Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Andor

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The last of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk yarn kit designs is also the most popular, the poncho Andor. As always I enjoyed seeing it worn by Alexandria Eissinger, she made it look more stylish than I ever can. With hair and make by Jens J. Wiker and statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design as well as boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, Alexandria was brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the Oslo Fjord. Wearing long gloves, boots, scarf and a woolen poncho in a sweltering heat reaching above 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit, she looked so cool while the rest of us were suffering in thin summer clothing. Andor is the favorite project of both Alexandria and my husband, of those photographed in June. The poncho knitted in Hifa Norsk Pelsull soon to be renamed Hifa Tinde, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and 4 mm/US 6 for the turtle neck. The yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair tomorrow.

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.

Instead of wearing long gloves you could easily knit a pair of long wrist warmers in for example a rib. The poncho comes in one size with a bust measurement of 212 cm/83.5″, and a length of 72 cm/28.25″. You can easily change the size by removing or adding stitches to the center and or next to the shoulder part, or merely by changing the needle size.

The yarn kits will be available in selected yarn stores and online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk after the launch at Oslo Design Fair. You will find the kits on this page after their launch: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. Unfortunately I will not be at the launch at Oslo Design Fair but I am at Strik Bornholm and looking forward to traveling back to the sunshine island of Bornholm. I hope to see some of you there.

New Design: Idunn

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I included a sweater in my design submission to Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk for their yarn kits. A pullover not unlike Cable Round Sweater and Mistale with ribbing in the sides making it appear shaped but this time with a Henley neck. It might sounds familiar since it is because I was inspired by the neck modification Sabine Brenner made to her Mistale. I adored this cable the first time I saw it and moved the cable crossing row until I was totally smitten with it. The pelt yarn; Norsk Pelsull, soon to be renamed to Tinde, was chosen for this pullover while a jacket was made in the new finer pelt yarn Sølje with the exact same cables. Again, I was fortunate that skilled turbo-knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry could help me out and knit the sample. It took her 9 days, for your information. All four designs will be launched as yarn kits at Oslo Design Fair at the beginning of September.

Here is my introduction to Idunn: 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, Norsk Pelsull from Hifa.

The pullover is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows/rounds measures 10 cm/4″ square. It will be available in sizes XS to 2 XL with a bust circumference of 88 to 129 cm/34.75 to 50.75″. Above you see me wearing size S. The sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The color is petrol and it is so vivid, hence well suited to be photographed at Ormøya by the fjord. I loved seeing it on my model Alexandria since she made it come alive for me. You wait and see.

New Design: Andor

Posted on June 18, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to announce that I have made 4 designs for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk which will be launched at Oslo Design Fair in the beginning of September. Then, you will find them on this webpage: Hillesvåg Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. I suggested a trendy oversized poncho, an a-line long jacket, a straight sweater and a sideways jacket with a waterfall front. First out is the poncho, Andor beautifully knitted by Airin Hansen, in Hifa Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt yarn with a mohair feel, 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 g skein) using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle (and 4 mm/US 6 for collar). I was delighted that Airin, aka Teodor on Ravelry, could help me knit the sample as I was knitting two other samples at the time. Natural grey (undyed hence natural and what I would describe as light grey) or beige was my choice and Hillesvåg opted for beige.

The poncho is knitted in two parts, back and forth. The large collar is picked up and knitted at the end, just as the sidebands. The shoulder is shaped with short-rows and then joined using a 3-needle bind-off. Each sideband has two buttonholes. The photos above are taken by my husband in the bright sunlight and as you can see we had the sun in the wrong direction in the top two photos. The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kit while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release. I loved seeing it on my model Alexandria Eissinger and I can reveal that it was her favorite of all the 11 garments we photographed at Villa Malla.

