Hønsestrikk til folket

Kaurin_HonsestrikkTilFolketChicken knits to the people is a direct translation from Norwegian of this popular newly published book by Cecilie Kaurin and Linn Bryhn Jacobsen, see cappelendamm. Slipp fargene fri/Let the colors loose is their encouragement to knitters here in Norway, written on a heart shaped chart with a photograph of the trendy Karpe Diem sweater on the cover of this book ring bound for easy and regular use, see my earlier post; Hobby Night at Cappelen Damm. Some knitters have even commented that they would have preferred to have the cover laminated too, so that the wear would be even less. I still have a number of my favorite patterns laminated, so I understand the request too well…

Chicken knitting has nothing to do with chickens, but is a 40- year old term invented by the Danish author and knitter Kirsten Hofstätter, who was tired of not being able to buy patterns without buying yarn, and made her own pattern book with less rigid pattern set up. She was refused by the left radical publishing firm Rød Hane/Red Cock and started her own publishing firm called Hønsetryk/Chicken print. She encouraged knitters to create and fantasize with knitting needles without strictly following a knitting pattern. Chicken knit became a term for knitting with colorful yarns, preferably waste yarn and for making your own colourwork borders. So begins the foreword to the book, and continues with how to knit creatively making up your own pattern. The patterns in the book are all knitted in the round and steeked. Not all border repeats fit the stitch number but the authors encourage you to end in the side where it is less visible. All the major borders on the body should fit, though, and you can adapt the smaller ones to fit yourself if you prefer. The book contains 23 patterns – with different variations for each one – for adults, children and accessories as well as chapters on tips and tricks and gauge/tension; personalizing your sweater; and how to make the perfect chicken hanger for your chicken knits. You will find more info and a fun free wrist warmer pattern in both Norwegian and English on their blog here: chickenknitting.blogspot and more of the projects on the preview here: Issuu.

1511243_369554406522898_1518935759_nI could not resist to show a children’s version of the divine Karpe Diem sweater seeing this stunning photo. It is knitted in Mitu (50% wool, 50% alpaca, 50 g, 100 m/109 yds) a DK weight from Rauma Ullvarefabrikk, using 5 suggested colors and 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needles, see Raumaull. See other patterns from the book on the Cappelen Damm’s blog: forlagsliv. The book has been sold to a Danish publisher so far. Enjoy and start creating your own borders to make your own sweater.

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Hobby Night at Cappelen Damm

1467328_10151918403974504_488794827_nLast year’s Hobby Night at my publishers’ was such a success that it had to be repeated, this time with another set of knitting and crochet book authors presenting their new and upcoming books: Arne & Carlos, Tove Fevang, Cecilie Kaurin & Linn Bryhn Jacobsen and Eline Oftedal. 180 people had signed up for the free event, and looked forward to another fab evening, and an amazing goodie bag – yes, even bigger this year. The Christmas serving was rice porridge, the traditional spicy drink “gløgg”, gingerbread cookies and for those wanting a bit of wine; Arne & Carlos’ own brand for an extra fee. In addition to the generous goodie bag – with several kits and balls of yarns, I will reveal all – we also received two raffle tickets each. Arne & Carlos started the show, and told us about their recent world wide tour as well as their latest book “Strikk fra Setesdal/Knits from Setesdal”, not yet published in English but coming soon, see cappelendamm.

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Arne is one of those speakers, he joked that you can just insert a penny and he will keep talking, proven by the fact that the technical support staff had to change the battery of his microphone. Carlos continued and said; “While Arne is having his battery changed, I will do the talking”. They are such a joy to listen to, and no wonder their books are available in 14 languages so far. One of the latest additional languages is Japanese. Not only are their previous clothes designs popular in Japan, but their books are too. You can see their 5 books on the screen behind Carlos in the photo below.

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Next on the evening’s agenda was interviews by presenter and former designer Kaja Marie Lereng Kvernbakken, see makaroniblogg, left in the photo above, of all the authors. First out was Tove Fevang, whose latest book published by Cappelen Damm was on crocheting for the kitchen, she is seated third from left. It is only a few days since Tove was last in the newspaper, as the front person of the Amanda Project, knitting & crocheting to aid the premature born babies founded by Amanda’s parents, see amandaprosjektet. Tove’s next crochet book is out next year. Seated next to her is Cecilie Kaurin & Linn Bryhn Jacobsen whose book  “Hønsestrikk til folket”/”Chickenknit to the people” is due out in early January, see inside it here: issuu. The concept began in Denmark in the -70s with statements knitted into garments, usually without using any specific patterns, just making it up and the term “chicken” was used because it was the name of the first publisher to publish a book on the topic. It is back in fashion, and became a huge hit when Cecilie Kaurin designed a sweater capturing the Norwegian Rap band Karpe Diem’s latest CD title; “Kors på halsen, Ti Kniver i hjertet, Mor og far i døden”/”Cross your throat, Ten knives in the heart, Mother and father into death”, see a photo of rap duo with sweaters on here: strikk-karpe-diem-genseren. The design request came on twitter fittingly enough, after her daughter wore a sweater decorated with both the twitter and Apple logo on. Here is the free pattern of the Karpe Diem Genser in Norwegian: dalegarn.

DSCN1529Eline Oftedal published her first book in the UK; “Knit Nordic”, available at amazon, and she has translated it into Norwegian herself. The book has recently been published as “Marius, Setesdal, Fana, Voss. Norske strikkemønstre på nye måter/Norwegian knitting patterns in new ways”, see cappelendamm. Kaja asked how she works, and Eline responded that she submits designs to magazines such as the American “Designer Knitting” and British “The Knitter” without knowing whether a design will be accepted or not. The red shrug she is wearing is one design that was accepted by “Designer Knitting”. Here is her blog, with links to downloadable pdf patterns to buy: byeline. Eline’s iPhone cover was one of the kits included in the goodie bag with two balls of Sportsgarn from Viking Garn, the other was Arne & Carlos placemat with two balls of 3 Tråds Strikkegarn from Rauma Ullvarefabrikk, patterns and two balls of lovely alpaca plus the canvas bag from Du Store Alpakka, hardback Tilda diary, pocket book by Vetle Lid Larssen, 10 lovely Christmas cards, stamp with “Homemade” on, plus another handy shopping bag with Cappelen Damm logo on. I could tell by the response that the goodie bags were a hit, just like the filled to the brim raffle price bags were!

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After the interview, each author had a selection of items/garments on display and answered questions, while Arne & Carlos seemed to have mainly photo requests to deal with. I had an excellent evening, I had brought my knitting but was busy eating porridge, drinking gløgg, and being captivated by all the authors. I for one, will be back next year…

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