Monthly Archives: September 2016

Yellow Gold Pullover Released

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yellow-gold-coverYes, this is not a new pattern but the rights have reverted to me from Interweave Knits and it is now available in English in my Ravelry Store and on Loveknitting. The English pattern was first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2015 issue, and in Norwegian in Familien Strikk in August 2016. The sample knitted sweater is one of five designs exhibited at Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk, and will be there until 30. October. Yellow Gold Pullover was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the fjord in June, worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction to the pattern:

Elegant chain link cables framed by a welt pattern adorn this casual sweater. It is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort. Spindrift, a fine heathered wool was chosen for its lightness and color. The round neck makes it easy to wear over a crisp shirt or your favorite t-shirt.

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

Finished measurements:                                                                                                     Bust: 88 (95, 100, 110, 122, 132) cm/34.75 (37.5, 39.25, 43.25, 48, 52)”                                 Length: 55 (56, 57, 58, 59, 60) cm/21.75 (22, 22.5, 22.75, 23.25, 23.5)”                                  Sleeve length: 45 (45.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 19.75, 20, 20)”

Yarn: Jamieson’s Spindrift (100% wool, 25 g, 105 m/87 yds). Sample is knitted in 1160 Scotch Broom: 10 (11, 12, 14, 15, 17) skeins; 1045 (1134, 1218, 1386, 1554, 1722) m/1143 (1240, 1332, 1516, 1699, 1883) yds. http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp

Alternative yarn: Brooklyn Tweed, Loft (100% wool, 50 g, 251 m/275 yds) https://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/loft/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for neckband. 2 sets of 3.25 mm/US 3 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for body and tucks. 3.25 mm/US 2 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for neckband. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 2 cable needles (cn), stitch holders, stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 51-sts Chain Link Cable Panel measures 13 cm/5.5″ across. 23 sts and 32 rows in Welt pattern measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The straight sweater is worked from the bottom and up in parts and then sewn together. The cables are gathered before the neck bind off to keep their volume.

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Helka at Hadeland

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mmp-xt1b4512I wore my long jacket Helka for my Norwegian workshop Smart Knitting Techniques at Hadeland Glassverk at Jevnaker, in connection with their “Strikke 2016” festival. In bright autumn weather, my husband and I arrived early in order to have a chance to see the exhibition once more. Before the exhibition opened we used the time at the end of the beautiful Randsfjorden to take some new photos of me wearing my design Helka. Here I am sitting on the pier just outside of Hadeland Glassverk, when my husband captured this brilliant photo.

mmp-xt1b4502Here is my introduction to 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.

dscn0568While I was holding a workshop in Japanese Patterns on Saturday, my husband went to a nearby industrial museum called Kistefos Museet, located at an old pulp mill from 1889, with a large International Sculpture Park incorporated into the beautiful and peaceful nature. The museum also has an Art Hall, which we yet have to located. You can glimpse the Randselva to the left in the photo above. Michael convinced me to come after my workshop on Sunday. I am ever so happy I did. One sculpture with its fountain took our breath away.

dscn0564The sculpture of the year is called Path of Silence and is by the Danish artist Jeppe Hein. A path takes you through swirls of narrow mirror slices ending in a fountain with layered swirls of splashing water. It is made by polished stainless steel, giant stones from the forests of Kistefos, Norwegian slater, Siberian maple, Norwegian moss and flora.

dscn0567The introduction reads: “Jeppe Hein’s art places the human being in the centre. His artistic expression is in the intersection between concept art, architecture and technology. Still, it is the meeting between the human being and the art, or the human being meeting him- or herself that mainly occupy Hein”. Above you see it in practice by yours truly.

dscn0565The Children and adults alike were running through the swirls of water and walking dry around inside the fountain. Take a look at it photographed from above here to understand the lay-out. The museum is closed in the winter season, but definitely well worth a visit in the summer season from late May to early October.

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Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk

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544-strikkeI spent last weekend at Hadeland Glassverk holding two different workshops and visiting the knitting exhibition in the amazing new gallery, with the glass entry part designed by Snøhetta, during their knitting festival called “Strikke 2016”.  The exhibition was initiated by one of the owners Atle Brynestad, who started his first company a knitwear company at the age of 16. A selection of the first sweaters are exhibited together with photos from the -70s and -80s.  There are 19 participating Norwegian designers in addition to 4 International designers. Among them are Christel Seyfarth, Sonya Yong James, Tine Solheim, Sidsel Høivik, Tove Fevang, Nina Granlund Sæther, Bente Røvik, Vanja Blix Langsrud, Denise Samson and me. The festival, including the exhibition, opened on the 3. September and will hang until the 30. October.

