I have, for awhile, wanted to design a long oversized jacket, and when I discovered an intricate cable pattern online, I decided it was time. Irpa is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the lovely Tinde yarn, again in their Light Brown since it is a shade that seem to embrace several tones from the brown spectre. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry in November before its release. Irpa is Norse for dark brown and suited this long oversized cardigan with a v-neck and a slight shaping for waist. Pine cable cover the center back, while only one pattern repeat adorns the fronts and sleeve. A wide rib makes this casual jacket a perfect extra layer to the Sigyn dress.
I was busy knitting a design for a magazine, so I had Kristin Nygård knit this jacket for me. She did a wonderful job as always. The cable pattern is time consuming but very rewarding to knit, so Kristin had to return the jacket with express post to me so that I could finish it in time for the photoshoot. I choose some stunning handmade vintage buttons in bone, bought from Perlehuset before they closed down their shop in Oslo. You will still find Perlehuset online, though.
The cardigan is knitted in pieces and seamed. The second part of the v-neck decreases on the fronts moves to the opposite side of the cable in order for the cable to continue to the shoulder. The sleeve has one pattern repeat, just as the front, while the back has three pattern repeats and cover most of the cross back. Yes, I also used the same cable on the vest, Var.
Irpa is graded is sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bust circumference of 110 cm to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. I am wearing size S in these photos taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje. Not that I needed to wear wool at all that day and it was funny to see the women in bikini sunbathing on the beach just next to where I am standing.
Layering is popular and essential if you live in Norway, so Irpa was designed to be worn on top of the dress; Sigyn. I also wanted Irpa to give Sigyn a more casual as well as cool look. My model Em succeeded in making it look cool, while I show off the more classic look. Yes, it has to do with age and a certain edge, I believe.
The back of Irpa hangs loose over the more figure hugging Sigyn. I like how the cable patterns differs and move in opposite directions to each other. I have one more new design to show you, and that is the fourth of the new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. You can look forward to seeing the professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla. He sent me around 300 of the 10 garments we photographed and I finally managed to squeeze it down to a selection of 55. It was painfully hard for me to do, but the result is terrific!
