Makeløs Festaften in Fredrikstad

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Makeløs/Remarkable re-design stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik was in charge of the catwalk with a mix of new & old handcraft designs and jewellery to make numerous unique as well as colourful inspirational outfits, at the party night on the Strikkefestival/Knitting festival in Fredrikstad. Kristin combines new & old knitwear with embroidered table cloths, bell pulls and lengths of tulle fabric. With knitwear from Tone Loeng, Vanja Blix Langsrud, Sidsel Høivik, Kristin Holte, Nina Granlund Sæther, Annemor Sundbø and myself, together with jewellery from Siri Berrefjord and Gry Marie Grindbakken, in addition to a co-operation with local hairdressers Adam og Eva, Kristin made outfits that takes your breath away. The logistics with 14 models, 5 dressers to aid the models, a violinist to open the show, a sound technician and 25 outfits with accessories down to shoes, takes a lot of time, space (both head space and literal space to hang all the outfits) plus energy. Thankfully Kristin seems to have an endless supply of energy, unlike most people I know.

First out is the Setesdal Lovely outfit with brooches by Siri Berrefjord and bridal crown by Gry Marie Grindbakken. The coat has embroidered cuffs and neck and is worn with hand made lace cuffs & lace collar, in addition to layers of tulle skirts and fabric for a belt. All these crisp photos are taken by Geir Arnesen, and I am ever so grateful to be allowed to use them here. Thank you, Geir!

Here is another bridal crown, this one is by Kristin Holte and so is the knitted jacket. The brooches are by Siri Berrefjord. We enjoyed the colourful explosion to our senses, and I really wanted a pair of opera binoculars to take in more of the details. But since I stayed over with Kristin and her family I was lucky to have a sneak peek the day before.

This dress is part of Kristin Holte’s wedding outfit, usually worn with the cardigan and crown above. All the knitted flowers makes it heavy but also so sculptural.

My Lattice Back Jacket worn over one of Kristin’s many beautiful table cloths. Siri was present and pinned on her own brooches as she saw fit, just as Kristin had suggested.

This kofte is by Vanja Blix Langsrud, aka vanjastrikk, a new design called Blanda Drops. It is worn by Elise, Kristin’s daughter and now experienced model with a professional attitude.

Last but not least is the winner of the competition for the Fredrikstad Genseren 2017 by Marianne Solbrække, styled as only Kristin knows how to with layers of tulle skirts in matching colours. The catwalk went too quickly for us knitters who wanted more, but it was the highlight of the party evening that began with an introduction by the knitting organisers (read: knitting motors), music by a band, a buffet with delcious finger food, the mayor announcing the winner of the Fredrikstad pullover contest, chatting and not to forget knitting! I was not giving my knitting enough attention, so I ended up unraveling what I had done. I was fortunate to catch a lift with designer Sidsel Høivik who live close to me. Hence the weekend ended just as it had began with talk about knitting.

Makeløs Catwalk at Strikke 2016

Posted on October 8, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Hadeland Glassverk is organizing the knitting festival Strikke 2016 for the first time to celebrate the opening of their new gallery with a magnificent glass entrance area by Snøhetta. The launch of the festival was the first weekend in September, and the highlight was the outdoors catwalk by Makeløs/Remarkable – yes, it was and she is – stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik. You see her above commenting on the gorgeous vintage table cloth used as a dress, worn with my Lattice Back Jacket and Aran mansjetter/cuffs. Yes, she did style that photoshoot of the jacket with the same divine table cloth, in Fredrikstad for the Norwegian magazine Made by Me too.

From the front view you see the table cloth worn with a brooch made by Siri Berrefjord. Kristin’s motto is that it is not essential that you know how to sew, to make an old stunning embroidered tablecloth into a poncho or a skirt, as long as you know how to use a stapler or creatively use safety pins. I could not attend this catwalk as I was teaching at Strik Bornholm that very same weekend. The photos above are taken by Geir Arnesen, and I am so grateful that he captured these moments to film.

