Familien Photoshoot: Atika

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Magic, is the best description of seeing gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk wearing Judith Bech’s divine felted wool dress with my design Atika on top. Alexandria’s hair and make up was by Sissel Fylling, while the stunning jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo and the shoes not visible but equally perfect are by Monica Stålvang. The magic moment was captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad in Asker last October. The bar seemed the ideal backdrop for this party outfit, according to former editor Mary-Ann Astrup who suggested the glas of wine as an accompaniment. Atika, consisting of a cowl with loose sleeves, is knitted in the luscious Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul a lace weight alpaca mixture held together with the speckled Pickles, Merino Tweed, a thin fingering weight wool using a 4 mm/US 6. The pattern was released as part of my Nordic Vintage series in Familien Trend.

Here the cowl is twisted around the body, to make a halterneck top. You can also here easily see the loose sleeves which have elastic band inserted at the top so they will stay in place. The cowl is knitted sideways and in the round. You can adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats of 10 sts. If you want to wear it twice around your neck, add 2 pattern repeats. The loose sleeves are knitted in the round to the end.

Above is a photo that was not published in the Familien Trend magazine. It is one of the many extra photos I desperately wanted from Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Atika: A cowl to warm your shoulders or your neck. Or why not wear it as top with matching loose sleeves gracing a stunning dress like this designed by Judith Bech. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Hearts of Oak with both texture and a drapy edge.

This last photo was chosen because of its sensuality, and has not been published earlier either. I plan to organize a test knit of Atika before I release it in English. The test knit will take place in my Ravelry group some time after the Honeysuckle Shawl and Saga which are the next two patterns to be test knitted.

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Gyda

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Here are the fantastic photos taken by Eivind Røhne of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, with beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, stunning faux suede dress by Judith Bech, wearing my design Gyda, a fitted jacket. The divine Elena black shoes designed by Monica Stålvang are not seen in these photos but photographed separately, see those on Ravelry together with more details of the pattern: Gyda. The Norwegian pattern is part of the Nordic Vintage series recently published in Familien Trend.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Cables that create diamond shapes adorn this fitted jacket on all its parts. A deep v-neck and a button band with three bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord make it suitable to wear on top of any treasured outfit. The fronts and back are knitted flat, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all in the bouncy pure wool melange Ask – Hifa 2.

The English pattern in all sizes from XS to 2XL is currently being test knitted in my Ravelry group with 12 knitters making the jacket, in addition to a some just making the accompanying tweed belt or cowl. Gyda Cowl has details for the cowl plus the belt, while Gyda is only the jacket. You can follow the thread if you are a member of Ravelry. The pattern will be released after the test knit is finished. I chose to end the cables before last bind off or short rows on the shoulder and gather them to avoid flat cables then continue the last few rows in stockinette stitch. Take a look at the triangle created by the short row shaping on the shoulder. Some of my test knitters have instead chosen to continue the cables all the way to the last row.

We have also been talking about preferences in the different hem techniques; I recommend to sew it by hand at the end to make it stay flat while others decided to use a temporary cast-on. Occasionally I also use two circular needles, where one is used as a holder until it is closed with a row of knitting two together with one stitch from each needle. This tends to make a hem that is more rounded and which tends to turn upwards so that the lower part of the WS is visible.

Butterflies adorn this generous cowl, in the shape of a lace pattern divided by a rib. A rich melange brown color has been created by combining the pure wool of Huldra Kamgarn by Hifa with the tonal alpaca mixture of Dreamline Soul by Du Store Alpakka. A tweed belt made for the Gyda jacket introduces the brown shade together with farmblue Ask – Hifa 2. The belt, just like the jacket, has bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. The statement ring in silver is designed by Kaja Gjedebo. If you have been following my blog closely you will have noticed that the last photo has not been shown previously, and is not included in the magazine. It was another of my favourite photos that I just had to have.

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Hillevi

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you how elegantly my scarf Hillevi can be worn. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, with beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, is wearing a divine pleated deep olive silk dress with a blue reflection by Judith Bech, with the scarf elegantly on top, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne who suggested the bar at Hvalstrand Bad as the backdrop. The statement bracelet is Monies, and unfortunately you can not see the stunning shoes by Monica Stålvang in these photos. Hillevi is part of my Nordic Vintage series recently published in Norwegian in the new magazine Familien Trend.

