Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

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: Var

I have been looking forward to showing you the photos of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs taken at Villa Malla in late May. It look more like the Greek island of Santorini than Filtvet with the Oslo Fjord in the background due to the heat and the white wall that surrounds the upper terrace at the restaurant. I certainly get a holiday feel just being there and would have like to have the opportunity to stay for a few days. My plan for the day was to start photographing the warmest garment; the dress Sigyn, since it was bound to get even hotter during the day. Photographer Eivind Røhne agreed. Var was the next since it had to be photographed together with the Hillesvåg garments. While Sissel Fylling was doing Emma Ross’ hair and makeup, Eivind and I decided to use the upper terrace as background for the second time around, like we did in June 2016. Just as last time, I borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern and yarn 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 in September before its release.

Pine cables play on the center of this oversized vest, named Var, Norse for beloved. The side panels – giving the vest a dropped shoulder appearance – are knitted sideways in broken rib and is divided from the cable pattern with a tuck as well as a reverse stocking stitch band. Var ends in an I-cord bind off around the shallow neck. The vest is knitted in the luscious pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Em is wearing size XS/S, but I have graded it to include M/L and XL/2XL too. The finished bust measurement with the side panels is 156 (172, 188) cm/61.5 (67.75, 74)” and the length is 55 (57, 59) cm/21.75 (22.5, 23.25)”. The vestis knitted in two parts, then the stitches are picked up along the side. Size M/L has a wider side panel but the same center panel as size XS/S. Size XL/2XL has a wider center panel with one extra cable repeat.

The center panels are knitted by English knitter Jean Molloy, who also knitted a garment for my Norwegian knitting book back in 2011, using 3 mm/US 2.5 for the rib (and tuck) and 3.5 mm/US 4 for the cable pattern. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. I knitted the tuck, then the side panels after I had sewn the shoulders together. Var is styled with a black silk shirt and black pencil pants. Next in this series is the dress, Sigyn!

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Apiri Collection E-book

Apiri Collection is my third E-book, made after I received several requests for gathering these four patterns on Ravelry. First out is the English version, the Norwegian version will be added shortly. Apiri is a collection of knitting designs made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their gorgeous pelt wool yarns called Tinde and Sølje. The names of the garments are inspired by the Eskimo-Aleut languages. Apiri means ”to ask” and seamed perfect since two of the designs are garments that can be worn in different ways and hence change their character and silhouette completely. On the cover is the Wa shawl, which means ”here it is” as it can be transformed into a vest or a wrap. The divine lime colour, and casual elegance that model Alexandria Eissinger wears the shawl made it the cover shoot.The collection has four designs; the poncho Iglu, the shawl Wa, the cardigan Suli and the pullover Aki. Iglu is oversized and available in one size, just like Wa, while the more fitted garments; Suli and Aki are available in six sizes.

The Ingierstrand Bad Restaurant, on the outskirts of Oslo is a functionalistic building with a view of the Bunnefjord. It is an icon in Norwegian modern architectural history and a popular place to celebrate weddings. As a background we choose the diving tower on the nearby beach and the quay, where the ferry from Oslo used to dock. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to capture the brilliant moments of model Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker, as well as statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as tchnical editor Corrina Ferguson, sample knitters; Airin Hansen & Kristin Nygård, my test knitters – for improving the patterns – and last but not least, my husband, whose support and technical aid I could not have done without.

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The Andor Poncho Gang

Look at this amazing group of friends that went to London, all wearing their Andor poncho, all knitted in the original Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull! Nina Hove Myhre, aka FiberAndArt, had decided to knit the poncho and told her colleagues at their lunch table. The result was that they all wanted to join in and ordered Andor yarn kits online. Here are five of the seven knitters, photographed at Marble Arch. Nina, to the right, was pregnant at that time but you can see her son Olav on her project page in his Fana jacket, here on Ravelry. I met Nina 5 years ago, when she organised a book presentation for me at Larvik Husflidslag/Handcraft association, see my blogpost. If you follow my blog you have seen several of the astonishing total of 22 of my designs Nina has knitted. She is showing off a number of them in this blogpost: www.FiberAndArt.no. I love Nina’s description of me: “She is no longer a Norwegian knitwear designer living in London, now she is an international knitwear designer living in Norway! Thank you so much, Nina!

