Monthly Archives: September 2015

På Pinnen with My Design: Talila

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Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_01I am so thrilled to have the full cover of the new digital magazine “På Pinnen”/On the Needles for the members and published by Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association. Gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with hair and make up styling by Sissel Fylling, as well as beautiful jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, is wearing the Talila Cowl – while the matching wrist warmers and clutch are shown inside the magazine – and is brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The design submission request came early this spring from editor and Leader Tove Fevang who wanted an accessory with a cable pattern. I was not difficult to ask, and Talila was created and accepted. A few months later, Tove wondered if I wanted to be part of the editorial team together with Åse Bjørndal. I was flattered and certainly wanted to be part of making this digital magazine. In addition, Tove wanted to profile me, and asked if she could interview me at home bringing her husband, photographer – Geir Arnesen – to take some photos. Below you see the result, I was wearing my Quamara jacket and had prepared a rail with a number of my designs. The clean and modern look layout of the magazine is done by Janette Balchen of Designstreken.no.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_03The large photo of me is taken on the terrace while the other ones are taken in my living room. You might recognize my swatch photo of the Arcade Vest in the top right corner and that I am holding on to the back of the Gyda Jacket. I also asked jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord if we could use some of her fantastic photos of my swatches with her buttons. I was delighted when she accepted. The first part of the profile on me is based on my book introduction.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_04While the second part is more about my work and productivity today. Below is the first page of the pattern with all the essential information like the yarn; Hifa Norsk Pelsull and needles 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5. The second page has a detailed photo of the clutch which I will show you in my next blogpost, together will all the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_05The magazine contains two more patterns, book reviews, report from Alta Strikkefestival and briefly from Koftefesten, article on yarn thickness, tips and ideas. I am delighted that the magazine has been popular so far, and we have started to plan the next issue and scheduled our next Skype meeting. So if you are Norwegian, or speak Norwegian, please join Norsk Strikkeforening and send us your ideas & suggestions for the magazine.

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Saga Knitted by Dorothy DesRoches

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IMG_0715Does both the cables and the model look familiar? Yes, this is actually the first of two designs with these very addictive Cross Chain Link Cables, my Saga jacket; here beautifully knitted by Dorothy DesRoches from Canada, and again brilliantly modeled by her grand-daughter Hilary Scoffield, who lives in France. Hilary has previously modeled her Gyda, also knitted by Dorothy. The jacket, pictured above and below, is knitted in Filatura Di Crosa Zara, Extra Fine Merino – a DK weight – held together with Berroco Ultra Alpaca – an Aran/Worsted weight – to create a dense fabric with a saturated melange color, and combined beautifully, using a 5.5 mm/US 9 needle! Hilary is wearing a size M with a finished bust size of 98 cm/38.5″.

IMG_0711Here is back view of Hilary’s stunning jacket. Dorothy is planning to knit my Mistale next and I cannot wait to see it! Thank you, Dorothy and Hilary!

Saga was first published in Norwegian, with the sample knitted in Norsk Pelsull and Rowan Lima held together, in the magazine Familien Trend in February 2015, then in English, after a test knit, on Ravelry where it is available digitally. The second design with the same cables is the Yellow Gold Pullover, that was published in Interweave Knits Fall 2015.

Soon it is time for to reveal a new design, to be published in the new Norwegian digital magazine for the members of the Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association, see www.norskstrikkeforening.no and in English on Ravelry. To be continued.

