Familien Strikk August 2015

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The special issue Familien Strikk is now available in print in Norway with 6 of my designs and 69 other patterns. On the cover in the right corner is my Quamara jacket with loop closure worn by gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Ok, it is a small photo on the cover but there is a large photo on the contents page, see below.

Quamara is knitted in the lovely wool and silk mixture called Permin Zenta, and available in sizes XS to 2XL. The English pattern will be published after a test knit in my group. In the editorial Åse Myhrvold Egeland writes about how she became “bitten by the bug” or hooked on knitting in other words.

My series is called “Flott med fletter/Great with cables”, and the introduction reads: “The garments Linda Marveng designs are not for new knitters but they are so magnificent. So if you are an intimidate knitter, just get started.” The introduction to each pattern is mine, and first out is the Alva in one size: A feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo.

Next is Quamara, like the remaining patterns are all available in sizes XS to 2XL: A combined lace and cable stitch pattern adorn the back, sleeves, and the generous loop closure on this straight cardigan named after a beautiful elf. The loop collar can be worn loose, folded once behind the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style. A fake garter stitch seam add a bit of structure to this cardigan. I knitted it in the luscious wool and silk mixture Permin Zenta.

Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed.

Mistale: The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Oili: Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili.

Sculpted Frost: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

In Norway you can find the magazine in newsagents and selected supermarkets or order it by SMS, for more details and a preview of other patterns in the magazine see: www.klikk.no. The Norwegian magazine will be available on iPad, for more details see: www.klikk.no. All patterns will be available in English after a test knit in my Ravelry group.

Today, I am off on a week’s holiday to Turkey. I tend to spend a lot less time in front of the computer than I usually do, hence I will only bring my iPad and my next blog post will be on Wednesday 2nd of September! Yes, I will definitely be bringing my knitting needles and enjoy myself!

Familien Photoshoot: Hertha

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I just had to borrow Judith Bech’s magical skirt, Monica Stålvang’s fantastic boots and Kaja Gjedebo’s statement jewelry for gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models to wear together with my Hertha Shawl and loose sleeves at the photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Sissel Fylling was in charge of hair & make up (read: and much else) while photographer Eivind Røhne, who brilliantly captured it all, was assisted both by former Made by Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup and my husband. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shawl pin. A traditional lace pattern with shadow triangles in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the separate magazine Familien Småstrikk out in November, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Hertha is a development of my Bech (yes, named after the dress designer Judith Bech) with a wider shawl for a more formal look. It also makes it look more like a shawl and less like a scarf with a collar. I was attracted by the Mulberry color of the Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 which becomes even more saturated held double. Not to mention the luscious fiber combination of 50% tussah silk and 50% merino. The yarn is available on large cones of 454 grams/1 pound with an incredible 4608 meters/5040 yards or in 100 g skeins with 1024 meters/1120 yards, you can also order smaller spools from Handweavers Studio in London, where I first discovered this American yarn that has become a favorite of mine. Yes, they are now my sponsors. Thank you, Jaggerspun!

The shawl and loose sleeves are knitted using both 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles for the different stitch patterns. The gauge in garter stitch is 25 stitches and 40 rows while it is 24 stitches and 40 rows in the shadow triangles pattern. The lace pattern is easy to work and it seemed natural to choose garter stitch edgings, and divide the patterns with tucks. The cuffs on the loose sleeves have 6 tucks plus the hem. Yes, they are fun to work with 2 circular needles held parallel.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The pattern comes in 3 sizes: S/M as worn by Anne Dorthe, L/XL and 2XL but can easily be adjusted in length and width according to your own preference by adding or removing pattern repeats.

Above you see the shawl worn around the body, held together by one beautiful Abelia earring by Kaja Gjedebo. It is accompanied by the Poplar necklace and the Magnolia large earrings, all in oxidized silver. All of them such a fabulous companions to Hertha in my opinion. Hertha will be published together with two other new designs in Familien Småstrikk in November: Nuala and Syndra. To be continued.

Familien Photoshoot: Sculpted Frost

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am excited to show you these stunning photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing my Sculpted Frost Jacket with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The Norwegian pattern is one of six that will be published in Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted before its release on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles and is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. To avoid a large panel of stocking stitch I decided to give the 3 larger sizes have been given a garter st panel on either side of the Frost Flowers, feel free to change this to st st if you prefer. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

Again I used a statement earring by Kaja Gjedebo that holds the jacket together; Karakoram, Ivy hanging earrings and Caprifol wide ring both with fresh water pearl, all in silver. The geometric shapes of the stunning jewelry fits so well with the ones in the frost flower pattern. Notice how the backside of the wide ring stands up in the photo below and all the details in the bottom photo.

