For the first time, I have 6 designs in a magazine together with a presentation of me, and an article on how to design, which was written when I was making my Knitting Design Workshop. As long as I supplied 8 patterns (2 of the 6 have several parts), I could organize my own photoshoot, an opportunity I did not want to miss. In my chosen team is photographer Kim Müller, dancer Francesca Golfetto and stylist Line Sekkingstad. As well as Norwegian shoe designer Monica Stålvang whose inspirational shoes and boots were essential to the collection. This magazine is a separate issue made by one of the largest magazines in Norway; Familien and it is called Strikk, meaning Knit. Above is the cover with only a small but striking photo of my design Zest Shawl in a zingy green with a matching cowl.
I have two prominent photos on the contents page, to my delight. Meet Norwegian Designers is the headline to the introduction by the Handcraft editor Åse Myhrvold Egeland. The middle of second paragraph reads: “It is not easy to be a designer and make a living off it in Norway. Therefore we think it is important to present some exciting names whom might be unknown to you. But first and foremost we focus on Norwegian design because there is so many great designs to find here. Linda Marveng has, in addition to create a gorgeous series in fabulous colors, written how you can design your own garments. So who knows – maybe it is your designs we show in the magazine next year?”
My series of designs have been given the heading: For inspiration. “I want to inspire you who knit, and want you to enjoy the pictures photographed by Kim Müller of dancer Francesca Golfetto from Nasjonalbaletten/The National Ballet.” The introduction to the different designs, is the one I have written for each pattern. My bio is from my Norwegian knitting book. The only new addition is what I do for a living at the present: “Now I am living in Oslo with my British husband, I design for Familien, Made by Me and the American Clotheshorse, hold workshops, proof read knitting patterns, and translates knitting patterns to and from English.” Shawl Sleeves, knitted in one strand of Ask – Hifa 2 and one strand of Rowan Fine Tweed held together using a 4 mm/US 6, and Scarftex, knitted in ones strand of Rowan Lima and one strand of Rowan Fine Tweed held together using a 5.5 mm/US 9, are both available in English from my Ravelry Store.
Here are the next two pages with Zest Shawl, knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton using 4.5 mm/US 7 and Carla Coat, knitted in Rowan Lima held together with Hifa Norsk Pelsull using 5.5 mm/US 9. I have recently received a few exquisite photos of the Zest Shawl taken by jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord with her brooch on, and will shortly release the pattern in English in my Ravelry Store. The Carla Coat on the other hand, is currently being test knitted, in my Ravelry group. If you are a member of Ravelry, you can take a look at the magnificent photos of test knitters’ coats and join the test knit as well as the group if you are tempted.
Here are the last two designs presented: Curvy Check Cowl and Conic Coat. The first is knitted in a self composed tweed made by combining Ask – Hifa 2 and Rowan Fine Tweed, while the coat is knitted in Embla – Hifa 3. The cowl pattern will be available in English soon, while the test knit of the coat will begin early October in English in my Ravelry group.
Following my design pages, is the article I have written on design: “This is how you make your own design”. “Today there are numerous patterns in magazines, booklets, books and online. And yet it is not certain that you will find exactly what you are looking for; So why not make your own pattern?”
My example is the Tyrol Jacket, see photograph by Kim Müller of Francesca Golfetto and my husband’s sketch, available in English to download. I will not translate the full article but the main points are:
1. Sketch/Notes. 2. Choose yarn and stitch pattern. 3. Swatch. 4. Basis pattern. 5. Use a finished garment. 6. Take measurements. 7. Ease. 8. Calculations. 9. Collars and borders. 10. Yarn amount. 11. Write pattern. 12. Test knitting.
The magazine in available in news agents like Narvesen and selected supermarkets in Norway. If you live abroad and read Norwegian, or simply are desperate to get your hands on it, you can order a copy and receive an invoice for the magazine plus postage from Customer services by emailing: kari.bachke@egmont.com
Familien liked my designs and especially the bright colors I chose for all the designs, so they have ordered another series for next year’s issue. I am honored and very grateful for this opportunity!
As promised here are the new photos taken of the Cablewing Accessories worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, taken by Eivind Røhne at Ingierstrand Bad in late May. It was a very hot day so we had to avoid including the sunbathing women in our photos, but Alex managed to looks so cool, while the rest of us suffered in summer clothing. Alex did not however enjoy getting dressed with three layers of cowls perfect for the Norwegian Winter on a sweltering summer day. But the photos do not tell. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Cablewings surrounded by lace gives these accessories a flowery expression. They coordinate with the Cablewing Sweater; for a wonderfully regal look pair the wrap with the sweater. It is warm, practical but also decorative. All accessories are knitted in a pure wool with bounce, Embla from Hifa. I chose an irresistible purple-pink shade, well suited for the stitch pattern, for the cowl and the wristwarmers.
The wrap, the cowl, the tweed cowl and the wrist warmers are all made in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Embla Hifa-3, a pure wool with 210 meters/229 yards on each 100 gram skein. All the accessories are knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 needle with a 20 stitch and 25 rows in Stocking stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square. They all come in one size but are easy to adjust by adding a pattern repeat or extra reverse stocking stitches or lace if preferred.
Why so many extra parts, you may ask. There are two reasons: One, I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this stitch pattern. Two, the winters in Norway are very cold so two or three layers are essential to keep warm. The tweed cowl was made to connect the colours of the wrap and the cowl and it is the warmest of the three. The pattern has been revised by my technical editor, Corrina Ferguson, Picnic Knits and has been given a new layout. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikkebok 2013 with photos taken by Familien. Both the Norwegian and the English pattern is available from Ravelry and Loveknitting. Now, there is only one more set of photographs from our photoshoot you have not seen; The Juul Cardigan.