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Yellow Gold Pullover Knitted by Valeria Patorra

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IMG_2683__1024_x_768__medium2Valeria Patorra, living in Germany, began knitting the Yellow Gold Pullover the day after it was published in Interweave Knits Fall 2015 to my delight. Instead of the sample yarn Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift, Valeria picked Schachenmayr nomotta Alpaka Fashion in a red-orange shade from her stash and the project Rowanberry was born. Valeria decided to knit a size S to obtain a size M because of the thicker alpaca yarn so it would fit her. The three dimensional cables combined with the welt pattern and the tucks, which she calls “Linda’s trendy style” to my utter joy, attracted her to the design. After an amazing 14 days the pullover was finished, and Valeria decided to photograph it on her holiday in Denmark with her daughter – 14 year old – Gwendolyn as the model. The result is a number of brilliant photos, you can see two of them here and more of them on Valeria’s, aka nickknitterton, project page on Ravelry. As it happens, Gwendolyn wanted the sweater and Valeria happily gifted it to her. I just like to add that Valeria is a very prolific knitter and has since been addicted – her words not mine – and knitted the following of my designs: Saga Jacket, Cable Round Sweater with a turtle neck modification, and is currently test knitting the Sculpted Frost Jacket. Thank you Valeria and Gwendolyn!

IMG_2649__1024_x_768__medium2The magazine Interweave Knits Fall is available digitally and in print around the world. The print version has just reached my closest newsagent Narvesen. I am so looking forward to seeing more versions of this design and I know there are several in progress in different countries from Japan to the UK. And Yes, I have sent in submissions to their recent Summer 2016 call!

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Familien Photoshoot: Nuala

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20150529 Linda Marveng HO 184 copyI am thrilled to show you these brilliant photos of my design Nuala, taken by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in May. Let the turquoise color remind you of a lovely summer and look at gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing the set, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling as well as stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Småstrikk at the beginning of November, while the English pattern will be released on Ravelry after test knitting scheduled for March next year.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 221 copyThe shawl and cowl are both knitted flat, using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The pattern only comes in one size. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the Right Side, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the Wrong Side. Both are made using the same one-row method. The yarn was generously donated by Permin.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 169 copyThe large Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring in silver lifted the outfit into evening wear in my opinion. Both are available from acknowledged designer Kaja Gjedebo. The staircase where Anne Dorthe is sitting leads down to the platoon, where we had hoped to take some more photos but due to both the bright sunshine and the strong wind we had to give it up. Just to take these photos, editor Mary-Ann Astrup was providing shadow holding a large screen see my behind the scenes photos.

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Familien Photoshoot: Syndra

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20150529 Linda Marveng HO 781Syndra, another design of mine professionally photographed by the brilliant Eivind Røhne for the Norwegian magazine Familien Småstrikk – a special issue out in November. The gorgeous model is Anne Dorthe/Team Models with stunning hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and wonderful statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo. Here is my introduction to the design: Named after Syndra with her immense magical potential, is this cowl to warm your shoulders and the matching loose sleeves. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 791The set is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles and the cowl available in one size, while the loose sleeves are available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL). 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. An elastic band is threaded through the stitches on the wrong side of the top of each sleeve. Use knit-in elastic if you prefer. The Dreamline Soul yarn was kindly sponsored by Du Store Alpakka.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 760The stitch pattern gives a lovely texture, and I discovered how neat it looked increasing into reverse stocking stitch instead of beginning to add stitch patterns, see the photo above. If you wanted to shape the cowl, you could easily apply the same idea and decrease towards a narrower neck instead of making it straight. Dorthe is wearing Ivy hanging earrings and Caprifol wide ring both with fresh water pearls, all in silver. I am delighted that I have even more photos to show you from this photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter! To be continued.

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SweetGeorgia Yarns Volume 1 with My Design: Aine

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SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

I am so honored to be part of the Volume 1 Fall/Winter Collection for SweetGeorgia Yarns with Aine. 12 designers of us where accepted, my tech editor Heather Zoppetti is one of them, so I felt in very good company indeed. The layout of the magazine with all its brilliant photography and luscious yarn pages is in my opinion trendy and clean cut – magnificent in other words.

SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

The submission call for Volume 1 Fall/Winter 2015 for SweetGeorgia Yarns seemed a perfect fit for me; the mood boards were both inspirational and their website alluring. Tabetha Hedrick – Design Director – agreed, to my delight. I received an e-mail with the fantastic news that my design was accepted with a minor modification: making the scarf into a cowl instead. It was a brilliant idea, and easy to accept. I choose to submit only an accessory due to the short deadline and allowing for 10 days of shipping to Canada. The stunning hand-dyed color is appropriately called Salt Air and the yarn is Superwash DK (100% super wash merino wool, 115 g, 234 m/256 yds). The cowl is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 and reversible. The finished measurements are: Width: 19.5 cm/7.75″ and Length: 128 cm/50.5″. You can easily adjust both the length (by removing or adding repeats) and the width (by removing or adding stitches in garter stitch).

SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

SweetGeorgia Yarns / Josh Young, 2015

Aine: A striking reversible cowl, named after the ancient Irish word meaning ”radiant,” is a rich, yet deliciously easy combination of cables, garter, and moss stitch. The textural patterning is a pleasure on its own, but becomes brilliant when paired with the lavish colour of hand-dyed yarn. My cowl is on page 21 of the magazine and on page 39 all the designers are briefly presented: “Linda Marveng is a Norwegian who loves to design feminine garments with the added texture that cables and lace knitting give. She studied art history and worked first for architecture firms in London, then for Rowan Yarns as a design consultant. She continues to design, proofread knitting books and magazines, translate patterns, and offer workshops. www.marveng-puckett.com”. Do notice the detailed photo of my Rib Cable in the center of the page and the large photo on the credits page 41. See the magazine on the SweetGeorgia Yarns website, where you also find each of the digital patterns to buy, now with a Celebratory Sale: “Purchase one pattern from the Fall with SweetGeorgia, Vol 1 collection and get the second one for $3 off. Sale ends Sept 14, 2015″.

If you are wondering what I am up to – except celebrating that is – I can reveal that I am busy working on the next set of submissions to SweetGeorgia Yarns for Spring/Summer 2016…

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Gyda Knitted by Dorothy DesRoches

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IMG_0629I am so delighted to show you my design Gyda knitted by Dorothy DesRoches who live near Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Dorothy did not knit this for herself but for her granddaughter Hilary Scoffield, who lives in France and models it in these marvelous photos. The jacket is knitted in Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% merino, 20% silk, 5% cashmere, 50 g, 116 m/126 yds)  in Dark Turquoise – a total of 12 skeins used – in a size Medium with a finished bust size of 98 cm/38.5″. Dorothy would have preferred to knit it in a tougher yarn like the Madeline Tosh Yarns which she has used for other projects.

IMG_0625Dorothy has knitted several of my patterns, and I am very proud that she has knitted not one but three versions of the Tyrol Jacket – for herself, her daughter Elizabeth and for a close friend. Thank you so much, Dorothy!

Gyda was first published in Norwegian, with the sample knitted in Hifa Ask, in the magazine Familien Trend in February 2015, then in English on Ravelry where it is available digitally. Yesterday, I had a new pattern published in Sweet Georgia vol 1 Fall 2015 collection, see issuu.com and Aine. Blog post is coming.

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Saga Pattern Released

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Saga COVERMy Saga pattern in English has been out for awhile but I have not had time to announce it. After a successful test knit with many gorgeous versions of it, I released the pattern in the middle of August. Saga was designed for my Nordic Vintage series intended for Made by Me now; Familien Trend, and brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger/Pholk is wearing Saga over a stunning faux leather dress by Judith Bech and beautiful shoes by Monica Stålvang. Alexandria’s hair & make up was by Sissel Fylling. Here is the introduction to Saga: 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 together.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)                                                                                               Belt/Extra Collar: one size

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                      Bust: 86 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm excl collar/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22.5, 22.75, 23.25)”               Sleevelength: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”               Belt/Extra Collar width: 75 cm/29.5″, height: 13 cm/5″

