Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Linda Marveng

On Monday, I had a photoshoot at the Vigeland Museum, next to the Vigeland Park in Oslo. The brick building, with a majestic ceiling height, was built in the 1920’s in a Norwegian Neo Classical style. “The museum is the result of a unique contract between Gustav Vigeland and the city of Oslo signed in 1921: The Municipality agreed to build a studio, residence and future museum for the artist and his work, and in return Vigeland donated nearly all his works, previous and future, to the city”. It was with anticipation we (read my brilliant team: Photographer Eivind Røhne; Hair & Make Up Artist Sissel Fylling; Model Emma Ross; Michael; and me) were let in by one of the curators, as the museum is closed to the public on Mondays. During the day we had the chance to observe the curators at work and they us. As much as we admired their work, they enjoyed watching the beautiful garments being photographed and wondered which fashion magazine we were from. I explained that I designed handknit and that the photos were for the patterns and for the magazine Familien. Above you see gorgeous model Em, photographed by Michael in front of one of the plaster models for a sculpture to the park. Em is wearing Eira Pullover made for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017, soon to be released in English in my Ravelry store.

“Vigeland moved into the new building in 1924, living in the apartment on the top floor of the east wing. Here he resided and worked until his death in 1943. From the tower in this majestic red brick building he had a beautiful view towards the fields of Frogner, where his great project, the park, soon was to be reality.” We were guided into the Children’s room, were we would camp out all day. I am sure we enjoyed it as much as the children who usually visit that room! While Hair & Make up Artist Sissel was working her magic on Em, Eivind and I did a round in the museum. We picked two halls as for our shoot: Hall 9, which you see above and the Monolith Hall, which you see below. On the agenda was photographing a total of 10 garments: 4 new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; 1 new design for the Norwegian magazine Familien: Nemetona; 4 returning designs from Interweave: Eira Pullover, Rørbye Cardigan, White Mountain Ruana and Andaman Top; 1 old design from my book: Tweedjakke with accessories: Duggdråpe Halser.

“The museum opened in 1947, houses almost Vigeland’s entire production; sculptures in plaster, granite, bronze, marble, works in wrought iron, thousands of drawings, woodcuts and woodcarvings. In the museum you will find the original plasters to his famous busts and monuments, in addition to the plaster models to the sculptures in the Vigeland Park.” Above you can see Eivind in action, with me standing next to him and Michael just behind him. In the end we photographed nearly all of the garments, with the two exceptions you see above, in the Monolith Hall.

The lizard in wrought iron is a model for the gates in the Vigeland Park and the most complicated of these wrought iron works Vigeland made. Their graphical presence added extra drama and was perfect for the Tweedjakke worn over Judith Bech’s wonderful skirt with a train. I was wearing the Patent Poncho, while Sissel – as you can see was cold – and wore her coat inside. To our surprise she did not cut Em’s hair this time. I had also borrowed jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, as I usually do. There is no café at the museum so I had ordered catering from the nearby Eckers Cafe, with one delivery of drinks in the morning and one for lunch, so that we would not loose too much time looking for a nearby restaurant and wait for our lunch. That worked well and while we spent quite a bit of time to set up and prepare for the first garment, the remaining ones went quickly.

Michael assisted Eivind but also had the time to photograph some of the collection in the museum. Eivind had brought both extra lighting and a huge flash to make sure the lighting would be good enough. Above is the Monolith model for the park in front of the Monolith itself. “In the Monolith Hall stand several of the original plaster models to the 36 granite sculptures on the Monolith plateau, as well as the Monolith itself. This sculpture was carved in one piece (hence the name Monolith), but it was first modelled in clay, and then casted in plaster in three parts, as displayed in the museum today.”

