Cable On Scarf Pattern Released

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The Cable On Scarf, first published in Norwegian in Familien 2/2015, is now available in English in my Ravelry Store. It was the first in my series of reversible scarves that look equally good as a loose collar and the later designs have their own collars added onto the scarf. Here is my introductions to it: The cable on scarf is reversible, made in rib instead of the usual stocking stitch, framed by double seed stitch on every edge. Distinctive Stag Horn cables give the generous scarf texture and depth. Why not use it as a decorative warm collar pinned together by a shawl pin. The sample is knitted in a natural grey shade of the beautiful Norwegian Pelt Yarn/Norsk Pelsull by Hifa.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements: Length: 153 cm/60.25″ Width: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Hifa, Norsk Pelsullgarn (100% Norwegian Pelt wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in Natural Grey 1115: 3 skeins; 702 m. 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-knitting-1-c.asp 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 60 cm/24″.

Notions: Cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows in Double seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. Adjust needle to match gauge.

Conic Coat Pattern Released

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am behind in showing you the patterns I have released in English. In February after the completed test knit of the English pattern, I added Conic Coat with chart, schematic and video links to my Ravelry Store. The coat, knitted in Hifa Embla using a 4 mm/US 6, is worn by gorgeous dancer Francesca Golfetto, with beautiful hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad, brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in the special issue Familien Strikk in August 2014. Here is my intro to the pattern: The triangles and blocks stitch pattern by Lynne Barr, creates shadows and a dense texture perfect for a long a-line coat with a soft and generous shawl collar, a seeded rib pattern, and a clever tuck. I have achieved my goal of designing a coat with architectonic elements you want to knit and wear.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 92 (98, 106, 116, 126) cm excl collar/36.25 (38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Hip: 112 (118, 126, 136, 146) cm excl collar/44 (46.5, 49.5, 53.5, 57.5)” Collar width to v-neck: 9 cm/3.5″ Collar width (mid-neck) widest: 22 cm/8.75″ Length: 79 (80, 81, 82, 83, 84) cm/31 (31.5, 32, 32.25, 32.75, 33)” Sleevelength: 53.5 cm/21″

Yarn: Hifa, Embla – Hifa 3 in shade 6078 purple beige (100% wool, 100 g, 210 m/230 yds): 8.5 (9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1743 (1869, 2016, 2205, 2415) m/1906 (2044, 2205, 2411, 2641) yds. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/embla-hifa-3

Yarn alternative: Cascade, 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 100 g, 201 m/220 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220.asp Berroco, Ultra Alpaca (50% Wool, 50% Alpaca, 100 g, 197 m/215 yds) http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca Madeline Tosh Pashmina Worsted (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere, 100 g, 192 m/210 yds. http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/psh-worsted.html Or another worsted/10 ply yarn.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (100 cm/40″). 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (120 cm/48″ for collar)

Notions: 1 DPN. 6 stitch markers and 2 clip or waste yarn markers. 6 stitch holders. Yarn needle.

Gauge: 19 sts and 25 rows in st st measures 10 m/4″ square. 17 sts and 25 rows in Folded Triangles measures 10 cm/4″ square. 19 sts in Seeded Rib measures 10 cm/4″. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notes: The coat is worked flat in pieces and then sewn together. Stitches are picked up for the collar and a tuck is worked before you begin with the Seeded Rib pattern. The shawl part of the collar is worked with short rows and ends with an I-cord bind off. The a-line decreases are worked in stocking stitch, while you discontinue the Folded Triangles pattern when you shape neck, armhole and sleevecap.

Book Presentation at Slobrua Gjestegård

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Last Saturday I presented my book and my designs at a knitting retreat at Slobrua Gjestegård at Skarnes, an hour’s drive from Oslo. The invitation came via former owner of the online shop Projo, May Lis Martinsen who has been very active in organizing these events previously. Events co-ordinator at Slobrua, Wenche Sandberg confirmed it and offered a delicious lunch after my presentation. The shop Hobbytunet, with Manager Randi Bratt, had brought a large selection of Sandnes yarns & patterns, while May Lis had brought an exciting selection from her former shop stock including the Australian hand dyed yarn Koigu. There were about 30 knitters present this year, the 5th year in a row the knitting retreat has been organized. Above I am wearing my Lacy Rib Shawl with cowl and wrist warmers, one of the most popular patterns from my Norwegian knitting book: “To rett og en vrang. Designstrikk”. The English pattern is available on Ravelry where you can see the pattern details: Ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-rib-shawl.

