Mistale Knitted by Sabine Brenner

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you Sabine Brenner’s Mistale sweater. I met Sabine for the first time at Wollness Weekend outside Vienna in Austria last autumn. Previously we had only met online in my Ravelry group, where Sabine, aka Sabine010163, has taken part in several of my test knits! My German is close to none existent but I do understand quite a bit since Norwegian is a North Germanic language. Nevertheless I am unable to speak it. Our common friend Uschi who speaks better English than Sabine, acted as translator so we could be introduced. It was wonderful to meet her and to see so many of her test knits. I wanted to share with you her Mistale sweater in size 2XL which she knitted in String Theory Hand Dyed Merino DK in Laguna. The lovely yarn has a crisp stitch definition and a subtle semi-solid color. Sabine asked if she could change the neckline from the original squarish neck to a v-neck ending in a round neck. A modification she did brilliantly. Sabine was tired of taking selfies in front of the mirror and went to a photographer to obtain a few good photos for her project page. I am proud that she wanted to share them on the pattern page too. Below you see a photo of her back. Thank you so much, Sabine!

The Mistale pattern was first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August, while the English pattern is available on Ravelry. The sweater is straight but the rib on each side of the cable panel make the sweater pull in and appear fitted. I am looking forward to showing you more amazing test knits of this sweater and other designs of mine.

knit.wear with My Design

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Interweave’s magazine knit.wear Spring/Summer-2016 is now released digitally and I have design in this for the first time! The magazine is a re-premiere issue, as it has taken back its old name, instead of using knit.purl. I am delighted to have my design submission accepted in this fashion forward magazine. The theme I choose was initially called Film Noir Ballet but has been changed to Odile & Odette in the magazine. Editor Meghan Babin described it as follows: “1940’s drama and intrigue. Pulp fiction ingenues. Urban spaces. Body-conscious silhouettes and singular design elements. The set-in sleeve and tailored waist give way to low-backs and floaty fabrics, styled with tights and ballet flats and the unexpected leather jacket. Explode one element of a vintage sweater and go over the top—an outrageous intarsia flower on a cream mohair pullover; a plunging back; an exaggerated puffed sleeve cap, a profusion of bobbles. Subversive, beautiful, refined.” My submission with the working title Baranova Pullover was given its first name Irina Pullover. I am thrilled that the series, including my pullover, was photographed on a ballerina by Harper Point Photography.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, is this fitted pullover with elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Fine Lace.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Meghan suggested using Rowan Kidsilk Haze instead of Rowan Fine Lace and choose an ever more delicate color combination than I did. In Kidsilk Haze she choose a light blue called Heavenly which is held together with Rowan Felted Tweed in a whitish tweed with light blue flecks. They make the cables even more visible and make then pop. Using 1 strand of each yarn, I choose to use a 4 mm/US 6 size needle and got a gauge of 18 stitches and 30 rounds in garter stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. You might recognize the cables I choose, as they are the same I used for the accessories; cowl, wrist warmers and clutch called Talila. I discovered after designing Talila that I was not finished with those yet.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

I decided to use garter stitch as the background and make the cables into panels so that I could shape in between them. The sleeves were given a narrower panel than the one on the body. This body of this pullover is worked in the round to the underarm, then the front and back are worked separately back and forth. The sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up, with the sleeve cap worked flat. Decreases and increases are worked on each side of the body to create a fitted shape. I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL.

knit.wear / Harper Point Photography

Here is a detail of the square neckline that is knitted double, folded and sewn in place at the wrong side. I am delighted to be in the design company of my tech editor Corrina Fergusson, Carol Feller and Sarah Wilson who has designed the amazing huge Anna Cowl on the cover, just to mention a few. The digital version of the magazine is available to download from the Interweavestore.com and while the print version can be ordered here: knitwear-springsummer-2016. The pattern will be available in Norwegian after the rights return to me in a year, and new photographs will be taken. It will be a challenge to make them as brilliant as these.

