Eira Pattern Released

It is awhile ago since I released Eira in English on Ravelry, but I have not yet announced it here until now. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, brilliantly styled by Sissel Fylling, is wearing a beautiful linen silver printed dress by Judith Bech and perfect flats called Elisabetta black by Monica Stålvang, all magically captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The Norwegian pattern was published in the Nordic Vintage series in the new magazine Familien Trend which briefly took over after Made by Me, at the end of February.

Eira COVEREIRA

A sporty looking cowl with a matching belt knitted in a reverisble rice pattern closed with snap fasteners was the idea for Eira; A Norse name meaning merciful. A thin drapey mercerized cotton called Hifa, Perle, held doubled, seemed ideal for these accessories.

Size: One size

Finished measurements: Cowl: Height: 20 cm/7.75″                                                   Length: 120 cm/47.25″                                                                                                                     Belt: Height: 10 cm/4″                                                                                                               Length: 72 cm/28.25″

Yarn: Hifa, Perle 12/6 (100% mercerized cotton, 200 g cone, 670 m/733 yds). Sample is knitted in Grey 18370.                                                                                                                  Cowl: 1 cone; 555 m/607 yds                                                                                                      Belt: 1 cone; 270 m/295 yds                                      http://www.ull.no/garn/bomullsgarn/perle-merc-bomull-12-6                                         Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Alternative yarn: Patons, 100% Cotton 4 ply (100% cotton, 100 g, 330 m/361 yds) http://www.makeitcoats.com/en-gb/explore/knitting/patons/100-percent-cotton-4-ply Mondial, Cotton Soft Speciale Baby (100% cotton, 50 g, 180 m/197 yds) http://www.lanemondial.it/home/sv/?option=com_content&view=article&id=1870:cotton-soft&catid=280&Itemid=403&lang=sv                                                                                   Elann, Lustrado (100% cotton, 50 gm, 169 m/185 yds)                                                               Or another fingering/4 ply yarn to be held double throughout.                                                   Or another DK/8 ply yarn held single.

Notions: Waste yarn, 3 snap fastners for belt (1.5 mm/0.059″) and yarn needle.

Needles: 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (80 cm/32″). Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Gauge: 21 sts and 26 rows in st st using yarn held double measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in Rice Pattern using yarn held double measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: Both Cowl and Belt are knitted flat. The Cowl is cast on with a provisional cast-on using waste yarn which is removed at the end so that it can be grafted or bound off with 3 needles to join into a loop. The Belt only comes in one size but can easily be adjusted to your preferred waist length by adding or removing pattern repeats. It is closed with snap fasteners and has a folded hem.

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New Design: Eira

20141023 MbM LM 0142A sporty looking cowl with a matching belt knitted in a reverisble rice pattern closed with snap fasteners was the idea for Eira; A Norse name meaning merciful. A thin drapey mercerized cotton called Hifa, Perle held doubled, seemed ideal for these accessories. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, brilliantly styled by Sissel Fylling, is wearing a beautiful linen silver printed dress by Judith Bech and perfect flats called Elisabetta black by Monica Stålvang, all magically captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the Nordic Vintage series in the new magazine Familien Trend which takes over after Made by Me, out on the 23. February.

20141023 MbM LM 0115The Eira sample was knitted by my neighbor Karin Placht during her summer holiday to my utter satisfaction. I was so delighted to have help knitting the smaller pieces for this Nordic Vintage series so that I could concentrate on the larger projects. Perle from Hifa gives a very crisp stitch definition even more highlighted when the yarn is held double using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The cowl, or loop if you prefer, can be worn draped over the shoulders as above, twice around the neck as below or hanging loose at the front.

20141023 MbM LM 0186Both Cowl and Belt are knitted flat. The Cowl is cast on with a provisional cast-on using waste yarn which is removed at the end so that it can be grafted or bound off with 3 needles to join into a loop. The Belt only comes in one size but can easily be adjusted to your preferred waist length by adding or removing pattern repeats. It is closed with snap fasteners and has a folded hem. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry shortly after Familien Trend is published.

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Newly Released Norwegian Patterns

Nora Genser COVERI have just released 4 of my patterns in Norwegian: Nora Sweater/Nora Genser, Tyrol Jacket/Tyrol Jakke, Regal Purple Jacket/Kongelig Lilla Jakke and Lace Ridge Top/Hullkant Topp on Ravelry and on Loveknitting (shortly). All were first published in Norwegian in Familien Håndarbeid, a special edition in March 2014. Beautifully modeled on dancer Francesca Golfetto and brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The patterns have been tech edited and test knitted prior to their release on Ravelry, and they all include detailed schematics, video links and charts. The Nora Sweater, available in sizes S to XL, is knitted in BC Garn, Semilla Fino an ecological 4-ply/fingering yarn using 3 mm/US 2.5, can be knitted with puffed sleeves or with set-in sleeves. It is knitted in the round to the armhole, then flat to the end.