dscn0538The yarn shower containing 1000 strands of yarn, sponsored by the House of Yarn is at one end of the exhibition while the coffeeshop and the beautiful view of Hadeland is on the opposite side.

dscn0542The intricate and colorful designs by Sidsel Høivik, accompanied by her first book and flyers for her second book. Sidsel now sell her designs as yarn kits directly from her website.

mmp-xt1b4531My part of the exhibition, taken by my husband so that I could stand next to my designs. I am wearing my long jacket, Helka and displayed are from right to left: Yellow Gold Pullover, Shalana, Hel, Kori and Ronette. I choose to display these designs since the Norwegian patterns are all found in the special magazine Familien Strikk now on sale in Norway.

dscn0535Danish designer Christel Seyfarth is know for her colorwork and pattern combinations. She is one of the designers giving a talk about her inspiration on the 22. October. Here is the full list of talks: Hadeland Glassverk.

mmp-xt1b4384Here is a view taken from the coffee tables next to the large windows seeing the shop part at the front.

dscn0527The shop with the Festival sweater hanging on the wall. The shop has a large selection of books, yarn kits, ready made knitwear, some knitting needles, patterns and accessories. I am happy to have my Norwegian book for sale there.

dscn0557I know the photo is dark but I wanted to share the amazing view as well as weather with the Randsfjord in the background. Here is the full program. So if you have the chance to see it, do! Do bring your knitting too!

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Kathe Cardigan – Again

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Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

I realized that Interweave Knits Fall 2016 team with editor Meghan Babin had chosen more amazing photos of my Kathe Cardigan for the 20th Anniversary Edition which I wanted to show off. So here they are, all taken by Harper Point Photography. Here is the introduction to the cardigan: “The Kathe Cardigan is an elegant and feminine modern classic. The leaf lace panels pair with the luscious open collar to make a stunning garment. This comfortable knit can be worn with a skirt and heels to the office or dressed down for the weekend.”

Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

It is knitted in the stunning SweetGeorgia Superwash Sport, using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 36 rows in stockinette stitch. The cardigan is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The tuck on the collar is worked with 2 circular needles held parallel. The collar ends in an I-cord bind off. All parts are cast on using a provisional cast on method, which is removed and then replaced by an I-cord bind off.

Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

Interweave Knits/Harper Point Photography

I love this photo showing off the details of the stitch pattern as well as the collar finish. The stitch pattern is one of those that are incredibly fun to knit as it develops between your hands and is easy to memorize after a few repeats. The semi-solid hand dyed color in Tumbled Stone, a divine taupe color, which highlights the stitch definition. There is a large selection from colors to choose from in SweetGeorgia Superwash Sport, so you can easily pick your own favorite. The English pattern is available both as a single pattern or in the magazine, which has another 19 patterns to choose from. I suggest you check out the magazine patterns before you choose.

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Amara in SweetGeorgia Yarns Fall Collection & Draw

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lookbook-coverI was thrilled that my design submission for Amara was accepted so that I could work the SweetGeorgia Yarns’ team again. Design Director Tabetha Hedrick is a pleasure to co-operate with. She e-mailed me to let me know that she was planning to use my sample for the TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) Fashion show in Washington DC in June. I was beyond chuffed to hear it! Would I be attending the TNNA trade fair, Tabetha asked. I wish I was, but the cost and my current work load did not allow it. But I was delighted that my friend and Norwegian designer Tove Fevang did go and spotted it at the Fashion Show. Then a few weeks later the pattern was sent to the first tech editor Charles Voth, then on to  second tech editor – no other than my own tech editor – Corrina Fergusson, before I received a copy with updates for commenting. Both contributed to improve the pattern and had corrected my mistakes. Finally the collection has been launched, a week after I received the beautiful photos taken by Tabetha herself.

teaser-2-daysAmara means eternal, like the beauty of the cables that travel across the back, fronts, and sleeves of this fitted cardigan. Gorgeous details, such as the double hem and deep v-neck, highlight the luxurious depth that enchants from start to finish.

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

The cardigan is knitted in SweetGeorgia Yarns Superwash DK with 234 meters/256 yards on each 115 gram/4 ounce skein, and available in numerous stunning hand dyed semi-solid colors such as the purple color called Empress, I choose. I consider it a quick knit since the yarn takes a 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows measuring 10 cm/4″ in Stockinette stitch after blocking.

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

The body is worked from the bottom and up, flat while the sleeves are worked in the round up to the armhole. The sleevecap is worked flat. The hem is knitted with 2 needles held parallel, followed by a garter stitch band, while the button band is picked up and knitted afterwords. The shoulders are shaped with short row shaping and bound off using a 3-needle bind off.

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

SweetGeorgia Yarns/Tabetha Hedrick

Take a look at the beautiful lookbook, and then you can find the individual patterns on the SweetGeorgia Yarns website or on Ravelry.

