I am working on completing the last two of my new designs and want to present two related patterns to you: Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl are designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and yarn kits with a Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. Ever since I made the Tweed Jacket for my Norwegian knitting book, I wanted to make a newer version of this and here it is: The Macha Jacket. Just like the first one has stranded colourwork on the sleeves but this time with a few purl stitches and also stripes in garter stitch to add extra texture. But unlike the Tweed Jacket it only has Tweed on the upper part while the bottom part has cables and stockinette stitch. As a divider of the patterns I decided to make a tuck and this is also the beginning of the deep v-neck. The Macha Cowl connects the sleeves but can easily be worn on its own hence it is a separat pattern and kit, while the small Cable Cowl in charcoal is included in the Jacket pattern. Michael has taken these photos of me at the The Halden Canal Museum in Ørje.

Here is another photo where the cables on the lower body is easier to see. I decided on three contrasting colours so the sample is knitted in two different yarns since the pelt wool does not come in white since it is naturally light grey nor in charcoal. The lime colour is Sølje Pelsullgarn (100% peltwool, 100 g,  350 m/385 yds, while both the natural and the charcoal is a lambswool yarn called Vilje Lamull (100% lambswool, 100 g, 375 m/410 yds). The yarns are made to complement each other and work very well together. My turbo sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, brilliantly made this jacket and both the cowls.

The Macha Jacket is made in size Small with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36″. The pattern will be available in sizes Extra Small to 2 Extra Large measuring from 86 to 126 cm/34 to 50″. The body is knitted flat in pieces while the sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat. The different patterns have different gauges hence requires different needle sizes: 2.5 mm/US 1.5 for hems (adjusted from sample) and buttonband, 3 mm/US 2.5 for body and sleeves, 3.25 mm/US 3 for sleeve cap and 3.5 mm/US 4 for sleeves.

The stranded colourwork is worked mainly in stockinette stitch with a few purl stitches and the repeat ends in 6 rows of garter stitch worked on a smaller needle to stay in gauge. The cable cowl is worked in the round with ribbing on each side of cable panels. The tucks are made with 2 circular needles held parallel, hence the bottom part of the body is worked with circular needles for ease.

Now, for the name, I decided upon Macha and here is why: Macha is the Celtic protectress in peace as well as the name of this heavily textured jacket with cable and tweed body and stranded colorwork sleeves. A tuck marks the end of the cable pattern, the beginning of both the tweed pattern and the deep v-neck shaping. The Macha body is worked in pieces but the sleeves is knitted in the round to the armhole in stranded colorwork with purl stitches and garter stitch stripes in three contrasting colors in both Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Vilje Lamull and Sølje Pelsull. A cable cowl completes the jacket which can also be worn together with the Macha cowl.

The test knit of the English pattern to Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl will begin on the 9th of September.

A longer version of this post with more photos can be found on my Patreon page, available for patrons only together with monthly rewards such as a free pattern, newsletter and video. See www.patreon.com/lindamarveng. Thank you!