Mistale Pattern Released

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I have released the English pattern to Mistale, after a successful test knit in my Ravelry group. You can see a selection of them on the Mistale pattern page, and there are more to come. The Norwegian pattern was first printed in the special magazine Familien Strikk last August. The set was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne on model Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction to the pattern, which is on introductory offer until 2nd. February 2016 12 AM GMT. Here is my introduction to the pattern: The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Sizes Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Cowl: One size

Finished measurements Bust: 89 (94.5, 101, 106.5, 118, 129.5) cm/ 35 (37, 39.75, 42, 46, 51)” Length: 55 (56, 57, 58.5, 59, 60.5) cm/21.75 (22, 22.5, 23, 23.25, 23.75)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)” Cowl: Circumference 34 cm/13.5″, length 124 cm/48.75″

Yarn Hifa, Pelsullgarn (100% Norwegian pelt yarn wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in 1107 Lime.

Sweater: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5) skeins; 884 (988, 1092, 1196, 1404, 1616) m/967 (1080, 1194, 1308, 1535, 1767) yds.

Cowl: 2.5 skeins: 572 m/626 yds. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds) http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds) http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29 Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 (80 cm/32″) circular needle for sweater body. 3.5 mm/US 4 (40 cm/16″) circular needle for neck band and cowl. 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeve or circular needle for magic loop. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Cable needle, 11 stitch markers (2 for side, 9 for pattern) and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in rib measures 10 cm/4″ square. 1 Cable measures 5.5 cm/2.25″ across. 3 Cables with 3 sts rev st st on each side measure 17 cm/6.75″ across.

Notes: The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. There is more ease in the body and less in the sleeves compared to the Cable Round Sweater.

Familien Photoshoot: Talila

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Talila was also photographed at the end of May, worn by the gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with beautiful hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and stunning Carmen boots by Monica Stålvang, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The pattern is recently published in the new digital magazine called På Pinnen/On the Needles for members of Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association, and will be released shortly in English on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to Talila: Just as the morning dew, they are named after, these cables move from one end to another across wrist warmers and all over a divine large cowl, with a matching clutch. The warm accessories are knitted in the beautiful Norwegian pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa to make the cables soft and the background texture pulsating. The set is knitted in the round but can easily be adjusted by adding a pattern repeat or stitches in garter stitch. The clutch is reinforced and has magnetic bag closures.

The set is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5, and comes in one size. The cowl and the wrist warmers can easily be adjusted in size. I began knitting a swatch in the round in this lovely burgundy yarn and discovered I might as well make it straight into a wrist warmer. Hence I did make a second before I asked Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry to assist me and knit the cowl. It was Grete’s marvelous idea to also make a clutch to go with the set and used a firm placemat, cut to size, to reinforce it. I did not need a lot of convincing, and loved the finished set! The yarn is generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The cowl is knitted sideways, in the round as the wrist warmers, both with centering stitches making a ladder to frame the pattern. Adjust the width by adding pattern repeats of 10 sts or an equal number of garter sts in each end of the round. The clutch is knitted in 2 parts; a main part knitted in the round in pattern and st st for lining and divider. Reinforce it with e.g. a firm place mat which is put inside the main part. The divider is folded and attached in the sides, the bottom and then a pocket is made by sewing seams on the inside. See the detailed photos below.

Dorthe is wearing the amazing Karakoram large earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver, which fitted so well to the geometry in the stitch pattern as well as the melange yarn.

The Norwegian pattern will also become available on Ravelry when the rights revert to me in 6 months time. But in the meantime the board of the Norsk Strikkeforening will also discuss to make the digital magazine available for non-members and I will keep you posted.