Discount: Do note that that you can …. Celebrate the Fall with SweetGeorgia launch with us and get the pattern for 30% off! No coupon code necessary, but sale ends at midnight CST on September 14th.

Draw: SweetGeorgia Yarn is offering a free digital pattern of the winner’s choosing from the Fall collection vol 2, so do comment below with your chosen pattern. I will be curious to know which one you choose.

I will use Random.org to pick a winner based on your comment number on Friday 18.00 GMT and e-mail the winner, as well as forward the e-mail address to SweetGeorgia Yarns so that they can send out the pattern. Good luck!

Winner: Wenche Ruud. Congratulations!

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Bornholm Art Museum

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mmp-xt1b4270-1Bornholm Art Museum, located outside of Gudhjem – which literally translates to God’s Home – was bound to be spectacular. The building itself certainly was with its play of light inside, with its unexpected window placements, making it a spiritual experience, and that is before we even consider the art exhibited, the viewing tower, the walking bride. “The museum building was built in 1993 and expanded in 2003 and is regarded – even by someone other than ourselves – for some of the best in modern Danish architecture.” The architectural firm is Fogh & Følner, who wanted to create a building with a series of view points to the magnificent landscape outside as well as to the wide angle ocean view. Do take a look at the stunning architecture gallery photos: bornholms-kunstmuseum.dk. The art museum is located by the sea without any other buildings in sight, so it is hard to miss it arriving by car or by – the preferred means of transport at Bornholm – bicycle.

xt1b4280-2

I was wearing light colors, despite the rain, and fitted well into the interior. If you are a knitter you might be able to spot that I am wearing Adoe knitted in the lush Rowan Truesilk. The two brilliant photos above are taken by my husband. There were many visitors equipped with cameras on our visit. As for the art collection, it ranges from the early 1800s to the present day with emphasis on the Bornholm painters, a group of artists who worked on the island in the first half of the 1900s. Their works give a full impression of Modernism in art. Not only in painting but also in sculpture. You can take a virtual tour here: www.google.com.

dscn0518A water well began at the entrance and ran through the amazing central hallway or Museum Street as it is called like a spine down 3 levels to the exit to the walking bridge and ending in a wishing well. Above you see it running down the last set of stairs.

dscn0522-bWe did need a break after touring this museum and located the café. Yes, it did have delicious cakes as well as lunch offerings. A perfect place for a meeting, in my opinion. Here you see it from the museum street and looking down into it, with the sculpture park outside. Do not miss  Bornholm Art Museum if you go to Bornholm, that is my advice.

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Strik Bornholm 2016

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XT1B4221I was delighted to be invited back to Strik Bornholm, 2 years after the first knitting festival on the divine sunshine island in the Baltic Sea. Just as last time my husband wanted to join me and take on the long drive from Oslo to Ystad, Southern Sweden – 6 hours but since we needed several breaks it took us close to 7 hours. We stayed one night at Hotel Continental from and were thrilled to find it upgraded to pure luxury. The next day, Thursday 1. September we were ready for the ferry – an Australian catamaran – from Ystad to Rønne, which takes only 1 hour and 20 minutes. Strik Bornholm was held in the small town of Allinge, approximately 20 minutes drive from the largest town Rønne at Bornholm. Above is the Woolspire stand with designer Charlotte Kaae talking to Diana Belea and Ann Vindelev from Woolspire. Ann, the Woolspire intern, learnt to knit while at Strik Bornholm, have a look at the photos in this blogpost: woolspire.com

XT1B4106Some of the 16 workshop holders – in charge of the 53 workshops – met up on Thursday evening just before the first of two evening knit cafés. Charlotte held a short talk and demonstration on the different cast-on methods. Yes, she does have her own YouTube channel in Danish. Above you can see me demonstrating how my Quamara jacket can be worn in 3 different ways depending on how you fold the long attached loop collar. Next to me is Mary-Ann Astrup, editor of the largest handicraft blog in Norway www.tusenideer.no and now also part of the Woolspire crew. I was so happy to be able to look at all the Brooklyn Tweed yarns and colors displayed at their stand. Of course I had to order some that will arrive in my mailbox very soon.

DSCN0509Strikkehjornet is the local knitting shop from Allinge which I discovered last time I visited. Owner Jette Jensen has for the first time made her own yarn, pelt wool from Bornholm, displayed at the front in three natural colors. Yes, it was one that had to follow me home. I was holding four workshop this time, all in Norwegian. Design your own sweater in part 1 and 2 as well as Japanese Patterns twice in one day. An extra Japanese Pattern workshop was added due to popular demand, while my Lace workshop was cancelled of the opposite reason. I was happy to meet several of the participants from the previous Strik Bornholm and even got to see some completed projects based on my workshops I held in 2014. Pure bliss! This time I was not teaching at Allinge Røgeri/Smokehouse on the beach but we were tempted and had to go there the first night for a portion on fish and chips.

