Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Architecture Museum

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Linda Marveng

It was a cold November day, our photoshoot took place at the National Museum – Architecture, but at least it was not raining. I had settled all formalities with the museum and they were expecting us, with an extra security guard since we were photographing outside around the Fehn Pavilion, in the “klostergang”/cloister, designed by Norwegian Architect Sverre Fehn. This time the team consisted of photographer Eivind Røhne, the hair & makeup artist Sissel Fylling with assistant Nora, model Silje Andresen/Team Models and assisting photographer Michael Marveng-Puckett. Silje retired as a full time model ten years ago, at the age of twenty seven, to my astonishment. She knew Sissel and was probably not too surprised that Sissel just had to cut her hair. So no change there, then.

We were photographing ten designs with two extra accessories, not all new designs: 2 designs returned from Interweave; Irina Pullover and Harding Cardigan; 2 old designs in need of new photos: Check Cable Cardigan and Cable On Scarf, in addition to 6 new designs. At the top is Hanasa a-line pullover, below is the Irina Pullover. I had, as usual, borrowed several skirts and a dress from designer Judith Bech. I am sure you recognise a few of those we used this time. In addition to jewellery from designer Kaja Gjedebo. Selecting from her home studio where she keeps it all, is ever so difficult and the list does seem to grow longer for each photoshoot…

Eivind and I started by walking around the premises together with Michael, to look at possible backdrops, while Sissel was cutting and then styling Silje’s hair. We agreed that the “klostergangen”/cloister was the best one, and that there were possibilities at the front, the main entrance door to the museum, the terrace entrance to Grosch Bistro, as well as the back wall. The interior – with its vaults and the tiled entrance hall – is lit with LED lights and difficult to use as backdrops without using blitz plus a lot of extra work for Eivind to do afterwards. The main building is the old (and first) National Bank completed in 1830, by architect Christian Heinrich Grosch, while the Fehn Pavilion was built in 2008, together with the refurbishment of the building into the National Museum – Architecture.

I had brought several blankets to keep Silje warm, in addition to a Reindeer skin I planned for her to sit on while we were photographing Biondo scarf and a short jacket. Below you can see how that worked out. As for keeping her warm, I made sure we started with the coldest designs and then the warmer ones. But we all got cold and had a warm lunch at 12.30 inside at Grosch Bistro. I had spoken to the manager to let her know that we would be a bit in and out during the day, ordered fruit and drinks for us in the morning and that we would have our lunch when we needed a break.

After lunch we were ready for the last designs. Thanks to Silje’s experience we could speedily photograph the remaining garments in quick succession. In time before the November light turned blue and the approach of what we call the “blåtimen”/blue hour arriving after dusk around 3.30 pm. All the photos reflect the amazing day we had, and the wonderful team work! Thank you so much!

Juul Cardigan Again

Posted on November 26, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I know you have seen the Juul Cardigan already since it was published in Interweave Knits Winter 2017 magazine, but I wanted to show you the photos my husband took of me wearing it in April, just before I sent it off. It was a glorious but cold day in April, when these photos were taken by the Bunnefjord at Ormøya, just below where we live at Bekkelaget in Oslo. The cardigan was made for the Winter Bride theme but can easily be worn with more casual clothing than a stunning wedding gown. I decided upon a pair of straight grey trouser. Above I am wearing the cowl twice around my neck, so it is pulling in the whole cardigan making it appear more like a ballerina wrap.

Here with the cowl once around the neck. Juul Cardigan: A reversible lace pattern is the focus point of this straight cardigan with a generous cowl collar and cuffs made of tucks. A fake garter stitch seam add a bit of structure to this cardigan. The cowl collar can be worn loose, folded once behind the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style hence perfect for a Winter Bride.

Here I am wearing the cowl once around my neck, just as I put it on. My choice of yarn was an old favourite yarn the Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 (50% tussah silk and 50% merino) held double, for its crisp stitch definition, lusciousness and softness. It was a yarn I discovered at the yarn heaven called The Handweavers Studio in London. It is knitted using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in Lace pattern with 2 strands held together. I love making the hem and the tucks on the sleeves and I make them with two circular needles held parallell. I have made a video of this technique, see my blogpost with video link (it begins 7.45 in): Knitting Techniques Videos.