Kristin’s signature is her use of vintage embroidered table cloths for dresses and skirts as well as embroidered bell pull as belts. You will find more photos from another cat walk here: Makeløs Redesign Fashion Show. Above is the Fletteskjørt/Cable skirt from my Norwegian knitting book styled with a bell pull as a magnificent belt. This photo taken by designer Helle Siggerud also gives you an idea of the size of the audience. Kristin was also asked to take part in the knitting festival in Fredrikstad, for a Makeløs Festaften/Remarkable Party Evening. And in case you are wondering: Yes, it was!

New Design: Mistale

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love my Cable Round Sweater, not only the cables but also the fit and – above all – the immaculate styling by Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik, but I still wanted to take the design further. I decided to incorporate some modifications suggested by my talented test knitters. The result is a cabled sweater with more ease in the body itself, and less ease on the sleeves. The yarn choice was easy, since the vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk out on Monday 24. August, while the English version will be test knitted in my group before its release.

The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together. There is more ease in the body and less in the sleeves compared to the Cable Round Sweater.

And of course, I had to make a matching cowl. Just as the Cable Round Cowl it has cables on one side and ribs on the other. Due to the thickness since it is knitted in the round, it is firm and easy to drape twice around your neck.

To illustrate the length of the cowl, here it is worn around the neck. The set was photographed in strong sunlight by my husband a few days before the professional photoshoot. The yarn color is closest to the top photo. The yarn has been kindly sponsored by Hifa. Photographer Eivind Røhne has captured it brilliantly when worn on model Anne Dorthe at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. I have one more new design I can reveal before I show you the professional photos!

Lyre Bolero Pattern Released

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The Lyre Bolero was part of the Jugend Love series I designed for Made by Me, and Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik of Makeløs/Remarkable styled it with a hand embroider table cloth as a skirt, it was stunningly worn by Pia Cecilie/Team Models with beautiful hair & make up by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen and shoes by Monica Stålvang, all brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. The bolero inspired test knitters to make it longer with cables or ribbing as a hem or attaching the belt and use it as a wide hem. See some of the different version on the pattern page on Ravelry where it is now available for sale in English. Here is my introduction to the pattern:

Delicate lyres made by lace and cables stitches used in panels surrounded by stocking stitch makes this bolero perfect to use on top of a wide dress or skirt on a cold day. Lyre Bolero is fitted and begins just above the waist with increases to the bust. Worked in parts to add stabilizing seams, but with long sleeves worked in the round. A stunning cummerbund made of tucks adds length and elegance.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/34 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 65 (72, 79, 87, 93, 113) cm/25.5 (28.25, 31, 34.25, 36.5, 44.5)” Length: 37 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46) cm/14.5 (15, 15.75, 16.5, 17.25, 18)”
Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)” Cummerbund: Tuck lengths: 69 (76, 83, 91, 97, 118) cm/27.25 (30, 32.75, 35.75, 38.25, 46.5)” Tie length: 25 cm/9.75″ Height: 9 cm/3.5″

Yarn: Hifa, Embla – Hifa 3 (100% wool, 100 g, 210 m/229 yds). Sample is knitted in Dark Blue Purple 6078. http://www.ull.no Bolero: 3.5 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) skeins; 672 (735, 798, 872, 966, 1060) m/734 (803, 873, 954, 1056, 1159) yds Cummerbund: 1.5 (1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 2) skeins; 231 (252, 273, 305, 315, 389) m/252 (276, 299, 333, 343, 425) yds

Yarn alternative: Cascade, 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 100 g, 201 m/220 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com Berroco, Ultra Alpaca (50% Wool, 50% Alpaca, 100 g, 197 m/215 yds) http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca Madeline Tosh Pashmina Worsted (75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere, 100 g, 192 m/210 yds. http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/psh-worsted.html Or another worsted/10 ply yarn.

Needles: 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for sweater and cummerbund. 4 mm/US 6 DPNs or circular needle for magic loop method.

Notions: Cable needle. 6 stich markers: 2 for sides, 4 for pattern. 6 stitch holders. Yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 25 rows in Lyre Pattern measures 10 cm/4″ square. 19 sts and 25 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notes: The bolero is worked flat in pieces, while the sleeves are worked in the round. Discontinue the Lyre Pattern and continue in st st when dec. The cummerbund can easily be adjusted to your waist measurement by adding or detracting stitches to the numbers given; the tucks are made to meet but not overlap. The ties are added on the width of the last hem.