The Vigeland Museum is a popular venue for fashion shows, but also for concerts outside in the courtyard during the summer. The photoshoot was exhausting but also extremely rewarding and wonderful at the same time! After the shoot was a wrap – thanks to a brilliant team – and we had taken farewell with the curators and the security officer, we headed for the park, as Em has not had the time previously to see it. Above you see here in front of the Monolith in granite. Do visit both the park and the museum, when in Oslo, they are worth it. I will recapture our visit by choosing pictures from Eivind.

Merino Vest Wrap Pattern Released

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Merino Vest Wrap is an old design made for my knitting book, published in 2012. I wanted some new photos for it so I included the garment in the photoshoot we had at Villa Malla in May. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured model Emma Ross, with make up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing the vest knitted in the gorgeous hand-dyed Tosh Sock yarn. The pattern has also been reviewed by my technical editor Barbara Khouri. Merino Vest Wrap is now available in English in my Ravelry Store.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by Tinde Knits gorgeous designs by Norwegian designer Iselin Hafseld is this vest knitted sideways in Tosh Sock hand dyed yarn with Indian crosses. The vest can be used upside down for a smaller collar and a longer vest. Drape it as you please and pin it together.

Size: One size.

Finished measurements: 74 cm/29.5” wide and 112 cm/44” long.

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Sock (100% merino wool, 100 g, 361 m/395 yds). Sample is made in discontinued shade Baltic which can be replaced by Esoteric:
5 skeins; 1643 m/1797 yds  https://madelinetosh.com/collections/fingering-sock

Needles: 2.5 mm/US 2 circular needle 40 cm/16” for armhole band.
3 mm/US 3 circular needle 80 cm/32”.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stich markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows in Indian cross stitch using 3 mm/US 3 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The vest wrap is knitted sideways in one rectangular piece with shaped armholes. To make the vest longer, add pattern repeats of 6 stitches at left side of work (end of RS row) before the border stitches.

Vaga Pattern Published

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Finally, I have released the English pattern of Vaga. The test knit is completed and there are so many stunning versions of it to look at on the pattern page. My test knitters have done an excellent job improving and correcting the pattern. Barbara Khouri did the final technical edit of the pattern and made the schematic for me. Vaga was modelled by the gorgeous Emma Ross with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling in addition to jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, and brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla, late in May. The English pattern is available at Ravelry and Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern is printed in the special magazine Familien Høststrikk, on sale now.

Named after the Celtic Goddess of the River Wye is this pullover with cables that runs over the body and sleeves. A saddle shoulder allows the swing cable to continue to the neck with its twisted rib ending. The pullover is slightly shaped for the waist and knitted in the gorgeous The Fibre Co. Cumbria.

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

Finished Measurements:
Bust: 84 (92, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (36.25, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Waist: 78 (86, 94, 100, 110, 120) cm/30.75 (33.75, 37, 39.25, 43.25, 47.25)”
Hip: 84 (92, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (36.25, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)“

Yarn: The Fibre Company, Cumbria Worsted (60% merino wool, 30% brown masham wool, 10% mohair, 100 g, 218 m/238 yds). Sample is knitted in Yew Tree:
5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins: 1002 (1112, 1221, 1310, 1450, 1592) m/1096 (1216, 1335, 1433, 1586, 1741) yds.
https://www.thefibreco.com/product/cumbria/

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 straight needles.
4 mm/US 6 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for neckband.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 28 rows in Seed st measures 10 cm/4” square.
32-sts Herringbone cable measures 14 cm/5.5” wide.
10-sts Right/Left cable swing measures 4 cm/1.5” wide.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The neck band is worked in the round, folded and seamed to the wrong side.

Sirona Pattern Published

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to let you know that I have released the English version of my pattern Sirona after a completed test knit. I would like to thank my amazing test knitter for correcting and improving the pattern. You can see a number of their wonderful versions on Ravelry. Barbara Khouri made the schematic and tech edited the pattern for me. I am very grateful to designer Norah Gaughan – whom I met at Strik Bornholm in 2014 – for her assistance in finding a new technical editor. Now, we share the same technical editor, I am proud to say. In the photo above is the gorgeous Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, all captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in late May. The English pattern is available at Ravelry and Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern is printed in the special magazine Familien Høststrikk, on sale now.

