Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Elfa

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to present the magnificent professional photos of the third design for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. 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. Gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger – with hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes – shows it off so elegantly at the upper terrace of Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. It was a sweltering day that made the fjord look more like the Mediterranean Sea. The yarn kits with the Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in April next year before its release.

Elfa is knitted using 3 mm/US 4 needles with a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together. To make the bottom band and tuck to flare less choose needle size 2.5 mm/US 1.5. The number of stitches picked up for collar has been adjusted from the sample to avoid the flare.

The bottom band on all parts begins with a provisional cast on, which will be pulled out and replaced by an I-cord bind off at the end. The collar also ends in an I-cord bind off. The cables are the same ones chosen for the Idunn pullover. Framed by stocking stitch in the sides and divided by a tuck to the garter stitch collar and bottom band, instead of a rib, the jacket has a more feminine look to it.

Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2. Elfa is graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/41 to 49.75″. The yarn kits will be available from selected yarn stores and online here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. The last design for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in this collection is the most popular of them all the Andor Poncho.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Idunn

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next out of the four designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is Idunn. Alexandria Eissinger looks gorgeous in the pullover, with beautiful hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, all brilliantly captured b Eivind Røhne on a sweltering day in June at Villa Malla by the Oslo fjord. Idunn is: 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 – re-named Tinde – from Hifa. The Norwegian pattern will be available only in yarn kits to be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair from 1. to 4. September. The yarn kits will be available in selected yarn stores and online here: Eksklusiv Gjestedesign. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group in March.

Idunn is worked using 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The pullover, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round until the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows.

The pullover is straight without any shaping but the ribbing in the side make it appear fitted. I have graded the pullover from size XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 88 cm to 129 cm/34.75 to 50.75″.

Alexandria is wearing size S and is a clothes size European 34/UK 6/US 2. Next up is professional photos of the a-line jacket Elfa with the same cables.

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.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Shalana

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the photos of the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker, statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and boots by Monica Stålvang Shoes, wearing Shalana, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla on a sweltering day in June. Here is my introduction to Shalana: Sand Cables that travel from the center towards each shoulder dominate this fitted sweater with a rounded boat neck. The center panel of double seed stitch is framed and increases in size with the cable move. On the long sleeves the cables dominate. Named after the most powerful spirit Shalana. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok which is out on the 22. August, while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry after test knitting set to begin 19th September. The sample with these magnificent photos will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk, from 3. September to 30. October.

Shalana is knitted in the divine Rowan Felted Tweed DK made of 50% merino wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Rayon, each 50 gram skein has 175 meters/191 yards. The sample is knitted in Avocado 161. The pullover knits to a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle. The sample is knitted in size S but with a gauge of 20 stitches, hence it has the measurements of the size Large. Shalana is available in sizes XS to 2XL.

All parts are worked flat. The sand cables move from their center position on the body towards the shoulder by increasing into center Double Seed st panel and decreasing into st st at the side. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end. The pullover is seamed together at the end.

Above you see the back which is identical to the front. You increase in each side of the center double seed stitch panel and decrease in the stockinette stitch in the sides on the other side of the Sand cable. The traveling cables create long lines and a central v-shaped center panel. The double seed stitch panel also frames each side of the Sand cable on the sleeves. This has been the most popular of my new designs so far, and I am excited to see whether that will change or not.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Ronette

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next out is Ronette. I was thrilled to see how well the teal color, called Praire, suited gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency. After photographing Kori, skilled hair and make up artist Jens J. Wiker suggested a change in hair style and I suggested adding a pleat. I love the result and how it shows off both the playful bulb cables as well as the stunning statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured these iconic shots, on the terrace at Villa Malla on a sweltering day in June, when the Oslo fjord looked like the Mediterranean Sea. The sample and these photographs will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk, together Kori, Hel, Yellow Gold Pullover and Shalana from 3. September to 30. October. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikkebok out on 22. August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

Here is my introduction to Ronette: A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.

Ronette is knitted in Rowan Softyak DK, a lovely soft mixture of 76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon with a dark grey undertone to all colors, with 135 meters/147 yards on each 50 g skein. The gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The yak fibre makes it feel more like working with a wool mixture than a cotton one, and it feels lovely against the skin. The stitch definition is crisp hence makes the cables pop.

