Monthly Archives: July 2019

Bell Jacket Pattern Released

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I have released both the Norwegian and the English version of the Bell Jacket, an old pattern that was first published in my Norwegian book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” by Cappelen Damm in 2012, on Ravelry. The pattern has been revised and checked by my technical editor Barbara Khouri, who also made a schematic drawing for it. I choose to have new pictures taken for the pattern release during my last photoshoot in May, where I had two models: Emma Ross and Kaja Kvernbakken. The multi talented Kaja is a former editor, designer, novelist and one of the few Norwegian technical editors. In addition she has been modelling for years and years, ever since she was working as a designer for the Norwegian yarn company Du Store Alpakka. Kaja is wearing my Bell Jacket with a pair of pirate trousers, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly photographed next to the corten steel wall by Eivind Røhne.

The Canterbury Bells stitch pattern cover this straight jacket with v-neck shaping and short sleeves. A number of extra stitches are cast on and then decreased to create the bells with their voluminous shadows. Hence the stitch pattern is stretchy and knitted loose to create a sculptural effect. A wide frontband in stockinette stitch frames the fronts and is made to hang loose. The Bell Jacket is knitted in the lovely silk like Tencel 8/2 by Valley Yarns in two colors to make a melange shade with one strand of each held together throughout.

Sizes S (M, L, XL)
Shown in size Small.
Skill level: Experienced

Finished measurements
Bust (with frontbands): 96 (104, 112, 120) cm/37.75 (41, 44, 47)“
Length: 53 (53, 56, 56) cm/21 (21, 22, 22)”
Sleeve length: 22 cm/8.5”

Yarn: Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 (100% Lyocell, 454 g/1 lb, 3072 m/3360 yds). Sample is knitted in Sienna and Pompeii with 1 strand of each color held together throughout.
Sienna: 1 (1, 1, 1) cone; 1576 (1725, 1880, 2029) m/1724 (1886, 2219) yds.
Pompeii: 1 (1, 1, 1) cone; 1576 (1725, 1880, 2029) m/1724 (1886, 2219) yds.
Or in one color: 3152 (3450, 3760, 4058) m/3447 (3773, 4112, 4438) yds.
Note: Jacket is knitted with 2 strands held together throughout pattern.
https://www.yarn.com/products/valley-yarns-8-2-tencel
Or another light 4-ply/fingering yarn held single and half the meterage/yardage.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needles.
2 sets of 2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needle (80 cm/32”) for the frontband.
Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 29 sts and 38 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10 cm/4” square.
31 sts and 40 rows in st st using 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measure 10 cm/4” square.
23 sts and 32 rows in Canterbury Bells using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The jacket is knitted in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. The front band is knitted in three parts before they are all joined, to even out the v-neck shaping.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Damara

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The summer heat has arrived in Ørje, Norway too, but I am still revealing knitwear patterns for the autumn. Damara is the last of my designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design book that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Damara is also knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Burgundy shade by my sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9. Michael took these photographs of me wearing it in early February, just before I delivered the samples to the publisher.

Named after the fertility Goddess is this asymmetrical skirt with a seeded rib check pattern, that can also be worn as a poncho. The high waist in ribbing is loose so that the skirt can be worn around your hips or folded down, both with a belt to hold it up. Damara is knitted in pieces with a side seam in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde. The ribbing is worked last so you can easily adjust it to your preference.

I am wearing size M/L, but have graded the skirt/poncho in sizes XS/S and XL/2XL too, with a waist (top band width) of 70 (82, 94) cm/27.5 (32.25, 37)”. The rib top band can easily be adjusted according to preference.

The skirt is made in two pieces, top down with shaping for bottom. Just like the other designs for the book, it is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Iselin suggested that we photograph the skirt as a poncho too at the professional photoshoot, so you will have to wait to see how it looks as a poncho. But above you see me wearing the skirt together with the Thia jacket. My test knitters have made some gorgeous outfits that I look forward to showing you after the book has been launched.

For more details, support me on Patreon and get access to this plus 28 other patron only blogposts, including 4 videos and other rewards such a free monthly pattern: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Cian Beret

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Cian Beret is one more of my designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design book that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Cian Beret is also knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Natural Grey shade by my sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9. Michael took these photographs of me wearing it in early February, just before I delivered the samples to the publisher.

The Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. The beret is knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square.

Above you see me wearing Cian Beret, Cian Cowl, Cian Pullover and Thia, all designs made for the book. The cable brim on the beret is worked sideways, so the cast on and bind off are joined together. Then the brim is picked up and worked in the round in rib with increases. The pull is worked in stockinette stitch with decreases to the end. Adjust the width of the brim by removing or adding a cable repeat or rows in ribbing if preferred.

A moss cable adorns the brim of this beret to accompany the Cian pullover. Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic.Ribbing holds the pull up, which is knitted in stockinette stitch. Wear the beret tilted to one side of the head.