Cable Round Sweater Pattern Released

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am pleased to announce that I have released the Cable Round Sweater pattern in English, after the test knit in my group on Ravelry. Stunning model Pia Cecilie/Team Models with hair & make-up by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, vintage clothes styled by Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik of Makeløs/Remarkable, ankle boots by Monica Stålvang and cufflinks by Siri Berrefjord, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The Norwegian pattern was first published in the Jugend Love series in Made by Me in the autumn of 2014. Here is my introduction to the pattern: The light denim blue colour in the stunning pelt yarn from Hifa, captivated me. I chose a round cable with a band on. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater became figure hugging and a perfect accompany to your favourite jeans or trouser. It ends with a square narrow neckband so that you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Sizes: Sweater: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Cowl: One size

Finished measurements: Bust: 86 (92, 98, 104, 116, 128) cm/ 33.75 (36.25, 38.5, 41, 45.75, 50.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22.5, 22.75, 23.25)” Sleeve length: 46 (46, 47, 48, 49, 50) cm/18 (18, 18.5, 19, 19.25, 19.75)” Cowl: Circumference 34 cm/13.5″, length 124 cm/48.75″

Yarn: Hifa, Pelsullgarn in sh 1113 Light Denim Blue (100% Norwegian pelt yarn wool, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull Sweater: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6.5) skeins; 884 (988, 1092, 1196, 1404, 1616) m/967 (1080, 1194, 1308, 1535, 1767) yds. Cowl: 2.5 skeins: 637 m/697 yds

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds) http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds) http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29 Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 (80 cm/32″) circular needle for sweater body. 3.5 mm/US 4 (40 cm/16″) circular needle for neck band and cowl. 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeve or circular needle for magic loop.

Notions: Cable needle, 11 stitch markers (2 for side, 9 for pattern) and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in rib measures 10 cm/4″ square. 1 Cable measures 5.5 cm/2.25″ across. 3 Cables with 3 sts rev st st on each side measure 17 cm/6.75″ across. Or needle to match gauge.

Notes: The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together.

Icelandic Jacket Pattern Released

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Stunning model Pia Cecilie/Team Models, with hair & make up by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, is wearing vintage styled clothing by Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik of Makeløs/Remarkable, Bettina ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, and my Icelandic Jacket, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Bjørnulfgården in Fredrikstad. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in our Jugend Love series in Made by Me in the autumn of 2014. The English pattern has been test knitted and is now available in my Ravelry Store. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by Iceland’s wild nature, I have designed an a-line jacket with a cable spine panel in fine tweed on the back, framed by stockinette stitch in a lush silk yarn mixture with tucks in a matching tweed on the cuffs. To show off the cable panel on the front, I made it into a cowl.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL) Cowl: One size

Finished Measurements: Bust: 90 (96, 104, 114, 124) cm/35.5 (37.75, 41, 45, 48.75)” Hip: 110 (116, 124, 134, 144) cm/43.25 (45.75, 48.75, 52.75, 56.75)” Length: 70 (71, 72, 73, 74) cm/27.5 (28, 28.25, 28.75, 29.25)” Sleeve length excluding cuff: 45 (45, 46, 46, 47) cm/17.75 (17.75, 18, 18, 18.5)” Cuff length: 8 cm/3.25″ Cowl: Width: 15 cm/6″ Length: 102 cm/40.25″

Yarns: Col 1: Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 in Juniper (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 4608 m/5040 yds, 454 g/1lb): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) cone or 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) spools of 100 g; 1015 (1074, 1136, 1257, 1359) m/1110 (1175, 1375, 1486) yds. http://www.jaggeryarn.com/wholesale-yarn-lines/zephyr-wool-silk.php Col 2: Rowan Yarns, Felted Tweed DK in Watery 152 (50% merino, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) ball; 70 (90, 110, 130, 150) m/77 (98, 120, 142, 164) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/felted-tweed-dk Col 3: Rowan Yarns, Rowan Fine Tweed in Wensley 371 (100% wool, 90 m/98 yds, 25 g): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) balls; 250 (260, 270, 280, 290) m/273 (284, 295, 306, 317) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-fine-tweed Cowl: Col 3: 4 balls; 342 m/374 yds.

