Photoshoot at Bøler Church 2022: Gavida

Finally, I will share the last set of photos from our photoshoot in June – at Bøler kirke/Church taken by photographer Eivind Røhne of Emmalin Williams, with make-up & hair styling by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design wearing Gavida. Continue reading

Share

Thia Pattern Released

The Thia pattern has been released, for quite a while now, in both English and Norwegian, it was first published in the Norwegian book “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt”. The jacket is knitted in the divine Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox (a nursery rhyme) hand dyed shade in red/orange/pink by Laila Henriksen of Værbitt on Tinde pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. All my five designs are made in this yarn, but only Thia is in the hand dyed yarn.

Above and at the bottom are some of the new photos that were taken of the gorgeous Emma Ross with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum back in spring 2019. The pattern is available in English and Norwegian in my Ravelry Store and on LoveCrafts.

My designs; Cian Sweater, Cian Beret and Cian Cowl are on the cover of the English version book with the title “Knit Like a Norwegian”, that also contains Thia and the skirt/poncho Damara. The book was published earlier this month by Trafalgar Square Books. For more information see here: www.trafalgarbooks.com. You can also order it with a free world-wide delivery here: Book Depository.

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

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

Finished Measurements
Bust (without frontbands 2 cm/0.75”): 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (36, 39.5, 42, 47, 51.5)“
Waist: 76 (82, 88, 98, 108, 118) cm/31 (33.5, 36, 39.5, 44, 48)”
Bottom width: 88 (94, 100, 110, 120, 130) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25)“
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)”
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 50, 50, 50, 50) cm/19 (19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75)“

Yarn: Værbitt, Mikkel Rev hand-dyed on Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g);
4 (5, 5, 6, 7, 8) skeins; 988 (1118, 1248, 1469, 1690, 1911) m/1080 (1222, 1365, 1607, 1848, 2090) yds.
Order hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde yarn from laila@varbitt.no.
https://www.varbitt.no
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

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 straight needle.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 11 buttons (18 mm/28L, 11/16”), stitch markers (removable), cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
21 sts and 30 rows in Seed rib measures 10 cm/4” square.
21 sts and 30 rows in Double seed st measures 10 cm/4” square.
12 sts Braid measures about 5 cm/2” across.

Notes
The cardigan is worked back and forth. Back and front are made in two parts that are knitted together. The Seed rib on the upper back is not sewn into the side seam.

Share

Thia Knitted by Dawn Gayer

I am so happy to show you the beautiful Thia Cardigan that Dawn test knitted for me. The pattern is published in the Norwegian book “Norsk strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt“, which is currently being translated into English for publication in the US by Trafalgar Books, due out in Spring 2021. Dawn, aka Dawnadair, writes on her Ravelry project page project page: “I was extremely honored to be asked to test knit this beautiful cardigan and thrilled to accept! And also to use the lovely Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde pelsullgarn which was generously donated by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for all of the testers”.

The pattern comes in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 51.5″. As for size, Dawn writes: “I knitted a size S, although my usual size is M. I love it, but if I were to do it again, I would knit my usual size so that there was more room to layer under it”.

The sample made for the book was knitted in Værbitt, Mikkel Rev hand dyed on Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool using 3,5 mm/US 4 with a 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch gauge. This is Dawn’s verdict of the yarn: “It was my first experience knitting with a yarn other than Merino wool or other super soft fibers, and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I enjoyed the way the stitches grabbed each other. The resulting garment is light but very warm. And the color is very lively and perfect”.

I am so chuffed by Dawn’s summing up: “I love the high collar and being able to change the look of the sweater by wearing it either open or closed. The tuck and ribbed band under the chest are both fun to knit and very attractive design elements. As always, Linda has designed a unique, modern classic!”. Thank you ever so much, Dawn!

The Norwegian book can be ordered directly from the publisher Cappelen Damm, for updates on the English version, see Trafalgar Books. Individual patterns in both English and Norwegian will be added to my Ravelry store and LoveCrafts on January 1st 2021 when the rights revert to me.

