålvang.

Named after the Prophecy Goddess is this elaborate cabled pullover with slightly fitted waist. Two large cable panels are divided by a small cable that ends in a Henley neck, framed with an I-cord. Unlike the body the sleeves only have two small cables surrounded by stockinette stitch, so all the focus is on the body. Corra is knitted in pieces and seamed.

Em is wearing size S, but I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 86 cm to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5″. The pullover is knitted with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles, measures 10 cm/4″ square. Corra is photographed in the Monolith Hall, with the plaster models made by Gustav Vigeland as casts in parts for the granite 17.3 meter tall/56 feet and 9.1″ Monolith (the center piece of the Vigeland Park in Oslo); a column consisting of 121 figures. The figurine part is 14.2 meter/46 feet and 7″ tall, excluding the plinth. Carved from one single granite block, hence the name (mono: one, litho: stone). Take a look at Em in front of the Monolith in this blogpost: Behind the Scenes Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum.

The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at “Fagstrikk (Knits trade fair)” in Oslo in April, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on 18th of March before its release. It was like a dream to spend the whole day, surrounded by all these amazing sculptures, in the company of only the curators and my crew! Thank you!

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Aibell

The next set of photos I am going to show you is the Aibell, the dress I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, knitted in the divine Tinde pelt wool yarn. This was actually the first garment we photographed at the Vigeland Museum at our photoshoot in November. So while Sissel Fylling was working on Emma Ross’ hair and makeup, Eivind Røhne and I looked at the different halls and what we wanted as the backdrop to the different designs. We were awestruck by the large plaster sculptures in the Monolitt Hall and decided to start there. I styled the dress with boots from Monica Stålvang and statement jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. Em did look magnificent in the dress. First I wanted to show you how I prefer the dress, simply hanging down and with the cowl worn as a collar.

I did have a hard time choosing photos, especially for this dress since I also wanted to show off the different ways it can be worn. Here is my introduction to the dress: Named after the Celtic Goddess of Munster who had a magical harp in her possession is this ballon shaped dress where the shaping is done by the cables. The a-line created by the cables is mirrored on the body. The fronthas Right cables beginning at hip one at a time, while the back has Left cables. A cowl make a high cabled collar or a belt. Wear it loose hanging down, slightly pulled up or as a tunic with the rib turned.

Aibell is knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool yarn made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 grams using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5 for the bottom rib. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The dress is knitted in pieces and seamed. The cables shape the dress, by adding one cable at a time. Add elastic to the bottom if you prefer to wear it higher up. Adjust the length in the stocking stitch area, depending on how you prefer to wear it. The cowl can easily be adjusted to your preferred height by adding cable repeats or purl stitches in between the cables.

Next view is the rib pulled up. Em is wearing size Small with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36.25 but the pattern has been graded from size XS to 2XL: 86 to 122 cm/33.75 to 48″.

Here is how it looks slightly pulled up from the back.

My last option was to pull the rib inside out and using it as interfacing for a tunic. Here you can see it without the cowl. The neck has an I-cord bind off.

 A close up photo with the cowl, showing the dress worn as a tunic from the back.

Just before Em went to put on trousers for the photos with the dress worn as a tunic, Sissel had an idea. It was a revelation really. She suggested using the cowl as a belt. So we had a go at helping Em putting on the cowl.

It is not a look that will suit everyone but I did love seeing this trendy young look, so thank you Sissel for that idea! You can easily adjust the cowl or belt to your own preference.

Here is the final photo I will show you of Aibell and it is just in time for the test knit which begins on Monday in my Ravelry group. The English pattern will be released after the test knit is completed with the Norwegian pattern and yarn kits will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at “Fagstrikk” in Oslo in April. I am so thrilled with all these photos! Thank you to my amazing team!

Share

Irpa Pattern Released

The test knit of the long oversized Irpa cardigan finished in January and the pattern in English, in addition to the Norwegian one, is now available from Ravelry and Loveknitting. My test knitters did a fantastic job making their own versions and you can see their results on the pattern page on Ravelry. Above is the gorgeous Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling, jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing Irpa knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at the end of May last year at Villa Malla.

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.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 110 (118, 130, 142, 154) cm/43.25 (46.5, 51.25, 56, 60.75)“
Bottom width: 116 (124, 136, 148, 160) cm/45.75 (48.75, 53.5, 58.25, 63)”
Length: 78 (79, 80, 81, 82) cm/30.75 (31, 31.5, 32, 32.25)“
Sleeve length: 46 (46, 47, 47) cm/18 (18, 18.5, 18.5)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Light Brown 2102; 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins; 1638 (1820, 2002, 2184, 2366) m/1791 (1990, 2189, 2478) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

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…
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).
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for rib and buttonband (2 sets of 80 cm/32 or 100 cm/38”)
3.5 mm/US 4 straight needle.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge

Notions: 11 buttons 20 mm/0.78”. Stitch markers (removable), cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st using 3.5 mmm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4” square, after blocking.
28-sts Pine Cable measures 10 cm/4” across.