Saga Pattern Released

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Linda Marveng

My Saga pattern in English has been out for awhile but I have not had time to announce it. After a successful test knit with many gorgeous versions of it, I released the pattern in the middle of August. Saga was designed for my Nordic Vintage series intended for Made by Me now; Familien Trend, and brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger/Pholk is wearing Saga over a stunning faux leather dress by Judith Bech and beautiful shoes by Monica Stålvang. Alexandria’s hair & make up was by Sissel Fylling. Here is the introduction to Saga: Inspired by the ancient sagas, I have designed a warm jacket with cross chain link cables that prepares you for the battle of the winter or for a cold Northern summer day. The jacket is straight and closed with three large bespoke buttons at the top, with cross chain link cables continuing across the saddle shoulders. The standing collar is a cable knitted separately and attached at the end. I knitted a second loose collar you can use as a belt if you prefer. The vivid melange color and lovely texture is created by holding Rowan Lima and Hifa Norsk Pelsull together.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Belt/Extra Collar: one size

Finished Measurements: Bust: 86 (92, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm excl collar/33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22.5, 22.75, 23.25)” Sleevelength: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)” Belt/Extra Collar width: 75 cm/29.5″, height: 13 cm/5″

Yarns: Hifa, Norsk Pelsull (100% pelt yarn, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in shade Jeansblue 1117: 4.5 (5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5) skeins; 1092 (1196, 1300, 1404, 1560, 1716) m/1194 (1308, 1422, 1535, 1706, 1877) yds. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull. Rowan Yarns, Lima (8% merino, 84% baby alpaca, 8% nylon, 50 g, 110 m/120 yds). Sample is knitted in shade Amazon 879: 10 (11, 12, 13, 15 ,16) skeins; 1092 (1196, 1300, 1404, 1560, 1716) m/1194 (1308, 1422, 1535, 1706, 1877) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/lima. Belt/Extra Collar: Hifa, Norsk Pelsull: 1 skein; 156 m/170 yds. Rowan Yarns, Lima: 2 skeins; 156 m/170 yds. Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

Alternative Yarn for Norsk Pelsull: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g,133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light Or another DK/8 ply yarn to be held together with Rowan Lima. Or another Bulky/12 ply yarn held singularly.

Needles: 5.5 mm/US 9 circular needles (80 cm/32″ and 120 cm/48″ for collar). 5.5 mm/US 9 DPNs. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 2 Cable needles, 8 stitch markers, 5 stitch holders, 3 medium sized snap fastners for Belt/Extra Collar if preferred and yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 sts and 22 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 14 sts and 22 rows in Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. Cable across 12 sts measures 5 cm/2″.

Notes: The body of the jacket is knitted flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round with increases in st st. Each cable has been gathered to keep its texture to the end. The Belt/Extra Collar is made in one size but can easily be adjusted to required length and with added snap fastners if desired.

Familien Photoshoot: Mistale

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Anne Dorthe/Team Models looked absolutely stunning in my OXO cabled sweater; Mistale, with hair & make up by talented Sissel Fylling, Benedetta boots by Monica Stålvang and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. It was former editor of Made by Me, Mary-Ann Astrup’s idea to use the stone clad columns as a backdrop for a series of photographs. The location worked astonishingly well! Mistale – both the sweater and the cowl – is knitted in Hifa Norsk Pelsull in a gorgeous vivid lime green color using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk out on Monday 24th August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my group on Ravelry before its release.

The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. You can wear it hanging loose as in the top photo or twice around the neck, showing off the rib on the backside of it. The earrings with the matching geometric shape are the statement Karakoram and the ring is called Hekla both in oxidized silver designed by Kaja Gjedebo.

Mistale is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 89 to 129.5 cm/35 to 51″. Its predecessor Cable Round Sweater has less positive ease on the body and more on the sleeves, Mistale has been improved thanks to the response from my test knitters. I have scheduled all the autumn and winter test knits in my Ravelry group, so come on over and join us. The yarn has been kindly sponsored by Hifa.

