Tag Archives: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk

New Design: Gyro

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I am thrilled to show you the new dress I have designed for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Gyro works equally well as a tunic so we photographed worn both ways. The sample in size Small is beautifully knitted in pieces in Tinde and Sølje pelt wool by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, while I crocheted the seams together and made the I-cord neckband plus the garter stitch sleeveband. Michael took these photos of me wearing Gyro outside our hotel in Barcelona, back in November when I was teaching at Barcelona Knits 2019.

Gyro is an oversized dress with bat sleeves knitted in two yarn thicknesses and colours. The center cable panel crowns the dress and ends in a wide neck with an I-cord bind off. Gyro is an old Norwegian female name, well suited to this dress or tunic made in pieces and sewn or crochet together with a garter stitch sleeve band. The dress is knitted in the divine pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; The thicker Tinde for the cable panel and the thinner Sølje for the side parts.

I have graded it in these sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). Since the bust measurement includes the sleeve part I chose to write in to fit sizes and not write out the ease in cm/inches:  To fit sizes:  UK 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16-18, 20-22)/US 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12-14, 16-18)/EU 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44-46, 48-50).

The gauge is 21 sts and 30 rows in st st with Tinde (COL 1) and 3.5 mm/US 4 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 32 rows in st st with Sølje (COL 2) using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The dress is worked in pieces and seamed. You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer, for instance by shortening (or lengthening) it with one or half a cable pattern repeat 12 cm/4.75″ or 6 cm/2.25″ and work less rows in between the increases.

The English pattern, and also the Norwegian one, will be released after the test knit which begins 17th of February.

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Ravna in Bladet garn 10/2019

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Co-editor of Bladet garn Solveig Jensen Engevold asked me at the Oslo Strikkefestival in September if I wanted to contribute with a design to their last ever issue. How could I refuse, especially since I had said a couple of years back that I would? I had also just spotted several gorgeous hand dyed shades by Værbitt, aka Laila Henriksen, on Sølje, pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. Solveig said yes to this colour, Laila offered to hand dye on sponsored yarn from Hillesvåg for the magazine. So it was my turn to make design something special with the yarn and I thought I could easily do it in time for the deadline by mid-October. Solveig did grant me an extra week and I did make Ravna on time, despite knitting the bottom of the back several times. The brilliant photos are taken by Solveig and the one above fills the first page you see when you open the magazine next to the leader by Solveig and co-editor Unni Cathrine Eiken. It is after all a celebratory issue!

The four year old magazine goes out with a bang and presents seven new designs, as well as a pattern cavalcade; eleven designs printed in previous issues. On the cover is “Øst Genser” by Marte Nilssen knitted in a thicker version of the pelt wool called Blåne from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. I wish to thank the editors for the inspiration and good luck on their future paths!

Ravna is an historic name from northern Norway, her charisma is given to this a-line pullover with a longer flowing shirt tail back. A cable medallion adorns the spine which is crowned by a high garter stitch collar. All the sides are marked by a strong garter stitch edge presence. Ravna is knitted in a divine hand dyed shade from Værbitt called Little Parsley, based on a childrens’ rhyme, on Sølje, pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

I love this cable medallion that I found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I placed one at the center on the front and the back. The sleeves have a rib panel in the center because it shows off the colours in this hand dyed green so well and because the cable was too wide to fit.

My plan was to knit size Small but I calculated wrong and it turned into size Medium with a bust circumference of 98 cm/38.5″. I then decided to grade this pullover all the way from size XS to 5XL for the magazine. The bust circumference goes from 82 cm to 156 cm/32.25 to 61.5″. Ravna is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square after blocking.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The back has one more cable repeat and the center garter stitch band is twice as high as front garter stitch band. The side seam ends in the narrow part of the garter stich band. The collar is worked in the round and ends with an I-cord bind off.

The Norwegian magazine can be ordered directly from Bladet garn’s website in a digital format or in both a digital format and in print. Only a few of their stockists have this issue in stock. You can see all the patterns in the magazine on Ravelry.