I hope you will stay well and keep safe in these difficult times!

Share

Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Damara

The summer heat has arrived in Ørje, Norway too, but I am still revealing knitwear patterns for the autumn. Damara is the last of my designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design book that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente PresterudBirger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Damara is also knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Burgundy shade by my sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9. Michael took these photographs of me wearing it in early February, just before I delivered the samples to the publisher.

Named after the fertility Goddess is this asymmetrical skirt with a seeded rib check pattern, that can also be worn as a poncho. The high waist in ribbing is loose so that the skirt can be worn around your hips or folded down, both with a belt to hold it up. Damara is knitted in pieces with a side seam in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde. The ribbing is worked last so you can easily adjust it to your preference.

I am wearing size M/L, but have graded the skirt/poncho in sizes XS/S and XL/2XL too, with a waist (top band width) of 70 (82, 94) cm/27.5 (32.25, 37)”. The rib top band can easily be adjusted according to preference.

The skirt is made in two pieces, top down with shaping for bottom. Just like the other designs for the book, it is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Iselin suggested that we photograph the skirt as a poncho too at the professional photoshoot, so you will have to wait to see how it looks as a poncho. But above you see me wearing the skirt together with the Thia jacket. My test knitters have made some gorgeous outfits that I look forward to showing you after the book has been launched.

For more details, support me on Patreon and get access to this plus 28 other patron only blogposts, including 4 videos and other rewards such a free monthly pattern: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

Share

Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Thia

I am taking part in a Norwegian book, called Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design, together with 5 other designers, all with 5 designs each, that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm (who also published my knitting book in Norwegian and sold it to a Finnish publisher). My former mentor Iselin Hafseld, who is also the editor and a participating designer, asked me at the end of last summer. When we all had agreed, the publisher’s editor Anne-Berit Tuft revealed the other 4 designers taking part: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud and Birger Berge. I was thrilled with the company I am in, and that Iselin would be in charge of the photoshoot. The book was Anne-Berit’s idea and she suggested it should be launched before the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated.

Above is the cover, the second version that is, and we are eagerly awaiting the next one. The photographer, you will recognize I belive, is Eivind Røhne. Below is my Thia jacket knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk but hand dyed in Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox (a child’s rhyme) shade in red/orange/pink by Laila Henriksen of Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo.

All my designs are made in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool since Cappelen Damm preferred Norwegian yarn or at least yarns that are easily available in Norway. I also wanted to take advantage of the offer I had received several months back from yarn dyer and shop owner Laila Henriksen, who runs Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo. She hand dyes on Tinde and I had already fallen in love with her Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox. Laila was delighted to take part in this project and dyed Mikkel Rev for a cardigan for me, especially. I just had to knit this one myself, while I asked my fantastic sample knitters: Grete Jenssen – aka ma9 on Ravelry – a turbo knitter and Kristin Nygård – aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry to make the remaining 4 projects: a pullover, cowl and beret with the same cable and a skirt. All are knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge per 10 cm/4″ square.

My initial idea was to make an outfit, including a beret and a skirt. I asked Laila for colour suggestion to go with her Mikkel Rev, she suggested Burgundy and Natural grey. I agreed and thought Burgundy looked best with it, so I decided to use it for the skirt, while the pullover and accessories are all made in Natural grey. As I did the finishing of the garments, I was no longer convinced they all fitted together, hence I suggested to Iselin to photograph the skirt and cardigan together.

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

Cappelen Damm wanted all the garments for women in size medium, so above you see me wearing Thia with more ease than intended. The pattern is graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference (without front bands 2 cm/0.75″) from 84 to 126 cm/33 to 51.5″.

I invited a small number of my test knitters with sponsored yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to check all my 5 book patterns early this spring and I look forward to showing you their wonderful results! But first I will show you the Cian Pullover, Cian Cowl & Cian Beret and Damara Skirt.

If you support me on Patreon, you can read on and see more photos of this. Take a look here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng

Share