Tag Archives: Kori

Report One: Vienna Wool & Design Festival

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My first highlight of the Vienna Wool & Design Festival was that I met up with Nancy Marchant at the airport in Vienna on Friday afternoon. She landed half an hour before Michael and I so, Suncica suggested booking a taxi for the three of us, knowing that we would have a lot of luggage with us. It gave me a wonderful chance to get to know the Queen of Brioche Knitting. The festival had already began by the time we arrived; the first set of workshops started in the afternoon. Several of the stands were set-up, ready for the influx of knitters on Saturday, in the Market Hall  (read: the Ballroom) at the Arc Hotel Wimberger. While I was busy looking down at all the yarns on all the 23 stands, Michael looked up and captured the banners with my design Tau, published in the: Vienna Wool & Design Festival Magazine: wool 2 to go 01. Mail order is open from today.

Suncica, one of the two organisers, had three different stands: The first for her current yarnshop: Wollsalon with the wonderful yarns like: Artyarns, Hedgehog Fibres, Lorna’s Laces, Malabrigo and Shibui. The second for her new brands called Pop-Up Store with: The Uncommon Thread, Biscotti Yarns and Doulton Flock. The third for her new yak yarn: Myak. I must admit seeing all those brands made me craving yarn. I am sure that sound familiar to many of you! I was way too busy talking to knitters I had meet in Vienna in 2015, test knitters from my Ravelry group and friends to take photographs, so most of these are taken by my husband!

Uschi, the other organiser, told me that they early figured out that they needed a photo wall, and where better to place it than on the stage. We took advantage of it and asked Susanne, aka shannara13 on Ravelry, to join us. On the Friday we were all wearing the same bluebell shade of blue and all my designs: Uschi, aka Grinsekatz on Ravelry, is wearing Ronette, Susanne is wearing Irina Pullover, both have made adjustments to the pattern to make them their own and  I am wearing Kori.

I was looking forward to seeing Scottish designer Di Gilpin again. I met her first time at the Rowan Yarns’ stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London several years ago, while I was still working for Rowan and she was launching her first book with Rowan yarns. Now, she has her own yarn brand: Lalland Lambswool, sell finished garments and designs both for hand knitters and for haute couture. In the photo above you see Sheila, who trains all their sample knitters and assists Di. Her eye for design and especially intricate cable work stand out, just take a look at her website here: digilpin.com. And yes, I have several balls of her yarn to play with now. To be continued.

All the beautiful colours and yarns on the British The Little Grey Sheep stand blew me away. Here I am lost in colours. All you can see of me is the back of my design Helka. I first spoke their shepherdess Susie (you can see her in action in the picture hanging above the mini skeins in the photo below), before I spoke to dyer & manager Emma.

Invited to this festival was also the Polish designer Hanna Maciejewska, aka Hada Knits, who I met up with during the festival. We enjoy each others company a lot! Suncica, aka Sunce5555 on Ravelry, stopped us in our tracks asking for more autographs for the magazines. We obliged, enjoying the lime light for a short period of time.

Hanna’s husband Daniel was walking around with his camera just as Michael was. Another designer who also brought her man was Isabell Kraemer, but due to our workshop schedules I was not able to talk to her until Monday morning when the six of us had a late breakfast. I am very proud of the fact that I did not buy any yarn, but I was given several skeins and balls to play with so I do not feel deprived in any way.

None of my workshops were fully booked and the small groups made them extra enjoyable since it gave us more time to get acquainted! Among the participants I spoke Norwegian to three of them to my surprise; two of them were living in Austria while the third had worked as an au-pair in Norway. The rest of the time, I spoke English and several of the Austrian participants where surprised how quickly they could recall their English vocabulary that not been used for awhile. More photos and stories are coming up next so stay tuned.