Ravna will be available in English as a digital download, in my Ravelry store and on LoveCrafts, after the test knitting, beginning in early January, has been completed by mid-February.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Gillah

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Last out of the designs I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk that we photographed in late May, is the Gillah knitted in the divine Tinde pelt wool yarn in Grey Purple 2111. The gorgeous and talented Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wears size XS/S and has been brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. We have moved to the front of the small gallery building, opposite the Oslofjord Museum, and I wanted to show how this swoncho or pullover looks with and without a belt. Just as for the Epona pullover, the I choose to style the swoncho with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size XS/S with 56 cm/22″ positive ease. The circumference is 144 cm/56.75 and I have graded it into M/L: 152 cm/59.75 plus XL/2XL: 160 cm/63″. Intended ease: + 40-56 cm/15.75-22″. You can adjust the size to fit you by deducting or adding sets of 12 stitches.

Devorgilla’s stunning cable adorns this swoncho with garter stitches on the center sleeve and collar. It is knitted in pieces with vents in each side and shoulder shaping in the gorgeous Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The collar ends in a I-cord bind off to crown the playful center cable. Gillah means joy in Hebrew and it suited this swoncho tribute to Dorota Kowalczyk.

Gillah is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

A yarn kit for the Gillah is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The test knit of the English pattern begins in November and it will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Epona

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Next out of the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk designs series is the Epona pullover, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, captured by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum. The background I wanted turned out to be dark, but the colour match was so good. The pullover is knitted in a divine bottle green shade called green in Sølje Pelsullgarn, all from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The stockinette gauge is 24 stitches and 32 rows using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. I choose to style the pullover with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, see the bottom photo.

Graceful cables run along the center of this pullover with a high rib, creating a narrower waist. A sweater perfect for riding or worn together with a skirt, it is crowned by a high collar with interfacing to make it stand up. Epona is Celtic for the Goddess of horses and knitted in Sølje Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in a deep bottlegreen shade.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/29 to 45″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 90 cm/35.5″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

The pullover is worked in pieces and seamed. The cable pattern continues on the collar which is worked in the round with an interfacing part.

Take a look at this fab photo of Emma Ross wearing the Macha Jacket and Macha Cowl together Kaja wearing the Epona pullover. A yarn kit for the Epona is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in many different colours and will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

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Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt

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The Norwegian knitting book: “Norsk Strikkedesign. Strikk din favoritt“/Norwegian Knit Design. Knit Your Favourite has been released by publisher Cappelen Damm and I have received it! Thank you to editor and participating designer Iselin Hafseld and publishing editor Anne-Berit Tuft! On the cover is model Emma Ross wearing “Jennys genser” designed by Arne & Carlos. The other participating designers are: Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and me. The book will be marketed at the Frankfurt Book Fair beginning tomorrow, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated. The brilliant photographer is none other than Eivind Røhne. Below is the back cover. You can look inside here and see more photos in my blogpost: Book Club Presentation. The book is only available in a printed format in Norwegian and can be ordered directly from the publisher or from online book stores like: Adlibris. Cappelen Damm will organise a book launch in Oslo on Thursday 21. November.

We all have 5 designs each and my ones are all knitted in Tinde pelt wool yarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5 needles with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge. One of my designs, Thia, is made in the hand-dyed colour called “Mikkel Rev”/Michael the fox (based on a children’s rhyme) by Værbitt, Oslo based yarn shop owner Laila Henriksen. Below is model Kaja Kvernbakken wearing Thia in size Medium. All clothes styling as well as make-up and hair styling was done by Line Cartridge Lislerud.

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

Named Cian Pullover after the Irish God who rules over love magic, is this long a-line pullover. Three central Moss cables, framed by double seed stitch, adorn the center of the body which ends in a vent. Cian is crowned with an I-cord decoration around its crew neck. The pullover is knit in pieces in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Cian Cowl crowns the Cian pullover which is named after the Irish God who rules over love magic. The cowl is made up of two moss cables and framed by reverse stockinette stitches.

Cian Beret: A moss cable adorns the brim of this beret to accompany the Cian pullover. Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic. Ribbing holds the pull up, which is knitted in stockinette stitch. Wear the beret tilted to one side of the head.

Damara: Named after the fertility Goddess is this asymmetrical skirt with a seeded rib check pattern, that can also be worn as a poncho. The high waist in ribbing is loose so that the skirt can be worn around your hips or folded down, both with a belt to hold it up. Damara is knitted in pieces with a side seam in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde. The ribbing is worked last so you can easily adjust it to your preference.

I have also been asked a few questions on different topics, so here are the responses to those:

Digital: Cappelen Damm will not offer the book in a digital format, nor as individual pdf’s.

