Bubala Knitted by Siret Sinimäe

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Linda Marveng

I am so thrilled to show you the stunning Bubala that Siret, aka kollane on Ravelry, test knitted for me, here worn by her dear daughter Annika. The photos are taken on a cloudy morning in the Koigi bog trail on the island of Saaremaa, in Estonia. On her project page on Ravelry, Siret writes: “As a Patron of Linda, I have the opportunity to see new designs a little earlier and this Bubala immediately caught my eye. Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Sølje yarn, which I received as a gift from Linda, was perfect for a wonderful V-neck design with bobbles.”

Siret made her Bubala Red in size medium and used the recommended 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a 24 stitches and 32 rows gauge in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The pullover took less than 3 skeins to make with modified short sleeves.

Siret continues on her project page: “I made Bubala with short sleeves. I like to wear a vest designed by Linda Devona which is knitted from the same yarn, and I thought that the red Bubala with short sleeves is definitely worth wearing a lot, because it won’t get hot even when you’re indoors”.

This is such a great photo and shows the fun Annika had modelling this. The last photo I will share with you is a detail of the body, which shows more of Annika’s romantic dress too! Thank you ever so much, Siret and Annika for these magnificent photos!

Named Bubala Yiddish for close to one’s heart is this cabled pullover with bobbles. A deep v-neck that can be worn on the front or on the back, split the cable into two single cables. The same single cable adorn the sleeve. Ribbing frame the cables in the sides and make the sweater figure hugging. The v-neck ends in an I-cord bind-off. Bubala is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Bubala is available, in sizes XS to 5XL, as a yarn kit from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with either an English or a Norwegian pattern. You can buy the individual pattern from Ravelry and soon from LoveCrafts too.

New Design: Neva

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Linda Marveng

The last of my four new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is Neva. A tabard with side panels named after the Spanish word for “snowy”. The front and the back panel is covered in a snowflake like cable, while the side panel is knitted in garter stitch. All the panels have I-cords in the side and they are knitted together. Neva is seamless and knitted in the luscious Sølje pelt wool yarn yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. These photos of me wearing size XS/S were taken by Michael in May at the beach in Ørje.

The sample was brilliantly knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, in size Extra Small/Small using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

I have graded the pattern in five sizes from XS/S to 5XL with a bottom circumference of 116 cm/45.75″ to 172 cm/67.75″ and a Back/Front panel width of 34 cm/13.5″ to 54 cm/21.25″.

The vest is worked back and forth in two separate pieces and joined with a 3-needle bind off at the shoulders. The I-cord is then worked along the side edge before the side panel is knitted and attached to the opposite side using a 3-needle bind off.

Above is a detail of the cable pattern, the neck band and the side edge. It also shows the colour depth of the pelt wool yarn, which is naturally light grey.

Yarn kits for Neva with a Norwegian or English pattern are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning on the 4th of January next year, before its release. In the meantime, I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous Olivia Lindtein at our photoshoot back in May.

New Design: Rebine

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Linda Marveng

Just as promised here is the skirt Rebine, designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, knitted in the Tinde pelt wool yarn, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle by the skilled sample knitter Kristin Nygård, aka quiltefeen! One of my patrons, Tamar aka tamari.joy on Instagram, suggested I design a pencil skirt and I loved that idea. Hence Rebine was designed before I made Jendine to go with it, so you would have a set option if you so desire. I wanted it to sit properly and be as flattering as possible, so I shaped it for both the hip and the waist. The pattern stitch I selected was a cable rib. Instead of inserting an elastic for the waist, I chose a high waist and made belt loops that are inserted into the seam in the side.

Rebine, an old Norwegian name, is a pencil skirt with an all over elegant cable pattern ending in a high waist. The skirt is shaped for the hip and the waist. Belt loops, inserted in each side seam, hold the skirt in place. Rebine is knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Below you see the skirt worn with Ovedine, knitted in the thinner Sølje Pelsull, hand dyed by Værbitt in two colours: Drageegg and Lillebror.

