Kolga Pattern Released

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Linda Marveng

I have been looking forward to releasing the Kolga pattern, with a new silhouette I have made. My test knitters did a wonderful job improving and correcting the pattern. Hence the pattern is available in both English and in Norwegian in my Ravelry Store and shortly on LoveCrafts. Kolga was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last summer. The stunning model was Aksa Mortensen, with hair & make-up by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

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.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Shown in size Small

Finished measurements:
Bust: 84 (92, 100, 108, 116) (124, 136, 148, 160) cm/33 (36.25, 39.25, 42.5, 45.75) (48.75, 53.5, 58.25, 63)”
Hip: 124 (132, 140, 148, 156) (160, 172, 180, 192) cm/48.75 (52, 55, 58.25, 61.5) (63, 67.75, 70.75, 75.5)”
Length: 65 (66, 67, 68, 69) (70, 71, 72, 73) cm/25.5 (26, 26.5, 26.75, 27.25) (27.5, 28, 28.25, 28.75)”
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 50, 50, 50) (51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19 (19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75) (20, 20, 20, 20)”
Cowl: 56 cm/22″ wide 15 cm/6″ high
Intended ease: + 5-10 cm/2-4″. Sample pullover shown is 92 cm/36.25″ and worn with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease on model.

Yarn: Walk Collection, Merino Sport (100% Superwash Merino, 100 g, 325 m/355 yds). Sample is knitted in Washed Out:
Pullover: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins; 1432 (1528, 1624, 1720, 1816) (1912, 2056, 2200, 2344) m/1566 (1671, 1776, 1881, 1986) (2091, 2248, 2406, 2563) yds.
Cowl: 1 skein; 195 m/213 yds.
https://www.walkcollection.com

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needle for bottomband and rib.
3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for bottomband on Front.
3.5 mm/US 4 straight needle for Back and Sleeves.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (60 cm/28″) for neckband.
3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for Front.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

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

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square, after blocking.
24 sts in garter st using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ across, after blocking.
24-st Honeycomb using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures about 8 cm/3.25″ across, after blocking.

Notes: The pullover is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The front is 40 (40, 40, 40, 40) (36, 36, 32, 32) cm/15.75 (15.75, 15.75, 15.75, 15.75) (14.25, 14.25, 12.5, 12.5)” wider than the back at the bottom before the armhole. 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.

Stavanger Strikkefestival 2021

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Linda Marveng

For the 6th time, I held workshops at the knitting festival in Stavanger, organised by “Strikk og Drikk” (and yes, “drikk” means drink as they usually meet up at a pub). Michael was the official photographer for the festival so he came with me to Stavanger for the first time. I held a total 4 workshops over 13 hours and a one-hour talk, so I had little time to check out the market halls. Above is designer and yarn dyer Helle Slente in the middle with her business partner Kristin Greig King, aka Skeindinavian Knits who had a stand in the market hall at the Clarion Hotel Stavanger. Below you also see the knitting café at the center of it.

There was yet another knitting café outside the market hall. But with so many knitters staying at the hotell you could spot them knitting in the lobby, in the restaurant, in the breakfast area as well as on the workshops in the conference rooms. It was like a friendly knitting invasion, really!

Here is my program for the weekend. It did not leave me much time to browse in the market halls, so I never made it to the second market hall. As usual they had an impressive program for the festival.

Michael did make it to the second market hall at Folkets Hus and here is one of the stands a yarn shop called “Vi-strikkere” selling Tuku wool.

The last photo I will share is from my Knitting Design workshop held in Aroma conference room at the Clarion Hotel Stavanger. The program for the knitting weekend was filled to the brim and on offer were these activities, just to mention a few: Late beer lunch, trip to Sandnes Garn (yarn producer), last knitter standing competition, knitting bingo, and knitting cinema. Here is a link to the program: Stavanger Strikkefestival 2021 Program. It was impossible as a knitter to get bored here! I had a fabulous time in Stavanger!

Mistale New Pattern Version

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Linda Marveng

My old pattern Mistale has new photos of gorgeous Model Aksa Mortensen, with with make-up & hair by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Aksa is wearing size Small with 6.5 cm/2.5″ positive ease. Brilliant Photographer Eivind Røhne captured these photos at Hvalstrand Bad back in May. I have also reviewed the pattern and done some minor graphic changes to it. The pattern is available in English and Norwegian on both Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

The vivid lime green in the pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk felt intoxicating. Cross cables with round cables in the middle framed by ribbing makes the sweater figure hugging. Mistale ends in a square neckband and you can choose if you want to wear it with the matching cowl.

