Monthly Archives: March 2021

Senna Buttons By Siri Berrefjord

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Easter is nearly here and with spring colours appearing around us, I wanted to share these bright summery colours. The light turquoise swatch knitted in the hand dyed divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted in Woodberry using a 4 mm/US 6 needle, shows off the cable on my Senna swatch as well as Siri Berrefjord’s handmade buttons. Yes, Siri is also a trained photographer in addition to being a jewellery maker and a designer, especially of redesign clothes. I sent this swatch to Siri and ordered 11 bespoke small buttons with a diameter of 20 millimeters/0.78″ to match the colour. Of course, Siri took a number of stunning photos you see here too! The cardigan was designed as an individual pattern for my Ravelry and LoveCrafts. Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping.

The button design is based on the silver brooches used for the traditional folk costume, called “bunad” in Norwegian. Each button is moulded in plastic then painted with several layers. Siri suggested instead of using white at the top – it would look like toothpaste – a thin layer of turquoise-white on the pattern, with a bit of see-through ice blue at the back. As always she was spot on. The luxurious Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted is made of 100% Merino wool with 183 meters/200 yards on each 113 gram skein  and was kindly sponsored by the company.

I am so impressed by the composition of the photos, Siri is always making sure the background matches or contrasts the object in the photograph. Working with Siri, is such a fun and successful collaboration. Take a look at these previous designs, if you need any more proof: Helka, Gyda, Icelandic Jacket, Ena and Ataraxia.

The Senna cardigan with the matching Seneka are available in both English and Norwegian from my Ravelry Store and LoveCrafts.

You will find a selection of Siri’s buttons available in her shop on Epla here: Siris Skattkammer and more divine photos on her website: Fredenshavn.

I wish you all a Happy Easter & Knitting! Stay safe and well!

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Bubala Knitted by Siret Sinimäe

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I am so thrilled to show you the stunning Bubala that Siret, aka kollane on Ravelry, test knitted for me, here worn by her dear daughter Annika. The photos are taken on a cloudy morning in the Koigi bog trail on the island of Saaremaa, in Estonia. On her project page on Ravelry, Siret writes: “As a Patron of Linda, I have the opportunity to see new designs a little earlier and this Bubala immediately caught my eye. Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Sølje yarn, which I received as a gift from Linda, was perfect for a wonderful V-neck design with bobbles.”

Siret made her Bubala Red in size medium and used the recommended 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a 24 stitches and 32 rows gauge in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The pullover took less than 3 skeins to make with modified short sleeves.

Siret continues on her project page: “I made Bubala with short sleeves. I like to wear a vest designed by Linda Devona which is knitted from the same yarn, and I thought that the red Bubala with short sleeves is definitely worth wearing a lot, because it won’t get hot even when you’re indoors”.

This is such a great photo and shows the fun Annika had modelling this. The last photo I will share with you is a detail of the body, which shows more of Annika’s romantic dress too! Thank you ever so much, Siret and Annika for these magnificent photos!

Named Bubala Yiddish for close to one’s heart is this cabled pullover with bobbles. A deep v-neck that can be worn on the front or on the back, split the cable into two single cables. The same single cable adorn the sleeve. Ribbing frame the cables in the sides and make the sweater figure hugging. The v-neck ends in an I-cord bind-off. Bubala is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Bubala is available, in sizes XS to 5XL, as a yarn kit from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with either an English or a Norwegian pattern. You can buy the individual pattern from Ravelry and soon from LoveCrafts too.

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Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Hetta

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I have been looking forward to showing you the photos of the beautiful Olivia Lindtein, with make up & hair and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing my new Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk design Hetta, captured by Eivind Røhne. I chose to style Hetta and the three other designs with a strap-less machine knitted long dress with a zipper at the back and ankleboots by Monica Stålvang. Hetta was photographed at the back of the church hall in Mortensrud Church in Oslo, back in November. Yarn kits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The pattern will be released in both English and Norwegian after the on-going test knit has been completed at the end of April.