The beret comes in one size with a head circumference of 53 cm/20.75″ (fits 55 to 58 cm/21.75 to 22.75″). Next out in this series is the Damara skirt.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Cian Pullover & Cowl

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Cian Pullover & Cowl are two more designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Cian Pullover and the Cian Cowl – one of two accessories, I made – are both knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Natural Grey shade by my sample knitter Kristin Nygård (sweater) and Grete Jensen (cowl). Yes, the cowl did come later. I decided upon the three main garments for the book first, then the accessories. In early February, just before delivery of the garments to the publisher, Michael photographed me wearing the sweater in size medium and the cowl (one size) in my yarn bunker & his photographic studio.

Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic, is this long a-line pullover. Three central Moss cables, framed by double seed stitch, adorn the center of the body which ends in a vent. Cian is crowned with an I-cord decoration around its crew neck. The pullover is knit in pieces in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. 

  Both designs are knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square. I found the gorgeous cables in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I placed three at the center of the front and the back for balance and one on the sleeve. I decided to frame them using a twisted stitch and a panel of double seed stitch.

The sweater is worked in pieces and seamed. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. As you can see in the photo above. The sweater is graded in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 cm to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

After Kristin had knitted the pieces, I did the finishing and decided to add a decorative I-cord band at the neckband as a divider between the cable pattern and the rib.

Here you can see a detail of the front and the cowl. I cannot remember what I was saying at the time, but it was probably something to do with what Michael should zoom in on. Next out in this series is the Cian Beret.

For a more detailed post, support me on patron and get access to 26 patron only posts including 4 videos plus rewards: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Bell Jacket

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I am ready to begin to show you the photos we took from our base at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker, outside of Oslo at the end of May. First out the Bell Jacket, this is an old pattern that was first published in my Norwegian book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” by Cappelen Damm in 2012. I want to present a new model, chosen for the occasion since I had so many designs to photograph this time I choose to book both Emma Ross and Kaja Kvernbakken. The multi talented Kaja is a former editor, designer, novelist and one of the few Norwegian technical editors. In addition she has been modelling for years and years, ever since she was working as a designer for the Norwegian yarn company Du Store Alpakka. You will find her face on several Norwegian knitting books and magazines. So here she is wearing my Bell Jacket with a pair of pirate trousers, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, plus ankel boots by Monica Stålvang, brilliantly photographed next to the corten steel wall by Eivind Røhne.

The Bell Jacket was photographed again since I am releasing the pattern as an individual pattern and because I wanted to sell the Norwegian pattern for reuse to the magazine Familien. I have received several requests for the pattern in English, but knew I had to revise the pattern and have my technical editor to check it as well draw a schematic drawing for it, hence it has taken a lot longer than anticipated.

The jacket is knitted in Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 made of 100% Lyocell that comes on 454 gram/1 pound cones with 3072 meters/3360 yards. The sample is knitted in Sienna and Pompeii with 1 strand of each color held together throughout using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle for the front band. The gauge is 29 stitches and 38 rows in stockinette stitch using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with 2 strands held together measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size with a 96 cm/37.75″ bust circumference. I have added a size extra large and done a few adjustments to the pattern as well as rewriting the pattern into my current pattern writing style. I loved seeing this jacket on Kaja! I am so proud to have such a fabulous team to work with! Thank you!

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Thia

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I am taking part in a Norwegian book, called Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design, together with 5 other designers, all with 5 designs each, that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm (who also published my knitting book in Norwegian and sold it to a Finnish publisher). My former mentor Iselin Hafseld, who is also the editor and a participating designer, asked me at the end of last summer. When we all had agreed, the publisher’s editor Anne-Berit Tuft revealed the other 4 designers taking part: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud and Birger Berge. I was thrilled with the company I am in, and that Iselin would be in charge of the photoshoot. The book was Anne-Berit’s idea and she suggested it should be launched before the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated.

Above is the cover, the second version that is, and we are eagerly awaiting the next one. The photographer, you will recognize I belive, is Eivind Røhne. Below is my Thia jacket knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk but hand dyed in Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox (a child’s rhyme) shade in red/orange/pink by Laila Henriksen of Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo.

All my designs are made in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool since Cappelen Damm preferred Norwegian yarn or at least yarns that are easily available in Norway. I also wanted to take advantage of the offer I had received several months back from yarn dyer and shop owner Laila Henriksen, who runs Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo. She hand dyes on Tinde and I had already fallen in love with her Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox. Laila was delighted to take part in this project and dyed Mikkel Rev for a cardigan for me, especially. I just had to knit this one myself, while I asked my fantastic sample knitters: Grete Jenssen – aka ma9 on Ravelry – a turbo knitter and Kristin Nygård – aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry to make the remaining 4 projects: a pullover, cowl and beret with the same cable and a skirt. All are knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge per 10 cm/4″ square.

My initial idea was to make an outfit, including a beret and a skirt. I asked Laila for colour suggestion to go with her Mikkel Rev, she suggested Burgundy and Natural grey. I agreed and thought Burgundy looked best with it, so I decided to use it for the skirt, while the pullover and accessories are all made in Natural grey. As I did the finishing of the garments, I was no longer convinced they all fitted together, hence I suggested to Iselin to photograph the skirt and cardigan together.