Stige Pattern Released

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to release another of my patterns from my Norwegian knitting book in English. The Stige pattern has been revised, tech edited and given a schematic. My husband suggested I shorten its long Norwegian name “Oversized Stigehull Genser”/Ladderlace Sweater simply to “Stige” meaning “ladder”, and I did. The sweater is worn by Nasjonalballetten’s dancer Cristiane Sà with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad, and captured by photographer Kim Müller at National Museum – Architecture in Oslo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sweater inspired by Donna Karan’s style. I wanted to design a comfy yet trendy maxi sweater with a large collar that could be folded down on your shoulders. The yarn I chose has a subtle sheen and fabulous drape, made by Valley Yarns, and knitted double. The sweater is knitted in one piece so that the stitch pattern creates flattering vertical stripes casting shadows. A matching pair of wristwarmers is essential.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements: Bust circumference: 117 cm/46″ Length: 82 cm/32.25″ Sleeve length incl turn up: 42 cm/16.5″ (34 cm/17″ + 8 cm/3.25″) Wristwarmers: 34 cm/13.5″ long, 24.5 cm/9.75″ width.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Colrain Lace (50% Merino wool, 50% Tencel, 249 g cone, 1408 m/1540 yds). Sample is knitted in Steel: Sweater: 3 cones; 4141 m/4529 yds. Wristwarmers: 1 cone; 396 m/433 yds. http://www.yarn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/categoryID/3DE2C30C-6D95-43DD-8AB5-B8DB265D6674/productID/09524FC9-99A1-49B6-B68D-23A9FC6DE02A/

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternative: Green Mountain Spinnery, Sylvan Spirit (50% Wool, 50% Tencel, 57 g, 165 m/180 yds). http://www.spinnery.com/shop/products.php?cat=13 Hand Maiden, Lady Godiva (50% Wool, 50% Silk, 100 g, 250 m/273 yds). http://handmaiden.ca/product/lady-godiva/ BC Garn Silkbloom Extrafino (55% Merino wool, 45% silk, 50 g, 300 m/328 yds) held double. http://bcgarn.dk/pi/SILKBLOOM_EKSTRA_FINO_2976_8.aspx Or another DK/8 ply held single or a Lace/2 ply held double.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (100 cm/40″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for neck and collar. 5 mm/US 8 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for collar. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch holder or extra circular needle, stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 and double yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

Quamara Pattern Released

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of the English pattern is over and I have released Quamara in my Ravelry store. I am delighted to see the different versions of made by the test knitters. Above you see it worn Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk last August. Here is my introduction to the pattern: 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 Zenta by Permin.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust (incl loop): 86 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Loop closing: 17 cm/6.75″ wide and 300 cm/118″ long Length: 55 (56.5, 57, 58.5, 59.5, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22.25, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 23.75)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Permin, Zenta (50% wool, 30% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 180 m/196 yds). Sample is knitted in Lime 883302: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1256 (1404, 1535, 1667, 1847, 2027) m/1374 (1535, 1679, 1823, 2020, 2217) yds http://www.permin.dk/uk/knitting-yarn/permin-knitting-yarn/zenta.html

Alternative yarn: Elsebeth Lavold, Silky Wool (45% wool, 35% silk, 20% nylon, 50 g, 176 m/192 yds). http://knittingfever.com/elsebeth-lavold/yarn/silky-wool/ Harrisville Designs, Silk & Wool (50% silk, 50% wool, 50 g, 160 m/175 yds) http://harrisville.com/silk-wool-yarn/

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needles (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 4 Stitch markers, 6 stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 22 sts and 30 rows in Lace measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body is knitted in one piece to the armholes, then divided into 3 parts. The loop collar is knitted separately in two pieces, bound off on 3 needles and sewed on from the back neck, while the cast on edges are joined by mattress stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round and set-in. If you choose to adjust the body length, remember to adjust the length of each part of the loop with the same removed/added length.

Familien Kreativ with My Designs

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Familien Kreativ is a new Norwegian magazine, which replaces Familien Håndarbeid, released on Monday 14. March with 4 of my Designs to my delight: Helka the long cardigan you can see the back of on the cover, Shinju the shawl, Elora the bolero and Adoe the jacket. Even though the picture on the cover is small, the coverage I have received inside is fantastic. I will show you the 6 pages that show off my designs with the brilliant photos by Eivind Røhne of stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and dresses by Judith Bech Design.