A mélange taupe in a delicate fingering weight yarn was chosen for this slightly fitted stylish cable sweater with a shawl collar. I chose a Missoni shaped puffed sleeve for a modern twist but you can chose a set in sleeve option if you prefer. A voluptuous small cable encased by side cables, reverse stocking stitch and double seed stitch was the beginning of this design.

Tyrol Jakke COVERThe Tyrol Jacket, available in sizes S to XXL, is knitted flat in two different dyelots of the stunning hand dyed Tosh DK – a pure merino – using a 4 mm/US 6 needles: Inspired by the mélange soft pink color – not unlike the evening sky – and adorable Tyrol cables with their flower-bud shapes, I have designed an elegantly fitted jacket with a V-neck. The saddle sleeves allow the cables to flow all along the shoulder. A loose scarf with cables sewn into a tube works as a second shawl collar and adds textured volume.

Kongelig Lilla Jakke COVERThe Regal Purple Jacket, available in sizes S to 3XL, is knitted flat in the lovely Hifa Perle using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needles: This vibrant rich purple is regal to me. I choose a lace pattern called Flower Wave, which is half lace and half garter stitch, hence easy to memorize. The Regal Purple Jacket has an A-line shape with added garter stitches in the side for decreasing, short sleeves and a V-neck with a garter stitch then stocking stitch band. It is knitted flat, in a divine 4 ply/fingering cotton called Perle from Hifa, and then sewn together to give stability to the garment. Optional 3/4 length or long sleeves patterns are included in addition to a stripy stocking stitch cowl, knitted in the round and grafted together, to accentuate the lace pattern.

Hullkant Topp COVERThe Lace Ridge Top, available in sizes S to XXL, is knitted in the same Hifa Perle held double using a 4 mm/US 6: A casual, stretchy long sleeveless top in an open lace ridge pattern, with a boat neck and a high twisted rib over the hips. The top is easy to knit in the round. It is worked in a divine mercerized cotton from Hifa, called Perle which is held double to emphasize the structure of the lace pattern. The cable cowl accentuates the design and gives the top a more dressy look.

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Lace Ridge Top Pattern Released

Lace Ridge COVERMy next pattern released in English after a completed test knit in my Ravelry group is the Lace Ridge Top pattern which includes the cable cowl. The Norwegian pattern was published in the separate issue Familiens Håndarbeid in March. I made sure it was part of my photoshoot last autumn. Brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller, worn by the stunning looking dancer Francesca Golfetto. Here is the link to the pattern in my Ravelry store: Lace Ridge Top; A casual, stretchy long sleeveless top in an open lace ridge pattern, with a boat neck and a high twisted rib over the hips. The top is easy to knit in the round. It is worked in a divine mercerized cotton from Hifa, called Perle/Pearl which is held double to emphasize the structure of the lace pattern. The cable cowl accentuates the design and gives the top a more dressy look.

Sizes:                                                                                                                                              Top: S (M, L, XL, XXL)                                                                                                                 Cowl: One Size

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                        Bust: 110 (117, 123, 129, 134) cm/43.25 (46, 48.5, 50.75, 52.75)”                                                  Hip: 81 (86, 91, 95, 100) cm/32 (33.75, 35.75, 37.5, 39.25)” with 5 cm/2″ additional ease.    Length: 80 (80, 82, 82, 84) cm/31.5 (31.5, 32.25, 32.25, 33)”                                              Cowl: Circumference: 30 cm/11.75″ length: 116 cm/45.5″

Yarn: Hifa, Perle in heather sh 18306 (100% Egyptian mercerized cotton, 670 m/732yds, 200 g cone), see ull.no.                                                                                                                     Top: 2 (3, 4, 4, 5) cones: 1308 (1911, 2246, 2581, 2916) m/1430 (2090, 2456, 2822, 3189) yds.                                                                                                                                                   Cowl: 2 cones: 1280 m/1400 yds

Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternative: Anzula, Squishy (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon, 352 m/385 yds, 115 g), see anzula.com. Or another fingering/4 ply yarn to be held double throughout. Or another DK/8 ply yarn held single.

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for top. 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for cowl. Adjust needle to match gauge.

Notions: 4 stitch markers, cable needle for cowl and yarn needle.

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows in Lace Ridge Pattern using 4 mm/US 6 needles and double yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square. 17 sts and 29 rnds in Twisted Rib using 4 mm/US 6 needles and double yarn measures 10cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body is knitted in the round up to the armholes and then flat to shoulders holding yarn doubled. The Lace Ridge Pattern creates a ladder at the join. There is no neckband nor armholebands. The rib will expand with wear if knitted in cotton, so do not choose a larger size based on your hip measurement. You might want to consider inserting an elastic, or knitting with a thin elastic to make the rib stay where you place it. The cowl has a temporary cast on so that the ends can be easily be grafted together. The cable on the cowl is very wide so working it without a cable needle is not recommended.