Named Hetta, Norse for hood, is this oversized cozy pullover with a kangaroo pocket. An embossed leaf stitch adorns the hoodie, which begins in a broken rib. The stitch pattern continues on both parts of the hood which are knitted together at the top and seamed at the back, then attached around the neckline. The pocket is knitted onto the front at the end. Hetta is knitted in the stunning pelt and lambswool yarn mix from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, called Vidde.

The sample is size S, but I have graded the Hetta pattern from sizes XS to 5XL, with bust measurements from 129 to 186 cm/50.75 to 73.25″ with an intended ease: + 46-56 cm/18-22”. Olivia is wearing it with + 53 cm/20.75”of ease.

The pullover is worked back and forth from the bottom and up in pieces and then seamed. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large stitch number. The stitches for the beginning and end of front pocket are held on waste yarn. The pocket is knitted onto the front at the end. The hood is worked in two separate parts and joined with a 3-needle bind off, then seamed at the back and along neckline with a front overlap.

My sample knitter Airin Hansen knitted this for me with a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows in st st using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking. The Vidde lamullgarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is made of 100% wool (50% pelt wool and 50% lambswool) with 200 meters/220 yards on each 100 gram skein.

Yarn kits are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with either an English or a Norwegian pattern, while the individual Hetta pattern will be released at the end of April in my Ravelry Store.

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New Design: Kaibara

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Finally, the last of the new designs for now; my Kaibara photographed by Michael on me. Do notice the sailboat and the duck, I had to wait for them to both be in the frame, so I hope you appreciate the effort we made. Kaibara is knitted by yours truly in a fantastic silk made in the city of Como in Italy, that squeaks while you knit, first discovered at The Handweavers Studio & Gallery in London and ordered in the colour Poppy Red. The Como Silk 4.5nm can be bought on either 25 gram reels or 100 gram spools with 80 meters/87 yards or 350 meters/383 yards.

Named after Kaibara Ekken the father of botany in Japan is this flowery lace adorned A-line pullover with short sleeves. To allow the lace pattern to shine, the remaining pullover is worked in stockinette stitch. The pullover is knitted in pieces then seamed, for the ultimate fit, in the drapey and lustrous Como Silk from Handweavers Studio. Kaibara is made to be worn on a perfect summer’s day or at a party.

I am wearing size XS with a bust circumference of 82 cm/32.25″ with negative ease: 6 cm/2.25″ and as you can see the duck is no longer interested. That was not my plan, but my swatch did not match my stockinette stitch gauge on the sample. Hence my planned size S sample became a small size XS sample and fitted my modell Olivia Lindtein even better.

The Kaibara pullover is worked back and forth in pieces from bottom up and seamed. The lace repeat is the same for all sizes but not the number of reverse stocking stitch in between the lace panels; 2 for some sizes and 4 for other sizes. I have graded Kaibara from size XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 82 to 166 cm/32.25 to 65.25″ and suggest a positive ease of 5-10 cm/2-4″.

I knitted Kaibara using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a 23 stitches and 34 rows gauge in stockinette stitch and used 4 spools of the yarn for size XS.

Here is a detail of the lace pattern which is the same on the body as on the sleeves. My beautiful oxidised silver necklace and ring are made by Kaja Gjedebo Design, just in case you were wondering. Kaibara will be test knitted beginning on May 3, before its release in both English and Norwegian.

I look forward to showing you the brilliant photos that Eivind Røhne took of Olivia Lindtein wearing it at our photoshoot last November.

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Adeline’s Cardigan Again

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Back in November, I promised to show you the photos that Michael took of me at the beach in Ørje, wearing the Adeline’s Cardigan made for the Interweave Knits Winter 2021 issue.

I was thrilled to discover that my design – that I had knitted – was selected for the cover!  The cardigan is knitted in a gorgeous shade of yellow called Tumeric in Manos del Uruguay Alegria Grande with a 4 mm/US 6 needle and a 20 stitches and 29 rows gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Adeline’s Cardigan is a stunning feast for the eyes. The generous peplum is worked sideways in three pieces. Stitches are picked up from the top of the peplum, and the back and fronts are worked separately from the bottom up. Captivating cables abound in this piece for the adventurous knitter.