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

Cappelen Damm wanted all the garments for women in size medium, so above you see me wearing Thia with more ease than intended. The pattern is graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference (without front bands 2 cm/0.75″) from 84 to 126 cm/33 to 51.5″.

I invited a small number of my test knitters with sponsored yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to check all my 5 book patterns early this spring and I look forward to showing you their wonderful results! But first I will show you the Cian Pullover, Cian Cowl & Cian Beret and Damara Skirt.

If you support me on Patreon, you can read on and see more photos of this. Take a look here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng

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Devona Pattern Released

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The test knit of Devona, designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in Sølje pelt wool, has come to an end and I have released the pattern. My test knitters corrected and improved the pattern. You can see their different version with modifications such as adding sleeves, making it wider, knitting it in a fade or with two coloured front and changing the neckline on the Ravelry pattern page. Devona can be used as a vest, top or shell as you prefer. Above you see it brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Emma Ross with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at the Vigeland Museum last November. The pattern, in both English and Norwegian, is available from Ravelry and will soon be added to LoveCrafts too. A yarn kit with Norwegian pattern is for sale from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Named after the Goddess of the Rivers of Devon is this vest with textures running into each other at the center. One half is in a twisted rib while the other is honeycomb, divided by a spine of rib. The vest ends in garter stitch bands topped with a soft I-cord bind off. Devona is knitted in the bouncy Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Shown in size Small
Skill level: Experienced

Finished measurements:
Bust: 86 (92, 98, 104, 116, 125) cm/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41, 45.75, 49.25)“
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65, 66) cm/24 (24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5, 26)”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 350 m/383 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Light Jeansblue 2113;
2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 5) skeins; 700 (805, 910, 1015, 1225, 1435) m/765 (880, 995, 1110, 1340, 1569) yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/nyhet-solje-pelsu…

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 straight needles.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle for neck- and sleeveband (60 cm/24”).
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
25 sts and 32 rows in Honeycomb measures 10 cm/4” square.
25 sts and 32 rows in Twisted rib measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The vest is worked in pieces and seamed. The neckband and armhole band is worked in the round at the end. Block to make sure the middle two rib stitches are in center and the length of Honeycomb pattern part is identical to the Twisted rib part.

You can find a longer version of this post for public view on www.patreon.com/lindamarveng

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New Design: Aife

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Aife is a slightly fitted pullover beautifully knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9, in the hand dyed, Dye Dye Done, Pure Sport in Baby Elephant. Last year Hanna Maciejewska’s husband Daniel started hand dying yarn and Hanna asked if I wanted some sportweight for a design. How can I refuse gorgeous hand dyed yarn? She suggested the popular shade called Baby Elephant, a taupe colour and I was happy to accept it. I had already designed Gillah Swoncho but I was not finished with that cable, by Devorgilla, so I made it into a fitted pullover too with two mirrored cables. I am wearing size Small, with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36.25″ but the pattern will be available in sizes XS to 2XL, in these photos taken by Michael at The Halden Canal Museum in Ørje. The English pattern will be test knit in my Ravelry group, beginning on August 12, before its release in both Norwegian and English.

I actually met designer Hanna & Daniel first time in Vienna for a knitting retreat in October 2015 (Wollness Weekend), then for the second time around at the Vienna Wool & Design Festival in May 2017. We connected straight away and have been in touch ever since. Their lovely Pure Sport yarn is made of 100% Superwash Merino and comes in 100 gram skeins with 300 meters/328 yards. The sample took 5 skeins and 1470 meters/1608 yards to make.

The swatch took quite a bit of time to make using 3 mm/US 2.5 and a 25 stitches in stockinette per 10 cm/4″ square gauge, so I knew I had to ask turbo knitter Grete to help me, since I was still knitting Gocce. Grete suggested 2 central rope cables instead of just one and I had thought about it so I did. The cross back became wider than I had planned and the merino yarn has less bounce than I am used to from the pelt wool.

Aife was the Queen of the Isle of Shadow according to Celtic mythology. This elaborate cabled pullover with a slightly fitted waist, is made for a female warrior. A large cable panel, created by Devorgilla, is mirrored with two small cables at the center. The sweater ends in a generous turtle neck in ribbing. To show off the stunning hand dyed Pure Sport yarn by Dye Dye Done, the sleeves are in stockinette stitch with only two small centered cables. Aife is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit.

Coming soon on my blog is news about an upcoming Norwegian book I am taking part in.

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Wa Knitted by Karen

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Karen, aka Knittywarbler on Ravelry & Instagram, has knitted Wa for her gorgeous granddaughter who is modelling it in these photos. This is another of the many test knits that Karen has done for me in my Ravelry group. Karen is retired and has knitted since she was a child and does not let her illnesses, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus, stop her.  Wa is knitted in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in Lilac using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needles to the gauge specified in the pattern: 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Wa, was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and their Tinde pelt yarn. Here is my introduction to the shawl: “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.”

Karen made both parts of the shawl, unlike some of my testers who decided only to make the long top part and not the bottom part for the back or vest part. In the photo above you see the back piece.

Not only has Karen done an amazing job test knitting this shawl, she has also taken these stunning photos! Thank you so much, Karen!

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