I prefer to bring a large selection of my designs and put them on while I talk about my intentions for each one and all the essential pattern information. Afterwards everyone has the chance to study the garments in detail, feel the textures of the yarns and discuss edgings as well as techniques. The photos above are taken by my husband but you can see a few more photos in the local paper and note that the title of the article is “Needles and yarn is social therapy”, see Glomdalen.no. I enjoyed spending the afternoon talking about knitting! Thank you May Lis and Wenche!

Familien Photoshoot: Hennika

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Hennika, named after the lace patterns Gothic shapes, was designed cropped to fit with Judith Bech’s long light blue halter neck tulle gown in our series Nordic Vintage in Familien Trend. The gown makes the lacy bolero appear even more delicate, and looks divine on gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk with beautiful hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, worn together with stunning flat Elisabetta shoes by Monica Stålvang, all captured by Eivind Røhne. Hennika is tapered and the body worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round in the bouncy pure wool Hifa Ask. The scarf collar is longer than the bolero and meant to be closed with a shawl pin or a beautiful brooch. Above it is folded in to create more depth.

The inside of the sleeves are worked in stocking stitch while the body parts have extra Girlander lace in each side to minimize the stockinette parts. The body and sleeves have hems at the bottom which are worked at the same time, unlike the scarf collar which is made separately in two parts to make each side identical and then joined. The hem is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle while the rest is knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4.

The photo above is another of those I desperately wanted from Eivind. The dreamy look on Alexandria’s face is so iconic. I also love how the texture of the tulle gown is such a stark contrast to the pure wool bolero. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before it is released. The planned test knit order is as follows: Next is Saga, then Hillevi, Freja, Atika, Hennika and Bech last in the series. In the mean time I will design some more.

Familien Photoshoot: Honeysuckle Shawl

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I loved this silk dress by Judith Bech the moment I lay my eyes on it at the Designer-kollektivet in Oslo. So I had to include it in our Nordic Vintage series. I designed a shawl, a cowl and a belt knitted as a hem, and called the pattern Honeysuckle after its lacy stitch pattern. It still felt like a revelation seeing the dress, with Honeysuckle and fantastic shoes by Monica Stålvang, worn by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend in February.

Honeysuckle is knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton, a very well fitting name indeed, since it is made of 92% cotton and 8% polyamide and of a cable structure in 50 grams balls with 105 meters/115 yards put up, using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. The shawl can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle the shawl is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in Stockinette stitch. The belt can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch.

The shawl is knit flat and the cowl is knit in the round. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in Stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add preferred tying length. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in my group on Ravelry and will be released when it is complete. Now, there is only one more design you have not seen professionally photographed and that is Hennika, coming up next.

Familien Photoshoot: Bech

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Yes, Bech is named after Judith Bech the dress designer who made this stunning halterneck grey silk gown especially for the Nordic Vintage photoshoot. My design to complement the gown is a shawl with a shawl collar, a belt and loose sleeves. The outfit looks amazing on gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, beautiful shoes by Monica Stålvang. Sissel and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne thought it would look best with a dramatic after party background, so we stacked chairs at Hvalstrand Bad before Eivind captured the scene. Above you can even see the shoes, and below the photos shown in the Norwegian magazine Familien Trend currently for sale.

The set is knitted in a soft mixture of a luscious alpaca mix by Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul, a lace weight yarn combined with a pure wool by Hifa, Huldra Kamgarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Together the two yarn created a melange color with depth to it. The bare back is covered by the shawl here with the shawl collar down. A tuck divides the lace pattern from the garter stitch collar on the shawl, and layers of tucks make up the cuff on the loose sleeves and the whole belt which can be tied or pinned together.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round, unlike the belt and the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The belt is made of a hem and 5 tucks, all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel. On the last tuck you add stitches for the tie on each side. The belt can be tied together or pinned together with a beautiful brooch. You can easily adjust it to fit your own waist measurement. The belt also looks fabulous around the neck just as Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik styled my prototype belt to the Lyre Bolero, see my blogpost: New Design: Lyre Bolero and how Bech looks in all the different styles it can be worn New Design: Bech. I plan to release the English pattern after it has been test knitted in my group, later this spring.

