The Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival in Fredrikstad, one hour south of Oslo, was back in action last weekend (16th to 18th of September) with lovely weather as you can see in the photo above taken by my husband. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Senna
Senna Pattern Released
I am slowly catching up on the released patterns from 2021. Next out is the Senna Jacket knitted in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted with bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. The shade Woodberry looked stunning on model Olivia Lindtein wearing both the jacket and the Seneka skirt, which can also be worn as a poncho or maxi hood! Her hair & make-up is by Sissel Fylling, the jewellery is borrowed from Kaja Gjedebo Design and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured it all! The English and Norwegian pattern is available in my Ravelry Store and on LoveCrafts.
Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping. Elaborate cables cover the center back, while only one single cable adorns each front and sleeve. A wavy tuck introduces the cables from the check rib bottom. Senna is knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted with side pockets worked together with the front. Bespoke buttons act like small gems and highlight the beautiful hand dyed shade. Wear Senna with the matching Seneka; as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Finished measurements:
Bust (incl 2 cm/0.75″ frontband): 102 (110, 118, 130, 142, 152, 164, 176, 191) cm/40.25 (43.25, 46.5, 51.25, 56, 59.75, 64.5, 69.25, 75.25)”
Bottom (incl 2 cm/0.75″ frontband): 117 (125, 133, 145, 157, 169, 181, 193, 205) cm/46 (49.25, 52.25, 57, 61.75, 66.5, 71.25, 76, 80.75)”
Length: 78 (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 83, 84, 84) cm/30.75 (31, 31.5, 32, 32.25, 32.75, 32.75, 33, 33)”
Sleeve length: 46 (46, 47, 47, 47, 48, 48, 48, 48) cm/18 (18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19, 19)”
Intended ease: + 20-30 cm/8-11.75″. Sample shown is 110 cm/43.25″ and worn with + 27 cm/10.75″ ease on model who stands 167 cm/5’6″ tall.
Yarn: Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted (100% wool, 183 m/200 yds, 113 g). The sample is knitted in Woodberry;
8 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1296 (1360, 1424, 1520, 1616, 1712, 1808, 1904, 2024) m/1417 (1487, 1557, 1662, 1767, 1872, 1977, 2082, 2213) yds.
https://neighborhoodfiberco.com/collections/organic-studio-worsted
Needles: 4 mm/US 6 straight needle.
2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle for buttonband and tucks (100 cm/38″).
4 mm/US 6 circular needle for pockets (40 cm/16″).
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: 11 buttons 20 mm/0.78″. Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.
Bespoke buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, siri@fredenshavn.no
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square, after blocking.
20 sts and 28 rows in Check rib using 4 mm/US 6 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square, after blocking.
24 sts in Cable measures 10 cm/4″ across, after blocking.
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. The two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the bottom and top of the pocket. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large stitch number on the collar.
Senna Buttons By Siri Berrefjord
Easter is nearly here and with spring colours appearing around us, I wanted to share these bright summery colours. The light turquoise swatch knitted in the hand dyed divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted in Woodberry using a 4 mm/US 6 needle, shows off the cable on my Senna swatch as well as Siri Berrefjord’s handmade buttons. Yes, Siri is also a trained photographer in addition to being a jewellery maker and a designer, especially of redesign clothes. I sent this swatch to Siri and ordered 11 bespoke small buttons with a diameter of 20 millimeters/0.78″ to match the colour. Of course, Siri took a number of stunning photos you see here too! The cardigan was designed as an individual pattern for my Ravelry and LoveCrafts. Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping.
The button design is based on the silver brooches used for the traditional folk costume, called “bunad” in Norwegian. Each button is moulded in plastic then painted with several layers. Siri suggested instead of using white at the top – it would look like toothpaste – a thin layer of turquoise-white on the pattern, with a bit of see-through ice blue at the back. As always she was spot on. The luxurious Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted is made of 100% Merino wool with 183 meters/200 yards on each 113 gram skein and was kindly sponsored by the company.
