Monthly Archives: August 2021

Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Varun

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My new design Varun looked fantastic on model Aksa Mortensen, with make-up & hair by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Photographer Eivind Røhne took these brilliant shots of her wearing Varun both with and without the cowl, at Hvalstrand Bad back in May. I asked her to hold her hands together so that you notice the different sleeves.

I choose to style Varun with cream coloured silk trousers and had brought a silk scarf for Nina to drape around Aksa’s neck and hair.

Varun is an A-line pullover with a cable panel that travels across the front and the back like a sash, that signifies a position not necessarily a royal one but a secret one. Varun is Norse for secret keeper. The cable sash meets on top of the left shoulder and at the right hip, like a sash. To highlight this the right sleeve has a cable cuff, while the left sleeve has two small cables running along it next to stockinette stitches. Garter stitches play along the seams on all the parts. Varun ends in an I-cord bind off neck but can be dressed up with a cable cowl, both are knitted in the divine hand dyed Norne Yarn DK – Merino/Silk/Yak.

Aksa is wearing size S with 7 cm/2.75″ positive ease. I have graded the pullover in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 82 to 162 cm/32.5 to 63.75″. The cowl is in one size.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The cable move is worked at the same time as the A-line shaping and the armhole shaping. The cable cowl is knitted back and forth and grafted together. Both are knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 needle and a 20 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch gauge.

The test knit of the Varun will begin on the 18th of October in my Ravelry group. Both the English and the Norwegian pattern will be released after at the end of November.

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New Design: Kolga

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The last new design I will show you for now is my Kolga, that I knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino Sport in Washed Out. The yarn was sponsored by Cathrin Walk, who I met at Barcelona Knits back in 2019. My idea was to try out a new silhouette with an A-line front and a straight back, so that the seams are moved further back. I choose a reversible Honeycomb cable pattern for the front and back as well as the centre of the sleeves. With extra yarn left over, I made a cowl that can be folded down to be worn as a collar as you see in the photo above.

Kolga is Norse for a cool wave, like the one created by the Honeycomb cable pattern on this pullover. The A-line front moves the side seam and vent backwards, making it flow like waves. Kolga is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino Sport yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. A folded down cowl gives the pullover a collar, while a standing cowl warms your neck.

The neckband and the cowl are worked in the round. A circular needle is used for the front to accommodate the large number of stitches.

Walk Collection Merino Sport is made of 100% Superwash Merino with 325 meters/355 yards on each 100 gram skeins. The gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Michael took these photos of me wearing size Small with 4 cm/1.5″ positive ease at the beach in Ørje. The statement silver rings I am wearing are by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 160 cm/33 to 63″.

The test knit of the English pattern begins on the 13th of September in my Ravelry group, with a pattern launch on the 28th of October. But before then, I will show you how magnificent it looked on modell Aksa Mortensen at our photoshoot.

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Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Saxi

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The next set of photos from our photoshoot that I will share are of the fitted pullover Saxi with a cowl. Brilliant Photographer Eivind Røhne took these photos of the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen, with make-up & hair by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing the tweed pullover together with a brown skirt at our photoshoot at at Hvalstrand Bad, back in May. I also brought a matching silk scarf that I wanted Aksa to wear together with Saxi. The high heeled gold shoes were initially bought for styling my Norwegian knitting book back in 2011. The Art Deco cupboard together with a Bar chair – Michael’s clever idea – turned out to be the perfect backdrop for it. Above you see the cowl folded in half and on the inside of the pullover neckband. Nina first folded the silk scarf around Aksa’s head.

Saxi is knitted in Donegal Yarns, Donegal Tweed (also called Soft Donegal) 3.8/1nm from The Handweavers  Studio in London, by yours truly. The pullover is knitted in pieces and seamed, while the cowl is worked in the round, using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle and a 24 stitches and 34 rows gauge.

Saxi is a fitted cabled pullover that ends in an I-cord crown around the crew neckline. The play of texture begins with the round cable shape mirrored in the honeycomb pattern and continues with purl bands in all the stitch patterns. The squareness of the check pattern offers a contrast to the cable and ends the texture in the side of the pullover. Named Saxi after the Saxon in Norse is this sweater knitted in the Donegal Tweed yarn. A cowl crowns the pullover and can be worn folded as a high collar or as a headband.

The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration.

Aksa is wearing the sample, in size Small, with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36.25″ with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease.

The pattern will be available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 85 to 159 cm/33.5 to 62.5″.