I have graded the pullover from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end. Next is Shalana!

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Hel

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Next in the series, is the vest Hel. Here is gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency – with beautiful hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design – wearing Hel over dark grey silk slacks at the terrace of Villa Malla, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. It was a sweltering day in June, which made the Oslo fjord look more like the Mediterranean Sea. We were having our photoshoot surrounded by people having their lunch but found some unused corners we could use as backdrop. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok, while the English pattern will be released after test knitting which has recently began in my Ravelry group.

Sweeping Cables crown this long a-line vest with vents. The v-neck, framed by an I-cord bind-off, can be worn on the front or on the back. The cables have areas of rib in between hence a high rib became the obvious bottom band. Hel means complete in Norwegian and the Norse Hel ruled over nine worlds.

Hel is knitted in the lovely Rowan Yarns Alpaca Merino DK, with a chainette construction made in the following fibre mix: 83% alpaca, 10% nylon, 7% wool, on each 25 ball with 105 m/115 yds. The sample is knitted in Belvoir 107 with a gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The cable stretches across a large number of stitches hence a yarn with a hard twist and few plies will make the cables look flimsy.

The vest is graded from size XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 82 to 126 cm/32.25 to 49.5″. It is knitted back and forth in parts. The short row shaping of the shoulders make it easy to wear with the v-neck on the front or on the back.

Here shown the other way around. I first planned a boat neck and smaller armholes but changed my mind to give the vest a more casual look with larger armholes and a v-neck to be worn either way.

The sample together with a selection of the photos will be exhibited at the Strikke 2016 Festival at the new gallery at Hadeland Glassverk opening on 3. September to the 30. October. Next in the series is Ronette. So you do have more photos to look forward to.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Kori

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you the next set of photos from Villa Malla; Kori. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne, gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, gifted Hair & Make up Artist Jens J. Wiker, photographic assistant Michael Marveng-Puckett and I moved to the upper terrace at Villa Malla for the next set of photos. Eivind immediately spotted a view towards the fjord, reminiscent of the Greek island of Santorini where it not for the lack of height, on this sweltering summer day. Yes, we did wait for the sailboat to enter into Eivind’s camera lens to make this iconic photo. The beautiful statement jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design while the magic skirt with a train is by Judith Bech Design. Kori will first be published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok out at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, set to begin in November, before its release.

Kori is old Norse and means perfect; Kori is the result of a complex mathematical equation that cannot be calculated by the human mind. Just as the intricate cable that crowns this fitted jacket. The intricate cable crossings are filled by seed stitch, hence seed stitch bands and playful tucks at the bottom. The jacket has a shawl collar and ends in I-cord bind offs. It is knitted in parts to give extra shape in the beautiful Rowan Yarns Baby Merino Silk DK.

The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in Stocking stitch to 10 cm/4″. I have graded it from sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. Above you can see the stocking stitch side where the decreasing and increasing are done for the fitted waist. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

The cable pattern is demanding with inserts of seed stitch/moss stitch, but rewarding in its sculptural beauty. The tucks at the bottom of the body and the sleeves mirror the cables, just as the I-cord bind off I chose for all parts including the collar.

I love how this photo captures the tucks and sleeve cables. By working purl rounds in between two tucks the second tuck turned in the opposite direction. I discovered this when I was working on the Indigo Sweater for my Norwegian knitting book.

Yes, as you might have gathered by now, I did have a difficult time to choose photos of this. The perfect blue color called Bluebird worked so well against our chosen backdrop. I did consider whether to have the back covered with cable repeats, instead I choose to keep each repeat separately, giving the back several spines and straight lines to relate to. The samples and professional photos of Kori will together with Yellow Golden Pullover, Hel, Ronette and Shalana be exhibited at the knitting festival Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk from 3. September to 31. October. In the mean time I will show you some exquisite photos from our photo shoot.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Yellow Golden Pullover