Technical editor: For Cappelen Damm: Kaja Kvernbakken. I have also had my English patterns tech edited by: Barbara Khouri.

Secret Test Knit: I held a secret test knit, by invitation only, with a short deadline late this spring before the book went to print. I will be sharing their lovely results here on my blog.

Rights: The rights revert to us designers on January 1. 2021, and we are then allowed to sell the patterns individually.

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Bergen Strikkefestival 2019

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I was delighted to be invited to hold workshops and a talk at the Bergen Strikkefestival in 2019 at the Norwegian Knitting Industry Museum at Salhus about 20 minutes outside of Bergen by the Salhusfjord. Michael had never been to Bergen, so he wanted to come along. I had already heard about the well organised event and the delicious food on offer before I arrived. That was no exaggeration, by any means. For the first time, I had access to a Backstage Room and used it well, since the knitting cafe was packed most of the time with a high level of buzz in addition to clicking knitting needles. I met a number of knitters I knew during the even and even spotted designers Marianne Skatten & Rasa Ziburkute, aka Galgen Design, on the same plane, flying from Oslo to Bergen.

The festival began on last Friday 27. September with an Opening Party including a concert with Sigrid Moldestad (vocals & fiddle), a talk by Pickles & Dagny about colour choices in their patterns and a knitting quiz. I thoroughly enjoyed the concert which was a perfect ending to the party. Pickles had encouraged knitters to wear their garments knitted from their recent book and it was fun especially to see all these women on the stage in different colours all wearing different versions of the same dress.

The opening party took place in the Spoleloft/Winding Attic, with seating at the front and tables along the sides of all the old machinery. I saw Rasa walk by, so she and Marianne came to join us. We knitted and chatted through the evening. Marianne was wearing my design Yellow Gold Pullover, Rasa her own design Royal Cardi and I was wearing the Damara Skirt as a poncho. Michael took most of these photos, but I am better at photographing the yarn stands as you can see below.

For dinner I had the lasagne on offer and it was delicious as if I was in an Italian restaurant! You could also have Norwegian homemade waffles or a selection of homemade cakes. On the menu for Saturday and Sunday was two different soups: Indian Dal Soup and Beta Soup (a vegetable soup) and freshly made baguettes instead of the Lasagne. I choose the Indian Dal Soup both days, enough said.

My talk on Digital Strikking/Knitting was moved to the same location on the Saturday afternoon since there was a cancelled talk. They had a technician giving me a microphone, but I had Michael to assist on setting up my laptop. I talked about my social media experience, how much the internet has changed knitting with events such Knit-A-longs and Test Knitting on Ravelry, technical videos and Podcasts on YouTube as well as all the useful dictionaries as tips to be found these days. My experience with the different pattern sales platforms and magazine submissions. I was thrilled with the comments afterwards that it had been a revelation packed with useful information and very professional.

The festival volunteers made sure I was driven to and from the festival so I did not have to take the two buses to get there. 9 AM on Saturday, Michael and I was picked up outside our hotel – the festival hotel Augustin close to the harbour. I was quick to spot Julie Dubreux, aka JulieKnitsInParis, at breakfast since her hair is bright blue and introduced myself. We went in the second car, while the third car had to carry one extra suitcase, and were driven to the door. We had a lovely chat on the way there and will meet up again at Barcelona Knits. Below you see us in the Market Hall, Julie is wearing her Tuva’s Arrows and I am wearing my Aife, in case you were wondering.

I had booked the chartered festival ferry going back to Bergen at 6 PM, since it was so tempting to travel on the fjord. It also gave me some time to check out the Market Hall after my talk.

Flettestrikk Masterclass/Cable Knitting Masterclass was my first workshop, held on Saturday morning at the Strikkeloft/Knitting Attic. Again a very atmospheric large room with a view of the fjord. It was nice to meet knitters I have met at other festivals, that I knew as well as new ones. I had an hour in between the workshop and the talk so I had lunch Backstage. The photo above is from Japanske Mønstre/Japanese Patterns workshop I had on Sunday and you see Rasa wearing her Lithuanian Lily Cardigan at the front.

Here is the view from down along the inner wall.

The view towards the fjord from the Backstage room. Bergen is know for all its sideways rain as it is on the west coast of Norway, but we were lucky and sunshine one day and only a few scattered showers the next day.