Notes: 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.

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Tweed Jacket and Dewdrop Cowl

I am delighted to show you the fantastic new photos of my old design Tweed Jacket and Dewdrop Cowl, both from my Norwegian knitting book that was published in 2012: “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” (only translated into Finnish). I do love the old photos of ballerina Cristiane Sá, but she is wearing a tutu so I thought some new ones would be good and I had room for one more garment in our photoshoot at the Vigeland Museum in November. Gorgeous model Emma Ross looks stunning in the jacket with the Dewdrop Cowl, worn together with Judith Bech’s stunning skirt. Em’s make up and hair is by Sissel Fylling and jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Em is captured by Eivind Røhne in front of the impressive cast iron dragon, a sample for the Vigeland Park Gates.

Eivind and I agreed that the dragon added the drama we wanted to the photos. The Tweed Jacket is inspired by Christopher Kane’s elegant tweed version. Mine has sleeves in stranded colour work in stockinette stitch as a contrast to the tweed pattern, made with slipped stitches on the body and a fitted waist. The tweed jacket has been given a vintage look by using the fine lace weight Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Alv combed yarn held double.

The Dewdrop Cowl is made of left over yarn from the jacket and I also choose to make a larger Cowl, which can be worn on top of each other and with wrist warmers, in the fingering Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Huldra in a beautiful dark rose red colour. I wanted to add some colour to the outfit and thought this was a magnificent solution. I love the way Sissel knotted Em’s hair in some of these photos!

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Alv is a laceweight yarn made in 100% combed wool on a 200 gram cone with 1400 meters/1532 yards, which I held double for a machine knitted effect.  The gauge is 30 stitches and 31 rounds/rows in the sleeve pattern in stranded colourwork in stockinette stitch and 27 stitches and 60 rows in Tweed pattern, both with 2 strands held together using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles. The tweed pattern takes 3 colours: 2 greys and 1 black, while the stranded colour work is done in the darkest grey and black.

The body of the jacket is worked in parts and sewed together, while the sleeves are knitted in in the round up to the armholes. The double hems are worked in 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle, while the other parts are made in 3 mm/US 2.5 needles.

Em is wearing size small with a bust and hip circumference of 90 cm/35.5″, but I have revised the English pattern, made the sleeves wider at the top and added an XL size with these measurements: 106 cm/43″. I also sent the revised pattern to my technical editor Barbara Khouri. It will be added to Ravelry and Loveknitting shortly, together with the Dewdrop Cowl pattern.

The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien at a later date. I am ever so thrilled with these new photos, so thank you to my amazing team!

Share

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: White Mountain Ruana

Next out is the White Mountain Ruana, worn by the gorgeous model Emma Ross, with Hair & Make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at the Vigeland Museum. The Ruana was an accepted design submission to Interweave Knits Winter 2018, knitted in the divine Shibui Knits Maai; a chainette yarn made of 70% superbaby alpaca, 30% fine merino, with 160 meters/175 yards on each 50 gram skein. I chose to style it with black pencil trousers, a black top and black sculptural shoes by Amanda Skovgaard so the lovely brick colour would stand out.

Voluptuous, luxurious, and enveloping, the White Mountain Ruana is a chic layer perfect for winter wanderings. The overlapping fronts can be worn loose or closed with snap fasteners and an I-cord tie. An easy-to-knit allover ripple rib pattern gives this ruana an elegant texture; garter stitch on the collar offers contrast to the body. I love the contrast in texture and colour to the plaster sculptures in the Monolith Hall. You can see Em in front of the finished granite Monolith sculpture in the Vigeland Park in this blogpost: Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum.

The Ruana is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. A provisional cast on is replaced by an I-cord bind off, at the end. Stitches are cast-on for the width of the sleeve parts. The sleeve parts are identical for all sizes but the larger sizes end in a shorter rib that are picked up and knitted at the end. Two I-cords are made for a tie; one part is attached to the collar and the other to the inside seam. Three snap fasteners are sewed on along seam under arm on Right Front with the corresponding parts on the inside of the collar.

I chose this second side photo since it shows the ruana closed and the first one since you can see the snap fasteners. The White Mountain Ruana is knitted with a 25 stitch and 32 rows in Ripple Rib gauge measuring 10 cm/4” square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. It was the first time I tried a Shibui Knits yarn and definitely not the last, since they have an impressive selection of luxurious yarns.

Em is wearing size Extra Small/Small, but the pattern is also available in sizes M/L and XL/2XL with a bust measurement (including sleeveparts) of 217 (234, 250) cm/85.5 (92.25, 98.5)” and a lower circumference: 151 (167.5, 184) cm/59.5 (66, 72.5)”. The English pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the magazine Familien at a later date. These photos convey the casual stylish look I was aiming for! So thank you to my fabulous team!

Share