In the photo above you see the cowl standing tall and worn outside the pullover, while below it is worn around the head as a headband or crown if you prefer. The last was another of Michael’s clever ideas! I love how regal it looked and how stunning Aksa appeared in the pullover! I do have the best photoshoot crew!

The test knit will begin on the 23rd of August, as the first of my new designs to be test knitted this Autumn. The English and the Norwegian pattern will be released after the test knit is completed.

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New Design: Godi

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The last of the new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is the vest Godi. Hillesvåg requested a new vest and suggested the same stitch pattern as I used in my Devona vest. I figured out that I could use it all-over except for a few stitches in the sides and added ribbing plus a vent at the bottom. Godi is knitted in Sølje pelt wool, by my brilliant sample knitter Airin Hansen using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a 24 stitch gauge.

Godi, Norse for chiefton, is a long A-line vest with vents and a high collar that can be folded down or left to stand tall. The all over pattern is the ray of honey with a few stitches in reverse stocking stitch. A long twisted rib makes up the vent, while a short rib is worked around each armhole. Wear it with a belt if you wish. Godi is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The vest is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The collar and armhole band are worked in the round at the end.

Michael took these photos of me wearing size Small with a bust circumference of 90 cm/35.5″ with 2 cm/0.75″ positive ease and silver jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at the beach in Ørje. The pattern has been graded into sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 82 to 158 cm/32.25 to 62.25″.

The English and Norwegian pattern will be released after test knitting beginning on March 14th, while the yarn kit with either an English or a Norwegian pattern will be launched at the beginning of September. Before then, I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen from our photoshoot in late May.

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Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Keila

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I am thrilled to show you the photos that Eivind Røhne took of the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen wearing the Keila dress, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, with make-up & hair styling by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Hvalstrand Bad, back in May. We photographed Keila first thing on the diving tower in the shadow with a bright backlight. Eivind and I agreed that we only had one great angle and that was from the front. Of course having the diving tower in the background would also work, but then we would have to wait for two hours for the sun to come around. By that time the beach was heaving with people – as it was the very first warm summer day, so we gave up on that idea. Above you see the dress worn with boot laces inserted into the hem and tied to give a balloon effect.

I choose to style Keila, knitted in the bouncy Sølje – a pelt wool yarn – with thick black tights and a black Wolford tube top beneath, both with and without a narrow belt and with funky Trippen shoes as well as ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. Above you see the dress hanging loose and Aksa holding on to a ball of the Sølje yarn.

Above is the third way of wearing the dress, again with boot laces (or use elastic, if you prefer) inserted into the hem and pulled all the way up so that the skirt is double and turned into a tunica or mini-dress if you like.

Keila is Norse for straight, just as the skirt part of this honeycomb dress is. Elongated honeycomb covers the skirt, while ray of honey makes the high waistband, both are worked in the round. The pattern flow continues with a body in honeycomb including armhole stitches in stockinette stitch. Keila is worked flat from the armhole and ends in a Henley neck. Only the center of the sleeve has a honeycomb panel. Wear the dress as a balloon dress or a tunic by inserting a cord into the double hem. Keila is knitted in the bouncy Sølje, a pelt wool yarn, from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The sample shown is in size Small with a 92 cm/36.25″ bust circumference and worn with 9 cm/3.5″ positive ease on Aksa, who stands 167 cm/5’6″ tall. Keila will be available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 86 cm to 158 cm/33.75 to 62.25″.

Keila is worked with a 24 stitches and 32 rounds in stockinette stitch gauge using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The hem is worked with 2 sets of circular needles held parallel when casting on, so that the hem can be closed by knitting it together. The skirt is worked straight, then decreased into the ray of honey pattern for the band before you increase for the honeycomb pattern and the bust. The Henley neck divides the front into two parts after the armhole.

Yarn kits with English or Norwegian pattern will be available early in September from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while the Keila single pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin 15th of November in my Ravelry group. A big thank you to my amazing photoshoot crew!

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New Design: Mella

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The third new design made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a sweater. Mella, Norse for knot, is a straight cabled pullover. A wide central cable panel adorns the center of the body and the sleeves. Boxes of garter stitches interfere with the cables and erase half the cable. The sleeves have garter stitch edging while the front and back fade into a check pattern. The sweater ends in a crew neck decorated with an I-cord. Mella is knitted in the bouncy Sølje pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The sample was skilfully knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9, in size Small in a Dusty Air-blue. In these photos, taken by Michael at the beach in Ørje, you see me wearing beautiful silver rings by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the sample with 4 cm/1.5″ positive ease. I have graded Mella in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 165 cm/33.5 to 65″. The gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle.

