Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival in Fredrikstad 2018

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Linda Marveng

For the 3rd time the Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival was organised in Fredrikstad Old Town, the oldest fortified town in Norway (founded in 1567) and in the Nordic countries and one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Northern Europe (see more photos from two years ago here). I arrived on Friday by train from Oslo, in the aftermath of a hurricane (read: extremely windy and wet), and did wonder whether the city ferry to the old town was running. It was, but the rocking sensation did make it feel more like being on the ferry to Denmark, crossing the North Sea. Thankfully, the ferry only takes a few minutes to cross the river Glomma. Due to the extreme weather, there were less knitters visiting the market hall on the Friday, than last year. So I did manage to have a good look, but did not buy anything (read: very well done). I walked over to the Commandor’s building, where all the workshops were held, met a few knitters I recognised from last year, to find designer Tove Fevang since both of us were staying with organiser and founder of the travel agency Explore Travel; Marit Larsen. But before we headed home to Marit, we went to the Official Opening Event taking place in what would be the Knit Café for the event, in the Cloth House (another former military building, now housing the museum and premises for rent). A place perfect for drinking wine and knitting. Take a look at the video (above) the festival made for volunteers and get a better idea of the idyllic old town setting. Actually, more than 90 volunteers did participate this year.

Tove and I had wine at Marit’s house. Yes, Marit found us chatting in the kitchen when she came home a few hours later. Tove held her third while I held my first workshop on Saturday morning from 10 am to 1 pm. It was the first time for my Beginners Cable Knitting workshop and it went well. One of the knitters that had signed on, had actually done my Masterclass in Cable Knitting, the year before and first thought she would do it again but decided to try a different workshop, even though they were in the opposite order than I had planned. I met some of the other designers present; Helle Siggerud and Kari Hestnes, during the lunch break. Both had exhibits in the museum during the festival, and so did Tove. It is always fun to see the designs on a mannequin and not only in a photo online.

Tove and I had lunch at the Knit Café. We met several of the volunteers we knew from last year as well as knitters. My second workshop was fully booked hence the afternoon went quickly. After 6 hours of teaching, Tove and I were on the lookout for an open café in the old town. We quickly realised that all the cafés were closed after 6 pm on a Saturday, since Tove drove down nearly all the streets to find one. We did enjoy looking for one, though. So instead we headed for the Knitting Evening, took out our knitting, chatted and waited impatiently for the food. At our table was Anna, who is a doctor by profession, but also the owner of Anna’s Angora, see above. Yes, she has 120 angora rabbits as well as other animals at her croft.

Our table did not win the quiz, our defence is that a number of the questions were not knitting related. The winning table received goody bags with knitting and crochet magazines from the Norwegian magazine Familien as well as sweeties. During the evening we ate delicious tapas, then chocolate and cookies for desert. Tove and I continued the party with wine at Marit’s house. Just as the day before, Marit did come home to join us, late at night. Even after we had decided to go to bed, we kept talking in Tove’s room. I was grateful that the workshops started at 11 am on Sunday so we could get a few hours of sleep beforehand.

More than 4500 persons visited the festival on the first 2 days, so the number of visitors has increased year after year. On Sunday morning I held my third and last workshop, while Tove held a talk. This was another new workshop, called Perfect Fit. Signed on to take part was a friend of mine from Facebook, Marianne Skatten, who walked into the room wearing my design Halli. Marianne has worn it ever since she finished knitting it, I am proud to say. Especially since Marianne designs herself. Take a look at her blog: Skattensdiy.wordpress.com. She is also taking part in the ongoing Prescott Pullover KAL. Talking to Marianne in the previous photo is Anne, who attended my workshop in Cable Knitting Masterclass last year. I had a fabulous weekend; enjoyed meeting knitters, holding workshops and seeing friends! My host Marit, I will see next at Røros, at the Knitting Weekend in October.

Ravelry Group 4th Year Anniversary

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Linda Marveng

My Ravelry group is now 4 years old! There are now more than 1400 members and my fear that only a few would join was needless. I am so pleased to have attracted so many knitters! It has been another thrilling year with many test knits of my English patterns, showing off of finished garments, discussions of different knitting techniques, chatting and bi-monthly free pattern pdf draws just to mention a few of the topics in this lovely group. I am delighted to have met so many new knitters. So it is time to celebrate that four years has passed! How can I best do this? By organizing a draw in my group with 9 exciting prizes like yarn kits, e-books and pdf patterns from my Ravelry store.

All you have to do is join my group if you have not already done so, and answer one of these questions: “What design – with an available pattern – would you love to wear but never knit in a million years and why? Or if that is too difficult or impossible to imagine what have you knitted and never worn (or only once)?” in my Ravelry group. I have had numerous fascinating answers already. I anticipated a couple of the answers to the first question – like my design Halli, designs by Di Gilpin; designs from the book: Norwegian Knitting Designs; designs from the book Tudor Roses and designs from Christel Seyfarth (simply because those would have been my answers too) – while others have introduced amazing new patterns and designs to us. I will use Random org to pick winners based on the number matching the response/posting on Friday 9th. June. Here are the top two prizes, and a good reason to join, see ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng, in my opinion:

1. and 2. Prize: Choose one of these yarn kits from Hillesvåg and choose which size & colour you want (includes pattern in English as well as Norwegian): Andor or Idunn or Halli or Elfa. The yarn kits have been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. See kits, Tinde colours for Andor and Idunn, Sølje colours for Halli and Elfa

Or Elfa, the English pattern is currently being test knitted. These four designs all made for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk were brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla in June last year. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger and her hair & make up are by Jens J. Wiker, while her jewellery are by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Good luck!

Halli Pattern Released

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to release the English pattern of Halli after the test knit in my Ravelry group. The pattern has been corrected and improved. It is available to buy on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. I have enjoyed seeing the different versions of Halli appear and look forward to seeing more completed. The sample was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne on the stunning Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, on a sweltering day in June last year at Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord. The Norwegian pattern is only available as part of a yarn kit from selected yarn stores and directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Here is the introduction to the pattern:

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished measurements:
Bust (excl armholes and collars): 100 (107, 114, 124, 134, 144) cm/39.25 (42.25, 45, 48.75, 52.75, 56.75)”
Bottom width excl collars: 120 (129, 138, 152, 166, 180) cm/51 (54.75, 58.25, 63.75, 69.25, 74.75)”
Full width incl collars: 140 (149, 158, 172, 186, 200) cm/55 (58.75, 62.25, 67.75, 73.25, 78.75)”
Length (back): 76 (78, 80, 82, 84, 86) cm/30 (30.75, 31.5, 32.25, 33, 33.75)”
Sleeve length: 50 (51, 51, 52, 52, 52) cm/19.75 (20, 20, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5)”

Ease/size note: The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size. Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2.

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Hifa Sølje (100% pelt yarn, 350 m/382 yds, 100 g). Sample is knitted in Lys Dongeriblå:
7 (8, 8, 9, 10, 11) skeins; 2240 (2520, 2783, 3115, 3465, 3815) m/2449 (2755, 3043, 3406, 3789, 4172) yds. https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/nyhet-solje-pelsullgarn/

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-Cascade220Sport.htm
Tosh Sock (100% wool, 100 g, 361 m/394 yds).
http://madelinetosh.com/tosh-sock/
Hand Maiden, Camelspin (70% silk, 30% camel, 100 g, 300 m/328 yds).
http://handmaiden.ca/product/camelspin/
Berroco Cosma (60% alpaca, 30% wool, 10% silk, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds).
http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-cosma
Or another Sport/5 ply or Fingering 4/ply yarn.

Needles: 2 sets 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needles (120 cm/47”).
3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, crochet hook, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4” square.
24 sts and 34 rows in Halli measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

Hillesvåg Stand at Oslo Design Fair

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Yes, I know it was back in the beginning of September, but I am trying to catch up with all the knitting related events that has happened during the last two months so far. Oslo Design Fair, opened Thursday 1. September and closed on Sunday 4. September, while I was at Strik Bornholm. The yarn producer Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk had a stand and launched the yarn kits for 4 of my designs see Hillesvåg Eksklusiv: Andor, Idunn, Halli and Elfa. All the designs are made in the wonderful Norwegian pelt wool/Pelsull, the last two are made in the new finer Hifa Sølje, while the first two are made in the re-named Hifa Tinde yarn. The lustrous yarn has a mohair feel and a melange colour due to its natural greyish base. The new yarn Hifa Sølje with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 g skein is to die for, so do try it when it is ready in all the 30 divine colours. Closest in the photo above is Halli. Designer Tove Fevang and her husband photographer Geir Arnesen went to the fair, and Geir took these brilliant photos, as you might have guessed! Thank you!

Here are three displayed on mannequins and one hanging, with the yarn kits and the brochure made for retailers below: Halli, Andor, Idunn and Elfa. Here is my introduction to Halli: A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe.

Above is Anette Toft from Hillesvåg, who used her time well, knitting. Here is the introduction to the most popular of the four designs the poncho Andor: 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 sidebands 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.

Idunn is the pullover knitted in Hifa Tinde in Petrol. Named after the Norse goddess of spring and immortality is this straight sweater with a Henley neck with center cables. Ribs frame the cables in each side and make the sweater figure hugging. One center cable adds texture to the sleeve. The sweater is worked in the round to the underarm in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Tinde from Hifa.

Last is Elfa: Elfa is an a-line long jacket with central cables along all parts. Tucks divide the different patterns giving a slight flair and a softer touch to the jacket. A large shawl collar crowns the garment, hence the given name Elfa – after the Norse king and warrior. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hifa.

They also launched eleven kits by London based designer Michelle Lowe-Holder. Michelle makes sensational designs that experiment with the mixture of vintage, antique and recycled materials. See the two photos at the back in the photo above. Here are more details: Hillesvag Eksklusiv Gjestedesign/Michelle Lowe Holder.

I am delighted that a number of knitters and shop owners have ordered the kits, and I look forward to hearing as well as seeing the results!

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Halli

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next series of photos I am thrilled to show you are the designs I have made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for their yarn kits. First out is Halli, which light color light jeans blue suits gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger so well! Her beautiful hair & make up is by Jens J. Wiker, the statement jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord in June. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. The sample is knitted in the new finer pelt wool yarn with a radiance called Hifa Sølje with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in February before it will be released. The yarn kits will be launched at the Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September.

Halli is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size. Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2.

Again; a light color that worked so well with the backdrop, in addition to looking stunning on Alexandria that is, so I had a hard time choosing photos as you can see! These photos were photographed at the upper terrace at Villa Malla, next to the large curving staircase leading to the lower terrace.

I chose to style these four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with slim black trousers and a tube top, to let the textures of the knits show. The lustrous pelt wool has a grey base tone which gives an extra dimension to the colors. This new thickness of the pelt wool and Norsk Pelsull which will change name to Tinde will be available in 30 colors from September. I am trying to be patient will I wait for the new shade cards to appear in my mail box.

The fronts are long because I wanted to be able to let them drape across the front in a casual manner. I realized this might not be suitable for all knitters hence I added the size & ease note above.

Last photo selected is this side view with the front draped across. The yarn kit will be available to order from selected yarn stores and online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. Next design coming up is the professionally photographed pullover Idunn.

New Design: Halli

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Linda Marveng

A cardigan knitted sideways is a garment I have been planning to design for awhile, not unlike my sideways vest made for my Norwegian knitting book. When I received samples of the new yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje, I knew it was the one. Sølje is a thinner version of Norsk Pelsullgarn made of 100% Norwegian Pelt wool with 350 meters/382 yards on each 100 gram skein and a wonderful luster to it. I choose to knit it using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. Hence it became one of the four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and for their yarn kits which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair. I choose a simple reversible pattern that reminds me of bricks, and added tucks at the bottom of the sleeves and at the beginning of each front. By playing around I discovered that making a tuck in reverse stocking stitch next to one in stocking stitch make them move apart and oppose each other. A small part of the collar is in garter stitch. My skilled sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, has knitted the size Small sample.

A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe. The body is knitted sideways in one piece, from right front to first armhole, where it is split and worked in two parts until armhole is complete, and back is worked to second armhole, and finally left front. Right front begins with a provisional cast-on, which is later removed and replaced by an I-cord bind-off, while left front ends in an I-cord bind-off. The sleeve is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to final bind off. The fronts and the sleeves have two tucks; one in reverse stocking stitch and one in stocking stitch after each other at the beginning. The tucks are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together, and with the magic loop method on the sleeves.

I have graded the cardigan from size XS to 2XL, with bust measurements from 100 to 144 cm/39.25 to 56.75″, due to the extra wide fronts. In the pattern I have added the following ease/size note: The cardigan is intended to be worn with extra ease at the front to create the waterfall effect. If you want less fabric to drape at the front, work a shorter front before the armhole on right front and after armhole on left front. If you prefer a shorter length on the body choose a smaller size when casting on, but work to the lengths given and the armhole for your correct size.

The fronts can easily be draped and pinned together as you please, as you can see from the photo above. It does look better if you do this in front of a mirror though, and not without one as I did. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and will sold as a guest design in September here: /garnpakker/hillesvag-eksklusiv-gjestedesign, while the English pattern will be test knitted in February in my Ravelry group before its release. I must admit that this is my favorite of my new designs, and it has just been sent off to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk as their display sample for Oslo Design Fair and other upcoming fairs. So for the future I will truly cherish the professional photos we took of Halli. You wait and see.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Halli