Sizes
Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Cowl: One size

Finished measurements
Bust: 89 (94.5, 101, 106.5, 118, 129.5) cm/ 35 (37, 39.75, 42, 46, 51)“
Length: 55 (56, 57, 58.5, 59, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22, 22.5, 23, 23.25, 23.75)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)“
Cowl: Circumference 34 cm/13.5”, length 124 cm/48.75”

Yarn
Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelsullgarn (100% Norwegian pelt yarn wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in 1107 Lime.
Sweater: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5) skeins; 884 (988, 1092, 1196, 1404, 1616) m/967 (1080, 1194, 1308, 1535, 1767) yds.
Cowl: 2.5 skeins: 572 m/626 yds.
http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light
Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds)
http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double…
Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds)
http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29
Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 (80 cm/32”) circular needle for sweater body.
3.5 mm/US 4 (40 cm/16”) circular needle for neck band and cowl.
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeve or circular needle for magic loop.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Cable needle, 11 stitch markers (2 for side, 9 for pattern) and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
20 sts and 28 rows in rib measures 10 cm/4” square.
1 Cable measures 5.5 cm/2.25” across.
3 Cables with 3 sts rev st st on each side measure 17 cm/6.75” across

Notes: The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together.

Sweater Dresses

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Linda Marveng

A sweater dress makes you feel both cosy and comfortable. The key is to make the dress in a lighter yarn instead of a thicker one and to choose a bouncy wool or another fiber you like wearing that will also keep its shape. I admit that I have several in my wardrobe that I wear a lot. Hence it did take me a long time to actually design one as I wanted to make it extra special. Now, four dress designs later I can tell you the story of Sigyn, Aibell, Gyro and Keila – coming very soon.

My first and most popular dress is Sigyn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the fine yarn Sølje pelt wool, modelled by Emma Ross. The A-line silhouette becomes bodycon with the ribbing and has two central swinging cables that are divided, then moving towards the shoulder to make a v-neck at the front.

The second dress I designed was Aibell made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk this time in the slightly thicker yarn Tinde pelt wool, also modelled by Emma Ross. The balloon dress is shaped by cables introduced one at a time and can be worn as tunic or a minidress.

I did not have to appoint Beth Robinson, aka yarnbeth, as my Aibell Ambassador – she actually volunteered after she had made her first Aibell dress. Beth has made another two, so far..

The third one I designed, also for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, is made in two colours and in two yarns both Tinde pelt wool yarn for the center panel and Sølje for the sleeve panels: Gyro modelled by Olivia Lindtein. This time I wanted to try out an oversized dress with bat sleeves. The center cable panel crowns the dress and ends in a wide neck with an I-cord bind off.

Keila is the latest one and you can guess which yarn company it is made for. Yes, it is for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk knitted in their Sølje pelt wool and modelled by Aksa Mortensen. Honeycomb cables cover most of the dress except for the armhole and half the sleeves. You shape the skirt part into the high bodice part by changing the sizes of the cables.

Wear the dress as a balloon dress or a tunic by inserting a cord into the double hem. I am looking forward to the launch of the yarn kit and the test knit of this pattern beginning in November in my Ravelry group. All the dresses are brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne. If you are wondering if I am going to design any more dresses, I can reveal that the next one is already in the works! Enjoy the Sweater Season and your Sweater Dresses!

Eah Knitted by Anja Elsner

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Anja Elsner, aka knuettanni on Ravelry, is a skilled test knitter as well as one of my patrons, here she is wearing her stunning Eah. Anja has been knitting for more than 45 years and learned as a child from her grandmother in Germany. She knitted Eah in Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in size Large using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle to obtain the 20 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch. Instead of the I-cord band at the bottom, she chose to work a garter stitch band.

The hood on my sample was generous so Anja decided to work a number of decreases directly from the pick up line. I had the test knitters help me make a straighter hood version for the pattern so that you can choose how which option to knit.

Here is Anja’s hood from behind. I love how well it fits Anja and the beautiful colour of it! Thank you so much!