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Kori Pattern Released

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The test knit of my design Kori is completed and the English version of the pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. 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 tted jacket. The intricate cable crossings are lled 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 off. It is knitted in parts to give extra shape in the beautiful Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk in August 2016. Brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, modelled by Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, over a skirt by Judith Bech Design.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust circumference: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                                                                                                                Waist circumference: 74 (81, 88, 96, 106, 116) cm/29.25 (32, 34.75, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75)” Hip circumference: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 56 (57, 58, 59, 60, 61) cm/22 (22.5, 22.75, 23.25, 23.5, 24)”                                Sleeve length: 51 cm/20″

Yarn: Rowan Yarns, Baby Merino Silk DK (66% merino, 34% silk, 50 g, 135 m/148 yds). Sample is knitted in Bluebird 684: 9 (10, 11, 13, 15, 17) Skeins; 1161 (1323, 1485, 1647, 1917, 2187) m/1269 (1446, 1624, 1801, 2096, 2391) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/baby-merino-silk-dk

Alternative yarns: Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino superwash wool, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 141 g, 247 m/270 yds) http://www.shalimaryarns.com/portfolios/yarns-sept21-active/?cpt_item=breathless-dk Manos del Uruguay, Silk Blend (70% merino wool, 30% silk, 50 g, 137 m/150 yds) http://www.manosyarns.com/the_yarns/silk_blend/ Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for tucks on body and sleeve. 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (120 cm/48″) for collar. 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for size XS waist. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 22 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 40-sts in Kori plus 2 purl sts measures 12 cm/4.75″ across. 28-rnds/rows in Kori measures 10 cm/4″ down.

Notes: 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.

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Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk

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544-strikkeI spent last weekend at Hadeland Glassverk holding two different workshops and visiting the knitting exhibition in the amazing new gallery, with the glass entry part designed by Snøhetta, during their knitting festival called “Strikke 2016”.  The exhibition was initiated by one of the owners Atle Brynestad, who started his first company a knitwear company at the age of 16. A selection of the first sweaters are exhibited together with photos from the -70s and -80s.  There are 19 participating Norwegian designers in addition to 4 International designers. Among them are Christel Seyfarth, Sonya Yong James, Tine Solheim, Sidsel Høivik, Tove Fevang, Nina Granlund Sæther, Bente Røvik, Vanja Blix Langsrud, Denise Samson and me. The festival, including the exhibition, opened on the 3. September and will hang until the 30. October.

dscn0538The yarn shower containing 1000 strands of yarn, sponsored by the House of Yarn is at one end of the exhibition while the coffeeshop and the beautiful view of Hadeland is on the opposite side.

dscn0542The intricate and colorful designs by Sidsel Høivik, accompanied by her first book and flyers for her second book. Sidsel now sell her designs as yarn kits directly from her website.

mmp-xt1b4531My part of the exhibition, taken by my husband so that I could stand next to my designs. I am wearing my long jacket, Helka and displayed are from right to left: Yellow Gold Pullover, Shalana, Hel, Kori and Ronette. I choose to display these designs since the Norwegian patterns are all found in the special magazine Familien Strikk now on sale in Norway.

dscn0535Danish designer Christel Seyfarth is know for her colorwork and pattern combinations. She is one of the designers giving a talk about her inspiration on the 22. October. Here is the full list of talks: Hadeland Glassverk.

mmp-xt1b4384Here is a view taken from the coffee tables next to the large windows seeing the shop part at the front.

dscn0527The shop with the Festival sweater hanging on the wall. The shop has a large selection of books, yarn kits, ready made knitwear, some knitting needles, patterns and accessories. I am happy to have my Norwegian book for sale there.

dscn0557I know the photo is dark but I wanted to share the amazing view as well as weather with the Randsfjord in the background. Here is the full program. So if you have the chance to see it, do! Do bring your knitting too!