The Tinde Pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. The sample is knitted in Lys Marine 2125 and requires only 3 skeins in the two smallest sizes. Rebine is knitted with a 21 stitches and 30 rows in Stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

In these photos taken by Michael in Barcelona last November, I am wearing size Small with a 92 cm/36.25″ hip measurement. I have graded the skirt in sizes XS to 3XL with hip measurements from 86 to 132 cm/33.75 to 52″. Due to the cable rib pattern, the skirt is very elastic.

The skirt is worked in pieces from the bottom and up. Make two belt straps to insert in the side seam. 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 test knit of Jendine begins on the 16th of March and it is followed by a test knit for Rebine on the 6th of April, both in my Ravelry group. Yarn kits for both designs will be available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. I look forward to showing you how this set looked on my model Olivia Lindtein!

New Design: Gyro

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the new dress I have designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Gyro works equally well as a tunic so we photographed worn both ways. The sample in size Small is beautifully knitted in pieces in Tinde and Sølje pelt wool by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, while I crocheted the seams together and made the I-cord neckband plus the garter stitch sleeveband. Michael took these photos of me wearing Gyro outside our hotel in Barcelona, back in November when I was teaching at Barcelona Knits 2019.

Gyro is an oversized dress with bat sleeves knitted in two yarn thicknesses and colours. The center cable panel crowns the dress and ends in a wide neck with an I-cord bind off. Gyro is an old Norwegian female name, well suited to this dress or tunic made in pieces and sewn or crochet together with a garter stitch sleeve band. The dress is knitted in the divine pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; The thicker Tinde for the cable panel and the thinner Sølje for the side parts.

I have graded it in these sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). Since the bust measurement includes the sleeve part I chose to write in to fit sizes and not write out the ease in cm/inches: To fit sizes: UK 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16-18, 20-22)/US 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12-14, 16-18)/EU 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44-46, 48-50).

The gauge is 21 sts and 30 rows in st st with Tinde (COL 1) and 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 32 rows in st st with Sølje (COL 2) using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The dress is worked in pieces and seamed. You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer, for instance by shortening (or lengthening) it with one or half a cable pattern repeat 12 cm/4.75″ or 6 cm/2.25″ and work less rows in between the increases.

The English pattern, and also the Norwegian one, will be released after the test knit which begins 17th of February.

Ravna in Bladet garn 10/2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Co-editor of Bladet garn Solveig Jensen Engevold asked me at the Oslo Strikkefestival in September if I wanted to contribute with a design to their last ever issue. How could I refuse, especially since I had said a couple of years back that I would? I had also just spotted several gorgeous hand dyed shades by Værbitt, aka Laila Henriksen, on Sølje, pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Solveig said yes to this colour, Laila offered to hand dye on sponsored yarn from Hillesvåg for the magazine. So it was my turn to make design something special with the yarn and I thought I could easily do it in time for the deadline by mid-October. Solveig did grant me an extra week and I did make Ravna on time, despite knitting the bottom of the back several times. The brilliant photos are taken by Solveig and the one above fills the first page you see when you open the magazine next to the leader by Solveig and co-editor Unni Cathrine Eiken. It is after all a celebratory issue!

The four year old magazine goes out with a bang and presents seven new designs, as well as a pattern cavalcade; eleven designs printed in previous issues. On the cover is “Øst Genser” by Marte Nilssen knitted in a thicker version of the pelt wool called Blåne from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. I wish to thank the editors for the inspiration and good luck on their future paths!

Ravna is an historic name from northern Norway, her charisma is given to this a-line pullover with a longer flowing shirt tail back. A cable medallion adorns the spine which is crowned by a high garter stitch collar. All the sides are marked by a strong garter stitch edge presence. Ravna is knitted in a divine hand dyed shade from Værbitt called Little Parsley, based on a childrens’ rhyme, on Sølje, pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

I love this cable medallion that I found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I placed one at the center on the front and the back. The sleeves have a rib panel in the center because it shows off the colours in this hand dyed green so well and because the cable was too wide to fit.

My plan was to knit size Small but I calculated wrong and it turned into size Medium with a bust circumference of 98 cm/38.5″. I then decided to grade this pullover all the way from size XS to 5XL for the magazine. The bust circumference goes from 82 cm to 156 cm/32.25 to 61.5″. Ravna is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The back has one more cable repeat and the center garter stitch band is twice as high as front garter stitch band. The side seam ends in the narrow part of the garter stich band. The collar is worked in the round and ends with an I-cord bind off.