DSCN0513Instead I was teaching at the old schoolhouse now called “Kærnehuset” but still marked as “Borgerskolen” on Friday and at Høiers Iscafe on the Saturday. As you can imagine the old school was perfect for a workshop while the Iscafé was a bit busy with ice-eating customers on the Saturday afternoon. Above is another photo from the large sportshall, Nordlandshallen where the sales area was offering a total of 24 shops. The yarn on offer is the locally hand dyed Fredsmindegarn. This year a number of German knitters visited the event together with a few Norwegians, a large number of Swedes and Danes. A total of        1750 visitors came by the sales hall during those three days.

XT1B4215Here is another photo of me and Mary-Ann, taken on the Saturday since I am wearing Oydis sweater with the cowl. I was so happy that Mary-Ann was coming and that I had the opportunity to meet the Woolspire crew myself since I now have a number of my patterns for sale in both Norwegian (on their Danish and Norwegian site) and English (on their English site).

DSCN0524This year the evening knit cafés and the party dinner on Saturday was held in a party tent at Storløkken Feriesenter. On Friday evening, Michael and I stayed in the same apartment hotel as last time, Klintely, with a lovely sea view as you can see from above. Unlike last time we did not have the opportunity to have breakfast with Norah Gaughan. And she was sorely missed by many of us. The star attraction this time was the Danish designer Vithard Villumsen, also known as the Prince of Knitting and as one of the judge on the Danish television series “Den Store Strikkedyst/The Great Knitting Challenge”. You will find a few episodes with English subtitles here on YouTube. He offered four different workshops, but the only one I had the opportunity to attend was an introduction to English knitting terms and that is one that I do not need. But to sum up the knitting festival: I had a great time! Thank you to all of you who I met, and to the organizers Team Bornholm!

DSCN0500I had some time on Thursday when we arrived and also on the Sunday to do a spot of sightseeing together with my husband. Here is one of the many lovely beaches on Bornholm, on the southern coast. But what really left a lasting impression was the Bornholm Art Museum, and it is coming next.

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Hillesvåg Exclusive

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spreadsMy four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk were launched on Thursday at Oslo Design Fair. Halli, Elfa, Idunn and Andor are all knitted in a lustrous pelt yarn, the first two in the new finer Hifa Sølje with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein and the last two in Hifa Tinde – formerly Norsk Pelsull with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. Here are photos from the A-5 brochure made for wholesale and which will be available online later. On the cover is a photo of the sideways cardigan Halli.

spreads2On the following next 2 pages are an overview together with a brief presentation of me as well as the Hillesvåg Exclusive: “Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk have in connection with the acknowledged knitwear designer Linda Marveng compiled a collection consisting of four designs in Norwegian Pelt yarn. Linda Marveng loves to design feminine garments, especially with cables or in lace. She worked for Rowan Yarns as a Design Consultant in London and published her first Norwegian knitting book in 2012. Linda designs for both Norwegian and International magazines, proofread knitting publications, translates patterns and hold workshops. www.marveng-puckett.com/wordpress/. Hillesvåg Exclusive are collections made in co-operation with selected designers. The collections hold an extremely high quality and are specially made with the fashion conscious knitter in mind.

spreads3Idunn: Named after the Norse goddess of spring and immortality is this straight sweater with a Henley neck with center cables. Ribs frame the cables in each side and make the sweater figure hugging. One center cable adds texture to the sleeve. Yarn: Tinde Pelsullgarn.

spreads4Elfa: Elfa is an a-line long jacket with central cables along all parts. Tucks divide the different patterns giving a slight flair and a softer touch to the jacket. A large shawl collar crowns the garment, hence the given name Elfa – after the Norse king and warrior. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. Yarn: Sølje Pelsullgarn.

spreads5Halli: A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. Yarn: Sølje Pelsullgarn.

spreads6Andor: A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has sidebands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho. Yarn: Tinde Pelsullgarn.

spreads7Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a living handicraft company which has produced quality yarns and combed wool through four generations. In 1898 Mikkel Myhr started the production on the same wooden floors which today makes an historic frame around our wool goods.

With windows towards a quiet fjord north of Bergen, is Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk proud to be a completely Norwegian run producer of yarn, combed wool and Norwegian knitting design.

Credits: Photo: Eivind Røhne. Model: Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency. Hair and Make up Artist: Jens J. Wiker. Thank you to Kaja Gjedebo Design for loan of jewelry. Photographed at Villa Malla, Filtvet.

www.hifa.no and www.ull.no

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