The cardigan is worked in pieces and seamed for an ultimate fit. The cabled peplum of this cardigan is worked sideways in pieces for the back and each front, then stitches are picked up on the wrong side for the moss-stitch peplum. Stitches are picked up along the opposite edge of the peplum for the back and each front, which are worked from the bottom up in pieces and seamed.

The cabled cuff on the sleeve is worked sideways, then stitches are picked up along the cuff for the sleeve, which ends in pleats. In the photo above you can see the pleats.

Here is a brilliant action shot that Michael captured. My beloved scarf is a piece of silk fabric bought many years ago in Venice in Italy. I wanted to show how the cardigan looked open, as well.

Adeline’s Cardigan is graded in 8 sizes from a Small to 5XL with a bust measurement of 86.5 cm/34.5″ to 153 cm/60.25″. You might recognise the cables, as I have used them before in my Cian design. I discovered them in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

The Interweave Knits Winter 2021 issue is available in a digital edition or print edition. In Norway you can buy the print issue at larger Narvesen stores or order it at your local one.

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Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Japanese Vest

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I decided to photograph the Japanese Vest again, it was first photographed for my Norwegian knitting book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” published by Cappelen Damm back in 2012, by Kim Müller. I decided to style the vest over a black machine knitted dress. Model Olivia Lindtein looked stunning in the vest! Her hair & make-up is by Sissel Fylling, the jewellery is borrowed from Kaja Gjedebo Design and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured it all!

The pattern has been revised and I have added three more sizes to it. My technical editor Barbara Khouri has made a very smart chart and a schematic as well as editing the pattern for me. The pattern will be released in my Ravelry Store next week in both English and Norwegian. It will also be added to LoveCrafts.

A vest inspired by Japan, with only one large armhole, to drape, fold and fasten as you please with a shawl pin or two. You can also use the Japanese Vest as a scarf if you like. The all over reversible dropped stitch pattern is by Lynne Barr. The vest is knitted in one piece, in the beautiful Huldra kamgarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, with double hem bands all around.

I knitted the vest is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles with a 28 stitches and 36 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. Olivia is wearing the smallest size.

The vest is seamless and worked in one piece with one large armhole. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The side double band hem is picked up and worked at the end with 2 circular needles held parallel. If you prefer, add for instance 3 stitches in garter stitch in each end instead, or skip the side double band.

I look forward to showing you more of the photos from the photoshoot! I am so thrilled with these new photos of the Japanese Vest. Thank you to my wonderful team!

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New Design: Beyla

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Next out in the series of new designs, is the last of the four design for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for spring 2021, Beyla. It is brilliantly knitted in the new yarn Varde using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle by my sample knitter Airin Hansen, aka AirinHHansen on Ravelry, with a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows in stockinette stitch using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking. An all over cable pattern where the collar is a continuation of the body was my design idea. Yarn kits are already available with either Norwegian or English pattern, while the individual pattern will be released after test knitting on Ravelry, later this spring.

Named Beyla, Norse for little bean, well suited for the shape of the cables on this pullover. All over cables play on the front and back, while only three cables play on the sleeve. The purl stitches in the background make the sweater hug you. Beyla is crowned by a standing collar and knitted in Varde a bouncy pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

These photos of me wearing size Small are taken by my husband in our back garden back in November. I am wearing it with + 4 cm/1.5″ of ease, and I have graded the design from sizes XS to 5XL with a finished bust measurement of 85 to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

Beyla will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning on April 5, before the pattern is released. But you will already find yarn kits, with either English or Norwegian pattern, available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The style and colour looked perfect on Model Olivia Lindtein, as you can see from the yarn kit page. I look forward to showing you all the pictures of Beyla from our photoshoot.

