Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Andor

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The last of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk yarn kit designs is also the most popular, the poncho Andor. As always I enjoyed seeing it worn by Alexandria Eissinger, she made it look more stylish than I ever can. With hair and make by Jens J. Wiker and statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design as well as boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, Alexandria was brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo Fjord. Wearing long gloves, boots, scarf and a woolen poncho in a sweltering heat reaching above 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit, she looked so cool while the rest of us were suffering in thin summer clothing. Andor is the favorite project of both Alexandria and my husband, of those photographed in June. The poncho knitted in Hifa Norsk Pelsull soon to be renamed Hifa Tinde, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and 4 mm/US 6 for the turtle neck. The yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair tomorrow.

A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has sidebands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho.

Instead of wearing long gloves you could easily knit a pair of long wrist warmers in for example a rib. The poncho comes in one size with a bust measurement of 212 cm/83.5″, and a length of 72 cm/28.25″. You can easily change the size by removing or adding stitches to the center and or next to the shoulder part, or merely by changing the needle size.

The yarn kits will be available in selected yarn stores and online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk after the launch at Oslo Design Fair. You will find the kits on this page after their launch: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. Unfortunately I will not be at the launch at Oslo Design Fair but I am at Strik Bornholm and looking forward to traveling back to the sunshine island of Bornholm. I hope to see some of you there.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Elfa

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to present the magnificent professional photos of the third design for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Elfa is an a-line long jacket with central cables along all parts. Tucks divide the different patterns giving a slight flair and a softer touch to the jacket. A large shawl collar crowns the garment, hence the given name Elfa – after the Norse king and warrior. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hifa. Gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger – with hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes – shows it off so elegantly at the upper terrace of Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. It was a sweltering day that made the fjord look more like the Mediterranean Sea. The yarn kits with the Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in April next year before its release.

Elfa is knitted using 3 mm/US 4 needles with a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together. To make the bottom band and tuck to flare less choose needle size 2.5 mm/US 1.5. The number of stitches picked up for collar has been adjusted from the sample to avoid the flare.

The bottom band on all parts begins with a provisional cast on, which will be pulled out and replaced by an I-cord bind off at the end. The collar also ends in an I-cord bind off. The cables are the same ones chosen for the Idunn pullover. Framed by stocking stitch in the sides and divided by a tuck to the garter stitch collar and bottom band, instead of a rib, the jacket has a more feminine look to it.

Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2. Elfa is graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/41 to 49.75″. The yarn kits will be available from selected yarn stores and online here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. The last design for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in this collection is the most popular of them all the Andor Poncho.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Idunn

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next out of the four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is Idunn. Alexandria Eissinger looks gorgeous in the pullover, with beautiful hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, all brilliantly captured b Eivind Røhne on a sweltering day in June at Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord. Idunn is: Named after the Norse goddess of spring and immortality is this straight sweater with a Henley neck with center cables. Ribs frame the cables in each side and make the sweater figure hugging. One center cable adds texture to the sleeve. The sweater is worked in the round to the underarm in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Norsk Pelsull – re-named Tinde – from Hifa. The Norwegian pattern will be available only in yarn kits to be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September. The yarn kits will be available in selected yarn stores and online here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in March.

Idunn is worked using 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The pullover, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round until the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows.

The pullover is straight without any shaping but the ribbing in the side make it appear fitted. I have graded the pullover from size XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 88 cm to 129 cm/34.75 to 50.75″.

Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2. Next up is professional photos of the a-line jacket Elfa with the same cables.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Halli

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next series of photos I am thrilled to show you are the designs I have made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for their yarn kits. First out is Halli, which light color light jeans blue suits gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger so well! Her beautiful hair & make up is by Jens J. Wiker, the statement jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord in June. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. The sample is knitted in the new finer pelt wool yarn with a radiance called Hifa Sølje with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in February before it will be released. The yarn kits will be launched at the Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September.

Halli is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size. Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2.

Again; a light color that worked so well with the backdrop, in addition to looking stunning on Alexandria that is, so I had a hard time choosing photos as you can see! These photos were photographed at the upper terrace at Villa Malla, next to the large curving staircase leading to the lower terrace.

I chose to style these four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with slim black trousers and a tube top, to let the textures of the knits show. The lustrous pelt wool has a grey base tone which gives an extra dimension to the colors. This new thickness of the pelt wool and Norsk Pelsull which will change name to Tinde will be available in 30 colors from September. I am trying to be patient will I wait for the new shade cards to appear in my mail box.

The fronts are long because I wanted to be able to let them drape across the front in a casual manner. I realized this might not be suitable for all knitters hence I added the size & ease note above.

Last photo selected is this side view with the front draped across. The yarn kit will be available to order from selected yarn stores and online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. Next design coming up is the professionally photographed pullover Idunn.