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The second set of photos I am going to reveal are the ones taken of the Yellow Gold Pullover, first published in Interweave Knits Fall 2015. Since the pattern rights revert to me at the end of July, I had to photograph it again for my own pattern sales. The English pattern will be released in my Ravelry Store, while the Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special magazine: Familien Strikkebok, available from end of August. I decided I wanted a tone-in-tone background, hence I choose to style it with beige trousers and cream colored shoes. It was not difficult to convince Eivind Røhne to take the photos on the small beach at Villa Malla. He suggested that model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency should be sitting on a rock. Above you see her with make up and hair by Jens J. Wiker, as well as statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

Here is my introduction to the pullover: Elegant chain link cables framed by a welt pattern adorn this casual sweater. It is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts with extra ease for comfort. Spindrift, a fine heathered wool was chosen for its lightness and color. The round neck makes it easy to wear over a crisp shirt or your favorite t-shirt.

The sample is knitted in Jamieson’s Spindrift, a fingering/4-ply yarn in 100% wool with 251 meters/275 yards on each 50 g skein, using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle. The gauge is 23 stitches and 32 rows in Welt pattern measures 10 cm/4″ square. The straight sweater is worked from the bottom and up in parts and then sewn together. The cables are gathered before the neck bind off to keep their volume.

The Yellow Gold Pullover will together with the vest Hel, the jacket Kori, and the sweaters Shalana and Ronette be exhibited at Hadeland Glassverk for the Norwegian knitting Festival called Strikke 2016, accompanied with their professional photos. Their new gallery is designed by the award winning architects Snøhetta, and I cannot wait to see it. The Festival begins on the 3rd September, when I am at Strik Bornholm, but I will be there holding workshops 17th and 18th of September. More information will follow.

Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Githa

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Githa is first out of the professional photos, since the test knitting has started on Ravelry already. I am so excited to show you the amazing photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Villa Malla at the beginning of June. I had also borrowed two skirts from Judith Bech Design, and I decided that the tunic Githa with a large cowl would look fab with the tulle skirt. Judith sent me a selection of other cocktail dresses too, just in case I wanted to borrow some more. It is such a treat to open each box sent from her, and have a close look at all the dresses!

My initial plan was to have the fjord in the background but the pier is quite high so it had to be the sky instead. I think it worked even better. These two top photos are both cropped and with even more sky, they appear like a stunning film poster. See more of the background in my husband’s photos at villa-malls-sneak-peek. The Norwegian pattern for Githa will be published in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok out at the end of August. While the English pattern will be published on Ravelry after the test knit is completed.

As always I want a photo from the front, side and back to show it from all points of view. So that you can see that the back does have a lace panel too. Githa is knitted in the lovely and summery Rowan Panama, a slubby yarn mix of cotton, viscose and linen with a subtle sheen to it. Both the tunic and the cowl is knitted using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rounds/rows in stockinette stitch to 10 cm/4″ square. The tunic is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, while the cowl is available in sizes XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL). Alexandria is wearing size S in the tunic and size XS/S cowl. The reason I choose three different sizes on the cowl is so that it will easily fit around the shoulders for the different sizes. But you can also easily adjust the size of it by adding or removing pattern repeats.

Here it is photographed with the large cowl across the shoulders. As you can see it has an area of garter stitch used for shaping the cowl and also to match the casual look of the tunic. The tunic tank is knitted from the bottom and up, in the round to the armhole, then separated into two parts and worked flat. The shoulders are shaped with short rows. The neckband and armholebands are picked up and knitted in the round at the end. A false sideseam is created by a reverse stocking stitch with garter stitches on each side. If you want a smaller neckline or armhole, you can either work additional rounds on the bands or adjust the pattern with for example 3 cm/1.25″. The cowl is knitted from the bottom and up, in the round. It is shaped in a separate garter stitch panel.

The wavy lace stitch pattern is the same I chose for the Adoe jacket. I was thrilled to match it with Kaja Gjedebo’s new Rubble & Roll Collection. Here is a mind-blowing quote from Kaja: “A piece of jewellery should be a miniature sculpture – an everyday piece of art you would like to wear not only today, but for the rest of your life.” On that note, I will leave you and come back to show you more stunning photos from our shoot! I am so grateful for having such a magnificent team behind me!

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Jens J. Wiker