Monthly Archives: November 2017

Aki Pattern Released

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The next pattern I have released in English is Aki, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The pullover has been test knitted in my Ravelry group and you can see the stunning results on the pattern page on Ravelry. The English pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. Aki was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Alexandria Eissinger with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Ingierstrand Bad, late May. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Round cables, reminiscent of antic coins hence the name Aki; Eskimo for value, adorn this a-line pullover with vents at the bottom. The pullover is crowned with a double collar with cables and garter stitches. The body is worked in two parts, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all parts with garter stitch in the sides. Aki is knitted in a soft heather pink in the luscious Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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

Finished Measurements
Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”
Bottom width: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)”
Length: 72 (72, 74, 74, 76, 76) cm/28.25 (28.25, 29.25, 29.25, 30, 30)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 50, 51, 51) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje pelsull (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 350 m/383 yds). Sample is knitted in Pink 2110:
5 (5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5) skeins; 1563 (1638, 1737, 1886, 2035, 2184) m/1709 (1791, 1899, 2062, 2225, 2388) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/nyhet-sol…

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 361 m/394 yds).
http://madelinetosh.com/tosh-sock/
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), cable needle, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
34 sts in Aki Cable measures 11 cm/4.25” across.

Notes
The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The double collar is picked up and knitted in the round, allowing the cables to continue. The interfacing part of the collar is knitted in stockinette stitch.

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Gift-A-Long 2017

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GAL 2017 has began on Ravelry and I am one of 311 independent designers who take part. “What is Gift-A-Long? It’s a multi-designer promotion to help you kick your holiday gift-making into high gear! 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 November 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm US EST to December 31, 2017 at midnight US EST there will be fun games, contests, and 8 KAL/CALs that will help you get your holiday knitting and crocheting done with companionship and fun! From November 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm US EST to November 28th at 11:59pm US EST tons of indie designers will be discounting between 10 – 20 of their patterns 25% for this event”. Use coupon code: giftalong2017

I have discounted 20 of my patterns and you can see them all in this gift-a-long-2017 bundle. The total of all discounted patterns is 5 388. All participating designers have given away 6 individual digital patterns as prizes in the Knit/Crochet-A-Long threads in the dedicated Indie Design Gift-a-Long group. So the total number of digital prizes in these threads is just below 2000. So what are you waiting for? Do join us!

Here are some of my hot tips: Check out fellow Norwegian designer Kari-Helene Rane, her sale bundle is here: gift-a-long-2017. And Doreen Blask, aka Mrs Mumpitz, her sale bundle is here: gift-a-long-2017. Both designers are presenting other GAL designers, Kari-Helene on Facebook and Doreen on her blog. I have answered Doreen’s questions and you will find the interview on Tuesday 28. November here: mumpitz.design.

Country representation of designers:
Australia – 11 designers
Austria – 1 designer
Belgium – 1 designer
Bulgaria – 1 designer
Canada – 46 designers
Chile – 1 designer
Czech Republic – 1 designer
Denmark – 1 designer
Estonia – 1 designer
Finland – 6 designers
France – 5 designers
Germany – 10 designers
Hungary – 3 designers
India – 4 designers
Ireland – 1 designer
Israel – 1 designer
Italy – 3 designers
Malaysia – 1 designer
Montenegro – 1 designer
Netherlands – 5 designers
New Zealand – 4 designers
Norway – 4 designers
Poland – 1 designer
Portugal – 1 designer
Russia – 4 designers
Sweden – 3 designers
Switzerland – 3 designers
Tanzania – 1 designer
UK – 31 designers
Ukraine – 1 designer
USA – 154 designers

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New Design: Melva

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I love the British Stein Fine Wool 4ply hand dyed by Emma Boyles of The Little Grey Sheep and here is my first design in her yarn – a pullover called Melva. I met Emma at the Vienna Wool & Design Festival in April and was dumbstruck by all her magnificent hand dyed colours. Emma gave me a selection to take home to test and I decided to test the Stein Fine Wool 4ply in a red shade first. Emma suggested the shade named Outback and kindly offered to sponsor the yarn. Named after Melva, Celtic for ruler is this straight sweater with with fancy cables at the bottom and the top. Ribbing in the side and make the sweater figure hugging. While the stockinette stitch center shows of the stunning hand dyed The Little Grey Sheep, British Stein Fine Wool 4ply. The sleeve mirrors the body. The pullover is worked in the round to the underarm.

The delicate and intricate cable is again from Norah Gaughan’s excellent Knitted Cable Sourcebook. Instead of placing the cable in the center and repeat it, I chose to place 2 at the bottom and 2 at the top of the body and 1 on the sleeve. I initially planned to work not only the sleeves but also the body flat for a better fit but ended up working only the sleeves flat. Instead of making it fitted I added ribbing to the sides so the pullover will appear casually fitted.