The heading says “Ready for a Party”, and continues; “Romantic and beautiful garments that add the finishing touch to the outfits for both bride and guests.” The introduction to Elora is mine: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn by Alexandria Eissinger over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Adoe: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch. The jacket is worn with a skirt designed by Judith Bech.

Shinju: Love, 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. Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl and highlight Judith Bech’s Secret; a divine felted wedding dress with a mermaid tail.

Helka: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

The magazine is available at newsagents, selected supermarkets and by SMS – Kreativ16 til 2205 – if you are in Norway. If you are abroad you can order the Norwegian magazine by e-mailing customer services: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Thank you to Familien for accepting my designs. You can also find my designs presented by former editor of Made By Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup on the blog “Tusenideer” by Egmont Publishing: http://tusenideer.no/familien-kreativ-for-deg-som-elsker-lage-ting-selv/

My First E-book is Out

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Time flies, so much in fact that I have not only released one e-book but two in the last few months. The first one: Nordic Vintage Collection is in English and contains the 11 patterns that were published in Norwegian in Familien Trend last February, all photographed at Hvalstrand Bad. Below you can see a look book page of the introduction, bio and contents pages.

Here is my introduction: Nordic Vintage is a collection of knitting designs made to enhance shoe designer Monica Stålvang’s Spring/Summer collection and dress designer Judith Bech’s selected coctail dresses. Former editor of the Norwegian magazine ”Made by Me”, Mary-Ann Astrup, now in charge of Egmont Publishing’s handicraft blog ”Tusen ideer”, instantly agreed to my idea and a meeting was organized to pick dresses, discuss colours and garment silhouettes. Judith brought several suitcases of her fairytale gowns, Monica brought her drawings of her outstanding shoes and I brought my knitted swatches. We chose ten dresses and color co-ordinated the ten knits.
In the introduction to these garments Mary-Ann wrote:
”The stitch patterns in these unique garments have clear lines going back to Norse tradition and the intricate pattern we see in the Dragon Style. Paired with gorgeous dresses in Norwegian design, the goddess look becomes complete.”
The eleven designs were published in ”Familien Trend”, a magazine initially planned to take over from ”Made by Me” in February 2015.

Hvalstrand Bad, an art deco restaurant on the beach with a diving tower, in Asker on the outskirts of Oslo, was the perfect location for the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to brilliantly capture the garments worn by the stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with gorgeous hair & make up by Sissel Fylling. I choose to order bespoke buttons from jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord and Monica suggested jewelry from Kaja Gjedebo Design in addition to my own Monies jewelry.

I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as technical editor Heather Zoppetti, sample knitters Grete Jenssen, Airin Hansen and Karin Elise Placht, my test knitters for improving the patterns and last but not least my husband, whose support and technical aid I could not have done without.

Gyda, cabled jacket is the most popular of these 11 designs, which are all available individually as well. My next task, as well as working on new patterns, is to make this e-book available in Norwegian. So if you are waiting for just that, keep knitting for now!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Adoe

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Last design and series of photos from our photoshoot is Adoe, worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger over a fringe skirt by Judith Bech, with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The scene was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. The jacket looked best with this amazing skirt with a train – yes, I have borrowed the black one previously – instead of the wedding gowns due to its color and style. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in June in my Ravelry group before its release.

Here it my introduction to the pattern: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. The body of the jacket is straight and knitted in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch.

Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. It is of a chainette type construction and holds its shape unlike silk yarns in general. The jacket is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 4″/10 cm after blocking. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent.

The body is worked back and forth in parts, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The front band is the first part of the wavy lace pattern, and creates a scalloped end to it. Attach buttons and use the holes created by the lace as buttonholes if you prefer. The yarn is a chainette type construction which means the garment will hold it shape.

