New Design: Shinju

XT1A7085I wanted to make a whole series of designs to go with the stunning wedding dresses by designer Judith Bech. Initially it was Judith’s idea, and it was too brilliant not to accept. The series was first accepted by the Norwegian magazine Made by Me, but since it ceased production shortly afterwards, I am delighted to reveal that 4 of the designs will be published in the special issue Familien Håndarbeid/Handcraft due out in March. Shinju is one of these designs, and if you went to the Wollness Weekend or the Knit Café in Vienna (or spot me in Isabella’s car for that matter) you did see me knitting it, desperate to finish it in time for the photo shoot on the 28. October. I did!

XT1A7094Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle (meaning pearl in both Italian and in Norwegian). Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl. I wanted to show that it does not necessarily have to be made for a wedding dress, nor in cream since the yarn comes in six other equally beautiful colors. The photos above are as usual taken by my husband. The shawl is made in one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing stitch pattern repeats. It is made from one short end to the other with no sewing required, except for the sewing in of ends, and knitted using a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle. The yarn Mondial Perle is made of 55% polyester, 30% kid mohair, 15% silk and with beads attached on a separate thread next to the yarn on a 25 g ball with 85 m/93 yds. It has been kindly sponsored for this project. In Oslo you can find it at the yarn shop Tjorven, but also in other yarn shops around the country. All the ones that have seen the yarn so far has been bewitched, and felt an urge to touch it but also get their hands on it. You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model Alexandra Eissinger – wearing one of Judith Bech’s wedding dresses – by Eivind Røhne.

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Strikk med raske pinner by Kristin Wiola Ødegård

Strikk-med-raske-pinner_hd_imageKnit with speedy knitting needles is a direct translation of Kristin Wiola Ødegård’s first knitting book title recently published by Gyldendal, containing 44 easy and playful patterns. In her preface she writes: “I love large, soft sweaters and jackets that can be worn with anything, hats in cool colors which make a simple outfit exciting, and chunky cowls that do not itch. In Strikk med raske pinner, I have gathered my favorites of lovely knitting garments that can easily be combined with your wardrobe. My vision has been to make a knitting book that can inspire the reader to make simple garments found in the fashion of today.” I have no doubt that is has been a fun project, as Kristin writes, since both her daughters have supported, and assisted her. Ida has been a stunning model, together with 3 others, and Sofie has beautifully photographed the entire book. The original setting; at a garage with its bare brick and concrete walls makes a perfect setting for all the soft knits as well as the borrowed tractor. The book launch was last Saturday, and it was packed with 200 people attending, not wanting to miss the fashion show; the yarn store Nøstet Mitt‘s stand; the opportunity to both see the garments close, and to win prizes such as yarn kits and ready made hats.

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This delicate yoked sweater is knitted in Alpaca Mix from Drops in a main color with 5 contrast colors and decorative beads, using a 4.5 mm/US 7. It was the most popular yarn kit donated by Tjorven, the yarn shop, where Kristin works. She is well aware over how much remains most knitters have in their stash, and encourages everyone to play with them to make your own yarn by working several strands at the same time. Why not add another strand when you need to add width instead of increasing? See the glimpse of the red multi coloured dress in the last photo; you start working the skirt from the hip using 2 strands and a 7 mm/US 10.75, add another strand and change to a 10 mm/US 15, then finally add a fourth strand and change to a 15 mm/US 19. A crocheted edge graces the long dress.

side17_SØMarvelous leaf pattern combined with garter stitch in a chunky yarn gives this poncho with long sleeves, and hat a fabulous stitch definition. Both are knitted in a mole coloured Eskimo from Garnstudio using a 8 mm/US 11 needles. There are numerous other hats to choose from and they proved so popular at the book launch that Nøstet Mitt sold out of  Puno Alpakka from Rauma. The yarn is also one of the options for the cowl on the cover.

gyldendal_visningKristin designs, and makes clothes too, and decided to make all the clothes for the fashion show on the book launch. She is number four from the right, her daughter Ida is number two from the right. No wonder that Kristin’s second book will be published next year, really! Until then, I suggest you enjoy her first, and learn from the Knitting and Crochet School at the back. You will find more photos here: Gyldendal.

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