The British Stein Fine Wool 4ply is made of wool from Emma’s sheep at Well Manor – a small family farm on the Surrey Hampshire borders in the UK. It is 100% wool with 330 meters/360 yards on each 100 gram skein. I used a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and got a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I am wearing size XS with 2 cm/0.75″ negative ease, but I will later show you how fabulous it looked on model Emma Ross with 2.5 cm/1″ positive ease. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a finished bust circumference of 88 to 124 cm/34.75 to 48.75″.Michael has photographed me at the outdoor stage next to Ørje Brug, today a museum called Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum. We had planned to take photos at the Boat Café, but due to the high waves and the strong wind we used this place instead. Above you can see the stunning hand-dyed shades of the yarn as well as the cable in detail. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry Group at the beginning of February next year and launched in time for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March.

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White Mountain Ruana in Knits Winter 2018

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I am so excited that my White Mountain Ruana has been given so much coverage in the newly released Interweave Knits Winter 2018. It introduces the theme North Country “Rustic winter knits made for warmth and worn with joy”. My ruana is described as follows: “Voluptuous, luxurious, and enveloping, the White Mountain Ruana is a chic layer perfect for winter wanderings. The overlapping fronts can be worn loose or closed with snap fasteners and an I-cord tie. An easy-to-knit allover ripple rib pattern gives this ruana an elegant texture; garter stitch on the collar offers contrast to the body.” The ruana is knitted in the lovely Shibui Knits Maai made of 70% Superbaby Alpaca, 30% Fine Merino with 160 meters/175 yds per 50 grams in a chainette construction in the shade Brick using a 4 mm/US 6.

Interweave / Harper Point

The ruana was submitted with the working title Leva: Old Norwegian for living as well as way of life. Wrap yourself in a comfortable, oversized blanket cardigan with low set 3/4 sleeve parts and a lovely shawl collar. The overlapping fronts can be worn loose or closed with snap fasteners at the lower part as well as an i-cord tie on the inside. An easy to knit all over zig zag pattern gives it a divine texture with a contrasting garter stitch pattern on the collar. The sleeve ends in an rib.

@ Interweave / Harper Point

The back and each front is worked from the bottom and up flat. A provisional cast on is replaced by an I-cord bind off, at the end. Stitches are cast-on for the width of the sleeve parts. The shoulders are shaped with short row shaping and bound off using a 3-needle bind off. The shawl collar is picked up and knitted at the end and worked with short row shaping, ending in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve parts are identical for all sizes but the larger sizes end in a shorter rib that are picked up and knitted at the end. Two I-cords are made for a tie; one part is attached to the collar and the other to the inside seam. Three snap fasteners are sewed on along seam under arm on Right Front with the corresponding parts on the inside of the collar.

@ Interweave / Harper Point

I love the casual styling by Tina Gill with makeup & hair by Janie Rocek and photographed by Harper Point Photography in Colorado. The model is wearing the smalest size with a lower edge circumference of 151 cm/59.5″ and is a size 90 cm/35.5″ bust. The ruana pattern also includes 2 larger sizes with a lower edge circumference of 167.5 (184) cm/66 (72.5)”.

@ Interweave / Harper Point

Here is a detail of from the side showing the three-needle bind-off on the shoulder and the collar which ends in an I-cord bind-off.

@ Interweave / Harper Point

Finally a detailed photo of the front. Thank you so much, Interweave! The Interweave Knits Winter 2018 magazine is available both digitally or in print. In Norway you will find the printed magazine in the larger Narvesen, or order it from your local one.

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Wa Pattern Released

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Do you remember the funny instagram video that Eivind Røhne made of me pinning the shawl together on stunning model Alexandria Eissinger? The one where it looks like I have ten thumbs, Alex is pulling faces and make up & hair artist Jens J. Wiker is spinning around us? Well I am happy to tell you that I have released the pattern for that shawl vest called Wa in English. It has been test knitted in my Ravelry group, so different versions of it can be seen on the pattern page. Wa is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, knitted in the divine Tinde Pelsull in Lime and photographed at Ingierstrand Bad in late May. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A shawl turned into a vest with a back piece, named Wa; Eskimo for ”here it is”. A large Celtic Cable adorns the center with Round cables on each side and small framing cables, on both parts; the shawl and the back piece which is sewn onto main piece at the end. Wear it as a vest, a wrap or a generous shawl around your neck.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements:
Width: 50 cm/19.75”
Length: 156 cm/61.5”
Back piece: 60 cm/23.5” wide and 40 cm/15.75” long

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Lime 2107; 7 skeins;
1716 m/1876 yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds).
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double…;
The Little Grey Sheep, Gotland DK (100% wool, 100 g, 230 m/259 yds)
https://www.thelittlegreysheep.co.uk/collections/gotland-dk
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds).
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

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

Crochet hook: 3.5 mm/US E/4 (for seaming).