I had to photograph all the lovely yarns on display at Norne Yarn where I found Julie again. The yarns are dyed by Tuva, who is an indie-dyer based in Oslo, to the left in the photo above.

Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is located quite close to Salhus, at Hjelmås, so they had a stand. I had asked them bring more brochures and they had. I met the “Princess” as she introduced herself as from the Faroe Island there. Above you see her flicking through the latest brochure. She knew my designs and book well, I was happy to hear.

Saturday night, Michael and I had another nice evening with Marianne and Rasa. I had brought my knitting, but I got very little knitting done, as usual! Above is another photo from the Market Hall, of Ystabø Gull, taken late Saturday afternoon when it was possible to walk around in there. I had a wonderful weekend! Thank you to all the knitters, designers and yarn dyers I met! Well done, Bergen Strikkefestival!

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Oslo Design Fair August 2019

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Last Wednesday Michael and I attended the Oslo Design Fair in Lillestrøm. As always it was a great opportunity to meet Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk since they are located in Bergen on the coast and also other designers, as well as yarn companies and agents. Michael and I arrived in time for the press breakfast talk that introduced to the trade fair and its current topic: ”Rethink”. The modules in massive wood by Vardehaugen Arkitekter exhibited will be given a new life after the fair as cottages at Træna and in Sweden. The modules can easily be changed and put together depending on your need. Below you see a photo Michael took of the so-called Tower.

All the talks and most of the interior companies were located in Hall C, while the yarn companies were in Hall B, at the fair. Below you see me talking to MD Øyvind Myhr and Anette Toft at the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk stand. They have made a new catalogue with my latest designs: Epona Pullover, Macha Jacket & Cowl and Gillah Swoncho. I am pleased to tell you that they wanted 4 new designs for the spring and that I have started working on those.

House of Yarn, consists of several separate companies some of them with previous lives but now joined into one: Dale Garn, Du Store Alpakka, Gjestal Garn, Camilla Pihl Strikk, Gullungen Garn, Oransje Skjerf Garn, Rosa Sløyfe Garn, and Linde Garn. The 1980s have come back and I am not too keen on the revival since I lived through it once already. There was no fashion show but House of Yarn did have a video of their fashion show running on their large stand. There were plenty of new yarns to look at and fondle.

I also talked with Thomas Kvist of House of Hobbies. He is the Scandinavian agent for the Italian yarn producer Lana Gatto and for the American Distributor Knitting Fever. Thomas talked me through the new yarns. On his stand was also designer Tove Lindtein who has used a number of the Lana Gatto yarns in her upcoming book that will be launched in November. We had a long talk about making books and knitting workshops.

Michael and I met up with Tove Fevang (centre), Bente Presterud (right), Sidsel Høivik (left) and Gro Sandvik (next to Bente) for lunch. I had not met Gro before but know the other designers from years back. It was a great opportunity for us to meet and update each other.

I must also show you a photo of the marvellous Japanese inspired stand that Kaja Gjedebo Design had set up in Hall B.

Kaja had commissioned fashion drawings to have on the wall of her stand. They were graphic black and white drawings, that lured you into her stand. Her artistic jewellery is so stunning and so beautifully displayed on the fair. I did enjoy hanging out here, I must admit. Late in the afternoon Michael and I headed home. The trade fair was on both Thursday and Friday too but this time the trade fair ended on Friday without any public days.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Damara

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The summer heat has arrived in Ørje, Norway too, but I am still revealing knitwear patterns for the autumn. Damara is the last of my designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design book that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Damara is also knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Burgundy shade by my sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9. Michael took these photographs of me wearing it in early February, just before I delivered the samples to the publisher.

Named after the fertility Goddess is this asymmetrical skirt with a seeded rib check pattern, that can also be worn as a poncho. The high waist in ribbing is loose so that the skirt can be worn around your hips or folded down, both with a belt to hold it up. Damara is knitted in pieces with a side seam in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk Tinde. The ribbing is worked last so you can easily adjust it to your preference.

I am wearing size M/L, but have graded the skirt/poncho in sizes XS/S and XL/2XL too, with a waist (top band width) of 70 (82, 94) cm/27.5 (32.25, 37)”. The rib top band can easily be adjusted according to preference.