My introduction to Hillevi: A reversible scarf with a large shawl collar in a self-made tweed mixture of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed. Two staghorn cables form the stitch pattern combined with garter stitch edges and shawl collar. Wear it as a scarf with the collar tight around your neck, or as a shawl with the collar around your shoulders. You can even wear it upside down with the collar as a shaped curve, or as a top around your bust pinned together with a shawl pin. We had only time for these two different wearing options at the photoshoot, but you can see me wearing it with all the options in this blogpost: New Design: Hillevi. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry after it has been test knitted in my group.

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Freja

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Linda Marveng

My design Freja, worn by model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk looking like a goddess, with a stunning fringe skirt with a train by Judith Bech, beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, and captured by Eivind Røhne. No wonder it was chosen as the introduction to our Nordic Vintage series in the recent Norwegian magazine Familien Trend. Freja, named after the goddess of love with the added meaning of like a lady, is knitted with a longer back shaped at the bottom. Three Lace panels adorn the sleeveless top with garter stitch bands and vents in the side. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

I was enchanted with the result of combining Dreamline Soul, a fine lace weight alpaca mix in tonal colors from Du Store Alpakka with Merino Tweed, a fingering/4-ply yarn from Pickles in the same range of shades of light turquoise. Using a 4 mm/US 6, I got a gauge similar to a thick DK with 20 sts and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The top is knitted flat in two pieces, while the armhole and neck band are worked in the round. The bottom of the back is shaped by short rows in garter stitch before the decreases are worked in between the lace panels. Both parts have edge stitches in garter stitch at the bottom for the vents.

I made a chocker to go with the top using one lace panel with garter stitch all around. 3 snap fasteners where sewed onto the chocker for closure. The chocker is one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing garter stitch rows as well as pattern repeats. The top is made in size XS to 2XL with a finished bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

Above is another gorgeous photo Eivind took, I could not resist! Why? Because, here you see the train on the skirt, and how the back of the top mimics it, at least it does in my imagination. I would like to have the English pattern test knitted before it is released in my Ravelry store. In the meantime I will show you some more of the fantastic photos Eivind took.

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Jacket in Cross

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Jacket in Cross is one of my favorite patterns from my Norwegian knitting book: “To rett en vrang. Designstrikk“, and I do wear it for special occasions during the summer such as the meeting with former editor Mary-Ann Astrup of Made by Me and the two designers I had selected to work with; dress designer Judith Bech and shoe designer Monica Stålvang, last July at Egmont Publishing. Hence the jacket became picked to be included in the Nordic Vintage series, published in February in the Norwegian magazine Familien Trend which took over from Made by Me. We choose a cream thai silk dress designed by Judith to be worn under it. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk was beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling and brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne who suggested the yellow column as the background.

The statement necklace dates back to my first photoshoot for my book, and has been worn regularly ever since. Yes, I could not bare to deliver it back after loaning it for the photoshoot and had to buy it. The design is by the Danish company Monies who specializes in statement jewelry made by natural materials. The cream color suits the taupe colored Tencel 8/2, a new form of viscose, yarn from the American company Valley Yarns and owners of WEBS, one of the largest online stores in the USA. I discovered the tencel yarn at Handweavers Studio in London and love the silky feel as well as its sheen. The jacket is knitted using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 2.5 mm/US 1.5 with the yarn held double. The sleeves are knitted in the round, while the body is worked in parts and sewn together at the end. I have revised the pattern and added sizes XS (Alexandria is wearing size S with the long sleeves, which can be adjusted if preferred) and XL, to fit bust from 82 to 114 cm/32.25″ to 45″. The English pattern will be released soon with a detailed schematic on Ravelry. Watch this space.

New Design: Hennika

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Linda Marveng

A lace pattern with Gotic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reigns. 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. Hennika is knitted in the bouncy Hifa Ask in a lovely Melange Farmblue color using 3.5 mm/US 4. Hennika was designed cropped to fit with Judith Bech’s long light blue halter neck tulle gown in our series Nordic Vintage in Familien Trend.

I chose to knit the sleeves in the round while the body parts are worked in pieces from the bottom and up. On both fronts and back I added columns of lace as found inside the main lace pattern, I named Girlander to avoid solid stockinette stitch parts. On the sleeves on the other hand I worked the inside in stockinette stitch. The collar is knitted in two parts, joined using a 3-needle bind-off or grafting, then sewn in place.

The collar looks even better when it is folded as above, I think. As you can see I did not use a mirror when I put it on, hence the fronts are not level, and the bolero is not pulled down as it should be. The body and the sleeves have hems while the scarf collar has only a few rows of garter stitch to keep it flat. To make the bolero appear longer I decided to photograph it together with Gyda Cowl, initially called Butterfly Cowl based on its butterfly lace panels. The cowl is straight and one size but can easily be adjusted by adding or removing lace panels as well as reverse stockinette stitches in between those to make it fit you.