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square.
1 Round Cable 24 sts after blocking measures 7 cm/2.75” across.
1 Celtic Cable 34 sts after blocking measures 13 cm/5” across.

Notes: Shawl is knitted in one piece, and worked sideways. Back piece knitted separately and sewn onto center of shawl. You can adjust width by removing or adding cable repeats and/or adjust the number of side stitches in rib.

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Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad: Juul Cardigan

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Finally, the last set of photos taken at our photoshoot in late May at Ingierstrand Bad of my Juul Cardigan made for Interweave Knits Winter 2017. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo, is wearing it over Judith Bech’s wonderful skirt. Alex is captured brilliantly by photographer Eivind Røhne.

This is my introduction to Djuser Cardigan, the working title for the design: A reversible lace pattern reminiscent of the step pyramid of Djuser in Egypt, 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 behind the neck, folded once around the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style hence perfect for a Winter Bride.

The cardigan is knitted in the lovely Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 (50% tussah silk and 50% merino) held double for its crisp stitch definition, lusciousness and softness. It is knitted using 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a gauge of 24 sts and 32 rows measures 10 cm/4” in Lace pattern with 2 strands of yarn held together.

The Juul Cardigan is worked from the bottom and up. The body is worked in one part to the armhole and then separated into 3 parts. I worked the sleeves in the round but the technical editor at Interweave suggests only working the tucks in the round and add a seam for stability to the sleeves. The extra long cowl is knitted separately in two parts and then joined together and sewn in place around the opening.

The sample is knitted in the third size, with a bust measurement of 104 cm/41″, worn with 20 cm/7.75″ of ease. 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 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.”

The Juul Cardigan will soon be available in my Ravelry store. At the moment it is available as an individual download  pattern or as part of the Interweave Knits Winter 2017 magazine available both digitally or in print. In Norway you will find the printed magazine in the larger Narvesen, or order it from your local one.

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Rørbye Cardigan Again

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Next out is the Rørbye Cardigan made for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 modelled by me and photographed by my husband in mid April at the Boat Café in Ørje. Rørbye Cardigan was submitted as Anuri: In a contemporary style with provocative visual lines – created by the sideways knitted cable panel to make a waterfall bottom – is this long cardigan. The body is all in stockinette stitch to offset the cables. Eventhe sleeve has a cable panel knitted sideways as a cuff. Anuri is Eskimo for wind, just as this long cardigan will blow around you.
The sample is knitted in Dale Garn Eco Wool made of 70% wool, 30% alpaca, 112 meters/122 yards per 50 g skein in 1233 grey green knitted using 4 mm/US 6. The cardigan shown is the second size and measures 46.5 cm/18.25″ back width. The smallest size has a back width of 44 cm/17.25″ and the largest 64.5 cm/25.5″, and there are three sizes in between. Above you see the collar worn flat with the interfacing in rib shown, while it is folded over as intended in the top photo.

The reversible cable is from Norah Gaughan’s excellent Knitted Cable Sourcebook. The back view shows 3 cables at the bottom and one at the top of the lower body. It does take a second to distinguish the single cable in the panel with the three. The cable is worked in rib and not as difficult to knit as it looks. Here you see me using a shawl pin to close the cardigan in the side.

The lower body of this cardigan is worked from side to side. The upper body is worked back and forth in one piece from the pick-up on the lower body to the underarm, then the upper fronts and back are worked separately. The sleeve cuffs are worked from side to side, then the sleeve is worked in the round to the underarm. The collar is worked back and forth in two pieces.

The knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 is available in a digital edition and in a print edition. In Norway you can soon buy the magazine at the larger Narvesen kiosks or ask your local one to order it for you.

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Eira Pullover Again

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Yes, I know you have seen the Eira Pullover already, but you have not seen these photos taken by my husband in mid April at the Boat Café in Ørje. I am trying to look relaxed and warm but I was freezing even when I was wearing the Rørbye Cardigan on top. The Eira Pullover was made for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 and knitted in the wonderful The Fibre Co. Cumbria using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. Cumbria is made of 60% merino wool, 30% brown mash wool, 10% mohair, with 218 meters/238 yards per 100 gram skeins in the shade Scafell Pike. The gauge is 23 stitches and 28 rows in Moss stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The working title was Kanik when I submitted it to the Winter Whites theme with the following description: A visually striking pullover that is both chic and comfortable, named Kanik; Eskimo for snowflake after the intricate center cable. The stunning cable adorns the center front and back and is framed by a braid on each side. While Seed stitch fills the background in the sides to allow the cables to shine, on this straight sweater. A saddle shoulder allows the staghorn sleeve cable to continue all the way to the neck.