Alternative yarns: Col 1: Garnstudio, Drops Lace (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 100 g, 800 m/875 yds) http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/yarn.php?id=100 Col 2: Rauma, Puno Petit Alpakka (56% alpaca, 10% merino, 34% polyamide, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds) http://www.raumaull.no/produkter/garn/alpakka/puno-petit-alpakka Col 3: Pickles, Merino Tweed (100% wool, 100 g, 380 m/415 yds) http://shop.pickles.no/en/products/yarn/pickles-merino-tweed/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″) 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (60 cm/24″) 2 sets of 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) Adjust needle to match gauge.

Notions: 3 buttons (17 mm/28L, 0.70″) and 3 sets of snap fasteners to attach on the back. Special ordered buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, see http://epla.no/shops/sirisskattkammer/ 8 Stitch markers, cable needle, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 30 sts and 32 rnds using Col 1 in st st after blocking measures 10 cm/4″.  25 sts and 16 rows; 1 cable pattern using Col 3 measures 6 cm/2.25″. 20 sts and 30 rnds using Col 2 in st st measures 10 cm/4″.

Notes: The body is knitted in three panels; Left Panel, Right Panel and Spine Panel. Each side panel is sewn to the Spine Panel and has an interfacing front band which is knitted simultaneously and then folded back. The bottom hem on the side panels is knitted into place. The sleeves with their tuck cuffs are knitted in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is identical to the Spine Panel, just longer and joined at the short ends.

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.

Lattice Back Jacket Pattern Released

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Linda Marveng

It has been awhile since the test knit of the Lattice Back Jacket was finished, but I have finally released the English pattern in my Ravelry Store with video links and a detailed schematic. You can see all the different versions and the different yarn the test knitters selected on the pattern page (see the first link). The pattern was first published in Norwegian in the magazine Made by Me 2/2014. Above it is gorgeously worn by Pia Cecilie/Team Models, beautifully hair and make up styled by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, stunningly styled by Makeløs/Remarkable Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik and brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne/Beyond the Ice. Here follows my introduction to it: An intricate panel of rocking cables adorns the back of this elegantly fitted jacket, hence each front and sleeve has a series of accompanying small cables. The body of the jacket is knitted flat with hems, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The sample is worked in a beautiful heathered color in the bouncy Ask – Hifa 2.

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

Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Waist: 65 (72, 79, 87, 93, 113) cm/25.5 (28.25, 31, 34.25, 36.5, 44.5)” Hip: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 54 (55, 56, 57, 58, 59) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22, 22,5, 22.75, 23,25)” Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”

Yarn: Hifa, Ask – Hifa 2 in melange purple 6657 (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/964 (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 Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 100 g, 384 m/420 yds). http://www.shalimaryarn.com/item/Breathless/237/c21 Rowan, Wool Cotton (50% merino, 50% wool, 50 g, 113 m/123 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/wool-cotton Or another sport weight/5 ply yarn.

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

Notions: 11 buttons (13 mm/0.5″), stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rows in st st using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4″ square. Rocking Cable Panel across 66 sts measures 22 cm/8.75″. Rocking Cable Panel over 36 rows measures 12 cm/4.75″. Small Back Cable Panel across 30 sts measures 10 cm/4″.

Notes: Each front is 1 cm wider than 1/2 the back circumference, to achieve symmetry, usual in typical vintage garments. This jacket is like vintage jackets very fitted, please compare your waist measurements to the size you need and adjust if necessary, to make sure it will fit.

The pattern will also shortly be available at Loveknitting.