The bolero appears very cropped on my long back, and looks better worn with a wider skirt or dress, in my opinion. The photos are, as usual taken by my husband in our garden, in early September last year. I will release the English pattern after test knitting in my Ravelry group, date is not yet set but it will be after Honeysuckle Shawl and Saga Jacket which are the next test knits to begin. Now that you have seen all the new designs as they look on me, I am ready to show you each one gorgeously worn by model Alexandria Eissinger, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne.

New Design: Honeysuckle Shawl

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love the lush and fairly thick cotton with its cable twist from Rowan Yarns, aptly called Softknit Cotton. Available in lovely bright colors but also several beautiful neutrals like Silver, a grayish white in my opinion, with 105 m/115 yds on a 50 g skein made of 92% cotton and 8% polyamide. I picked a lovely lace pattern which is equally beautiful on both sides and decided to make a rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug with a matching cowl and stylish belt made up of a hem in stockinette stitch: Honeysuckle Shawl. All perfect accessories to a stunning dress by Judith Bech and wonderful shoes by Monica Stålvang, to be part of the Nordic Vintage series recently published in the Norwegian magazine Familien Trend.

I named the design Honeysuckle, inspired by its climbing, and its similarities to the lace pattern itself. Above it is worn without the cowl. Both the shawl and the belt is knitted flat, while the cowl is worked in the round. The shawl and the cowl with their lace patterns are worked using a 4.5 mm/US 7 while the belt is firmly knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 to avoid stretching out of shape. I was fortunate to have help knitting the shawl and the cowl by skilled knitter Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry.

You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add prefered tying length. The belt can also be pinned together with a stunning brooch if preferred. All the photos here of me wearing it, were taken in our garden last August by my husband.

Here you can see the buttons I chose, and how the lace patterns works as buttonholes. I plan to have the shawl test knitted in my group on Ravelry before I release it in English as a downloadable pdf. The test knit will start shortly. I look forward to showing you the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger from Pholk wearing the Honeysuckle Shawl with the intended dress by Judith Bech and shoes by Monica Stålvang.

New Design: Bech

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I was smitten by Judith Bech’s halterneck dress, even though the first one I saw was a shop sample made in cotton, at the Made by Me planning meeting last July. Former editor Mary-Ann Astrup suggested grey silk to match my lace swatch and Judith obliged, with a stunning result. My swatch was made of a solid grey in a beautiful pure combed wool Huldra Kamgarn from Hifa combined with a tonal grey in a luscious alpaca mixture Dreamline Soul, from Du Store Alpakka knitted on a 4 mm/US 6. The name for the design had to be Bech after the dress. A shawl to cover the bare back together with loose sleeves to warm the arms, and a belt that could also be worn around your neck as a piece of knitted jewelry, tied or pinned together with a brooch was my design idea. But would the dress not look fabulous with a shawl collar too? Of course it would, hence the shawl must be given a collar.

The collar can be folded down when you wear the shawl around your shoulders or if you wear it close around your neck as a scarf. I decided to knit the collar in garter stitch as a contrast to the lace stitch with its parts of stockinette stitch, and to finish the collar with an i-cord bind off. As a divider between the stitch patterns I made a tuck and I prefer to make it using two circular knitting needles held parallel on the first row or round and then use the second needle as a stitch holder until the tuck is complete instead of picking up stitches on the wrong side afterwards.

The loose sleeves begin with five tucks that adorn the hands before you knit a purl band to add some texture before the lace pattern begins. On the inside of the sleeves is stockinette stitch so that you can easily increase to the full width. I did not want to end the loose sleeves with a rib and decided that a hem where I could insert a thin round elastic would be the best solution. The belt is all about tucks and related to the loose sleeves. I was so delighted that Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, could assist and knit the belt since I had too many other parts to knit.

Above the shawl is worn with the collar hanging down. The hem is curved by the lace pattern and gives a dramatic wavy edge. As you can see in the photo above, I have pinned it quite loosely with a shawl pin.

The view from the back shows the shaping of the collar and the i-cord bind off. By wearing the shawl low on the shoulders the loose sleeves look attached to the shawl, making it appear as a bolero from a distance and not as several loose parts. You can also see how I just pulled the ties into the belt at the top. If you preferred you could easily add hooks instead of ties on the belt.

The shawl can also be worn as a top, wrapped around the body and pinned in place with the collar hanging down making a lovely curve. Then the belt can worn as a necklace, tied together. This is not my idea but given to me by redesign stylist Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik who suggested it for the first belt I made in this style to the Lyre Bolero. The improvements I made on the Bech belt is that I designed it with even more tuck and made the last tuck which is the tie strings even longer.