The sample is made in the smallest size with a 81 cm/32″ bust circumference and it is worn with zero ease. The largest size has a bust circumference of  123 cm/48.5″, and there are four sizes in between.The pullover is knitted flat and seamed in order to give it the best shape and support. Only the collar is worked in the round. Eira Pullover was the pattern of the week at the Interweave blog and here is what Assistant Editor of Knits, Gus Baxter writes: “Linda Marveng’s Eira Pullover from knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 is a study in knitting cables. This project combines 3 wide cables, 2 narrow cables, and moss stitch. An eye-catching cable featuring wide arches, knots, and small braids dominates the center panel. Then columns of large staghorn cables flank the central panel and decorate the saddle sleeves: stitches undulate from the inside to the outside in an antler motif. Moss stitch, a classic complement to cabled designs, covers the sides and sleeves. Eira Pullover has the same patterning on front and back; it’s worked in pieces and seamed.”

The knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017 is available in a digital edition and in a print edition. In Norway you can soon buy the magazine at the larger Narvesen kiosks or ask your local one to order it for you.

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Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Bøler Church

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Our photoshoot day, last Wednesday, had a grey start but it cleared and the sun came out in the afternoon. Michael and I picked up the gorgeous model Emma Ross – Em for short – at her hotel in Oslo, before we drove to Bøler suburb and the church. Em flew in from Manchester in the United Kingdom the day before and we were excited to meet her. Bøler Kirke is a community church by HBA Arkitekter completed in 2011. See more photos here:  www.bygg.no. Photographer Eivind Røhne came as we were unpacking the car and meet the parish priest Dag Auli. We were given not only one room for lunch and our luggage but also a separate one for makeup with even larger windows towards the forest. We were given access to every part of the church, except for the Church Hall during the funeral at midday and given a tour of the church. Eivind and I did go all 121 steps to the top of the Bell Tower and had a lovely view of the nearby lake Østensjøvannet, but the platform at the top was tiny and the long drop to the ground made us both dizzy. The makeup & hair artist Sissel Fylling with her assistant Nora arrived and were introduced to Em. Yes, she needed a haircut (read: as we have come to expect) and we did not need to convince Em to accept. While Sissel and Nora set to work on Em’s hair and then makeup, I prepared the rail with the clothes and went on another tour with Eivind & Michael to locate locations. There were 3 backdrops we immediately wanted: The entrance area to the Church hall with its light concrete walls, the rusty cor-ten wall panel and the chapel courtyard. Michael has taken all these wonderful photos. Above is the entrance area and you see Sissel and me at work, while Em is checking out the biblical text written about the entrance to the Church Hall. She is wearing 1 of the 7 new designs, a long cardigan made in the lovely Di Gilpin’s Lalland Lambswool yarn with a unique twist.

Jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo who lives at Bøler, came on her bicycle with a large selection for me to choose from. Yes, I did pick some of her new statement pieces and some old favourites. Kaja knows this community church well and could tell us about some of the events that take place here. It is one of the few churches with a licence to serve alcohol in connection with the concerts and other events organised at the church. Above you see Em covered in a felted wooly blanket (see Røros Tweed) to keep warm, as Eivind is checking the light and his flash. Yes, we have several of those blankets. Under she is wearing 1 of 3 designs that needed new photos: Autumn Symphony knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Ask-Hifa 2. On our agenda was to photograph a total of 10 garments during the day.Here you see Eivind in action photographing 1 of the 4 new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the courtyard next to the chapel. Yes, it was a cold day so Em did want that blanket. We started by photographing here as the funeral was going ahead in the Church Hall. After photographing the 4 garments made for Hillesvåg, we needed to get warm and decided to have lunch. I had checked catering but since we were only 7, we bought lunch from a coffee shop in the city center and brought a selections of drinks & fruit with us. As always we had plenty of fun and discussed postures for Em to test out. Both Sissel and I popped into a number of Eivind’s shoots to correct or adjust her hair, makeup or outfit. I love this shoot of Eivind explaining. Em is wearing the Bowery Tunic, one of the designs returned from Interweave, I had to photograph again before I can release it with new photos after the rights have reverted to me. The design was made for knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017. The high ceiling, the light concrete and the full height windows gave this entrance area a sacral light. The impressive lighting is even found in the corridor at the side of the Church Hall as well as inside the Hall itself.

I also wanted to show you half of the church seen from the car park towards the chapel and the courtyard behind it. The tower is the Light Tower and not the Bell Tower which is at the opposite end. We are standing in front of the opposite rusty cor-ten wall panel with the name carved into it. This is also were we ended our photoshoot. The priest came in and asked how it was going on all our locations. We had a brilliant day! Thank you! Now, I am trying to choose photos from Eivind’s selection and trying to finish those patterns…

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