The sample is knitted in the third size, with a bust measurement of 104 cm/41″, worn with 12 cm/4.75″ of ease on me. So it came out looser than intended, the same with the sleeve length, that had to be pinned up during photography. The sleeve length has been adjusted in the pattern. The cardigan pattern is available in six sizes. Here is the Interweave introduction to the cardigan: “This unusual cardigan will draw every eye with its striking features. The tucked stitch cuffs and long attached loop collar add sophistication to the already beautiful lacework that adorns the back and sleeves.” Thank you so much, Interweave Knits team!

Gift-A-Long 2016

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Linda Marveng

For the second year around, I am taking part in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, GAL for short, on Ravelry. I had a great time last year seeing all the projects being made, the competitions, and all the chatting in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group. You can easily join the fun even before you know all about, just like I did last year. The Indie Design-Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. From Tuesday, November 22nd at 8:00 pm US EST to Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 at 11:59 pm US EST 335 indie designers will be discounting between 5 – 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2016. There are 2 200 electronic pattern prizes to be won as well as physical prizes, for taking part in the KAL/CAL and the Designer Hunt Game. Take a look at the interesting stats above.

Above are the most of the patters I have discounted, since each item in a pattern count as one. The collage was made for the sign-up and you can access the full list of designers and see all the collages here: ravelry.com. In addition we have all made a Gift-A-Long 2016 bundle of discounted patterns so that they are easy to find. The hard working group moderators and volunteers have also made a series of Pinterest.com/IndieDesignGAL boards for you to look at. Do join us!

Shalana Pattern Released

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk ended 30. October and the 5 garments I exhibited have been returned to me. Among them the pullover Shalana, knitted in the beautiful colour Avocado in Rowan Felted Tweed DK. Even the test knit has finished so I have released the English pattern on both Ravelry and on Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Strikk 2016 in August, and is still available to order from them. The sample was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Villa Malla in early June.

SHALANA Sand Cables that travel from the center towards each shoulder dominate this fitted sweater with a rounded boat neck. The center panel of double seed stitch is framed and increases in size with the cable move. On the long sleeves the cables dominate. Named after the most powerful spirit Shalana.

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

Finished measurements: Bust: 88 (94, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 78 (84, 90, 96, 106, 116) cm/30.75 (33, 35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75)” Hip: 88 (94, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 60 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65) cm/23.5 (24, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK (50% merino wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Rayon, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds). Sample is knitted in Avocado 161: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1172 (1312, 1452, 1592, 1767, 1942) m/1282 (1435, 1588, 1741, 1932, 2124) yds.

Alternative yarns: The Fiber Company, Acadia (60% Merino Wool, 20% Silk, 20% Alpaca, 50 g, 133 m/145 yds). http://www.thefibreco.com/acadia.html Or another lightweight DK/8 ply or Sportsweight yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″ and 60 cm/28″). Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 32 rows in Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 18-st Sand Cables measures 7 cm/2.75″ across.

Notes: All parts are worked flat. The sand cables move from their center position on the body towards the shoulder by increasing into center Double Seed st panel and decreasing into st st at the side. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end.

Familien Julens Småstrikk 2016

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Chrismas is coming, and you can see it in the magazines in Norway. The special issue published by Familien called Familien Julens Småstrikk features accessories and small projects for Christmas including two of my designs: Keya Scarf and Maith. I am delighted to have my designs included in this packed issue with a total of 107 patterns. The photos are of the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design is brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne.

My spreads of pages is introduced with the heading “Fin med fletter”/Nice with cables. Keya Scarf: Voluminus hidden sand cables in a tweed mixture made of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed held together, creates a divine texture for this reversible scarf, called Keya after the bloom of a flower.

Maith: 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 luxurious feeling and makes it perfect even for evening wear.

The magazine is available in selected supermarkets and at newsagents in Norway, if you live abroad you can order the magazine by e-mailing Kari.Bachke@egmont.com. I am fascinated to see that the number of Christmas issues with knitting patterns are increasing here in Norway. One reason might be the recent research paper by SIFO that found an astonishing 43% of women in Norway knit.