Last view, is of the back with the shawl worn as a top with the collar down and the belt as a necklace. All these photos were as usual taken by my husband, while Eivind Røhne has taken brilliant professional ones of the gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger from Pholk, see my blogpost: sneak-peak-of-made-by-me-designs and more photos will come. The Norwegian pattern was published on Monday as part of the series Nordic Vintage in Familien Trend, the magazine that takes over from Made by Me, and can be found in selected supermarkets and newsagents all over Norway. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry after it has been test knitted in my group.

Familien Trend February 2015

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The new Norwegian magazine; Familien Trend that takes over from Made by Me came out on Monday. My series called Nordic Vintage which includes 10 designs is part of it, and Saga has made it on the cover, worn over a stunning dress by Judith Bech with outstanding shoes by Monica Stålvang, by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, captured by brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. In addition to jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord. I am so thrilled with the result as well as the feedback I have received for this series, and hope to work with this fantastic team again! Thank you!

The series was commissioned by the skilled former editor Mary-Ann Astrup of Made by Me, now in charge of Egmont Publishing’s handicraft blog Tusenideer.no, and presented by her: “The stitch patterns in these unique garments have clear lines going back to Norse tradition and the intricate patterns we see in the Dragon Style. Paired with gorgeous dresses in Norwegian design, the goddess look becomes complete.”

Freja Top and Chocker: A stunning skirt with a train by Judith Bech, deserves a top with a train. Freja, named after the goddess of love with the added meaning of like a lady, is knitted with a longer back shaped at the bottom. Three Lace panels adorn the sleeveless top with garter stitch bands and vents in the side. A fine tweed yarn is held together with an alpaca lace yarn, with a chain construction, to create a fabric with beautiful stitch definition and a slight halo.

Yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino Tweed. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

Eira Cowl and Belt: 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.

Yarn: Hifa, Perle held double. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 2.

The bangle is privately owned. Shoes by Monica Stålvang.

Honeysuckle Shawl, Cowl and Belt: Inspired by the climbing of the Honeysuckle is this lace pattern which adorns a soft summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle it is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in stockinette stitch. The belt is worked as a hem and can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch. Knit all parts in the cozy Rowan Softknit Cotton.

Yarn: Rowan Softknit Cotton. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 4.

Atika Cowl and Loose Sleeves: A cowl to warm your shoulders or your neck. Or why not wear it as top with matching loose sleeves gracing a stunning dress like this designed by Judith Bech. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Hearts of Oak with both texture and a drapy edge. 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.

Yarn: Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino Tweed. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

The divine jewelry:
Kaja Gjedebo
The earrings and ring you see worn by the model above is designed by Kaja Gjedebo under the brand KGD. Kaja says she is not lead by trends, but by personal interests. The result is elegant and timeless jewelry that combines natural shapes with delicate constructions. See more on www.kgd.no.

Hillevi Scarf : A reversible scarf with a large shawl collar in a self-made tweed mixture of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed. Two staghorn cables form the stitch pattern combined with garter stitch edges and shawl collar. Wear it as a scarf with the collar tight around your neck, or as a shawl with the collar around your shoulders. You can even wear it upside down with the collar as a shaped curve, or as a top around your bust pinned together with a shawl pin.

Yarn: Rowan Lima held together with Rowan Fine Tweed. Size: One Size. Difficulty level: 3.

Gyda Jacket: Cables that create diamond shapes adorn this fitted jacket on all its parts. A deep v-neck and a button band with three bespoke buttons by Siri Berrefjord make it suitable to wear on top of any treasured outfit. The fronts and back are knitted flat, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all in the bouncy pure wool melange Ask – Hifa 2.

Yarn: Hifa Ask. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Difficulty level: 4.

Gyda Cowl and Belt: A belt in tweed pattern lengthens the jacket and introduces the brown cowl. You can also wear the cowl as a belt and the belt as a large collar.

Yarn: Hifa Ask. Huldra Kamgarn held together with Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Difficulty level: 4.

The nice buttons:
Siri Berrefjord
The buttons on this set are designed by Siri Berrefjord. They are casts of antique national costume silver. The jewelry is available for sale at Designerkollektivet, Norway Designs in Oslo and Trondheim, Sugarshop Bislett and Briskly, Maihaugen at Lillehammer and Galleri Osebro in Porsgrunn. See more at www.fredenshavn.no.