Cable Round Sweater Pattern Released

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to announce that I have released the Cable Round Sweater pattern in English, after the test knit in my group on Ravelry. Stunning model Pia Cecilie/Team Models with hair & make-up by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, vintage clothes styled by Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik of Makeløs/Remarkable, ankle boots by Monica Stålvang and cufflinks by Siri Berrefjord, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The Norwegian pattern was first published in the Jugend Love series in Made by Me in the autumn of 2014. Here is my introduction to the pattern: The light denim blue colour in the stunning pelt yarn from Hifa, captivated me. I chose a round cable with a band on. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater became figure hugging and a perfect accompany to your favourite jeans or trouser. It ends with a square narrow neckband so that you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Sizes: Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Cowl: One size

Finished measurements: Bust: 86 (92, 98, 104, 116, 128) cm/ 33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41, 45.75, 50.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22.5, 22.75, 23.25)” Sleeve length: 46 (46, 47, 48, 49, 50) cm/18 (18, 18.5, 19, 19.25, 19.75)” Cowl: Circumference 34 cm/13.5″, length 124 cm/48.75″

Yarn: Hifa, Pelsullgarn in sh 1113 Light Denim Blue (100% Norwegian pelt yarn wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull Sweater: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5) skeins; 884 (988, 1092, 1196, 1404, 1616) m/967 (1080, 1194, 1308, 1535, 1767) yds. Cowl: 2.5 skeins: 637 m/697 yds

Notions: Cable needle, 11 stitch markers (2 for side, 9 for pattern) and yarn needle.

Cable On Scarf Pattern Released

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The Cable On Scarf, first published in Norwegian in Familien 2/2015, is now available in English in my Ravelry Store. It was the first in my series of reversible scarves that look equally good as a loose collar and the later designs have their own collars added onto the scarf. Here is my introductions to it: The cable on scarf is reversible, made in rib instead of the usual stocking stitch, framed by double seed stitch on every edge. Distinctive Stag Horn cables give the generous scarf texture and depth. Why not use it as a decorative warm collar pinned together by a shawl pin. The sample is knitted in a natural grey shade of the beautiful Norwegian Pelt Yarn/Norsk Pelsull by Hifa.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements: Length: 153 cm/60.25″ Width: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Hifa, Norsk Pelsullgarn (100% Norwegian Pelt wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in Natural Grey 1115: 3 skeins; 702 m. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle 60 cm/24″.

Notions: Cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows in Double seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. Adjust needle to match gauge.

Familien Photoshoot: Saga Jacket

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you how gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk looked in my design Saga, a result of my obsession with cross chain link cables with beautiful bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord, hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, the stunning faux suede dress is by Judith Bech, the magnificent shoes are by Monica Stålvang, all captured brilliantly by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad last October. The Norwegian pattern was part of my Nordic Vintage series printed in Familien Trend in February.

This is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by the ancient sagas, I have designed a warm jacket with cross chain link cables that prepares you for the battle of the winter or for a cold Northern summer day. The jacket is straight and closed with three large bespoke buttons at the top, with cross chain link cables continuing across the saddle shoulders. The standing collar is a cable knitted separately and attached at the end. I knitted a second loose collar you can use as a belt if you prefer. The vivid melange color and lovely texture is created by holding Rowan Lima and Hifa Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool together.

The body of the jacket is knitted flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round with increases in st st. Each cable has been gathered to keep its texture to the end. The Belt/Extra Collar is made in one size but can easily be adjusted to required length and with added snap fastners if desired. I had intended it as a belt but soon discovered I preferred wearing it as an extra collar instead.

The cables are in three parts and hence requires 2 cable needles, while they are highly addictive they do require a bit of practice before they become easy to make. I love how they pop in this yarn mixture of Rowan Lima and Hifa Norsk Pelsull worked on a tight gauge using 5.5 mm/US 9 the recommended needle size for Lima on its own.

This last photo is one that is not part of the Familien Trend magazine but another one I requested from Eivind. It illustrates the vivid blue color of the combined yarns, as well as showing of the saddle shoulder in all its textured glory. The English pattern will be released after the test knit, which is the next one to start in my Ravelry group. I am so delighted that I have a list of testers who have expressed their interest in taking part.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Hifa Norsk Pelsull