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Grian Knitted by Nivine Douhne Moseley

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I have to share Nivine’s stunning version of Grian with you. The bright orange colour of the Malabrigo Yarn Dos Tierras yarn suits her so well and the intensity is captured in these photos. Nivine is a very skilled knitter and test knitted Grian for me. Hence I am not surprised that the yarn ….”was generously supported by Malabrigo. This yarn feels amazing and wonderful to knit with, makes for a beautiful stitch definition. The color is gorgeous looks like a flaming sunset”. Nivine continues: “I knew I wanted to knit this sweater from the first picture Linda shared. It’s like art in stitches”, I am so thrilled to hear this, thank you ever so much, Nivine! If you recognise her ear rings, they are designed by Kaja Gjedebo Design, whose jewellery I borrow for my photoshoots.

Nivine made the sweater in size M and the one size cowl using a 4 mm/US 6 needles, with a 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch gauge per 10 cm/4″ square. The Grian pattern is graded in sizes XS to 5XL with a one size cowl included. You can find Nivine as @neevoknits on Instagram and nivine on Ravelry!

Named after the Faery Goddess from County Tipperary, is this pullover with heavy cabled texture. Grian means sunny, from her days as a regional sun deity, perfectly suited for this pullover. Honeycomb and stag horn cables adorn the body, while only honeycomb rule on the sleeves. Grian is slightly fitted with a crew neck and has a high cowl as a collar. The Fibre Co. Cumbria make the cables pop and allow the texture to shine in all its glory.

The Grian pattern is available in English on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

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Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Senna & Seneka

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Next out in the series of photos from our photoshoot at Mortensrud Church in Oslo, back in November 2020, is the Senna & Seneka that can be worn as a set. Both are knitted by yours truly in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted. The shade Woodberry looked stunning on model Olivia Lindtein wearing both the jacket and the skirt, which can also be worn as a poncho or maxi hood! The bespoke buttons on Senna are hand made by Siri Berrefjord. Her hair & make-up is by Sissel Fylling, the jewellery is borrowed from Kaja Gjedebo Design and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured it all! Both patterns will be released in English and Norwegian in my Ravelry Store on Thursday March 4 and a few days later they will also be available on LoveCrafts.

I found an old silk scarf from Jaeger which I love which matched the turquoise colour perfectly. That is also why I chose to style the garments with a camel coloured top and trousers, visible in some of these photos. Sissel suggested to add the scarf to Olivia’s hair for a more trendy look. It was a brilliant idea, in my opinion. Above is the Seneka skirt, which is a-line shaped and has boot laces inserted in the waistband for a more comfortable fit.

Seneka, a nickname for Senna meaning brightness in Arabic. This is an A-line skirt with an elaborate cabled center that ends in a waistband; knitted like a hem in one piece with boot laces placed inside. Seneka is knitted in the divine hand dyed Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted and can be worn as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood – all together with the matching Senna cardigan.

Senna is a botanical name of Arabic origin meaning brightness, and suited this long oversized cardigan with a deep v-neck and A-line shaping. Elaborate cables cover the center back, while only one single cable adornseach front and sleeve. A wavy tuck introduces the cables from the check rib bottom. Senna is knitted in the divine Neighborhood Fiber Co. Organic Studio Worsted with side pockets worked together with the front. Bespoke buttons act like small gems and highlight the beautiful hand dyed shade. Wear Senna with the matching Seneka; as a skirt or a poncho or a maxi hood.

Both garments are worked with a 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I have graded them in sizes XS to 5XL. Olivia is wearing size S; Seneka with + 11 cm/4.25” ease and Senna with + 27 cm/10.75” ease. She stands 5’6″ tall.

The skirt Seneka is knitted in pieces and seamed. If you want to adjust the length of the skirt, remove up to 8 cm/3.25″ or add an extra length before shaping the hip. The waist band is worked like a hem, with boot laces laid inside it before it is closed.

The Senna 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 two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the bottom and top of the pocket.

All parts on Senna have a seam-edge in garter stitch, that stops on the pocket and then resumes to the armhole.

Here is the last photo in the series showing the Seneka worn as a poncho over the Senna jacket, seen from the back. All these photos are taken upstairs in the church by a large window, illuminating the scene. I love this set on Olivia! I am ever so grateful for my amazing team! Thank you!

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