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

Yarn: Hifa Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool held together with Rowan Lima. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

The standing collar is knitted in cables separately, and attached afterwards. The extra collar is loose, and it can be worn as a belt if you prefer.

Hennika Bolero: A lace pattern with Gotic shapes adorn this bolero, which has a scarf collar where the pointed arches reigns. 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.

Yarn: Hifa Ask. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL). Model is wearing size S. Difficulty level: 4.

The lovely dresses
Judith Bech Designs
Judith designs fairytale bridal gowns and ballgowns with cool details and beautiful silhouettes. She likes to combine new and old style, and the fabrics are either made by her or antique Victorian fabrics from England. Do you want to see more of what she makes? Check out her Facebook page: Judith Bech Design.

The belt made of tucks can also be worn around your neck as knitted jewelry, pinned together with a delicate brooch.

Bech Shawl, Loose Sleeves and Belt: A stunning halterneck silk dress with a high waist and bare back, handprinted by Judith Bech inspired Linda to design a shawl, loose sleeves and a matching belt to accessorize it. By combining a beautiful pure combed wool called Huldra from Hifa with the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka, she found a rich yarn shade and texture. Use the shawl with a shawl collar around your neck, shoulders, bust or upside down, just as you prefer.

Yarn: Hifa, Huldra Kamgarn held together with Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul. Sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL) Difficulty level: 3.

The knitted garments
Linda Marveng
Intricate and beautiful cable patterns characterizes Linda’s knit designs. See more on her blog: www.marveng-puckett.com/wordpress/ and www.ravelry.com/groups/linda-marveng.

The divine shoes
Monica Stålvang Lange
The shoes in this series are by Monica Stålvang Shoes. They are clear-cut and urban in their style. The collections are designed in Norway, but produced in Italy in the best leather quality and often in uncommon combinations. www.monica-stalvang.com.

Jacket in Cross: Missoni’s thin and featherlight garments inspired me to design this jacket that can be tied in the back or front. I chose a neutral but fashionable color, namely Taupe in a thin Tencel yarn, a newer form of viscose, knit double with a divine gloss. The pattern creates an intricate cross effect and looks a lot more complicated than it is to knit. Extra long sleeves adorn the hands.

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 held double. Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL). Difficulty level: 3.

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The magazine, Familien Trend, is available in selected supermarkets and newsagents all over Norway. If you live abroad and read Norwegian, or simply are desperate to get your hands on it, you can order a copy and receive an invoice for the magazine plus postage from Customer Services by e-mailing: kari.bachke@egmont.com. Do also check this link to see if it has become available as an iPad app: www.klikk.no/produkthjemmesider/familien/.

The photographer Eivind Røhne has also written a blogpost about the photo shoot with additional new photos available here: erohne.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/nordic-vintage/

All the patterns will be released in English. I will publish Jacket in Cross and Eira shortly, but want to organize test knits for the remaining patterns, beginning with Gyda in the beginning of March.

New Design: Atika

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Hearts of Oak is an attractive stitch pattern I came across last summer, and just had to use in a design. The sculptural feel it gives make the texture stand out. Judith Bech has designed a stunning felted wool dress in exactly the same grayish aqua color I choose for my swatch made in the luscious Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline Soul held together with Pickles Merino Tweed using a 4 mm/US 6 needles. A large cowl to cover your shoulders or neck that can also be worn as a tight wrapped top together with matching loose sleeves was my solution to grace Judith’s dress.

Fabulous knitter, Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, agreed to knit the sample for me and to assist on deciding how to work the increases as well as whether to work them in the round or flat. It is a stitch pattern that is harder to work flat since the centering stitches on each side does not seem flow naturally, in my opinion. Grete found a great solution to increasing by working them on either side of the pattern increase or decrease, and suggested knitting both in the round for ease. Ideal solutions, I think! Thank you, Grete!

Above it is worn as a tight top with a twist around the neck. I know this is a style that does not suit everyone, but I love how it transforms the cowl completely. You can easily add or remove pattern repeats to both the width and the height of the loop, depending on how you prefer to wear it. The loop is worked straight without any increasing while the loose sleeves have increases on the inside of them, and a thin round elastic cord thread through the top to keep them in place around the upper arm.

It can also be worn twice around the neck if preferred. All these photos of me wearing it are, as usual, taken by my husband. You can look forward to seeing the gobsmacking photos photographer Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk beautifully styled by Sissel Fylling, wearing that stunning matching dress by Judith Bech and divine shoes by Monica Stålvang. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Trend, out on Monday 23. February, while I plan to test knit the English pattern in my Ravelry group before releasing it.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Judith Bech