Familien Photoshoot: Saga Jacket

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you how gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk looked in my design Saga, a result of my obsession with cross chain link cables with beautiful bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord, hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, the stunning faux suede dress is by Judith Bech, the magnificent shoes are by Monica Stålvang, all captured brilliantly by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last October. The Norwegian pattern was part of my Nordic Vintage series printed in Familien Trend in February.

This is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by the ancient sagas, I have designed a warm jacket with cross chain link cables that prepares you for the battle of the winter or for a cold Northern summer day. The jacket is straight and closed with three large bespoke buttons at the top, with cross chain link cables continuing across the saddle shoulders. The standing collar is a cable knitted separately and attached at the end. I knitted a second loose collar you can use as a belt if you prefer. The vivid melange color and lovely texture is created by holding Rowan Lima and Hifa Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool together.

The body of the jacket is knitted flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round with increases in st st. Each cable has been gathered to keep its texture to the end. The Belt/Extra Collar is made in one size but can easily be adjusted to required length and with added snap fastners if desired. I had intended it as a belt but soon discovered I preferred wearing it as an extra collar instead.

The cables are in three parts and hence requires 2 cable needles, while they are highly addictive they do require a bit of practice before they become easy to make. I love how they pop in this yarn mixture of Rowan Lima and Hifa Norsk Pelsull worked on a tight gauge using 5.5 mm/US 9 the recommended needle size for Lima on its own.

This last photo is one that is not part of the Familien Trend magazine but another one I requested from Eivind. It illustrates the vivid blue color of the combined yarns, as well as showing of the saddle shoulder in all its textured glory. The English pattern will be released after the test knit, which is the next one to start in my Ravelry group. I am so delighted that I have a list of testers who have expressed their interest in taking part.

Familien Photoshoot: Atika

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Magic, is the best description of seeing gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk wearing Judith Bech’s divine felted wool dress with my design Atika on top. Alexandria’s hair and make up was by Sissel Fylling, while the stunning jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo and the shoes not visible but equally perfect are by Monica Stålvang. The magic moment was captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad in Asker last October. The bar seemed the ideal backdrop for this party outfit, according to former editor Mary-Ann Astrup who suggested the glas of wine as an accompaniment. Atika, consisting of a cowl with loose sleeves, is knitted in the luscious Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul a lace weight alpaca mixture held together with the speckled Pickles, Merino Tweed, a thin fingering weight wool using a 4 mm/US 6. The pattern was released as part of my Nordic Vintage series in Familien Trend.

Here the cowl is twisted around the body, to make a halterneck top. You can also here easily see the loose sleeves which have elastic band inserted at the top so they will stay in place. The cowl is knitted sideways and in the round. You can adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats of 10 sts. If you want to wear it twice around your neck, add 2 pattern repeats. The loose sleeves are knitted in the round to the end.

Above is a photo that was not published in the Familien Trend magazine. It is one of the many extra photos I desperately wanted from Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Atika: A cowl to warm your shoulders or your neck. Or why not wear it as top with matching loose sleeves gracing a stunning dress like this designed by Judith Bech. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Hearts of Oak with both texture and a drapy edge.

This last photo was chosen because of its sensuality, and has not been published earlier either. I plan to organize a test knit of Atika before I release it in English. The test knit will take place in my Ravelry group some time after the Honeysuckle Shawl and Saga which are the next two patterns to be test knitted.

Easter Knits

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Ideal colors to illustrate that Easter is upon us, as well as an essential color injection I crave at the moment after a long winter. I am planning to knit a lot, and know I am not the only one. The combination of these two yarns is one that I have used previously and love too much to let it go, at least not yet. I used Hifa Ask held together with Rowan Fine Tweed for my Shawl Sleeves first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August. So another cable project is in the works, again for the same special issue. I am also working on a couple of design submissions for the new blogzine called “Around the World in 80 Skeins“. Their website is up and running, but the blogzine with its collection, inspired by the city of Paris, will not be launched until early autumn, then with both individual pdf patterns and an eBook with the entire collection available to buy. One quick look at their mood board, filled with stunning pictures of Parisian fashion and architecture (you can see it here: niice.co), made my head spin with ideas. So my submission will be finished in good time before the deadline of 15th of April. I wish you a happy Easter with plenty of sunshine and knitting time!

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: April 2015