The skirt is made in two pieces, top down with shaping for bottom. Just like the other designs for the book, it is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Iselin suggested that we photograph the skirt as a poncho too at the professional photoshoot, so you will have to wait to see how it looks as a poncho. But above you see me wearing the skirt together with the Thia jacket. My test knitters have made some gorgeous outfits that I look forward to showing you after the book has been launched.

For more details, support me on Patreon and get access to this plus 28 other patron only blogposts, including 4 videos and other rewards such a free monthly pattern: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Cian Beret

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Cian Beret is one more of my designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design book that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Cian Beret is also knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Natural Grey shade by my sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9. Michael took these photographs of me wearing it in early February, just before I delivered the samples to the publisher.

The Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. The beret is knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square.

Above you see me wearing Cian Beret, Cian Cowl, Cian Pullover and Thia, all designs made for the book. The cable brim on the beret is worked sideways, so the cast on and bind off are joined together. Then the brim is picked up and worked in the round in rib with increases. The pull is worked in stockinette stitch with decreases to the end. Adjust the width of the brim by removing or adding a cable repeat or rows in ribbing if preferred.

A moss cable adorns the brim of this beret to accompany the Cian pullover. Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic.Ribbing holds the pull up, which is knitted in stockinette stitch. Wear the beret tilted to one side of the head.

The beret comes in one size with a head circumference of 53 cm/20.75″ (fits 55 to 58 cm/21.75 to 22.75″). Next out in this series is the Damara skirt.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Thia

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I am taking part in a Norwegian book, called Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design, together with 5 other designers, all with 5 designs each, that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm (who also published my knitting book in Norwegian and sold it to a Finnish publisher). My former mentor Iselin Hafseld, who is also the editor and a participating designer, asked me at the end of last summer. When we all had agreed, the publisher’s editor Anne-Berit Tuft revealed the other 4 designers taking part: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud and Birger Berge. I was thrilled with the company I am in, and that Iselin would be in charge of the photoshoot. The book was Anne-Berit’s idea and she suggested it should be launched before the Frankfurt Book Fair in October, where Norway is the Guest of Honour this year. We all hope that this will increase the possibility of it being sold by the Cappelen Damm Agency to foreign publishers, hence translated.

Above is the cover, the second version that is, and we are eagerly awaiting the next one. The photographer, you will recognize I belive, is Eivind Røhne. Below is my Thia jacket knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk but hand dyed in Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox (a child’s rhyme) shade in red/orange/pink by Laila Henriksen of Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo.

All my designs are made in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool since Cappelen Damm preferred Norwegian yarn or at least yarns that are easily available in Norway. I also wanted to take advantage of the offer I had received several months back from yarn dyer and shop owner Laila Henriksen, who runs Værbitt/Weather bitten in Oslo. She hand dyes on Tinde and I had already fallen in love with her Mikkel Rev/Michael the Fox. Laila was delighted to take part in this project and dyed Mikkel Rev for a cardigan for me, especially. I just had to knit this one myself, while I asked my fantastic sample knitters: Grete Jenssen – aka ma9 on Ravelry – a turbo knitter and Kristin Nygård – aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry to make the remaining 4 projects: a pullover, cowl and beret with the same cable and a skirt. All are knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge per 10 cm/4″ square.

My initial idea was to make an outfit, including a beret and a skirt. I asked Laila for colour suggestion to go with her Mikkel Rev, she suggested Burgundy and Natural grey. I agreed and thought Burgundy looked best with it, so I decided to use it for the skirt, while the pullover and accessories are all made in Natural grey. As I did the finishing of the garments, I was no longer convinced they all fitted together, hence I suggested to Iselin to photograph the skirt and cardigan together.

Thia is a sweet fitted cardigan with a small extra rib above the waist, cables adorning the center framed by double seed stitch. The lower part is all in stockinette stitch to allow the beautiful hand-dyed Mikkel Rev on Tinde pelt wool by Værbitt shine with its colours and depth. Thia ends in a large collar that can be folded down.

Cappelen Damm wanted all the garments for women in size medium, so above you see me wearing Thia with more ease than intended. The pattern is graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference (without front bands 2 cm/0.75″) from 84 to 126 cm/33 to 51.5″.

I invited a small number of my test knitters with sponsored yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to check all my 5 book patterns early this spring and I look forward to showing you their wonderful results! But first I will show you the Cian Pullover, Cian Cowl & Cian Beret and Damara Skirt.

If you support me on Patreon, you can read on and see more photos of this. Take a look here: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng

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