The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration. 

The English and Norwegian pattern will be released after test knitting beginning on February 7th, while the yarn kit with either an English or a Norwegian pattern will be launched at the beginning of September. Before then, I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen from our photoshoot in late May.

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Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Syrin Shrug

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Finally, the time has come to begin to show you the magnificent photos Eivind Røhne took of model Aksa Mortensen, with hair & make-up by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Hvalstrand Bad back in June. The first set of photos is of my old design Syrin Shrug, first published in Norwegian in my book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” published by Cappelen Damm in 2012. It was actually the last design we photographed on that first hot day of the summer. Aksa was introduced to me by photographer Geir Arnesen and his wife designer/author/journalist Tove Fevang, early in the spring. My plan was to use both Aksa and Olivia Lindtein at the photoshoot, but Olivia had to go into a Covid waiting quarantine – as a friend of hers had been exposed to the virus – so she could not come (her friend tested negative a few days later). To my relief, Aksa could stay on for the full day.

I styled the shrug and the wrist warmers with cream coloured silk trousers and a top. Nina suggested to take Aksa’s hair down for these photos and I agreed. We photographed it in the different ways that the shrug can be worn and with the wrist warmers buttoned on. I love the look on Aksa!

The Syrin Shrug is knitted in the Australian Wagtail 4ply Kid Mohair in Violet using a 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle. The pattern includes a pair of wrist warmers that can be worn as loose sleeves and was first published only in one size. I have revised the pattern and included three more sizes: XS to M (L to 2XL, 3XL/4XL, 5XL). With the elastic bind off worn at the bottom, the shrug can be lightly stretched to 110 (127, 145, 162) cm/43.25 (50, 57, 63.75)” wide.

Choose a larger size shrug only if you want to wear it around your bust. The sample shrug width 87 cm/34.25” (size XS to M) is worn on model with an 86 cm/33.75” bust circumference.

The eyelet pattern creates a spiral that moves around the shrug and the wrist warmer. The shrug is worn upside down with the cast on edge at the top, as the elastic bind off makes it wider. The yarn overs on the bottom of the shrug are used as buttonholes for the wrist warmers when they are worn as loose sleeves.

A beautiful subtle sheen mohair yarn shown off by an eyelet pattern, gives this set, consisting of a shrug and button-on wrist warmers, an elegant look. The color capsulates the essence of the lilac flower hence it is irresistible for warming your neck and shoulders. The Syrin Shrug can also be used as a hood or a cowl with wrist warmers that can be buttoned on like sleeves by using the yarn overs. The set is knitted in the round with the stunning Wagtail 4ply Kid Mohair.

I am ever so grateful for these new photos of my Syrin Shrug and want to thank my amazing crew!

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Bundingen in Tromsø

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Okay, Bundingen is actually a yarn shop located in Tromsø, at the Jekta shopping centre – close to the airport – to be precise. I went back for the second time around this summer, while Michael and I were on our holiday in Tromsø. Above is the entrance to the inspiring shop, showing about one third of the rather large shop. Owner Hege-Merete Benoni recognised me, just as she did last year. Yes, they do sell Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk yarn and yarn kits. I used the opportunity to have a look at colours at the Hillesvåg corner, the Rowan corner – where I found an old Rowan Magazine  Rowan magazine that I have been looking for – and the Knitting for Olive section. Michael took these photos, as I was too busy looking at yarns!

In the photo above you can spot the Rowan Magazine number 59 that I discovered in the shopping basket. One of the collections in the magazine, including the cover photo, is photographed a Japanese Garden in the UK. I also wanted to have a look at the Knitting for Olive yarns and selected the silk, the merino, the mohair and the new Cashmere yarn. Bundingen also have Clover notions so I took the opportunity to buy another crochet hook and discovered some clips called Wonder Clips. Hege-Merete told me that I stood in front of her great grandmother’s bed which she inherited and is now being used to hold yarn kits. I am wearing my Eah hoodie with a pullover beneath and a jacket on top as it was only 8 degrees Celsius/46 degrees Fahrenheit and rain outside – even though it was summer; the end of July.

Above is a photo of my yarn haul from Tromsø. The tote bag – read knitting bag – says “There will never be too much yarn”, and it was a gift!

Here I am at the till with Hege who told me that they are busy these days and have just started a customer club. Hege loved my Eah that I wore and wondered about my new designs, I showed her and her employees some of the photos of my new designs. I was so chuffed to hear that she wanted to make the Keila dress! I hope to come back to Bunding in Tromsø!

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