Monthly Archives: March 2018

Japanese Translation

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For a very long time, I have been inspired by Japanese knitting books, and sent design submission to the Japanese magazine Amirisu, the last without any luck so far. It has been a dream to have my patterns translated into Japanese. Well, the dream is coming true, and it all began exactly one year ago when I met Nancy Marchant for the first time at  the airport in Vienna, where we met up to attend the Vienna Wool & Design Festival. Nancy had just been to Japan to meet with her publisher and translator of her last book: Leafy Brioche. Her translator is Tomoko Nishimura, and now she is also my translator. Tomoku has translated two of my patterns into Japanese so far (Oydis Sweater and Mohair Poncho) and I want her to translate two more before I upload the Japanese versions. Tomoku also translates patterns for Marianne & Helga Isager and interprets for Arne & Carlos whenever they tour Japan. So I am in the very best company! Tomoku went to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival a few weekends ago and the first knitter she met was no other than my sample knitter Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry. The world can seem awfully small at times. Above you see them both inside the EYF. Tomoku is wearing a pullover that her mother made for her a long time ago, since she is no longer around, Tomoku thought it was nice to wear it at EYF. Kristin is wearing a very popular traditional Norwegian sweater called Marius knitted in Drops Baby Merino and a Mad Blood Shawl by Mary-Anne Mace, aka The Lace Eater knitted in The Plucky Knitter Single, with an awful lot of beads attached.

Above is the amazing line up of designers together with organiser & yarn shop owner Suncica Wilhelmer to the far right and Nancy Marchant next to me, from left: Isabell Kraemer, Di Gilpin, Anna Maltz, Nancy Marchant, me, Valentina Cosciani, Hanna Maciejewska and Suncica Wilhelmer.

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Easter & Wa KAL

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Easter is here with sunshine and warmer temperatures at least during the day. We still have close to -10 degrees Celsius/14 Fahrenheit at night. Michael and I will be staying at home. I have plenty of knitting to do as well as less enjoyable jobs as translations and formatting to do. Above is a image Michael has made: God Påske means Happy Easter. He calls our house the British Embassy because Michael still is a British citizen as well as a Norwegian one (read: dual citizenship). As for our address here in Ørje, I have discovered it is so much easier to say we live in Tore’s old house than giving the street address. Apparently, everybody here in town knows Tore. So Michael is the Englishman that has bought Tore’s house. That is Ørje in a nutshell.

An Easter egg can be so many things, and I know that a knitter’s one is usually not filled with sweets but with yarns & patterns. Nice with an Easter egg that is not fattening and comes in lovely colours, wrote one Instagram user hoping to win a gift voucher from a yarn store. In her Easter egg was my Wa shawl pattern for the upcoming knit-along (read: KAL) beginning 2. April. That was such a brilliant idea that I decided to offer to help her fill her Easter egg with an extra free pattern of her choice from my Ravelry store.  Join us for the Wa KAL in the Never Enough Lace group or the Arcade Vest KAL in the A Place to KAL  My Own (read: KALMYO) group, both on Ravelry.

I wish you all a Happy Easter and hope you will receive an Easter Egg, regardless whether you have to fill it yourself or not.

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Apiri Collection E-book

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Apiri Collection is my third E-book, made after I received several requests for gathering these four patterns on Ravelry. First out is the English version, the Norwegian version will be added shortly. Apiri is a collection of knitting designs made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in their gorgeous pelt wool yarns called Tinde and Sølje. The names of the garments are inspired by the Eskimo-Aleut languages. Apiri means ”to ask” and seamed perfect since two of the designs are garments that can be worn in different ways and hence change their character and silhouette completely. On the cover is the Wa shawl, which means ”here it is” as it can be transformed into a vest or a wrap. The divine lime colour, and casual elegance that model Alexandria Eissinger wears the shawl made it the cover shoot.The collection has four designs; the poncho Iglu, the shawl Wa, the cardigan Suli and the pullover Aki. Iglu is oversized and available in one size, just like Wa, while the more fitted garments; Suli and Aki are available in six sizes.

The Ingierstrand Bad Restaurant, on the outskirts of Oslo is a functionalistic building with a view of the Bunnefjord. It is an icon in Norwegian modern architectural history and a popular place to celebrate weddings. As a background we choose the diving tower on the nearby beach and the quay, where the ferry from Oslo used to dock. Photographer Eivind Røhne was chosen to capture the brilliant moments of model Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker, as well as statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

I wish to thank this amazing team for their co-operation, as well as tchnical editor Corrina Ferguson, sample knitters; Airin Hansen & Kristin Nygård, 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.