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Ravelry Group Anniversary Draw

DSCN1380My Ravelry group is 1 year already! I feared that only a few with join, but were utterly wrong; there are now 660 members, and I am so pleased to have attracted so many knitters! It has been a 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 draws just to mention a few of the topics in this lovely group. I am delighted to have met new knitters. So it is time to celebrate that one year has passed. How can I best do this? By organizing a draw in my group with exciting prizes like yarn kits, a copy of my printed book with additional English patterns sent by e-mail, and free pdf patterns from my Ravelry store. All you have to do is join my group if you have not already done so, and answer my question (dead easy: what is your favorite knitting magazine?) in my Ravelry group. I will use Random org to pick winners based on the number matching the response/posting on Saturday 7th. June. Here is a list of the prizes, and a good reason to join, see ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng, in my opinion:

  1. Regal Purple Jacket COVERHifa Perle 4-ply/fingering (100% mercerized cotton, 200 g, 335m/366 yds) 5 cones in a color of your choice –  62 stunning shades to choose from, see ull together with the pdf pattern of my Regal Purple Jacket in English. The yarn has been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
  2. Arcade Vest COVERHifa Pelsull DK  (100% pelt wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds) 8 skeins in a color of your choice – 20 beautiful shades to choose from, see ull – together with the pdf pattern of my Arcade Vest in English. The yarn has been generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.
  3. Japanese Lace COVERThomas Kvist, Amoretto 5-ply/DK (45% alpaca, 50% cotton, 5% polyamide, 100 g, 250 m/273 yds), now unfortunately discontinued, 9 skeins in soft pink 3161 from my stash together with the pdf pattern of my Japanese Lace Jacket in English.DSCN1721
  4. A copy of my printed book in Norwegian with English patterns sent by e-mail.
  5. A pdf pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store, see ravelry.com/stores/linda-marveng.
  6. A pdf pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store.
  7. A pdf pattern of your choice from my Ravelry Store
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Knitting Design Workshop in Larvik

DSCN1680Last weekend I held my new Knitting Design Workshop in Larvik, and I stayed – as always – with my friend & Ravelry Group moderator Nina Hove Myhre who together with Inger Kamfjord Andersen came wearing my design; Regal Purple Jacket (read: in uniform). How thrilled was I? You can only guess! Nina made hers in her own dyed wool Vandre, see FiberAndArt, while Inger made hers in the original Hifa Perle, for more details see Ravelry. The workshop was organized by Larvik Husflidslag, and held at their marvelous premises – filled with looms, sewing machines and dressmaker mannequins – next to the museum. As if that in itself was not enough, Nina had baked buns that very morning in their kitchen so that the smell welcomed us and they were absolutely delicious!

007 copyMy plan was to go through the design process from beginning to finish, and follow one of my designs on its journey to completion; Tyrol Jacket was my choice since I have its initial  submission proposal with a sketch and preliminary schematic. Instead of making tasks for each knitter to do, after I had covered a section of theory,  I opted for them to bring a swatch in a pattern and yarn of their choice, then for them to make a project page where they would add their ideas as well as numbers as soon as they started to calculate with their gauge according to their measurements and chosen ease. I was amazed at the complexity of the swatches several of the knitters brought with them and recognized their Japanese influence, see below. All I had to do was make suggestions for edges and assist on calculations, especially the sleeve top one for a set in sleeve.

002Totally essential for the workshop, in my opinion, were stitch manuals, my design bible by Shirley Paden, my own swatches and designs, as well as favorite shade cards I use for inspiration and yarn selections. I also had to bring copies of my book, obviously. Just in case some of the participants had not seen it.

009On Sunday Nina had changed into another uniform, this time the Arcade Vest knitted in the original yarn; Norsk Pelsullgarn by Hifa in Grey Violett, see Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien in issue no 3 earlier this year, while the English pattern will be released shortly. I am delighted to say that Nina took part also in this test knit. Here is the pattern page on Ravelry. You can also read, with Google Translate, if you do not read Norwegian, Nina’s blogpost here: Fiber And Art.