Kofteboken

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Linda Marveng

What is a Kofte? The word comes from Kaftan and can be open only in the neck or as a cardigan, it is worked in stranded knitting usually in two colors in traditional Kofte-patterns often with classic pewter buttons attached. A Norwegian Kofte is usually worked in the round without any shaping and steeked open at the front. Sturdy Norwegian wool is preferred by the majority. Freelance journalist Liv Sandvik Jacobsen started the large Kofte hunt/Den store koftejakten more than a year ago with the idea of gathering old traditional kofter (plural of kofte), and spreading the knowledge of these patterns as well as their history. A Facebook group was set up, initiated by Tone Loeng later assisted by Gitte Bettina Lauridsen, now with more than 26 000 members, magazine articles have been written, television programs have been made, exhibitions have been curated and now what everyone has been waiting for – the book is launched. The selected patterns have been checked, adjusted in size, color and yarn, in addition to new ones designed, with the expertise of Danish designer Lene Holme Samsøe, see hvem-er-lene-og-liv/who is Lene and Liv. All the samples have been knitted on a dugnad/orchestrated community work announced on the Facebook group, with knitters name & garment listed in the book. Many have been waiting for months for this book with their yarn ready to begin one or more of these projects. It was an incredible popular launch at Husfliden in Oslo on Saturday.

I was delighted to meet Lene again, so shortly after we met at the Strikkehelgen/Knitting weekend in Stavanger, where we both held talks and workshops. It was a great pleasure to also meet Liv who started this amazing Kofte-trend that is sweeping the country. They had brought with them a large selection of the kofter in the book which were displayed on a rail next to them and I enjoyed seeing them up and close. I convinced Makeløs/Remarkable stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik, who styled my latest designs with redesign in the Autumn issue of Made by Me to join me. The photo above, taken by designer Ellen Andresen (read: so much clearer than any of mine), shows Liv on the left, and Lene on the right, with stylist Kristin Elise behind Lene, and me next to her. I am wearing my Shawl Sleeves, pinned together with the cowl from Autumn Symphony. Husfliden Shop Manager wanted all four of us in the photo. If you are in Norway, you can order the book from this page: kofteboken.no or in a number of book or yarn stores around the country or if you are abroad from the yarn shop Sommerfuglen in Copenhagen: sommerfuglen.dk.

Here is a close up of my outfit for the day, and since it was a cold day (just above 0 degrees celsius), I used the black shawl pin to hold the two ends of the Shawl Sleeves together, folding the upper layer in addition to closing the gap under my arm. One additional safety pin was needed to close the gap lower down and a second one holding them together on the right side. As you can see I choose to pin the Autumn Symphony cowl together too, all in the name of keeping warm. The last photo is taken by my husband with his new camera on our terrace on the beautiful day just before the book launch.

New Design: Cable Round Sweater

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Linda Marveng

This sweater is not new, since it was published in Norwegian in issue 2/2014 of Made By Me, but I would like to share my ideas behind it, and the photos my husband took of me wearing Cable Round Sweater. Here is my introduction to it: The light denim blue colour in the stunning Norsk Pelsull/Norwegian Pelt Yarn from Hifa, captivated me. I chose a round cable with a band on. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater became figure hugging and a perfect accompany to your favourite jeans or trouser. It ends with a square narrow neckband so that you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl. This is my idea of a simple pattern; The Sweater, both the sleeves and the body are worked in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows, using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles. The cowl is worked in the round as a long tube, and then the ends are joined together with mattress stitches but you could easily use a temporary cast-on method and graft the ends together. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group later this month, and I know to my delight that a few of you are waiting eagerly for it.

Here is another photo this time with the cowl hanging loose making the sweater looking more dressy. The cowl is half cable half rib so that you can see both stitch patterns. There is no shaping on the body of the sweater since the ribbing holds it in and make it appear shaped.

View from the back. I have a long back and long arms as you can see but both lengths can easily be adjusted to your preference. The neck band is picked up and knitted afterwards in stockinette stitch, with a bit of shaping and a folding line so that you attach it on the wrong side at the end. I co-operated with brilliant Re-design stylist Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik for Made By Me, and she suggested styling it with a pair of tight black studded trousers, a white mens shirt, an orange chiffon scarf with matching clutch plus we both agreed that Monica Stålvang Carmen boots in Petrol were perfect with it. Kristin also suggested beautiful orange cuff links by Siri Berrefjord. Below is a stunning picture from the photo shoot of Pia Cecilie/Team Models, hair and make up styled by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, taken by Eivind Røhne.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik