New Design: Saxi

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Linda Marveng

The time has come to show you the first of my new design, the fitted pullover Saxi with a cowl knitted in Donegal Yarns, Donegal Tweed (also called Soft Donegal) 3.8/1nm discovered at The Handweavers Studio in London. The design itself began its life as a submission for the Winter 2020 issue of the magazine Pom Pom Quarterly. As it was not accepted, I put it aside for awhile, until I found the perfect Donegal Tweed yarn!

I have combined two cable patterns and one textural pattern, all used in different patterns in the past: The center cable is from my Cable Round Sweater, while the Honeycomb pattern is from my Neva vest and the check pattern is from Yaelle. The cowl has cables from the Cable Round pattern all around.

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

The pullover is knitted in pieces and seamed using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle and a 24 stitches and 34 rows gauge. 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. The cowl is knitted in the round and can be worn folded double as a high collar, see above, or standing high, see below.

I have graded the pattern into sizes XS to 5XL, with a bust circumference of 85 to 159 cm/33.5 to 62.5″. In these photos taken by Michael in our back garden I wearing size S with a 4 cm/1.5″ positive ease.

The test knit will begin on the 23rd of August, as the first of my new designs to be test knitted this Autumn. But long before that I will show you how stunning model Aksa Mortensen looked in this pullover, photographed by Eivind Røhne.

Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Kaibara

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Linda Marveng

Finally, the turn has come to the last design photographed at our photoshoot at Mortensrud Church in Oslo, in November. I chose to style the silk pullover Kaibara, knitted in Poppy Red in the luxurious Como Silk from The Handweavers Studio in London with cream coloured silk trousers. The gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, is captured by Eivind Røhne upstairs on the gantry. Kaibara is the next pattern to be test knitted in my Ravelry group starting on May 3.

Olivia is wearing size XS with a bust measurement of 82 cm/32.25″ with only 1 cm/0.5″ positive ease. But I have graded Kaibara in sizes XS to 5XL, with bust measurements up to 166 cm/65.25″ and a recommended positive ease of 5-10 cm/2-4″.

Named after Kaibara Ekken the father of botany in Japan is this flowery lace adorned A-line pullover with short sleeves. To allow the lace pattern to shine, the remaining pullover is worked in stockinette stitch. The pullover is knitted in pieces then seamed, for the ultimate fit, in the drapey and lustrous Como Silk from The Handweavers Studio. Kaibara is made to be worn on a perfect summer’s day or at a party.

The Handweavers Studio, Como Silk 4.5nm is made of 100% Silk on a 100 gram spools with 350 meters/382 yards. I ordered the silk by telephoning the shop, that I used to visit when I lived in London. The sample is knitted, by yours truly, in Poppy Red using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a 23 stitches and 34 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square after blocking. That is a loose gauge, as the heavy silk had quite a drop after blocking.

The English and Norwegian Kaibara pattern will be released after test knitting – that begins on the 3rd of May – in the middle of June.

Familien Photoshoot: Hertha

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I just had to borrow Judith Bech’s magical skirt, Monica Stålvang’s fantastic boots and Kaja Gjedebo’s statement jewelry for gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models to wear together with my Hertha Shawl and loose sleeves at the photoshoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Sissel Fylling was in charge of hair & make up (read: and much else) while photographer Eivind Røhne, who brilliantly captured it all, was assisted both by former Made by Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup and my husband. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shawl pin. A traditional lace pattern with shadow triangles in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the separate magazine Familien Småstrikk out in November, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Hertha is a development of my Bech (yes, named after the dress designer Judith Bech) with a wider shawl for a more formal look. It also makes it look more like a shawl and less like a scarf with a collar. I was attracted by the Mulberry color of the Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 which becomes even more saturated held double. Not to mention the luscious fiber combination of 50% tussah silk and 50% merino. The yarn is available on large cones of 454 grams/1 pound with an incredible 4608 meters/5040 yards or in 100 g skeins with 1024 meters/1120 yards, you can also order smaller spools from Handweavers Studio in London, where I first discovered this American yarn that has become a favorite of mine. Yes, they are now my sponsors. Thank you, Jaggerspun!

The shawl and loose sleeves are knitted using both 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4 needles for the different stitch patterns. The gauge in garter stitch is 25 stitches and 40 rows while it is 24 stitches and 40 rows in the shadow triangles pattern. The lace pattern is easy to work and it seemed natural to choose garter stitch edgings, and divide the patterns with tucks. The cuffs on the loose sleeves have 6 tucks plus the hem. Yes, they are fun to work with 2 circular needles held parallel.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The pattern comes in 3 sizes: S/M as worn by Anne Dorthe, L/XL and 2XL but can easily be adjusted in length and width according to your own preference by adding or removing pattern repeats.

Above you see the shawl worn around the body, held together by one beautiful Abelia earring by Kaja Gjedebo. It is accompanied by the Poplar necklace and the Magnolia large earrings, all in oxidized silver. All of them such a fabulous companions to Hertha in my opinion. Hertha will be published together with two other new designs in Familien Småstrikk in November: Nuala and Syndra. To be continued.

Ruby Snood Pattern Released

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I designed a large drapey snood in a luscious tencel, which feels like silk, for my Norwegian knitting book: To rett en vrang. Designstrikk. Ruby Snood was stunningly worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto, with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad and brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The English pattern is now available in my Ravelry Store. Here is my introduction to the Ruby Snood: Cone after cone, color after color of luscious Tencel 8/2 at Handweavers Studio in London made my feel like the ground vanished from under me. I managed to short list a few colors and favoured this deep glossy red color, Ruby for a snood. You can wear it in different ways as a top, hood, belt or as a cowl. Find your own favourite color or make your own melange color!

Size: One size

Finished measurements: Circumference: 62 cm/24.5″ Length: 158 cm/62.25″

Yarn: Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 (100% Lyocell, 1 lb/454 g cone, 3675 m/3360 yds). http://www.yarn.com Sample is knitted in Ruby: 1 cone: 3311 m/3621 yds. Note: Yarn is held double throughout pattern.

Alternative yarns: Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 held double (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 454 g/1lb, 4609 m/5040 yds) http://www.jaggeryarn.com Drops, Lace held double (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 100 g, 800 m/874 yds) http://www.garnstudio.com Fyberspates, Srumptious Lace held double (45% silk, 55% merino, 100 g, 1000 m/1093 yds) http://www.loveknitting.com/fyberspates-scrumptious-4-ply Or another 2 ply/lace weight yarn held double or 4 ply/fingering held single.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″). Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch marker and yarn needle.

Gauge: 29 sts and 36 rnds using double yarn in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The snood is knitted with double yarn in the round, and is made with a provisional cast-on method so it can be grafted together. Or use an ordinary cast-on and mattress stitch together if preferred. Stripes of st st and reverse st st are made by turning the work.

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Jacket in Cross

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Jacket in Cross is one of my favorite patterns from my Norwegian knitting book: “To rett en vrang. Designstrikk“, and I do wear it for special occasions during the summer such as the meeting with former editor Mary-Ann Astrup of Made by Me and the two designers I had selected to work with; dress designer Judith Bech and shoe designer Monica Stålvang, last July at Egmont Publishing. Hence the jacket became picked to be included in the Nordic Vintage series, published in February in the Norwegian magazine Familien Trend which took over from Made by Me. We choose a cream thai silk dress designed by Judith to be worn under it. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk was beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling and brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne who suggested the yellow column as the background.

The statement necklace dates back to my first photoshoot for my book, and has been worn regularly ever since. Yes, I could not bare to deliver it back after loaning it for the photoshoot and had to buy it. The design is by the Danish company Monies who specializes in statement jewelry made by natural materials. The cream color suits the taupe colored Tencel 8/2, a new form of viscose, yarn from the American company Valley Yarns and owners of WEBS, one of the largest online stores in the USA. I discovered the tencel yarn at Handweavers Studio in London and love the silky feel as well as its sheen. The jacket is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 2.5 mm/US 1.5 with the yarn held double. The sleeves are knitted in the round, while the body is worked in parts and sewn together at the end. I have revised the pattern and added sizes XS (Alexandria is wearing size S with the long sleeves, which can be adjusted if preferred) and XL, to fit bust from 82 to 114 cm/32.25″ to 45″. The English pattern will be released soon with a detailed schematic on Ravelry. Watch this space.