Sirona is Celtic for Star Goddess, the name for this fitted pullover with an intricate central cable surrounded with smaller cables and double seed stitch. The round neckline needed a crown and was given an I-cord bind off decoration. Sirona is knitted in pieces in the divine The Fibre Co. Cumbria.

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

Finished Measurements:
Bust/hip: 86 (92, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/33.75 (36.25, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)“
Waist: 76 (82, 90, 96, 106, 116) cm/30 (32.25, 35.5, 37.75, 41.75)”
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)“
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: The Fibre Company, Cumbria Worsted (60% Merino Wool, 30% Brown Masham Wool, 10% Mohair, 100 g, 218 m/238 yds). Sample is knitted in St. Bees Beach:
5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins: 1026 (1112, 1226, 1312, 1454, 1596) m/1122 (1216, 1341, 1435, 1590, 1745) yds.
https://www.thefibreco.com/product/cumbria/

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 straight needles for rib.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for neckband.
4 mm/US 6 straight needles.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 28 rows in Double seed st using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4” square.
28-sts cable using 4 mm/US 6 measures 11 cm/4.25” wide.
8-sts cable using 4 mm/US 6 measures 3.5 cm/1.5” wide.
4-sts Right/Left small cable using 4 mm/US 6 measures 2 cm/0.75” wide.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Tau

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Last in the series of photographs taken at our photoshoot at Villa Malla, are these of the scarf Tau made for the Wool 2 Go magazine for Vienna Wool & Design Festival 2017. Here is the gorgeous Emma Ross wearing Tau as a shawl around her shoulders with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in late May. The building in the back is the Filtvet Lighthouse by the Oslo Fjord. This first photo shows the wrong side of the cable, while the second photo shows the right side. Yes, the scarf is reversible.

The teal colour in this luscious Yak yarn instantly captivated me and I designed this scarf for the Vienna Wool & Design Festival in 2017. A rope like cable worked over rib stitches gives it a sculptural feel. Naturally, I named it Tau meaning rope in Norwegian, and human being in an Eskimo language.

Tau is knitted in Lang Yarns, Yak made of 50% yak, 50% wool in 50 grams balls with 130 meters/142 yards using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. The sample is knitted in Teal 772.0074 and takes 4 balls for the one size scarf. You can easily make the scarf wider by adding pattern repeats or making a wider reverse stockinette stitch edge in each side. The outer edge stitches make an I-cord, hence they are slipped with the yarn in front on every second row.

The English pattern will shortly be available in my Ravelry store, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in Høststrikk/Autumn Knits by Familien launched on the 24th September in Norway.

Thank you to my team for another amazing photoshoot. I am working on designs for the next one.

I am off to Mallorca tomorrow for a one week holiday with my mum, so there will be no blogpost on Wednesday. It is 31 years since I last visited Mallorca to attend the Star Tour’s Guide School. I am excited to be going back.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Merino Wrap Vest

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Hand dyed Tosh Sock yarn in a divine blue would look fabulous on model Emma Ross, I thought and decided to re-photograph the Merino Wrap Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured the best moments from Em, and I knew I had made the right decision. As always Sissel Fylling made sure that Em’s hair and makeup was impeccable. Statement jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design added a touch of class to the outfit. Em did not need the Merino Wrap Vest on the blistering hot day in May at Villa Malla. You can see that for yourself here; Behind the Scenes 2nd Photoshoot at Villa Malla. Do check out the people sunbathing on the beach. I have revised the English pattern and sent it off to my Technical Editor Kristen TenDyke, before I release it. The Norwegian pattern will be published in a special magazine by Familien called Høststrikk/Autumn Knits out on 24th. September in Norway.Inspired by Tinde Knits gorgeous designs by Norwegian designer Iselin Hafseld is this vest knitted sideways in Tosh Sock hand dyed yarn with Indian crosses. The vest can be used upside down for a smaller collar and a longer vest. Drape it as you please and pin it together.