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Familien Strikk 2016

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16_no_fao_05_forside_89646 jpegThe special issue Familien Strikk is now out in Norway with 79 patterns including 6 of mine: Kori, Yellow Gold Pullover, Ronette, Hel, Shalana and Githa. I am delighted to have a series of patterns included in this magazine together with Tine Solheim and Bente Presterud Røvik. None of my patterns are on the cover but there is a small photo of both Kori and Shalana on the contents page. Two of the patterns: Yellow Gold Pullover and Githa are available in English in my Ravelry Store and on loveknitting. The remaining patterns will be test knitted this autumn in my Ravelry group before they are released.

16_no_fao_05_linda_marveng__86895_Page_1All the six projects are brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, and tulle skirt by Judith Bech Design. I have named the series “Reiselyst” meaning “Wanderlust” or “Travel-lust” directly translated. “Water, beach and wanderlust have inspired this series by designer Linda Marveng. Intricate cables and lace pattern adorn the garments. Be inspired and travel and travel in the country or abroad. But do remember to bring your knitting!”. The introduction to Kori is as follows: “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.”

Magazine spreadsOn the following page is a photo of the back. Yellow Gold Pullover is next: “Elegant chain link cables framed by a welt pattern adorn this gorgeous pullover. Playful tucks add life to the rib and give the pullover more texture. It is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts and sewn together at the end. Jamieson’s Spindrift, a fine heathered wool was chosen for its lightness and color.”

Magazine spreads2Next is 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.” Also listed are the pattern details with yarn, sizes and needle. Followed by the vest Hel: “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.”

Magazine spreads3Shalana: “A fitted pullover with Sand Cables that travel from the center towards each shoulder. At the center of the body between the cables is double seed stitch, framed by a twisted stitch which is increased into at the same time as you decrease in the stocking stitch on the opposite side of the cables.”

Githa: “A central wavy lace panel adorns this a-lined tunic tank with garter stitch bands. The lace pattern creates fans with boxes of garter stitch in between creating texture to the uneven chainette yarn made of a mixture of cotton, linen and viscose, Rowan Panama. The yarn make the tunic tank easy to wear during the summer or for a party. A generous shaped cowl covers your shoulders and dress up the tunic tank to make a perfect set called Githa, from Anglo-Saxon; to give or a gift.”

The magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. If you are in Norway you can also order it by SMS just write “Strikk16” in addition to your name & address to 2205 or buy a digital version for iPad, see www.klikk.no. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.

The samples and the professional photographs of all these, except for Githa, will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk from 3. September to 30. October.

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New Design: Kori

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XT1B1323As promised here is more details and a presentation of my design: 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 Baby Merino Silk DK. The yarn was generously sponsored by Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent. Luckily for me Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, had time to help me knit this sample in time for the photoshoot as you saw in the previous post. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk in late August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

XT1B1313Kori is a design I planned for the previous collection but time ran out and I set it aside. When I picked it up again, I did not remember that there were two versions of the cable chart: one where the cable legs are across 3 stitches and another one where the cable legs are across 4 stitches. Of course I chose the wrong one and ended up with a jacket close to size Large and not Small. So I have sewn it up twice, and adjusted the pattern so that the cross back will be slightly narrower than on the sample.

XT1B1316I have graded the pattern for sizes XS to 2XL with finished bust measurements from 84 cm to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, and waist measurements from 74 to 116 cm/29.25 to 47.75″. The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I decided to work the body flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck is worked with 2 sets of circular needles helt together. To avoid the slight flare on the body, I suggest using a smaller needle size like 3.5 mm/US 4 instead of 4 mm/US 6. The photos above are all taken by my husband in the cold drizzle a couple of weeks before the blistering heat on the day of the photoshoot. I can promise you some stunning photos of Alexandria Eissinger wearing it…

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Behind the Scenes: Photoshoot at Villa Malla

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XT1B1541On 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.

DSCN0404We 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.

XT1B1531Here 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…

XT1B1639Above 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.

DSCN0422This 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.

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