New Design: Elfa

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Elfa is the last of my new designs and the fourth garment made for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The cables are the same one I used for Idunn, and I loved the idea of making a different but also a more feminine version this time. I decided upon an a-line long jacket as a contrast to the straight pullover. The yarn producer liked my idea, I am pleased to say. It was another project that skilled sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9, knitted with her usual turbo speed. All four designs with their yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the beginning of September.

Here is my presentation of it: Elfa is an a-line long jacket with central cables along all parts. Tucks divide the different patterns giving a slight flair and a softer touch to the jacket. A large shawl collar crowns the garment, hence the given name Elfa – after the Norse king and warrior. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hifa.

Elfa is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles with a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together. To make the bottom band and tuck to flare less choose needle size 2.5 mm/US 1.5. The number of stitches picked up for collar has been adjusted from the sample to avoid the flare. I have graded the jacket from size XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference from 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, and I am wearing size S above. Elfa was photographed by my husband at Ormøya a couple of weeks ago and by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla on the 1. of June. Coming up are all the amazing professional photos and the garments worn by model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency.

New Design: Idunn

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I included a sweater in my design submission to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for their yarn kits. A pullover not unlike Cable Round Sweater and Mistale with ribbing in the sides making it appear shaped but this time with a Henley neck. It might sounds familiar since it is because I was inspired by the neck modification Sabine Brenner made to her Mistale. I adored this cable the first time I saw it and moved the cable crossing row until I was totally smitten with it. The pelt yarn; Norsk Pelsull, soon to be renamed to Tinde, was chosen for this pullover while a jacket was made in the new finer pelt yarn Sølje with the exact same cables. Again, I was fortunate that skilled turbo-knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry could help me out and knit the sample. It took her 9 days, for your information. All four designs will be launched as yarn kits at Oslo Design Fair at the beginning of September.

Here is my introduction to Idunn: Named after the Norse goddess of spring and immortality is this straight sweater with a Henley neck with center cables. Ribs frame the cables in each side and make the sweater figure hugging. One center cable adds texture to the sleeve. The sweater is worked in the round to the underarm in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Norsk Pelsull from Hifa.

The pullover is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows/rounds measures 10 cm/4″ square. It will be available in sizes XS to 2 XL with a bust circumference of 88 to 129 cm/34.75 to 50.75″. Above you see me wearing size S. The sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The color is petrol and it is so vivid, hence well suited to be photographed at Ormøya by the fjord. I loved seeing it on my model Alexandria since she made it come alive for me. You wait and see.

New Design: Halli

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Linda Marveng

A cardigan knitted sideways is a garment I have been planning to design for awhile, not unlike my sideways vest made for my Norwegian knitting book. When I received samples of the new yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje, I knew it was the one. Sølje is a thinner version of Norsk Pelsullgarn made of 100% Norwegian Pelt wool with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein and a wonderful luster to it. I choose to knit it using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. Hence it became one of the four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and for their yarn kits which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair. I choose a simple reversible pattern that reminds me of bricks, and added tucks at the bottom of the sleeves and at the beginning of each front. By playing around I discovered that making a tuck in reverse stocking stitch next to one in stocking stitch make them move apart and oppose each other. A small part of the collar is in garter stitch. My skilled sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, has knitted the size Small sample.

A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

I have graded the cardigan from size XS to 2XL, with bust measurements from 100 to 144 cm/39.25 to 56.75″, due to the extra wide fronts. In the pattern I have added the following ease/size note: The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size.

The fronts can easily be draped and pinned together as you please, as you can see from the photo above. It does look better if you do this in front of a mirror though, and not without one as I did. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and will sold as a guest design in September here: /garnpakker/hillesvag-eksklusiv-gjestedesign, while the English pattern will be test knitted in February in my Ravelry group before its release. I must admit that this is my favorite of my new designs, and it has just been sent off to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk as their display sample for Oslo Design Fair and other upcoming fairs. So for the future I will truly cherish the professional photos we took of Halli. You wait and see.

New Design: Andor

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to announce that I have made 4 designs for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair in the beginning of September. Then, you will find them on this webpage: Hillesvåg Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. I suggested a trendy oversized poncho, an a-line long jacket, a straight sweater and a sideways jacket with a waterfall front. First out is the poncho, Andor beautifully knitted by Airin Hansen, in Hifa Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt yarn with a mohair feel, 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 g skein) using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle (and 4 mm/US 6 for collar). I was delighted that Airin, aka Teodor on Ravelry, could help me knit the sample as I was knitting two other samples at the time. Natural grey (undyed hence natural and what I would describe as light grey) or beige was my choice and Hillesvåg opted for beige.

The poncho is knitted in two parts, back and forth. The large collar is picked up and knitted at the end, just as the sidebands. The shoulder is shaped with short-rows and then joined using a 3-needle bind-off. Each sideband has two buttonholes. The photos above are taken by my husband in the bright sunlight and as you can see we had the sun in the wrong direction in the top two photos. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release. I loved seeing it on my model Alexandria Eissinger and I can reveal that it was her favorite of all the 11 garments we photographed at Villa Malla.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Oslo Design Fair