You will never guess who actually knitted this sample for me. It is knitted by no other than the co-founder and editor of Pom Pom Quarterly: Meghan Fernandes, who used to be my colleague at the yarn store Loop in London several years ago. And yes, I did work together with the other co-founder and editor Lydia Gluck too. We have teamed up again and you will see the result later this autumn.

Tosh Sock is made of 100% merino wool, with 361 meters/395 yards on each 100 gram skein. It is categorised as a fingering/4 ply yarn but feels closer to a sport weight. I choose the shade Baltic which has been discontinued but can be replaced by Esoteric or any other shade you prefer. Merino Vest wrap is knitted with a gauge og 24 stitches and 36 rows in Indian cross stitch using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle over 10 cm/4″.The vest wrap is knitted sideways in one rectangular piece with shaped armholes. It comes in one size so to make the vest longer, add pattern repeats of 6 stitches at left side of work (end of RS row) before the border stitches. The finished measurements are 74 cm/29.25″ wide and 112 cm/44″ long. As you can see, I did find it difficult to pick which photographs I liked the best, so I ended up selecting more than I had planned. Yet another proof that my team is the best and know me too well. Next and last in this series is the scarf Tau made for Vienna Wool Design Festival and their Wool 2 Go magazine.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Free Falling Pullover

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Free Falling Pullover was first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2017 and the sample came back to me from Colorado in the US, early this spring, in time for my photoshoot at Villa Malla in late May. As always it suited model Emma Ross beautifully. I styled it with black pencil pants and Camilla Skovgaard shoes in black, in addition to Kaja Gjedebo’s stunning Queen Creole Earrings. We photographed this pullover after lunch, close to the gallery on the path to the beach. Villa Malla offers a delicious buffet lunch, which is perfect for us since we do not need to wait for the food, despite planning a bit beforehand when to have lunch (read: whenever Em gets hungry). Sissel Fylling always does a quick retouch of hair and makeup after lunch. So she did that while photographer Eivind Røhne moved his gear to the path with Michael’s help. I do have a brilliant team!

The Free Falling Pullover showcases unique and wandering cables, feminine shaping and casual appea. This fitted pullover has two travelling central cables, that are divided by seed stitch and framed by stockinette stitch on the sides. The boat neck is modified by the short-row shaping on the shoulder and ends in an i-cord bind off.

I knitted the pullover in Sugar Bush Yarns, Crisp – a lovely 100% superwash merino woo with 87 meters/95 yards on each 50 gram ball – using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitches measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. There are two mirrored cable panels on back and front but only one on the sleeve. Increases in to the center Seed stitch panel move the cable panels on the body towards the shoulders. Accompanying decreases are done in the stockinette sides, in addition to the extra waist shaping.

Em is wearing size S which measures 87.5 cm/34.5 cm around bust. The pullover is available in sizes XS to 2XL with bust circumferences of 77.5 to 128 cm/30.5 to 50.5″. The English pattern is coming very shortly to my Ravelry store and to Loveknitting, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special magazine Høststrikk/Autum Knits published by Familien which will be available in Norway 24. September.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Lofn

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I knew red would look marvellous on model Emma Ross. This particular red has a grey core and is a wonderful pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje. The pullover Lofn is the last of four new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and the Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning in mid October before it is released. Lofn is Norse for praise. This pullover is praising texture with its sideways voluptous cables and welt pattern that works like a rib. The upper part is picked up andknitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured this moment at Villa Malla in late May. Sissel Fylling styled Em’s hair and makeup. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.The sample is brilliantly knitted by Grete Jenssen in size S using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5″ instead of 92 cm/36.25″ and height of 25 cm/9.75″ instead of 30 cm/11.75″ due to a tight gauge. However, it did fit Em perfectly. Lofn will be available in sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bottom width of 92 to 132 cm/36.25 to 52″ and a wingspan (without the lower sleeve) of 71 to 91 cm/28 to 35.75″.