I am so impressed by the composition of the photos, Siri is always making sure the background matches or contrasts the object in the photograph. Working with Siri, is such a fun and successful collaboration. Take a look at these previous designs, if you need any more proof: Helka, Gyda, Icelandic Jacket, Ena and Ataraxia.
The Senna cardigan with the matching Seneka are available in both English and Norwegian from my Ravelry Store and LoveCrafts.
You will find a selection of Siri’s buttons available in her shop on Epla here: Siris Skattkammer and more divine photos on her website: Fredenshavn.
I wish you all a Happy Easter & Knitting! Stay safe and well!
Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Senna & Seneka
Next out in the series of photos from our photoshoot at Mortensrud Church in Oslo, back in November 2020, is the Senna & Seneka that can be worn as a set. Both are knitted by yours truly in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted. The shade Woodberry looked stunning on model Olivia Lindtein wearing both the jacket and the skirt, which can also be worn as a poncho or maxi hood! The bespoke buttons on Senna are hand made by Siri Berrefjord. Her hair & make-up is by Sissel Fylling, the jewellery is borrowed from Kaja Gjedebo Design and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured it all! Both patterns will be released in English and Norwegian in my Ravelry Store on Thursday March 4 and a few days later they will also be available on LoveCrafts.
I found an old silk scarf from Jaeger which I love which matched the turquoise colour perfectly. That is also why I chose to style the garments with a camel coloured top and trousers, visible in some of these photos. Sissel suggested to add the scarf to Olivia’s hair for a more trendy look. It was a brilliant idea, in my opinion. Above is the Seneka skirt, which is a-line shaped and has boot laces inserted in the waistband for a more comfortable fit.
Seneka, a nickname for Senna meaning brightness in Arabic. This is an A-line skirt with an elaborate cabled center that ends in a waistband; knitted like a hem in one piece with boot laces placed inside. Seneka is knitted in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted and can be worn as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood – all together with the matching Senna cardigan.
Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness, and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping. Elaborate cables cover the center back, while only one single cable adornseach front and sleeve. A wavy tuck introduces the cables from the check rib bottom. Senna is knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted with side pockets worked together with the front. Bespoke buttons act like small gems and highlight the beautiful hand dyed shade. Wear Senna with the matching Seneka; as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood.
Both garments are worked with a 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I have graded them in sizes XS to 5XL. Olivia is wearing size S; Seneka with + 11 cm/4.25” ease and Senna with + 27 cm/10.75” ease. She stands 5’6″ tall.
The skirt Seneka is knitted in pieces and seamed. If you want to adjust the length of the skirt, remove up to 8 cm/3.25″ or add an extra length before shaping the hip. The waist band is worked like a hem, with boot laces laid inside it before it is closed.
The Senna 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.
The two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the bottom and top of the pocket.
All parts on Senna have a seam-edge in garter stitch, that stops on the pocket and then resumes to the armhole.
Here is the last photo in the series showing the Seneka worn as a poncho over the Senna jacket, seen from the back. All these photos are taken upstairs in the church by a large window, illuminating the scene. I love this set on Olivia! I am ever so grateful for my amazing team! Thank you!
New Designs: Senna & Seneka
The idea for the Senna design came from my test knitter and patron Nivine who liked the diamond shaped cable I used for the Gyro dress and wanted a long cardigan with pockets in the cable pattern. I thought this was a brilliant idea as the cable is fun to knit. Now what yarn should I use? I heard about the Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted in several podcast and was very keen to try it out. I found their vivid hand dyed colours inspiring and wanted to test the hard twist knits up, so I picked the Woodberry shade. I sent a request to the yarn company and wondered if they would sponsor yarn for a design and I had a long oversized cardigan in mind. The Neighboorhood Fiber Co. agreed to sponsor yarn for the cardigan.