An acronym for each way is this casually fitted cabled hoodie adorned by a herringbone cable on the front, the back and the sleeves. Eah ends in a hood with the cable at the back and an I-cord edge. The pullover is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino Sportweight yarn held together with the Kid Mohair Lace, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit.

The Eah pattern is available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 160 cm/33 to 63″.

Saxi Pattern Released

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Linda Marveng

The test knit of Saxi has come to an end, with a number of gorgeous sweaters as a result, I am thrilled to announce. Hence I have released the pattern in both English and in Norwegian in my Ravelry Store and shortly on LoveCrafts. Saxi was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last summer. The stunning model was Aksa Mortensen, with hair & make-up by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Saxi is a fitted cabled pullover that ends with 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, this sweater is knitted in a Donegal Tweed yarn. A cowl crowns the pullover and can be worn folded as a high collar or as a headband.

Sizes: Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Cowl: One size
Sweater shown in size S.

Finished measurements:
Bust/hip: 85 (92, 99, 106, 113) (120, 133, 146, 159) cm/33.5 (36.25, 39, 41.75, 44.5) (47.25, 52.25, 57.5, 62.5)“
Waist: 77 (84, 91, 98, 105) (112, 125, 138, 151) cm/30.25 (33.75, 35.75, 38.5, 41.25) (44, 49.25, 54.25, 59.5)”
Length: 61 (62, 63, 64, 65) (66, 67, 68, 69) cm/24 (24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5) (26, 26.5, 26.75, 27.25)“
Sleeve length: 48 (49, 50, 50, 50) (51, 51, 51, 51) cm/19 (19.25, 19.75, 19.75, 19.75) (20, 20, 20, 20)”
Cowl: 50 cm/19.75” wide and 20 cm/7.75” high
Intended ease: 5-7 cm/2-2.75” positive ease. Sample shown is 92 cm/36.25” and worn with 6 cm/2.25” positive ease on model.

Yarn: Donegal Yarns, Donegal Tweed 3.8/1nm (100% Wool, 170 m/186 yds, 50 g) Sample is knitted in Boyne:
Sweater: 7 (8, 8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 14, 15) spools; 1088 (1224, 1360, 1496, 1632) (1768, 2020, 2272, 2524) m/1190 (1339, 1487, 1636, 1785) (1934, 2209, 2485, 2760) yds.
Cowl: 2 spools; 187 m/205 yds.
https://www.handweavers.co.uk/donegal-381nm.ir
https://heleendesign.com/product-categorie/alle-garens/do…

Yarn alternatives:
Rowan Yarns, Valley Tweed (100% Wool, 207 m/226 yds, 50 g)
https://knitrowan.com/en/products/valley-tweed?taxon_id=261
Debbie Bliss, Fine Donegal (95% Wool, 5% Cashmere, 380 m/415 yds, 100 g)
https://www.debbieblissonline.com/product/yarn/fine-donegal/
Pickles Merino Tweed (100% Merino Wool, 379 m/414 yds, 100 g)
https://www.pickles.no/en/garn/pickles-merino-tweed
Or another Sport or Fingering weight yarn.

Needles: 3.25 mm/US 3 straight needle.
3.25 mm/US 3 circular needle (40 cm/16”) for neckband and cowl.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, waste yarn, 3.25 mm/US 3 (D) crochet hook, cable needle and yarn needle.
Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 34 rows in Check pattern measures 10 cm/4” square.
20-st Honeycomb measures 8 cm/3.25” across.
33 sts in Cable measures about 10 cm/4” across.

Notes: The pullover is knitted in 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.

Beyla Knitted by Siret

Posted on October 9, 2021 by Linda Marveng

It is time to show you another of my designs knitted by skilled Estonian test knitter Siret Sinimäe, aka kollane on Ravelry, the Beyla pullover designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Siret knitted the pullover in size Medium using a 3.75 mm/US 5 needle with a 18 stitches and 24 rows gauge in stockinette stitch. Beyla is modelled by her daughter Annika. On her project page, Siret writes: “The more complex the cables, the more exciting to knit for those who like the cables. But it doesn’t always have to be that way to get a stylish and beautiful result. Beyla’s simple twisted cables are an ideal project for those who are not yet very confident in knitting cables. And most importantly, Linda’s designs are worth knitting! You can always get a very well-fitting knit for yourself”. I am so honoured, thank you, Siret!