The collar, divided from the pattern with a tuck, is shaped with short rows and ends in an i-cord bind off. You can easily make the collar wider if you prefer. The Frost flower pattern has a number of repetitive rows which make it easier to knit than it looks.

Check out the details in the magnificent Magnolia wide ring, as well as the melange color created by the two yarns held together. Both yarns were kindly sponsored by their producers. This is the last of the 6 designs featured in Familien Strikk. We also photographed 3 designs for Familien Småstrikk due out in November which I will show you next.

Familien Photoshoot: Imra

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to show you the photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing Imra, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here is my introduction to Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The Norwegian pattern, together with 5 others will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

The vest and the loose sleeves are knitted using 4 mm/US 6 to create a dense fabric with an Worsted/Aran yarn gauge of 18 sts and 28 rows in stockinette stitch and Double Seed stitch. The set is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a finished bust measurement of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. It can easily be adjusted by changing the stitch numbers in the sides in the reverse stripes (welt pattern) and by making the bottom band longer or removing pattern repeats. The sample made by sponsored yarn was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, with her usual amazing speed with recommended modifications such as adding extra rows to the I-cord edge along each front.

The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

Both loose sleeves can be used as a belt, merely by pinning them together or you can use one as a neck tie. To close the vest, I figured out I could easily use one of Kaja Gjedebo’s large earrings called Magnolia in oxidized silver. It fits well together with Ivy hanging earrings with fresh water pearls and with the wide Caprifol ring, also in oxidized silver.

Above you see one loose sleeve used as a neck tie, perfect on a cold day as on our photo shoot day late in May. Well at least it did not rain. Next photos in this series are the ones of the Sculpted Frost Jacket, the last of the 6 designs to be included in the Familien Strikk magazine.

Familien Photoshoot: Oili

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you some of my favorite photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models from our photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here she is wearing the top Oili, with beautiful make up & hair by Sissel Fylling, Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang and stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Despite all the clouds on the sky on the day, the strong sunshine persisted with its presence so only a few quick photos from the amphi theatre was all we were allowed by nature. Above is one of them and a favorite of mine, illustrating so well the softness of the pure cotton: Bonnie by Permin with an astonishing 220 m/240 yds on a 50 g skein and a recommended needle size of 4 mm/US 6. The Norwegian pattern, including a matching loop, will be published in the separate issue Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili.

The top is worked in the round to the armholes, then separated. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. I choose to work a fake side seam in garter stitch on both top and on cowl. Bands are worked in the same garter stitch in the round. Above the cowl is worn hanging loose, but it can also be worn twice around the neck, see below.

The yarn was kindly sponsored by Permin and I was lucky to have Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knit this set for me in no time. The cowl actually took her more than a week to knit (read: yes, it does have cables all the way around), just to give you an indication on her incredibly speed – perfect for a sample knitter in my opinion. Yes, she is already working on my next series and I made sure I booked her early.

The amazing wide ring with 3 pearls is made of silver and called Caprifol, while the matching earrings also with fresh water pearls in matted silver are called Ivy, all designed by Kaja Gjedebo. To be continued.

Familien Photoshoot: Alva

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you the stunning photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and matching Carmen-wine boots by Monica Stålvang, as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne on location: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Alva, a feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo, available at Det Mjuke in Norway, who kindly sponsored both yarn and knitting. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out on 24th August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry before its release.

The poncho is knitted in 3 parts, using a 4 mm/US 6, and the shawl collar is worked at the same time as the front. The selvedge stitch is knitted in Double Seed stitch. At the end the collar is attached at the neck and the shoulders are sewn together. Make buttonholes if you prefer. The pattern is reversible, so choose which side you prefer as the right side. You can easily thread a thin elastic through the top of the wrist warmers if preferred. The only sewing required is the join at the shoulders and at the center back neck.

The poncho comes only in one size with a bust circumference of 177.5 cm/70″ and a length of 77.5 cm/30.5″, just as the wrist warmers do; 18 cm/7″ at the bottom and 28 cm/11″ at the top with a length of 32 cm/12.5″, but both can easily be adjusted (by adding or removing pattern repeats or a longer or shorter bottom bands) to your preferred size. You will recognize the stunning jewelry from the previous design as the Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver designed by Kaja Gjedebo. More divine photos to come…

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: August 2015