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Arcade Vest KAL

Just as one knit along is coming to an end another one is beginning. Next up is the Arcade Vest in the A Place to KAL my Own group on Ravelry. The best acronym for this fairly new group must be KALMYO, I figured out and the moderators agreed. Yes, I do know two of them and they wanted to set up a poll in order to decide which of these three patterns of mine to have a KAL for: Japanese Lace Jacket, Arcade Vest or Cablewing Sweater. Now, that was a fun poll to watch and there were more than two votes, I am relieved to say. The result was the Arcade Vest knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull. Above you see it photographed by Kim Müller worn by the gorgeous former ballerina now yoga queen – see chiccayoga.com – Francesca Golfetto. The KAL begins 2nd April and lasts until 30th June. I will offer a discount on the pattern, as well as pattern prizes and I am delighted that Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk will offer 20% discount on the yarn.  You can check out all the details here: ravelry.com/discuss/a-place-to-kal-my-own. Several of the group members have already remarked that the Arcade Vest was the first of my test knits they took part in, 3 years ago and taken us down memory lane. Now, I am curious to see who will join in.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Cahal

Next out is Cahal in my series of pictures from our photoshoot at Bøler Kirke/Church brilliantly taken by Eivind Røhne. The vest, knitted in Olive Green Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, looked stunning on model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The perfect boots are by Monica Stålvang. Cahal, and the other three designs in the Hillesvåg Collection, were all styled with black pencil pants and a black turtle neck pullover. Cahal is an Origami vest with reversible cables that folds into shape. Vents are made by leaving the seam open at the bottom. The horizontal seam draws a line across the shoulders ending in a curve at the armhole. You can wear the vest with both sides out by making a neat or flat seam. The name Cahal is Celtic for strong in battle.

Emma is wearing size S, with a finished bust measurement of 106.5 cm/42″ but the Cahal is also available in sizes M/L and XL/2XL with these measurements: 117 (127) cm/46 (50)”. The vest is knitted in two parts. The front is a square, while the back has 30.5 cm/12″ extra body length that folds to the front at each shoulder to form the upper front and the neck opening.

Cahal is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle and a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I was fortunate to have Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitting this vest for me. The lovely yarn, Tinde Pelsull, is made of 100% pelt wool, with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 gram skein.

The back of Cahal with the courtyard next to the chapel at Bøler Church in the background. We could not have planned the colour scheme with all the natural materials any better. I love this straight back view. The intricate cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

Not only the cables are reversible on this vest, I think the whole garment is reversible. I considered working a flat neat seam, but opted for a visible seam creating an even more marked shoulder line instead. Seams with the sewing allowance visible is in fashion at the moment and I like the rougher look it gave to the vest. As usual I used a crochet hook and worked a slip stitch seam. This cropped photo was chosen as the cover for the retailers brochure by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sissel wanted to try out a new hair style on these reverse set of photos and added several extra hair bands on Emma’s wonderful hair. We were all in favour and waited patiently as she did it. Above you can see the result! I also love this stylish photo and I am so grateful for having such a wonderful team!

Last, is the view of the back with the wrong side out. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release. The test knit will begin 9th of April. The Norwegian pattern will be released shortly. The yarn kits were launched last week at the Oslo Design Fair and will be available online at Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk’s website: www.ull.no and in selected yarn stores shortly.

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New Design: Cahal

Olive green was the second shade I chose for the new collection for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to be launched at the Oslo Design Fair in late January. Yes, in the divine Tinde Pelsull, that is. Origami vest with reversible cables that folds into shape. Vents are made by leaving the seam open at the bottom. The horizontal seam draws a line across the shoulders ending in a curve at the armhole. You can wear the vest with both sides out by making a neat or flat seam. The name Cahal is Celtic for strong in battle.