Oriel Ballerina in Made by Me

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I have made it into the Norwegian magazine Made By Me, and since it is the first time I am contributing, they have presented me as well as my book. I am delighted. The heading is “Hooked on Knitting”, and the introductory paragraph reads: “Linda Marveng learned to knit as a 10-year old, but many years later, via a detour in business management, and a job as Design Consultant for Rowan, she is finally in her right element. Now she has the great recognition as a designer.” They have included the introduction to my book; and referred to my freelance work for MbyM, my blog and my Ravelry group.

The design they chose was the Oriel Ballerina, my wrap over, stunningly modeled on Francesca Golfetto, photographed by Kim Müller. The delicate teal colour filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves the body is knitted in stockinette stitch in the divine Zephyr Lace; a mixture of merino and tussah silk. The divine yarn is available at Handweavers Studio in London or can be replaced by Drops Lace by Garnstudio. See the pattern page on Ravelry for more details. The English pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin in mid-February on Ravelry. I look forward to seeing it knitted in different colors and yarns!

New Design: Oriel Ballerina

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I was instantly drawn to this light turquoise color in the stunning Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, a merino and tussah silk mixture in lace weight, at Handweavers Studio in London, many years ago. The delicate color filled my mind with visions of ballerinas in tulle petticoats. Perfect for a ballerina wrap with oriel lace sleeves, and a garter stitch belt to tie one or two times around your waist. With all the focus on the sleeves, the body is knitted in stockinette stitch, and the belt in garter stitch. The wrap was intended to be part of my book, but it was not finished on time, nor needed to fill the book, so instead it will be my first pattern printed in the Norwegian magazine Made By Me, also published in Swedish, in the next issue out on the 3.rd of February. The first three issues are now available in an English-US version as an app, see MbyM Magazine. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry, after test knitting, set to begin in February. The Oriel Ballerina is knitted flat and seamed, using a 3 mm/US 2.5 knitting needle. I was delighted to model it on a stunning ballerina; Francesca Golfetto from the Norwegian National Ballet and brilliantly captured by photographer by Kim Müller.

Instead of decreasing into the lace pattern on the sleeve cap, I decided to make a pleat at the top, see the detailed photo above. I also wanted to show the beautiful Oriel lace pattern in detail. The front band is a continuation of the garter stitch belt and makes the fabric lie flat. I cannot wait to show you how it looks in the MbyM magazine.

Jacket in Cross by Tone Camilla

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the Jacket in Cross made by Tone Camilla in a thin beautiful red alpaca yarn. She shortened the sleeves and worked fewer rows on the collar than stated in the pattern. I met Tone Camilla last weekend at the Finishing and Fairisle workshop I held in Larvik. As ever it was a thrill to see one of my designs knitted and worn. Thank you Tone Camilla! It is one of my favorites from my knitting book available in Norwegian and Finnish. Below is a photo from the book of the stunning Francesca Golfetto captured by Kim Müller. Missoni’s thin and featherlight garments inspired me to design this jacket that can be tied at the back. I chose a neutral but fashionable color, namely Taupe. The pattern creates an intricate cross effect and look a lot more complicated than it is to knit. The stitch pattern is stretchy and knitted loose to create a sculptural effect. The sleeves are knitted with double yarn in the round, while the body is knitted flat. It is knitted in Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 with 2 strands held together (100% Lyocell, 453 g/1lb cone, 3072 m/3360 yds) and available to order from WEBS in the US; yarn and Handweavers Studio in the UK; handweavers. Tencel is a delight to work with a sheen and touch similar to silk but less slippery. Like a magic trick it only needs a light stretch to create a machine knitted resemblance and an evenness you thought you could only dream of.

Photograph: Kim Müller

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Handweavers Studio