Siret used Rowan Island Blend yarn from her stash in the colorway Jet; “It works beautifully with this pattern. I have used this yarn before for cables and I was sure it would work well for this project as well. My Beyla is pleasantly light and due to the silk content, I can probably wear this sweater even in summer when the weather is cooler”.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: 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.

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. Siret made the collar a bit narrower to make it stand, as her yarn was softer than the original Varde pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The last photo I will share is such a detailed one! Thank you so much Siret and Annika! The Beyla pattern is available in English and Norwegian in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″ on Ravelry and soon on Lovecrafts too. Yarnkits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Cahal in Familien 20/2021

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to have my design Cahal, knitted in Tinde pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, featured in issue 20 of the Norwegian bi-monthly magazine Familien. This issue has 40 pages of knits and on the cover is the Elvira pullover designed by Tanja-Therese Grønneberg. However, my Cahal is on the front part of the handcraft section part of the magazine. Model Emma Ross, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, is wearing size Small with the “Wrong Side” out in the photo below, captured by Eivind Røhne. Yarn kits are available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Origami vest with reversible cables that folds into shape. Vents are made by leaving the seam open at the bottom. The horizontal seam draws a line across the shoulders ending in a curve at the armhole. You can wear the vest with both sides out by making a neat or flat seam. The name Cahal is Celtic for strong in battle.

The vest is knitted in two parts. The front is a square, while the back has 30.5 cm/12” extra body length that folds to the front at each shoulder to form the upper front and the neck opening. Cahal is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

The pattern is graded into three sizes: S (M/L, XL/2XL) with a bust circumference of 106.5 (117, 127) cm/42 (46, 50)”. The length is: 68.5 (73.5, 78.5) cm/27 (29, 31)”.

Above you see the front with the “Wrong Side” out. The Familien magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. The Cahal pattern in English is available in my Ravelry Store and on LoveCrafts.

Ataraxia – A Recap

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Linda Marveng

@ Laura Morsman

I have just uploaded the Norwegian pattern to Ataraxia to Ravelry and thought it was time for a recap. The design began as a submission to the Winter 2018 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly with guest editor Norah Gaughan – the cable expert – whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Strik Bornholm in Denmark back in 2014. The Pom Pom Quarterly magazine was founded by two of my former Loop colleagues: Meghan Fernandes and Lydia Gluck. The Ataraxia sample is knitted in the stunning The Copper Corgi Fiber Studio, Jones Street Worsted using 4 mm/US 6 and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. The model has a 86 cm/34″ bust, stands 165 cm/5.5″ tall and is wearing a size 2 with 97 cm/38.25″ bust. The cardigan is available in 5 sizes with a finished bust measurement of 91 to 132.5 cm/35.75 to 52.25″. See more of the photos here: Ataraxia in Pom Pom Quarterly Winter 2018.

The gorgeous sample photographed is not the one I knitted in SweetGeorgia Yarns Mohair Silk DK in Pumpkin, as you will see from the photo Michael took of me above. The wonderful orange colour did not fit in with the other designs and a second sample had to be knitted up quickly in time for the photoshoot.

Before I finished the jacket I sent the knitted swatch – showing off the different stitch patterns – to photographer/jewellery maker/designer Siri Berrefjord and ordered 9 bespoke small buttons with a diameter of 18 millimeters/0.7″ to match the colour. Above you see the stunning buttons and one of the photos that Siri took. See more of them here: Ataraxia Buttons by Siri Berrefjord.

The rights to the pattern came back to me a year later in November 2019 and I asked Pom Pom Quarterly if I could borrow their sample too, so that I could photograph them both. Yes, I could before I returned it. Eivind Røhne photographed both worn by Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Erica Poppe and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Mortensrud Church in Oslo in November 2019.

Ataraxia is named after one of Caroline Norton’s poems, to give you a sense of calm, sheltering you from whatever storms you bravely weather. She was known for her drive to establish basic legal rights for women. The long jacket’s fitted shape is achieved through a careful arrangement of vertical texture panels and I-cord highlights. Finished with a tucked asymmetrical peoplum. Designed with a mythic shield maiden in mind, not unlike Caroline Norton.

Ataraxia is knitted flat, in pieces, from bottom up, and seamed. The asymmetric lower body has extra width in each side that will be bound off before the tuck is made. Waist shaping is worked at the sides and the shoulders are shaped using short-rows. The collar is picked up and completed using an I-cord bind off.