The brilliant sample knitter is none other than Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, who knitted this vest in a week’s time. Yes, she is a turbo knitter, that is for sure! I am wearing size S with a bust measurement of 106.5 cm/42″ with the intended right side out in the top two photos and with the wrong side out as well as visible seams in the bottom two photos. The pattern is graded into two larger sizes too (m, XL/2XL) with (117, 127) cm/42 (46, 50)” bust.

The vest is knitted in two parts. The front is a square, while the back has 30.5 cm/12″ extra body length that folds to the front at each shoulder to form the upper front and the neck opening. Above you see the wrong side out and visible seams. The vest is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. Tinde Pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 gram skein and comes in 30 divine colours all with the natural black base.

My husband photographed me at the outdoor stage next to Ørje Brug, today a museum called Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum on a very windy day in October. Below is the arty shoot, he took. The background I wanted, but the sun was not in the right position for photos from this angle.

The cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook, yet again. The English pattern for Cahal will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on 9th of April before it is released in mid May. But before that I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and captured by photographer Eivind Røhne.

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New Design: Donia

In a divine blue shade is my new poncho – Donia – one part of a collection I have made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their Tinde Pelsull. I think it is my best poncho so far, but I am curious to see if you agree: Round knot cables adorn the bottom and the top of this poncho. A high collar gives it a noble look, hence the name Donia; Celtic for rules all. The upper part is picked up and knitted from the lower cable panel and worked in stockinette stitch with shaping for the shoulders. The short sleeves in rib hold the poncho together. You can wear it with a belt or a shawl pin to gather it at the front or loose, just as you prefer. The one size sample is beautifully knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry. Thank you, Airin!I decided to make the round knot cables run along the bottom and on the high collar, with stockinette stitch in between. I did consider making the collar lower with only one cable but opted for all three in the end. A possible option would be to make the collar loose as a cowl and just add an I-cord bind off to the neckline. The lovely cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook, but you probably guessed it. Above you see the front worn with a narrow belt, while the back is hanging loose. Below and in the bottom photo, I have used a shawl pin to hold together the two sides of the front under the back.

The body is knitted in four parts with cables on bottom part and stockinette stitch on the upper part. A long circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round in rib. The collar is knitted separately using a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. If you prefer to have the collar loose, pick up and knit stitches around the neck and work an I-cord bind-off.

The poncho is made in one size with a bust circumference of 194 cm/76.5″, and can be adjusted by removing or adding sets of 7 stitches to avoid having to adjust the shoulder shaping. The finished length is 74.5 cm/29.25″ and the sleeve length is 32 cm/12.5″. The gauge used to achieve these measurements is: 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle. Tinde Pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein.

All these photos are taken by my husband at the outdoor stage next to Ørje Brug, today a museum called Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum on a very windy day in October.The yarn kit with a Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of January next year, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning on March 5th, before it is released at the end of April. But before that I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and captured by photographer Eivind Røhne.

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Idunn Pattern Released

The next pattern I have released in my Ravelry store in English is Idunn, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk’s yarn kits. The pattern has been test knitted and I am thrilled to see all the finished projects on Ravelry. Idunn was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by the stunning model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Villa Malla in June last year. The pattern is also available in English at Loveknitting and in Norwegian together with the original yarn in your own colour choice from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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, Tinde Pelsull from Hifa.

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 88 (94.5, 101, 109, 119, 129) cm/34.75 (37.25, 39.75, 43, 46.75, 50.75)”
Length: 60 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65) cm/23.5 (24, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). Sample is knitted in Petrol 1105:
4 (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) skeins; 952 (1092, 1232, 1419, 1653, 1887) m/1041 (1194, 1347, 1552, 1808, 2064) yds.
http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds).
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double…
Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds).
http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds).
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
1 cable (18-sts) measures 5.5 cm/2.25” across.

Notes: The sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows.

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