Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Villa Malla

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Linda Marveng

On Wednesday we had a wonderful photoshoot at Villa Malla, approximately 50 minutes south of Oslo. Yes, it was a sweltering day, reaching 30 degrees celsius in the afternoon. So not ideal for photographing woolly knitwear. But professional model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency flew in from Copenhagen, via train from Malmø, and admitted she preferred this to photographing swimwear in the Scandinavian climate. Photographer Eivind Røhne picked her up at Oslo S train station, while make up and hair artist Jens Johan Wiker caught a lift with my husband and myself. Jens came highly recommended by Sissel Fylling who had a full calendar. He has won Hair Stylist of the year, 3 years in a row now, so no wonder I had to promise to ask Sissel again next time.

We were made very welcome at Villa Malla and asked if we wanted to use the Gallery for the day. It was perfect for us and meant we did not have to camp out in the restaurant itself with all our suitcases with knitwear collection, shoes, make up & hair products and photographic equipment. So while Jens was doing Alexandria’s hair and make up base for the day we went to look for possible backdrops. There are many at Villa Malla, and we knew we had to focus on a few selected ones. Finally I was able to have a few beach photos. This has been the plan previously but the weather has not allowed for it. I had borrowed several dresses and two skirts from marvelous designer Judith Bech, but when I tried it on at home I realized that only the skirts fitted together with the knitwear. Above is one of the two pullovers I had to photograph again for my own usage; Inverness Sweater was first published in English in Interweave Knits Winter 2016.

Here we are testing the view of the Oslo fjord from the terrace. You could be forgiven for thinking it was somewhere by the Mediterranean Sea. It was a backdrop I wanted to use, but Eivind suggested a clever move towards the staircase instead. See the photo below and Eivind’s arm. We did spend some time waiting for the sailboat to come into view just as we waited for the sun to re-appear from behind the clouds. With several reflectors to hand and an extra above Eivind’s camera we made the hard sunlight work. Eivind nailed it, and stopped at nothing as usual; working dangerously close to the end of the pier, balancing on rocks and lying under the tables on the terrace just to mention a few…

Above is Michael’s photo of Alexandria wearing Kori, a fitted cable jacket, knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry. It came out slightly bigger than I had planned, but that is because I choose the wrong chart for the cables – the one with the wider cables instead of the narrower ones. Oh, well it did make the cables totally rule over the jacket. More details on the design will come. If you recognize the jewelry, you are right. Again, I borrowed a box filled with amazing jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design.

This is before Eivind crawled under the table to take the next round of photographs, and one where Michael is holding the only reflector. For once Jens was sitting down too, because most of the time he tended to pop in and out of the photos fixing Alexandria’s hair or make up. Both Alexandria and Jens offered to work without a lunch break, but that does not work for me. So we had lunch on the terrace below in the shadow. Villa Malla’s buffet lunch is delicious and worth craving – as I did. For desert we all had to have some ice-cream, as we tried to cool down. A total of 11 garments were photographed, of those 2 have previously been photographed by Interweave Knits and 9 are new designs. 5 of those new designs including Kori and Shalana (above) will be published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk while the remaining 4 are for yarn kits for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. All the English patterns will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before they are released. I so look forward to showing you more photos but first I need to finish off the last patterns, and select photos from Eivind. It is not an easy task, I can promise you that.

Familien Kreativ with My Designs

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Familien Kreativ is a new Norwegian magazine, which replaces Familien Håndarbeid, released on Monday 14. March with 4 of my Designs to my delight: Helka the long cardigan you can see the back of on the cover, Shinju the shawl, Elora the bolero and Adoe the jacket. Even though the picture on the cover is small, the coverage I have received inside is fantastic. I will show you the 6 pages that show off my designs with the brilliant photos by Eivind Røhne of stunning model Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design and dresses by Judith Bech Design.

The heading says “Ready for a Party”, and continues; “Romantic and beautiful garments that add the finishing touch to the outfits for both bride and guests.” The introduction to Elora is mine: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn by Alexandria Eissinger over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Adoe: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch. The jacket is worn with a skirt designed by Judith Bech.