DSCN1686My next Knitting Design Workshop is scheduled in Oslo organized by Østre Aker Husflidslag at the end of October but more workshops will follow. This weekend I am holding Japanese Patterns in Oslo organized by Vestre Aker Husflidslag, and I am working on my workshop paper. Next on my agenda is calculating my own new designs…

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Familien Håndarbeid

Familien HåndarbeidI am delighted to have four of my latest patterns published in the Norwegian special issue magazine called Håndarbeid/Handicraft by Familien/The Family. I designed two of them last summer; Regal Purple Jacket and Lace Ridge Top both with a cowl to complement the design, both knitted in the beautiful Perle/Pearl mercerized cotton yarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, see ull.no. The Tyrol Jacket, here on the cover, was initially sent as design submission to Twist Collective but only made it as far as their short list, while the Nora Sweater was hibernating until last autumn’s photo shoot, and I was not certain whether they would be accepted by Familien. I believe Kim Müller’s brilliant photos of the stunning dancer Francesca Golfetto modeling the garments made the offer hard to resist, and I was thrilled when the editor wanted to use the photos of all four designs in a separate issue. Two of the designs; Regal Purple Jacket and Tyrol Jacket are available in English to download. The remaining two will be available after test knitting in my Ravelry group, do join if you would like to.

_DSC1390The heading “Flott med fletter” translates to “Gorgeous with Cables”. The Madeline Tosh dk yarn,  the Tyrol Jacket is knitted in, is not easily available in Norway but can be ordered online or replaced by e.g Sandnes Garn, Merinoull or Garnstudio Drops Merino Extra Fine. The BC Garn Semilla Fino 4 ply/fingering yarn the Nora Sweater is knitted in, can be replaced by Rauma, Røros Lamullgarn.

_DSC1393

One of my favorite summer yarns is the mercerized 4-ply/fingering cotton Perle/Pearl from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, which comes in 62 gorgeous colors on 200 g cones, see ull.no. I used it in Mørk fiolett/Dark violet in the Regal Purple Jacket and Røsslyng/Heather held double in the Lace Ridge Top. As a matter of fact I would like to knit the cable cowl in a large selection of marvelous colors for the summer!

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Photo Shoot Pics – Part Three: Regal Purple Jacket

Francesca, Marveng PucketTest knitting of the English pattern of Regal Purple Jacket & Cowl is nearly complete, and I will release the pattern on Ravelry at the end of the month. But first I would like to show you the stunning photos Kim Müller took of the amazing dancer Francesca Golfetto during our photo shoot in September. You have already seen it the setting with Kim, Francesca and my husband in action at Aker Brygge/Wharf in Oslo. Above is the jacket showing the v-neck shaping, garter stitch and rolling stocking stitch neckband, and the short sleeves. It is knitted in the beautiful mercerized 4-ply/fingering cotton yarn called Perle/Pearl from Hifa, see ull, using 3mm/US 2.5, and will be published in Norwegian by Familien in their separate magazine Vårens Strikkebok/Spring Knitting book with Kim’s photos together with 3 other of my designs; Tyrol JacketNora Sweater and Lace Ridge Top. I am very pleased with this, as you can imagine!

Francesca, Marveng Pucket

Here is the long cowl, knitted in the round in stocking stitch with reverse stocking stitch stripes, where I turned instead of purling several rows at a time and to hide the hole where I turned I made a yarn over which I decreased with the last stitch on the round. The cowl is plain to emphasize the lace pattern on the jacket itself and fits two times around if you want it closer around your neck, see below. As for the lace pattern it does look more complicated than it is, since half the pattern repeat is garter stitch and half of the lace rows are repeated twice within the pattern repeat. I have chosen to end the lace pattern where the shaping begins on around the armholes, neck and on the sleeve cap since I find it hard to keep the stitch count in lace otherwise. But you are very welcome to adjust the pattern to your own preference. The English pattern comes with instructions with optional 3/4 and long sleeves while the Norwegian one in Strikkeboka only has the short sleeves since they are the only ones photographed. And it will not be long until you can see the test knitted versions linked to the pattern on Ravelry, but in the mean time I hope you are enjoying this før-jul/pre-Christmas time!

Francesca, Marveng Pucket

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New design: Lace Ridge Top & Cowl

I have finished my summer top, far behind my own deadline as usual. A casual, stretchy long sleeveless top in an open lace ridge pattern, with a boat neck and a high twisted rib to be worn on your hips. The top is easy to knit in the round and worked in a divine mercerized cotton from Hifa, called Perle/Pearl, see ull, which is held double to emphasize the structure of the lace pattern. The cable cowl, also worked in the round, accentuates the design and gives the top a more dressed look. The pattern will be published in Norwegian in the magazine Familien, next summer while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry.

Both the top and the cowl is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 needles. The lace pattern is only a 2 row pattern repeat and quick to knit. If you recognize the cable from another of my designs, you are right. Some stitch patterns stick and I feel as if I have not finished using it yet.  This cable I loved even after using it on the Patent Poncho, see professionally-photographed-patent-poncho. There is no neckband nor armhole bands, and the only shaping is after the twisted rib. The only sewing is the grafting of the ends on the cowl together. I also like to wear the cowl twice around my neck. Professional photos will follow.

Here is my first post on the project and a photo of the swatch: heather-lace-ridge.

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