Monthly Archives: November 2021

Andor and Ovedine in Familien Vinterstrikk 2021

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The next special knitting issue magazine by the Norwegian magazine Familien is out, it is called “Vinterstrikk/Winter Knits” and I am so fortunate to have two designs in the magazine. Both are knitted in the pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; The poncho Andor in the thicker Tinde and the shawl Ovedine in Sølje in two hand dyed shades by Værbitt. On the cover is “Snøfall” by Kari Hestnes.

Andor comes in one size with bust circumference of 212 cm/83.5” and a length of 72 cm/28.25″. Above you see it worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo Fjord, back in June 2016. The pattern in English, Japanese and Norwegian is available on Ravelry and in English on LoveCrafts.

A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has side bands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho.

Ovedine comes in one size with a wingspan of 162 cm/64″, a widest point width of 42 cm/16.5″ and a narrowest point width of 12 cm/4.75″. Above you see it worn by the beautiful Olivia Lindtein, with hair & make up by Erica Poppe and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Mortensrud Church in November last year.

The shawl/wrap/scarf is knitted in two colours: Drageegg, Værbitt hand dyed on Sølje pelsull by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 350 m/383 yds): 2 skeins: 497 m/544 yds and Lillebror, Værbitt hand dyed on Sølje pelsull: 1 skein; 315 m/344 yds.

Named after an old female name from Norway is this shawl with tucks, short rows and garter stitch stripes in two colors. The hem and one tuck made on the wrong side, in addition to the double I-cord bind off, make the shawl two-sided. Choose if you want to wear it as a shawl, or a wrap around your body or as a shawl collar. Ovedine is knitted in two gorgeous hand dyed shades by Værbitt on the pelt wool Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Ovedine is available in English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. The “Familien Vinterstrikk” magazine is available from selected grocery stores and newsagents but can also be ordered in Norway by sending an SMS with VS21 to 2205.

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Iglu Knitted by Rena Goeschel

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Let me introduce to you to German test knitter and patron Rena Goeschel, aka Rainbow1907 on Ravelry, wearing her Iglu. The fuchsia colour is one of her favourites and this shade is called “I’m Off To Tinsel Town” in the stunning hand dyed Posh Yarn Martha Sock. Rena knitted the poncho that comes in one size with a bust circumference of 194 cm/76.5” using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.25 mm/US 3 needles to achieve the gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Rena is a very skilled knitter and has test knitted a large number of my designs, I am pleased to say.  Thank you so much for these lovely photos, Rena!

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Iglu is a lightweight poncho to live in, hence the Inuit name Iglu, with a Celtic cable on center front and back. The poncho has sleeve parts in rib and a collar in garter stitch ending in a I-cord. It is beautifully knitted with shaped shoulders in the bouncy and lustrous Sølje Pelsull.

The Iglu pattern, is available in both English and Norwegian, on both Ravelry and LoveCrafts. In addition you will find yarn kits with an English or Norwegian pattern available directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Leylak Knitted by Dawn Adair

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I wanted to add some colour to your day, so here is skilled test knitter and patron Dawn Adair’s Leylak wearing size medium, knitted in the hand dyed Woolbearers SW Merino DK in Toffee using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. Dawn emailed me asking if she could modify the wings to be triangular ribbed inserts instead during the test knit. I agreed and was curious to see how it would look. The result is stunning, in my opinion. On her project page on Ravelry, Dawn writes: “Turned out perfect – style and fit! As always, another gorgeous design and well-written pattern”. Thank you ever so much for these wonderful photos!

I am so thrilled to hear it and think the colour and style suits her so well!

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the Turkish leylak, the lilac tree, is this flowery cabled a-line cardigan with sidewings. The delicate cables, by Norah Gaughan, reminiscent of the lilac blossoms adorn the fronts, the back and the sleeves. Leylak ends in reverse stockinette stitch in a deep round neckline with a double neck- and buttonband. The jacket is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino DK yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. To crown Leylak, make the cowl to act as a collar in excess yarn held together with the stunning Kid Mohair Lace.

The Leylak pattern is available in sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 82 to 156 cm/32.25 to 61.5″ and a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch using a 4 mm/US 6 needle measuring 10 cm/4″ square, in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.

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New Design in Progress for Spring 2022

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I am preparing for my next photoshoot and will therefore begin to reveal the new designs I have been working on. First one out is one of the four new designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, this time knitted in their Ask yarn using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle in the stunning shade of “Melert klar eplegrønn”/Melange Clear Apple Green 6588. Above is the swatch I made for an oversized pullover with dropped shoulders and a standing high collar. A tuck divides the Double Seed stitch from the reverse stockinette stitches and the cable pattern, which I decided to mirror on the sweater. I will tell you more in a later post. If you do not want do wait you can always join the party on Patreon to see it finished together with all other designs updates and benefits.

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Beyla Knitted by Anne Thomas

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Let me introduce you to test knitter and patron Anne Thomas, aka annemade1 on Ravelry, from Australia. She used to knit as a teenager and picked up her needles again during a shoulder injury that kept her resting for six months. Anne test knitted Beyla for me and choose to make it in the Australian yarn Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12 Ply. Due to the thicker yarn she knitted it with a larger needle a 5 mm/US 8 instead of the recommended 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. Anne began with a size L and changed to an XL without any further modifications. Her stunning result is photographed where she lives in rural Gippsland, Victoria on 5 acres with husband, cat and two dogs.

Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 12 Ply is a softly twisted yarn in pure wool with 260 meters/294 yards per each 200 gram ball. The recommended needle size is 6 mm/US 10, but Anne used a 5 mm/US 8 needle to achieve the gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square for this project.

Here is a photo of the back. Thank you so much for sharing these lovely photos, Anne!

My introduction to the project is as follows: 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 pattern is available in sizes XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 153 cm/33.5 to 60″. Yarn kits with an English or Norwegian pattern can be ordered online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. While the individual pattern is available to download in English or Norwegian from my Ravelry Store or soon on LoveCrafts.

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