Shinju: Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle. Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl and highlight Judith Bech’s Secret; a divine felted wedding dress with a mermaid tail.

Helka: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

The magazine is available at newsagents, selected supermarkets and by SMS – Kreativ16 til 2205 – if you are in Norway. If you are abroad you can order the Norwegian magazine by e-mailing customer services: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Thank you to Familien for accepting my designs. You can also find my designs presented by former editor of Made By Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup on the blog “Tusenideer” by Egmont Publishing: http://tusenideer.no/familien-kreativ-for-deg-som-elsker-lage-ting-selv/

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Adoe

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Last design and series of photos from our photoshoot is Adoe, worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger over a fringe skirt by Judith Bech, with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The scene was brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. The jacket looked best with this amazing skirt with a train – yes, I have borrowed the black one previously – instead of the wedding gowns due to its color and style. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in June in my Ravelry group before its release.

Here it my introduction to the pattern: Wavy lace with garter stitch edging is the focus of this delicate jacket. The deep v-neck is adorned with scallops made by the wavy lace pattern. It is knitted in the stunning chainette yarn; Truesilk by Rowan Yarns, and intended for those special times. Adoe means time, and it seemed entirely appropriate. The body of the jacket is straight and knitted in pieces, while the sleeves are knitted in the round. Close the jacket with a beautiful brooch.

Rowan Truesilk is made of 100% mulberry silk with 150 meters/164 yards on each 50 g ball. It is of a chainette type construction and holds its shape unlike silk yarns in general. The jacket is knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 4″/10 cm after blocking. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent.

The body is worked back and forth in parts, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The front band is the first part of the wavy lace pattern, and creates a scalloped end to it. Attach buttons and use the holes created by the lace as buttonholes if you prefer. The yarn is a chainette type construction which means the garment will hold it shape.

We tried out several backdrops for this garment including Alexandria standing on the high window sill in the Ball Room, sitting next to the window in a portrait style but this worked the best. She also tried to place her arm on the window but it appeared way too surreal through Eivind’s lens. It just goes to show that we never run out of ideas!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Saqqara

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Linda Marveng

When I saw gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger wearing the amazing wedding gown Swan Lake by Judith Bech with my Saqqara on top, I was gobsmacked. The gown fitted Alexandria as a glove and the sight of her was of a sacral kind; like a vision. Thankfully she was captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne so I can share these photos. Sissel Fylling was in charge of Alexandrias hair & make up and much else, as usual. The statement gold brooch and ring are by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be released on Ravelry in the next few days on its own and as an e-book together with six other patterns, while the English pattern will be test knitted first.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Named after the step pyramid in Egypt, I have created my own Saqqara. A stunning reversable lace pattern with triangular shapes, adorn the rectangular shawl with a shawl collar and the matching loose sleeves. Like jewelry the tucks frame the hands on the loose sleeves and divide the patterns on the shawl. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, I found my rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer, with or without the loose sleeves.

Huldra Kamgarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is a combed wool of a 3-ply thickness which comes on a 200 gram cone with 850 meters/929 yards, while Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka is an alpaca and nylon mix of lace thickness with a chainette construction and with 177 meters/195 yards in each 25 g ball. Held together I used a 4 mm/US 6 and found a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in Stockinette stitch to measure 10 cm square. The yarn was generously sponsored by both Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and Du Store Alpakka.

Above you see the collar worn up which suited this dramatic gown perfectly but it can also be worn down as a shawl collar. Both the shawl and the loose sleeves come in three different sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL). The shawl lengths are: 113.5 (119.5, 125.5) cm/44.75 (47, 49.5)”, while the widths (including the widest collar) are: 43 (44.5, 46) cm/17 (17.5, 18)”. They can easily be adjusted to your perfect measurements if desired.

The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round, unlike the shawl, with 2 circular needles held parallel to make the hem and tucks. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. One tuck divides the patterns before the collar on the shawl and a second one is worked on the wrong side to emphasize the reversible shawl.