The body is knitted in four parts with cables and welt pattern on the bottom part and Fisherman’s rib on the upper part. Increases are made in each side of the upper part for top of sleeve part. Bottom sleeves are worked flat separately. If you want to shorten or lengthen the sweater, adjust the height of the lower panel, adjust the stitch number in Welt pattern and allow more yarn. Lofn was the last of the new designs we photographed at Villa Malla. I also decided to photograph three old designs: The Free Falling Pullover returned from Interweave, The Tau Scarf returned from Vienna Wool & Design Festival as well as the Merino Omslagsvest/Merino Wrap Around Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. So stay tuned to see how these photos turned out. But next on my blog I will show you two new designs to be released on Thursday 2nd August in the Interweave Knits Fall 2018 issue.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

Posted on July 28, 2018 by Linda Marveng

I knew that model Emma Ross did not need to wear a wool cardigan on top of the Sigyn wool dress at Villa Malla in the sweltering heat at the end of May, but I did want to show how well they work together. Photographer Eivind Røhne knew my plan and captured these brilliant photos after Sissel Fylling had finished perfecting Em’s hair & makeup. The accessories are also of Norwegian design: Jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots are by Monica Stålvang. Michael was ready to hold the large reflector but did not need to hold it in the end. I was making sure that all sides of Irpa was photographed and also wanted Em to wear a pair of pencil trouser beneath instead of the dress to show off its versatility. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 12th of November before it is released.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.

Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on both Ravelry and Instagram knitted the beautiful sample in size Small for me, while I was working on another project you will see later this autumn. Irpa is knitted in the luscious and bounce Tinde – a breed specific Norwegian pelt wool – from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The button band is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The sample has 11 buttons with a diameter of 20 mm/0.78″.

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.

I have graded the dress from sizes S to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 110 to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. Next out in this series is the last of the new designs: Lofn.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Sigyn

Posted on July 21, 2018 by Linda Marveng

Model Emma Ross’ favourite garment of the ten designs to be photographed at Villa Malla, was the dress, Sigyn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. It was cloudy when Em, Michael and I met up with photographer Eivind Røhne and makeup & hair artist Sissel Fylling in the morning at Filtvet by the Oslo Fjord in late May. I decided to style Sigyn with Evalina boots by Monica Stålvang and borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. In addition I wanted to show the dress with a belt and also beneath the long jacket Irpa. The Norwegian pattern and kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 10th of September before it is released.

Sigyn is Norse for victorious girl-friend and ideal for this a-line dress with a central swing cable, surrounded by ribbing to make it figure hugging. The cable is divided and moves towards the shoulder to make a v-neck at the front. Decreases are made in the purl sections to emphasize the silhouette of Sigyn. The dress is knitted in the bouncy Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The dress was perfectly knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry in the shade Grass Green using a 3 mm/US 2.5. Grete knitted size S with 28 stitches gauge due to the time pressure (instead of 24 stitches) hence the sample measures 88 cm/34.75″ across the bust instead of 94 cm/37″. I have graded the dress in sizes XS to 2XL, with bust circumference of 88 to 130 cm/34.75 to 51.25″.

The dress is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The decreasing for a-line is done in the purl sections of the rib. The cables are moved towards the shoulder on the front, beginning 10 cm/4″ before the armhole and ending just before the neck shaping. The swing cable is the same I used on the sweater Vaga and found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer, for instance by shortening (or lengthening) it with up to 7 cm/2.75″ before the a-line shaping begins. For a tunic, reduce the length with a further 17 cm/6.75″ by working 1 cm/0.5″ less between each of the decreases.

Here is the cool shot of the Irpa jacket worn on top of the Sigyn dress. More photos of the jacket is coming next in this series.