We tried out several backdrops for this garment including Alexandria standing on the high window sill in the Ball Room, sitting next to the window in a portrait style but this worked the best. She also tried to place her arm on the window but it appeared way too surreal through Eivind’s lens. It just goes to show that we never run out of ideas!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Saqqara

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Linda Marveng

When I saw gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing the amazing wedding gown Swan Lake by Judith Bech with my Saqqara on top, I was gobsmacked. The gown fitted Alexandria as a glove and the sight of her was of a sacral kind; like a vision. Thankfully she was captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne so I can share these photos. Sissel Fylling was in charge of Alexandrias hair & make up and much else, as usual. The statement gold brooch and ring are by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be released on Ravelry in the next few days on its own and as an e-book together with six other patterns, while the English pattern will be test knitted first.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the step pyramid in Egypt, I have created my own Saqqara. A stunning reversable lace pattern with triangular shapes, adorn the rectangular shawl with a shawl collar and the matching loose sleeves. Like jewelry the tucks frame the hands on the loose sleeves and divide the patterns on the shawl. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, I found my rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer, with or without the loose sleeves.

Huldra Kamgarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a combed wool of a 3-ply thickness which comes on a 200 gram cone with 850 meters/929 yards, while Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka is an alpaca and nylon mix of lace thickness with a chainette construction and with 177 meters/195 yards in each 25 g ball. Held together I used a 4 mm/US 6 and found a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in Stockinette stitch to measure 10 cm square. The yarn was generously sponsored by both Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and Du Store Alpakka.

Above you see the collar worn up which suited this dramatic gown perfectly but it can also be worn down as a shawl collar. Both the shawl and the loose sleeves come in three different sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL). The shawl lengths are: 113.5 (119.5, 125.5) cm/44.75 (47, 49.5)”, while the widths (including the widest collar) are: 43 (44.5, 46) cm/17 (17.5, 18)”. They can easily be adjusted to your perfect measurements if desired.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round, unlike the shawl, with 2 circular needles held parallel to make the hem and tucks. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. One tuck divides the patterns before the collar on the shawl and a second one is worked on the wrong side to emphasize the reversible shawl.

In days after the photoshoot we had feathers flying around from the wedding gown, and I felt as if I was blessed by Judiths angels. The wedding dresses were returned but I have wonderful memories of them and all these fantastic photos.

I have one more design photographed to show you for now; Adoe and it is coming next.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Maith

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the professional photos of Maith taken by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I was hoping that the color would be a shade of gold and not green, but I have grown fond of the pale green color named Hush. Instead of showing it off over a wedding gown, I opted for a silk top in cream and taupe silk trouser. Eivind suggested a neutral but stark background as the staircase on the side of the restaurant could offer. The Norwegian pattern of Maith will be released on Ravelry very soon, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before it is published. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Divine silk and gracious cables give this shrug a feeling of goodness just as the old Irish word ”maith”. The shrug is worked from one sleeve cuff, across the back to the opposite sleeve cuff. Knit a cowl and use it as a collar on the shrug. Rowan Truesilk gives you a luxcurious feeling and makes it perfect even for evening wear.

Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk and is a chainette yarn – in other words the strand looks like it is knitted already, just like a narrow I-cord – with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. Unlike other pure silks due to its construction it does not grow with blocking. The shrug and cowl is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 23 stitches and 30 rounds in stockinette stitch. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent. While I was busy knitting up designs for upcoming Interweave Knits, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry assisted and knitted up this sample for me. As usual in a speed I can only dream about, especially with all the cables with give the set a lovely texture.

The shrug is worked from cuff to cuff in one piece. The cuff and sleeve are worked in the round, then worked flat across the back to the opposite sleeve where it is worked in the round to the final bind off at the cuff. The increases on the sleeve is first worked into the purl stitches between the cables in reverse stocking stitch, then in garter stitch at each end of round. Only the width varies between the different sizes, not the length. Adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats to each sleeve if desired. The cowl, with the same width as the back, is knitted lengthwise as a scarf with a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. As you might have noticed, I like wearing shrugs like these over dresses in the summer but also over tops with decorative backs like the one in the photo above. Next up is Saqqara worn over a gobsmacking wedding gown by Judith Bech. So be prepared…

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Monthly Archives: March 2016

Mistale Knitted by Sabine Brenner

knit.wear with My Design

Stige Pattern Released

Quamara Pattern Released

Familien Kreativ with My Designs

My First E-book is Out

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Adoe

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Saqqara

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Maith