In days after the photoshoot we had feathers flying around from the wedding gown, and I felt as if I was blessed by Judiths angels. The wedding dresses were returned but I have wonderful memories of them and all these fantastic photos.

I have one more design photographed to show you for now; Adoe and it is coming next.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Helka

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The time has come to show you the stunning photos taken by Eivind Røhne of Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design wearing Helka over a tulle skirt by Judith Bech. The Norwegian pattern of Helka will be published in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on 14. March, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, late Spring, before its release. The Helka sample is knitted in a combination of a pure combed wool in 3-ply Hifa Huldra Kamgarn and an alpaca mix in a chainette lace yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together using a 4 mm/US 6 needles by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A long straight classical jacket with woven cables in a diamond pattern that ends in a rib. The cables are erased into a rib, then into stockinette stitch in the sides. Named after Helka the prosperous one, it has a deep v-neck and a double button band, leaving all the glory to the cables. Use it with a belt or adorn it with beautiful buttons like these jewelry ones by Siri Berrefjord.

Helka is knitted with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch with both yarns held together. Both the yarns were generously sponsored. The Woven Cable has cable crossings on every second row, so it is time consuming, but also very rewarding to knit. I also wanted to add the most beautiful buttons I could think of, so I ordered bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. You can study the details in the photos, Siri herself took of them in this blogpost. There are 14 buttons attached on the jacket, but you can easily adjust it to your own preference.

The body is knitted from the bottom and up in 3 parts, back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The Woven Cable pattern ends in a rib at the sleevecap and at the v-neck shaping on the fronts, as well as on shoulders at the back. The sleeves have one cable pattern repeat and rib on the remaining part.

I did consider making the sides in rib too, but realized that the Woven cables only need a frame and that stockinette stitch would highlight them more than a rib would. Hence the sleeve could easily have been made with stockinette stitches on the inside instead of rib.

The neckband was picked up and knitted the evening before the photoshoot, so I did not have time to adjust the number of stitches in the back neck to the rib below, but I have decreased a number of stitches in the pattern to make it lie flat. The brilliant idea to wear Helka only over the tulle skirt – intended as an underskirt/petticoat by dress designer Judith Bech – was Sissel’s since it did not work out as I had hoped with any of the wedding gowns I had borrowed. I am ever so thrilled with the resulting photos, and extremely grateful to be able to work with such a magnificent team!

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Elora

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The bolero looked stunning worn by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger on top of Judith Bech’s “Secret” wedding gown. Alexandria’s hair & make up is by Sissel Fylling and the jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The beautiful photos are all taken by Eivind Røhne at the Ekeberg Restaurant last October. Elora and three other designs: Shinju, Adoe and Helka will be published in Norwegian in the special issue Familien Kreativ out on Monday 14th March. The English pattern to Elora will be test knitted in April in my Ravelry group before its release. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A beautiful reversible lace pattern adorns this bolero with a slightly longer scarf collar you can fold and pin as you desire. Garter stitches make up the edges of the bolero and divide the stitch pattern from the stocking stitch sides. Named after the giving of the laurel; the crown of victory and ideal for this garment made in a wool and cashmere mixture by Mondial. The bolero is worn over the wedding gown “Secret”, designed by Judith Bech.

Mondial Gold is an exclusive mix of 80% wool and 20% cashmere on a 50 g skein with 175 m/191 yds. The sample is knitted in Cream 426, to show off the crisp stitch definition. The bolero is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The yarn was generously sponsored by Mondial’s Scandinavian Agent: House of Hobbies. The sample was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, to my utter satisfaction.

The body of the bolero is worked in pieces from the bottom up, and is sewn together, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The bolero is slightly tapered. The collar width is in additon to the front and bust circumference so that it can be folded and pinned as desired. It is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose.

The bolero comes in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 85 to 126 cm/33.5 to 49.5″, waist circumference of 82 to 123 cm/32.25 to 48.5″ and length from 47 to 52 cm/18.5 to 20.5″. The length of the bolero as well as the scarf is one that easily can be adjusted by removing or adding pattern repeats.