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Book Launches at Cappelen Damm

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Last Wednesday my husband and I attended a knitting evening at the Norwegian publishing house Cappelen Damm in Oslo. We knew the authors and their photographers: Helle Siggerud (left), was publishing her first knitting book called “Strikk til alle tider“/Knitwear for all occasions, while Nina Granlund Sæther was publishing her 10th book called “Sokker fra hele Norge“/Socks from Around Norway. Both books are beautifully photographed: Helle’s by no other than Eivind Røhne and Nina’s by Guri Pfeifer. Both authors have travelled around Norway visiting museums and studying local traditions. They did bump into each other at a carpark at a small museum in Telemark late one afternoon. Both talented designers held a talk; Helle on the costume traditions she discovered on her trip and Nina on the history of stockings going all the way back to the Egyptians. We were offered sparkling wine, the opportunity to study their sample projects, buy books at a discounted rate, take part in the raffle as well as ask our questions. Some of the women present were knitting, but I could only focus on their talks and gladly gave up my attempt.

Helle’s book is published in Norwegian, but the Cappelen Damm Agency presents the book as follows in English in order to sell the foreign rights: “40 garments inspired by Norwegian traditions In this wonderful knitting book, Helle Siggerud has been inspired by costume traditions and folklore from all over Norway. She has traveled far and wide and immersed herself in Norwegian patterns; used in knitting, weaving, embroidery and wallpaper; and has transformed it into beautiful knitwear. Helle is famous for her figure-hugging garments, good cuts and snappy details. And you’ll find all that here. The book features mostly women’s garments, but there are also great designs for men and children – and for dogs!”

Nina’s previous book “Votter fra hele Norge”/Mittens from Around Norway is in its 5th edition in Norwegian and has sold more than 31 000 books so far. The English translation has been reviewed in magazines abroad as well as promoted by the library in New York in the US. Here is an introduction to her latest book from the Cappelen Damm Agency pages: “Nina Granlund Sæther is back, this time with the follow-up to her best seller Mittens. In Socks From Norway, we travel once again through Norway’s countryside and it’s knitting traditions – this time while keeping our feet warm. In this book you’ll find fascinating stories about the origins of the various socks, archive images from museums around the country, and plenty of instructions for socks for the whole family.” I believe it is only a question of time before these books are translated into English.

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Familien Strikk March 2018

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I am delighted to have two designs in the latest special magazine called Familien Strikk, a Norwegian magazine. The magazine has an incredible 124 designs for women, men, children, babies and the house. Both my designs have been published earlier, Brewster Cardigan in the webzine Wool Studio 2016, by the editors of knit.wear and Bowery Tunic in knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017 issue.

Here is my first page, introducing the Brewster Cardigan with photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Brewster Cardigan is knitted in the soft Valley Yarns, Northfield using a 4 mm/US 6 needle and is available in sizes XS to 2XL. The English pattern is available in the Wool Studio 2016 webzine but also as a single download from my Ravelry store.

Here is the second page with the Bowery Tunic. Both garments where photographed at Bøler Church in Oslo. The Bowery Tunic is knitted in the divine hand dyed Madeline Tosh DK using 4 mm/US 6 needles and available in sizes XS to 2XL. The English pattern is available in the knit.wear Spring/Summer 2017 issue and will be available in my Ravelry store soon. The Familien Strikk magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. If you are in Norway you can also order it by SMS just write “Strikk18” in addition to your name & address to 2205 or buy a digital version for iPad, see www.klikk.no. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.

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Melva Pattern Released

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Emma Boyles of The Little Grey Sheep suggested I launch my Melva pattern in time for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival (read: EYF, for us knitters) and I am happy to say that I made it with the help of my test knitters and new technical editor Kristen TenDyke. The Little Grey Sheep will have a stand at the Festival, sell the yarn Stein Fine Wool 4ply in lovely hand dyed shades as well as my Melva pattern. I would have loved to be there, but know I have my own ambassadors there. One of my Austrian test knitters, Barbara will be there wearing her version of Melva, and so will one of my Norwegian sample knitters, Kristin, as well as my new translator (yes, this is very exciting and more news will follow shortly). Emma also commissioned Amanda, aka demonknitter24 on Ravelry, to make her a version of Melva for the festival, so I am hoping for a small line up of Melva. Both English and the Norwegian pattern are available at Ravelry and at Loveknitting. Above you see it gorgeously worn by Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Below is a photograph of the lovely yarn in the shade Outback taken in our garden last July by my husband.Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after Melva, Celtic for ruler, a straight sweater with fancy cables at the top and the bottom. The intricate cable is fit for a ruler. Ribbing in the side makes the sweater figure-hugging, while the stockinette stitch center panel shows off the stunning hand dyed Stein Fine Wool 4ply from The Little Grey Sheep. The sleeve mirrors the body, but it is worked flat.