The Norwegian magazine can be ordered directly from Bladet garn’s website in a digital format or in both a digital format and in print. Only a few of their stockists have this issue in stock. You can see all the patterns in the magazine on Ravelry.

Ravna will be available in English as a digital download, in my Ravelry store and on LoveCrafts, after the test knitting, beginning in early January, has been completed by mid-February.

Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Epona

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Linda Marveng

Next out of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs series is the Epona pullover, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum. The background I wanted turned out to be dark, but the colour match was so good. The pullover is knitted in a divine bottle green shade called green in Sølje Pelsullgarn, all from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The stockinette gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. I choose to style the pullover with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, see the bottom photo.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/29 to 45″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 90 cm/35.5″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

Take a look at this fab photo of Emma Ross wearing the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl together Kaja wearing the Epona pullover. A yarn kit for the Epona is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in many different colours and will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

Devona Pattern Released

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of Devona, designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in Sølje pelt wool, has come to an end and I have released the pattern. My test knitters corrected and improved the pattern. You can see their different version with modifications such as adding sleeves, making it wider, knitting it in a fade or with two coloured front and changing the neckline on the Ravelry pattern page. Devona can be used as a vest, top or shell as you prefer. Above you see it brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Emma Ross with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at the Vigeland Museum last November. The pattern, in both English and Norwegian, is available from Ravelry and will soon be added to LoveCrafts too. A yarn kit with Norwegian pattern is for sale from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Named after the Goddess of the Rivers of Devon is this vest with textures running into each other at the center. One half is in a twisted rib while the other is honeycomb, divided by a spine of rib. The vest ends in garter stitch bands topped with a soft I-cord bind off. Devona is knitted in the bouncy Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 86 (92, 98, 104, 116, 125) cm/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41, 45.75, 49.25)“
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Light Jeansblue 2113;
2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 5) skeins; 700 (805, 910, 1015, 1225, 1435) m/765 (880, 995, 1110, 1340, 1569) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/nyhet-solje-pelsu…

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 361 m/394 yds).
http://madelinetosh.com/tosh-sock/
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needles.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for neck- and sleeveband (60 cm/24”).
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
25 sts and 32 rows in Honeycomb measures 10 cm/4” square.
25 sts and 32 rows in Twisted rib measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The vest is worked in pieces and seamed. The neckband and armhole band is worked in the round at the end. Block to make sure the middle two rib stitches are in center and the length of Honeycomb pattern part is identical to the Twisted rib part.

You can find a longer version of this post for public view on www.patreon.com/lindamarveng

Lofn Pattern Released

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of Lofn was completed in December and the English pattern, in addition to the Norwegian one, is now available from both Loveknitting and Ravelry. The sweater is knitted in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje using 3 mm/US 3 needles and part of my Fall 2018 Collection for Hillesvåg. Gorgeous model Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, is wearing size Small and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in late May, last year.

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 and knitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately.

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

Finished measurements:
Bottom width: 92 (102, 112, 122, 132) cm/36.25 (40.25, 44, 48, 52)“
Wingspan (without lower sleeve): 71 (76, 81, 86, 91) cm/28 (30, 32, 33.75, 35.75)”
Lower sleeve length: 24.5 (22, 19.5, 17, 14.5) cm/9.75 (8.75, 7.75, 6.75, 5.75)“
Length: 53 (53, 54, 54, 55) cm/20.75 (20.75, 21.25, 21.25, 21.75)”
Note: Sample is knitted in size S but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5” and height of 25 cm/9.75” due to a tight gauge.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Red 2132; 4 (5, 5, 6, 7) skeins; 1330 (1540, 1750, 1960, 2170) m/1454 (1684, 1913, 2143, 2373) yds. https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/solje-pelsullgarn/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight circular needle (80 cm/32”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), 3.25 mm/US D/3 crochet hook (for preliminary cast-on), cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 40 rows in Fisherman’s rib measures 10 cm/4” square.
30-sts Cable measures 8 cm/3.25” wide.

Notes: 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 lengthen the sweater, work extra rows on the upper back and front before the shape of top sleeves and allow more yarn.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Sølje Pelsullgarn