In the photos above you see the scarf collar folded in to create more volume to the neckline but it does look equally good just hanging flat or pinned together. The scarf collar width is in addition to the bust width so that it can hang loose as a scarf. The wedding gown with its feather mermaids tail had to be shown in all its glory, in my opinion.

Bech Pattern Released

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I released my Bech pattern in English last month on Ravelry, after a successful test knitting. Bech was one of the patterns in the Nordic Vintage series first published in Norwegian in Familien Trend published in February. The whole series was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, gorgeously modeled by Alex Eissinger/Sweden Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, and dresses byJudith Bech. Here is my introduction to the pattern: A stunning halterneck silk dress with a high waist and bare back, handprinted by Judith Bech made me want to design a shawl, loose sleeves and a matching belt to accessorize it. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra Kamgarn from Hifa with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, I found my rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer. The belt made of tucks can also be worn around your neck as knitted jewelry, tied or pinned together with a brooch.

Sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements: Shawl: Length: 110 (119, 126) cm/43.25 (46.75, 49.5)” Width excl collar: 22 (25.5, 29) cm/8.75 (10, 11.5)” Width incl widest collar: 36 (39.5, 43) cm/14.25 (15.5, 17)” Loose sleeves: Cuff width: 25 (28, 32) cm/9.75 (11, 12.5)” Width at bottom: 22 (25, 29) cm/8.75 (9.75, 11.5)” Width at top: 32 (35, 39) cm/12.5 (13.75, 15.25)” Sleeve length incl cuff: 50 cm/19.75″ Belt: Length: 72 (87, 102) cm/28.25 (34.25, 40.25)” Tie length: 50 cm/19.75″ Width: 10 cm/4″

Yarn: Hifa, Huldra Kamgarn 8,5/2 (100% combed wool, 200 g cone, 850 m/929 yds) Sample is knitted in Light redish grey http://www.ull.no/garn/maskinstrikkegarn/huldra-kamgarn-8-5-2-tykt. Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul (68% baby alpaca, 32% nylon, 25 g, 177 m/195 yds) Sample is knitted in Melange light grey DL203 http://www.dustorealpakka.com/garn-sortiment/?category=29 Shawl: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 3 (4, 4) skeins of Soul; 460 (558, 656) m/503 (610, 714) yds of each yarn. Loose Sleeves: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 3 (3, 3) skeins of Soul; 374 (414, 467) m/409 (453, 511) yds of each yarn. Belt: 1 (1, 1) cone Huldra and 2 (2, 3) skeins of Soul; 272 (314, 356) m/297 (343, 389) yds of each yarn. Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

Needles: 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (80 cm/32″) for shawl and loose sleeves. 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (120 cm/48″) for belt. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 1 m/1 yard thin elastic cord (1.5 mm/0.059″) for loose sleeves, 2 stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows in st st using 1 strand of each yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts x 28 rows in Bech Lace using 1 strand of each yarn measures 10 cm/4″ square. 1 Bech Lace pattern repeat using 1 strand of each yarn measures 7 cm/2.75″ across.

Hennika Pattern Released

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I released the Hennika pattern in English several weeks ago, so it is about time I let you know. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend in February this year, with the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger with hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, dress by Judith Bech, shoes by Monica Stålvang all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The bolero is knitted in the bouncy Hifa Ask, and can easily be made longer as several of the test knitters choose to do. Here is my introduction to it: A lace pattern with Gothic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reign. Hennika is a name with Gothic origin and means master of the house. The bolero is tapered and worked in pieces, while the sleeves are worked in the round. Wear the collar lying flat or folded in half lengthwise to add volume and close it with a shawl pin or a beautiful brooch.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements: Bust: 83 (90, 97, 105, 115, 125) cm/32.75 (35.5, 38.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25)” Length: 37 (38, 39, 40, 41, 42) cm/14.5 (15, 15.25, 15.75, 16.25, 16.5)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/ 19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)” Scarf collar width: 12.5 cm/5″ Loose extra scarf length: approx 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 in melange farmblue (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins: 882 (1008, 1134, 1292, 1481, 1670) m/965 (1102, 1240, 1413, 1620, 1826) yds.