Melva pattern is available in English and in Norwegian (på norsk).

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

Finished measurements:
Bust: 88 (94, 100, 106, 112, 124) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 41.75, 44, 48.75)“
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)“
Modelled in size XS with 2.5 cm/1” positive ease.

Yarn: The Little Grey Sheep British Stein Fine Wool 4ply (100% wool, 100 g, 330 m/360 yds). Sample is knitted in Outback: 5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 8) skeins;
1536 (1666, 1796, 1926, 2056, 2316) m/1679 (1821, 1964, 2106, 2248, 2423) yds.
https://www.thelittlegreysheep.co.uk/collections/stein-fi…

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

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

Gauge: 26 sts and 34 rows/rnds in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
Melva cable (12-sts) measures 4 cm/1.5” wide.

Notes: The body is worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. While the sleeves are worked flat. If your row gauge differs, begin second Melva cable 54 rows (16 cm/6.25”) before final row on back, front and sleeves. If you want to lengthen the bottom half of the body and add a section to the Melva cable, work these additional rows: 4 to 13, then rows 44 to 49.

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The Andor Poncho Gang

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Look at this amazing group of friends that went to London, all wearing their Andor poncho, all knitted in the original Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull! Nina Hove Myhre, aka FiberAndArt, had decided to knit the poncho and told her colleagues at their lunch table. The result was that they all wanted to join in and ordered Andor yarn kits online. Here are five of the seven knitters, photographed at Marble Arch. Nina, to the right, was pregnant at that time but you can see her son Olav on her project page in his Fana jacket, here on Ravelry. I met Nina 5 years ago, when she organised a book presentation for me at Larvik Husflidslag/Handcraft association, see my blogpost. If you follow my blog you have seen several of the astonishing total of 22 of my designs Nina has knitted. She is showing off a number of them in this blogpost: www.FiberAndArt.no. I love Nina’s description of me: “She is no longer a Norwegian knitwear designer living in London, now she is an international knitwear designer living in Norway! Thank you so much, Nina!

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Arcade Vest KAL

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Just as one knit along is coming to an end another one is beginning. Next up is the Arcade Vest in the A Place to KAL my Own group on Ravelry. The best acronym for this fairly new group must be KALMYO, I figured out and the moderators agreed. Yes, I do know two of them and they wanted to set up a poll in order to decide which of these three patterns of mine to have a KAL for: Japanese Lace Jacket, Arcade Vest or Cablewing Sweater. Now, that was a fun poll to watch and there were more than two votes, I am relieved to say. The result was the Arcade Vest knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull. Above you see it photographed by Kim Müller worn by the gorgeous former ballerina now yoga queen – see chiccayoga.com – Francesca Golfetto. The KAL begins 2nd April and lasts until 30th June. I will offer a discount on the pattern, as well as pattern prizes and I am delighted that Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk will offer 20% discount on the yarn.  You can check out all the details here: ravelry.com/discuss/a-place-to-kal-my-own. Several of the group members have already remarked that the Arcade Vest was the first of my test knits they took part in, 3 years ago and taken us down memory lane. Now, I am curious to see who will join in.

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Suli Pattern Released

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The test knit of Suli is coming to an end and I have released the English pattern on Ravelry. The Norwegian pattern has been updated and both are available to buy on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. My amazing test knitters have corrected and improved the pattern. Some of them also decided to modify the collar and make it shorter or with buttons at the end instead of a seam. Suli is part of the collection I have made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Yarn kits are available at www.ull.no. Suli was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Alexandria Eissinger with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker as well as jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Do take a look at the finished versions at Ravelry.

Suli is Eskimo for more, ideal for this cardigan with a loop collar that you can drape as you please, adorned with a lace pattern on center back, sleeve and collar. 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 adds a bit of structure to this cardigan knitted in the beautiful Sølje.

Suli pattern is available in English and in Norwegian (på norsk).

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 326 cm/128.25” long
Length: 55 (56, 57, 58, 59, 60) 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: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Hifa Sølje (100% pelt yarn, 350 m/382 yds, 100 g). Sample is knitted in Light Turquise 2130:
5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 8) skeins; 1687 (1855, 2023, 2232, 2483, 2735) m/1844 (2028, 2212, 2440, 2715, 2991) yds. https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/nyhet-solje-pelsullgarn/

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

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, 3.25 mm/US D/3 crochet hook (for seaming), waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
25 sts and 32 rows in Dewdrop pattern 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. The armhole is slightly larger on the fronts than the back in sizes L (XL and 2XL). 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.

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