Yarns: Hifa, Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt yarn, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in shade Jeansblue 1117: 4.5 (5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5) skeins; 1092 (1196, 1300, 1404, 1560, 1716) m/1194 (1308, 1422, 1535, 1706, 1877) yds. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull. Rowan Yarns, Lima (8% merino, 84% baby alpaca, 8% nylon, 50 g, 110 m/120 yds). Sample is knitted in shade Amazon 879: 10 (11, 12, 13, 15 ,16) skeins; 1092 (1196, 1300, 1404, 1560, 1716) m/1194 (1308, 1422, 1535, 1706, 1877) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/lima.                                                                        Belt/Extra Collar: Hifa, Norsk Pelsull: 1 skein; 156 m/170 yds.                                          Rowan Yarns, Lima: 2 skeins; 156 m/170 yds.                                                                             Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

Alternative Yarn for Norsk Pelsull: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g,133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light    Or another DK/8 ply yarn to be held together with Rowan Lima.                                             Or another Bulky/12 ply yarn held singularly.

Needles: 5.5 mm/US 9 circular needles (80 cm/32″ and 120 cm/48″ for collar). 5.5 mm/US 9 DPNs. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 2 Cable needles, 8 stitch markers, 5 stitch holders, 3 medium sized snap fastners for Belt/Extra Collar if preferred and yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 sts and 22 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 14 sts and 22 rows in Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. Cable across 12 sts measures 5 cm/2″.

Notes: 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.

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Postcard from Turkey

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DSCN0238Night until Sunday my mum and I came back from our one-week holiday in Side, Turkey. I slept a number of hours before I set off for the last day of the Gave & Interiør/Gift & Interior Trade Fair in Lillestrøm to meet friends and yarn sponsors – exciting and inspiring as usual! Above is a view of the pool at our hotel: Sunwing Side West Beach, early one morning when we went for our swim. As you can imagine it did not stay that quiet during the day. With super hot temperatures between 36 to 39 degrees celsius/96 to 102 fahrenheit we sunbathed in the shadow on the beach during the day, we did not venture far at all. The sea temperature was 30 degrees celsius/86 fahrenheit partly due to the long shallow sandy beach, so the cooling down effect did not last for a long period of time. As a fellow Norwegian turist pointed out, the coldest place on the beach was the cold water shower next to the Beach Club – she and her husband visited the hotel for the 11th time and always for 3 weeks.

DSCN0236Here is the beach from the Sunwing section of it. I did bring my knitting but must admit that I did not do any, during the hot days, only a bit in the evenings when the temperatures where 10 degrees celsius/50 fahrenheit lower could I manage to knit for a short period of time. On the beach I relaxed by reading, swiming and watching the water sports enthusiasts as well as the myriad beach life.

DSCN0235We lasted a number of hours on the beach before we headed back to the hotel, a short walk away, in the late afternoon. It was easy to convince my mum to try out the hotel’s Spa so we had Turkish Bath one day, pedicure another and finished off with a deep tissue massage. We were making sure we were coming home in totally new updated versions! Above is the view from our balcony, which was too hot to use until the early evening. Our view is facing the next door hotel, the German Hane Family Resort. Yes, there were many German turists so even the bazars and shops had their signs in German. However, the Norwegians had shopped an awful lot in the hotel shop, since the Turkish Manager there was fluent in Norwegian. We were gobsmacked when she answered us back in Norwegian! Yes, we were no exceptions, and came home several bags richer. In the evenings we did not need to visit the Hane Family Resort show since we could hear it – if not see it – clearly from our balcony. We found a local restaurant we visited nearby with delicious food and only went by “Dolmus” (read: minibus) to Side once since we were in the nearby town of Everenski, 8 km outside of Side.

DSCN0224Above are the old ruins of the Ancient Side. We were fortunate to capture a young couple taking their wedding photos, before we meet them again strolling down the high street in Side making it an extra ordinary evening for us all!

DSCN0222The last view, to end this postcard from Turkey is the sunset through the Vespasian Gate with all the taxis on their way into the city center. The beautiful part of Side I will remember well.

DSCN0230It was a very enjoyable holiday, indeed! The only ball of yarn I found – and I did not search for it – was an expensive eyelash yarn, so I was not tempted to buy it. But then I did caress my bit of yarn at the trade fair just a few hours after my return home.

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