Yarn alternatives: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/pashmina.html Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% cotton, 50 g, 112 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 247 m/270 yds) https://www.theloopyewe.com/shop/g/knit-crochet/yarn/shalimar-yarns/breathless-dk/ Or another sport weight/5 ply or thin DK yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle. 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for hem. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Waste yarn, stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 18 sts and 28 rows in Hennika Lace using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The body of the bolero is worked in pieces from the bottom up, and is sewn together, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The collar is knitted in two parts that are joined and then attached around the neck, with extra length to hang loose. Throughout the pattern, when shaping in lace, only work an inc (yo) if you can work the corresponding dec.

New Design: Shinju

Posted on December 5, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I wanted to make a whole series of designs to go with the stunning wedding dresses by designer Judith Bech. Initially it was Judith’s idea, and it was too brilliant not to accept. The series was first accepted by the Norwegian magazine Made by Me, but since it ceased production shortly afterwards, I am delighted to reveal that 4 of the designs will be published in the special issue Familien Håndarbeid/Handcraft due out in March. Shinju is one of these designs, and if you went to the Wollness Weekend or the Knit Café in Vienna (or spot me in Isabella’s car for that matter) you did see me knitting it, desperate to finish it in time for the photo shoot on the 28. October. I did!

Love, affection and beautiful are all parts of the Japanese word for pearl and was perfect for this lacy shawl knitted in a luxurious fiber mix with both mohair and silk with beads attached on an Italian yarn from Mondial called Perle (meaning pearl in both Italian and in Norwegian). Ruffled bell borders grace each end of the shawl. I wanted to show that it does not necessarily have to be made for a wedding dress, nor in cream since the yarn comes in six other equally beautiful colors. The photos above are as usual taken by my husband. The shawl is made in one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing stitch pattern repeats. It is made from one short end to the other with no sewing required, except for the sewing in of ends, and knitted using a 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle. The yarn Mondial Perle is made of 55% polyester, 30% kid mohair, 15% silk and with beads attached on a separate thread next to the yarn on a 25 g ball with 85 m/93 yds. It has been kindly sponsored for this project. In Oslo you can find it at the yarn shop Tjorven, but also in other yarn shops around the country. All the ones that have seen the yarn so far has been bewitched, and felt an urge to touch it but also get their hands on it. You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model You can look forward to seeing the divine photos taken of model Alexandra Eissinger – wearing one of Judith Bech’s wedding dresses – by Eivind Røhne.

Familien Julens Småstrikk with 3 of My Designs

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Linda Marveng

On Monday the special issue, Familien Julens Småstrikk/Christmas Small Knits is published with my designs; Hertha, Nuala and Syndra, to my utter delight. The shawl Hertha with loose sleeves, stunningly worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, fringe skirt by Judith Bech, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, is on the cover in the bottom corner – see above – but much larger both on the contents page but also inside – see below.

Here you can see Hertha’s traditional lace pattern with shadow triangels in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, tucks, shawl collar as well as magnificent jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo up close. The shawl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4, and is available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL).

“Gorgeous details. Beautiful garments in lace knitting designed by Linda Marveng, says the introduction”. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn in different ways. The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The hem and tucks are all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel.

“The shawl with a shawl collar can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shoulder pin. Anne Dorthe from Team Models is photographed at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with Poplar Necklace and Magnolia earrings by Kaja Gjedebo.” see kgd.no.

“An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern with dropped stitches is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug.” The Nuala shawl and cowl are both knitted flat using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method.

“A cowl to warm you shoulders and matching loose sleeves. Both are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.” The set is named after Syndra with her immense magical potential and knitted with both yarns held together to create a DK/8 ply yarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Familien Julens Småstrikk will be available in all newsagents and selected supermarkets in Norway, as well as digitally here: www.klikk.no. All the patterns will be published in English on Ravelry after test knitting; Syndra is ongoing while Hertha and Nuala will be test knitted in March.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Judith Bech