Leylak Knitted by Irina

Let me introduce you to Irina, the knitting-princess on Ravelry and Instagram, who has test knitted this stunning version of my Leylak design. Irina is indeed a knitting princess as she does “… a lot of charity projects, and some for gifts. I also really like doing test and samples, because it makes me feel like I’m more a part of the process of a pattern”, as she writes on her profile page on Ravelry. To make sure you remember her name, Irina is wearing a crown in her finished project photos. She test knitted size XS for me and used the soft Schurwollkammgarn by Seehawer & Siebert in a divine royal blue colour. The yarn is thicker than the sample yarn I used so Irina used much smaller needles to achieve gauge (22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square); 2.25 mm/US 1, 3.25 mm/US3 and 3.5 mm/US 4 instead of 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7.

If you wonder how long it took her to make it, I can reveal that it took her “…57 hours and 40 minutes to knit including weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.” That is an impressive speed! I did not track my hours, but I can tell you that I used a lot longer making the sample with bigger needles.

I love these playful photos, which were taken on a playground close to her previous home in Germany, by a friend. Irina moved to Georgia in the US, recently. It shows the sidewing construction of the cardigan so well! In the notes part of the pattern you will find this information: The asymmetric lower body has extra width in each side – sidewing – that is bound off. Each front has 3 cm/1.25” extra width at center front that is bound off at the same time as the wing, then joined with the buttonband at the end.

Irina, the knitting princess, writes that it fits perfectly and that she is super pleased with it! I am so honoured to hear it! Thank you so much, Irina!

The Leylak pattern, in sizes XS to 5XL, is available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. I look forward to showing you more stunning versions of my Leylak design!

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New Design: Autumn Symphony

DSC_0962 edLeaves cover this A-lined jacket knitted in one piece with a false seam in a middle of a triangular shaped stocking stitch panel. The sleeves are knitted in the round with leaves up to the shaping, where the lace pattern is changed to reverse stocking stitch. A belt in autumn coloured tweed lengthens the jacket, and introduces the orange wrap, see photo above without the wrap and below with it, all taken by my husband. Or why not wear the wrap as a belt and opposite. The set is knitted in the gorgeous melange coloured Ask – Hifa 2 from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, see ask-melert, using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. For details of each stitch pattern see my post, design-in-progress-autumn-symphony. I am delighted to tell you that the Norwegian pattern has been sold to magazine Familien but the English pattern will be ready for test knitting in late January in my group on Ravelry. First I need to finishing grading it from size S to 3XL, and send it off for tech editing. The idea is that you find your favorite look, or use the accessories as you like.

DSC_0976 copyBelow is the opposite look, wearing the belt as a wrap and the wrap as a belt. The belt is shaped and I will grade it to the different sizes, while the wrap is one size knitted in the round without any shaping, which makes it easy to add or remove a pattern repeat depending on how small or large you want to make it.

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Or if you want to wear the belt as a wrap too, then consider how far down you want it to hang and choose the closest size. Ideal for a cold climate like we have in Norway. And with this new design I want to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas!

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Group on Ravelry & Our Independence Day

I did it! I have set up a group on Ravelry and one of the responses was “Finally!”. Oh, I must admit I am enjoying this! To call the group “Linda Marveng Fans” was way over the top for me so I chose just to stick with my name without “Fans”. I am delighted to have Nina Hove Myhre and Jane Brindley with me as moderators (read: + moral support)! The group was set up on 16. May, the day before our Independence Day so I have been celebrating for days now – see photo above taken by my husband. From the introduction to the group: “Welcome! This is a group for all those who love Linda Marveng’s beautiful knitwear designs from her book “To rett en vrang. Designstrikk” and other designs. We will have test knits and KAL’s you can take part in. We hope to inspire by enjoying each others pictures, comments and friendly discussions. As well as supporting each other and ask questions regarding any of Linda’s patterns.

Just as in the introduction to her book, this group want to share this intention on a lager scale:
“I hope the book will inspire you to knit one, preferably more, garment and that you will enjoy the photos. Create your own personal expression by choosing color or make your own melange color in double yarn. Follow the pattern laboriously or make the adjustments you find necessary, if you prefer. I love long sleeves but you are welcome to make them shorter, for instance. Do check all measurements and gauge before you start knitting even though it is time consuming, it is worth it and will make the garment fit as it should. You will become a knitting expert quicker that way and develop your potential as well as your own creative abilities. Enjoy the photos, be inspired, knit the patterns and use the garments you have knitted with pride and pleasure.”

Please come and join us if you have not already done so! Our first test knit will start on Monday. Here is the link: ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng. The banner is made by my Creative Director aka Photographer aka Husband!

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