Each sleeve and front has one cable repeat, while the back has four cable repeats at the center. I began knitting the sleeves, then the back and finally the fronts. What happened next is that I ran out of yarn less than halfway up the fronts and ordered more, this time enough to make a matching straight skirt to go with it. In the end I made the skirt with an a-line instead and had to undo my swatch to have enough yarn to finish it. Running out of yarn is a familiar issue, indeed!
In the mean time Neighborhood Fiber Co. had replaced worsted yarn base with an organic base and the yarn was only available in 4 ounces/113 gram skeins not 8 ounces/226 gram skeins, so I bought 6 more skeins to have enough… I used my first oversized cardigan Irpa as a template for the Senna pattern. The rib should be looser, hence I changed the stitch pattern for it. I liked the tuck as a transformer from one stitch pattern to the next. The stitch count is the same for the bottom pattern as for the cable pattern hence the tuck is not dead straight.
The gauge for both the cardigan – Senna – and the skirt – Seneka – is 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch using a 4 mm/US 6 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. I knitted both the cardigan and the skirt in size Small, but have graded both in sizes XS to 5XL. The bust measurement for the cardigan is from 102 to 191 cm/40.25 to 75.5″ with + 20-30 cm/8-11.75″ intended ease. The sample shown is 110 cm/43.25″ and I wearing it with + 22 cm/8.75″ ease, I stand 175 cm/5’8″ tall. The waist measurement on the skirt is from 76 to 132 cm/30 to 52″, while the hip measurement is from 86 to 156 cm/33.75 to 61.5″. I am wearing it with no ease on my hips.
Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping. Elaborate cables cover the center back, while only one single cable adornseach front and sleeve. A wavy tuck introduces the cables from the check rib bottom. Senna is knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted with side pockets worked together with the front. Bespoke buttons act like small gems and highlight the beautiful hand dyed shade. Wear Senna with the matching Seneka; as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood.
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. The two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the bottom and top of the pocket.
Seneka, a nickname for Senna meaning brightness in Arabic. This is an A-line skirt with an elaborate cabled center that ends in a waistband; knitted like a hem in one piece with boot laces placed inside. Seneka is knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted and can be worn as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood – all together with the matching Senna cardigan.
The skirt is knitted in pieces and seamed. If you want to adjust the length of the skirt, remove up to 8 cm/3.25″ or add an extra length before shaping the hip. The waist band is worked like a hem, with boot laces laid inside it before it is closed.
I made sure that all sizes have stockinette stitches in the sides of the skirt to avoid adding too much volume around your hips. Hence I did increase the number of cable repeats at the center for the different sizes.
The bespoke buttons are made by Siri Berrefjord and she has taken a number of brilliant photographs of them on the swatch, see the previous blogpost: Happy New Year! Welcome 2021!. A separate blog post is coming with all of those. You can also look forward to seeing this set worn by Olivia Lindtein during our photoshoot in November 2020.
Happy New Year! Welcome 2021!
First I want to say “Takk for det gamle”/Thank you for the old one, as we say to each other when the new year approaches in Norway! It is a good custom, in my opinion to thank friends and family for making the year richer, and so much better. So thank you for following me this last year, and I wish you a happy and healthy new year! I hope it will be a peaceful year with the Corona virus under control. I also hope that it will be a year that bring you all lots of happiness and shared pleasures!
Above are photos of the swatch to my new Senna oversized cardigan photographed by Siri Berrefjord who made these stunning bespoke buttons on my request. The button design is based on the silver brooches used for the traditional folk costume, called “bunad” in Norwegian. Each button is moulded in plastic then painted with several layers. They are perfect on the cardigan knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted yarn in the hand dyed shade Woodberry using a 4 mm/US 6 needle.
I wanted to share these photos as the summery colour and the jewellery like buttons symbolise hope of both better and lighter days to come!
Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020
It was a dark and grey morning when we set off from Ørje to Mortensrud Church in Oslo on Friday 13th of November for our photoshoot. I had planned and booked Vardåsen Church in Asker, but due to stricter Corona restrictions they cancelled all arrangements including our photoshoot. Mortensrud Church, on the other hand, still have a few small events taking place and allowed us to have a photoshoot there. Model Olivia Lindtein was at the church, when we arrived. She had planned extra time this time as she was late last year, but so were we due to traffic chaos as a result of the extremely heavy snow. Photographer Eivind Røhne arrived next before Make-up and Hair Stylist Sissel Fylling turned up. Straight to work and it did not take long until Sissel asked Olivia if she could cut off about 7 cm/2.75″ of her hair at the back and shorten it around her face. Thankfully, Olivia agreed.
Eivind prepared his equipment, while I hang the new designs on the clothes rail, while Michael was making a Patreon Behind the Scenes Video. When I was done, Eivind and I had a walk around the church to decide which backdrops to use. We chose a couple of the same ones we used last November. Eivind suggested a small change to an old location and I went for three different backdrops. Three and not four since there was little good daylight due to the weather. Michael and Eivind moved the chairs so that we would have enough space to move around at the first backdrop.
I had eight new designs to be photographed, that I had finished a few days earlier, with a lot of help from sample knitters Grete Jenssen and Airin Hansen. In addition I chose two of my old designs, made for my Norwegian knitting book, “Fletteskjørt“/Cabled Skirt and “Japansk Vest“/Japanese Vest that I wanted new photos of. Four of those new designs are made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and I decided to have those photographed first. Above you can see both Eivind and Michael (read: photographer number two) in action, photographing Olivia wearing Kyi; a skirt made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. If you wonder, yes, I have taken the top three photos with my mobile phone.
I was wearing my Gyda, knitted in Ask, a pure wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. When we left home, I was also wearing the lace cowl and the tweed belt that is part of the Gyda Cowl pattern, but since the heating was on in the church I had taken those accessories off. Above you see both Sissel and me adjusting Rym the ballet top that goes with Kyi the skirt on Olivia. Both are knitted in the new yarn called Vidde a mix of 50% Pelt wool and 50% Lambswool with 200 meters/220 yards on each 100 gram skeins using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle.
I know I look very sceptical in this photo, but I did not feel it. My mascara is already under my eyes due to all the laughing. Sissel is quicker than me to adjust the clothing as well as the hair & make-up. So often her head ended up in one of Eivind’s photos, that we all had to laugh, you get the idea from the previous photo.
I love this photo of Olivia eating cake, she admitted that she always have extra space for cake. Just as last time I had ordered a delicious lunch with juices and smoothies from Eckers Café at Frogner in Oslo city center.
My mum lives at Mortensrud, only 5 minutes away from the church and she wanted to pop in to see us all in action. Sissel took this photo of us, standing in the staircase ready for the fifth design to be photographed just after our lunch. On the hanger is the Seneka skirt and a matching silk scarf I had brought.
Here is exactly what my mum and I could see of Olivia wearing the Cabled Skirt, taken at the very spot. We photographed the Seneka skirt next. I had not figured out how to use the silk scarf, but Sissel instantly knew that it should be in her hair. We both agreed that it softened the outfit and made it absolutely perfect.
Michael had a similar view to me, behind me in the staircase, so above you can see Olivia wearing Senna – cardigan – and Seneka – skirt here worn as a poncho – putting on those high healed shoes. Both are knitted in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted yarn.
The last photo I will share is the view Sissel and I had of Olivia wearing Kaibara being photographed by Eivind upstairs on the narrow gantry. We were told off by Eivind for not standing straight enough. That meant that we were both in the photo. So we straightened up even further after we had stopped laughing. I had a wonderful day, which I am reliving as I select photos from the pdf that Eivind has sent me. Thank you to my magnificent team!
More photos of all the new designs are available for those of you with a Patreon membership, while some of them will be shown here later on. Michael is doing the last finishes on a Patreon only; Behind the Scenes Video.