Tag Archives: Monica Stålvang

Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Mistale

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I promised to show you the new photos of Mistale, when I used a detail of one of them for the KAL pattern discount offer, so here they are. The figure hugging sweater with cowl – was knitted in the gorgeous lime pelt wool yarn and first published in the Norwegian magazine Familien Strikk back in August 2015. For these new photos, I decided to style the sweater with culottes of a Japanese brand and Evalina ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. Gorgeous Model Aksa Mortensen, with with make-up & hair by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wore size Small with 6.5 cm/2.5″ positive ease. Brilliant Photographer Eivind Røhne captured these photos at Hvalstrand Bad back in May and they are the last ones from the shoot.

The vivid lime green in the stunning Tinde pelt wool yarn from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk 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 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.

Mistale is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles and with a 21 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4” square.

The sweater pattern is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference from 89 to 129.5 cm/35 to 51“.

You have already seen a detail of this photo used in the KAL pattern discount – still valid for two more days (through September 2021). The digital pattern, available in both English and Norwegian, can be bought at Ravelry and at LoveCrafts. I brought a brightly coloured silk scarf, that Nina folded around Aksa’s head. I love these new photos of the Mistale so I would like to thank my awesome photoshoot crew!

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Photoshoot at Hvalstrand Bad: Nipa

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I am thrilled to show you the photos that Eivind Røhne took of the gorgeous model Aksa Mortensen wearing the Nipa sweater, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, with make-up & hair styling by Nina Hjertaas Bull and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Hvalstrand Bad, back in May. We photographed this inside the restaurant due to the bright sunshine and the crowded beach. The yellow columns worked as a nice contrast to the dusty light lime colour of Tinde pelt wool yarn Nipa was knitted in. I chose to style it with black pencil trousers and Evalina Olive ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.

Nipa, Norse for peak, is a straight cabled pullover. A central intricate cable panel adorns the center of the body and the sleeves. Twisted stitches play in the cable and along the edge of the stockinette parts. Nipa is crowned with an I-cord decoration around its crew neck. The sweater is knit in pieces from the bottom up in the divine Tinde, a pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Aksa is wearing size Medium with 17 cm/6.75″ positive ease. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 162 cm/33 to 63.75″.

Nipa is knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle and with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neckband is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up and knitted from the first round of the neckband for the I-cord bind off decoration.

Yarn kits with English or Norwegian pattern will be available early in September from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while the single pattern will be released after test knitting set to begin 3rd of January in my Ravelry group.

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Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church November 2020: Hetta

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I have been looking forward to showing you the photos of the beautiful Olivia Lindtein, with make up & hair and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing my new Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk design Hetta, captured by Eivind Røhne. I chose to style Hetta and the three other designs with a strap-less machine knitted long dress with a zipper at the back and ankleboots by Monica Stålvang. Hetta was photographed at the back of the church hall in Mortensrud Church in Oslo, back in November. Yarn kits with either an English or a Norwegian pattern are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The pattern will be released in both English and Norwegian after the on-going test knit has been completed at the end of April.

Named Hetta, Norse for hood, is this oversized cozy pullover with a kangaroo pocket. An embossed leaf stitch adorns the hoodie, which begins in a broken rib. The stitch pattern continues on both parts of the hood which are knitted together at the top and seamed at the back, then attached around the neckline. The pocket is knitted onto the front at the end. Hetta is knitted in the stunning pelt and lambswool yarn mix from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, called Vidde.

The sample is size S, but I have graded the Hetta pattern from sizes XS to 5XL, with bust measurements from 129 to 186 cm/50.75 to 73.25″ with an intended ease: + 46-56 cm/18-22”. Olivia is wearing it with + 53 cm/20.75”of ease.

The pullover is worked back and forth from the bottom and up in pieces and then seamed. A circular needle is used to accommodate the large stitch number. The stitches for the beginning and end of front pocket are held on waste yarn. The pocket is knitted onto the front at the end. The hood is worked in two separate parts and joined with a 3-needle bind off, then seamed at the back and along neckline with a front overlap.

My sample knitter Airin Hansen knitted this for me with a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows in st st using 4.5 mm/US 7 needle measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking. The Vidde lamullgarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk is made of 100% wool (50% pelt wool and 50% lambswool) with 200 meters/220 yards on each 100 gram skein.

Yarn kits are available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk with either an English or a Norwegian pattern, while the individual Hetta pattern will be released at the end of April in my Ravelry Store.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church May 2020: Yaelle

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What backdrop should we choose for my Yaelle design, made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, at the photoshoot at Bøler Church in May 2020? I instantly knew the answer to this: The rusty cor-ten wall panel with Bøler Kirke carved into it worked perfectly as a matching background to the Cognac coloured Tinde pelt wool yarn that Yaelle is knitted in. I told photographer Eivind Røhne that he did not need to include the letters “Bø” as in “Boo!” this time, since he did that back in October 2017 at our first photoshoot at the church. Instead Eivind included the brick wall too. Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wore Yaelle with black pencil trouser and boots by Monica Stålvang. Olivia looked stunning in the oversized high-low pullover!

I wanted to have Yaelle photographed with a belt but also with the front folded  into a triangle held in place by a shawl pin. So not only the usual front, side and back view to photograph for Eivind this time. I also had to make sure we took a photo showing the pocket in the side.

Yaelle is a high-low pullover with an all over check pattern, swinging side panels and pockets. Named after Hebrew for the mountain goat, as it can take you everywhere. The pullover ends in a high loose turtle neck collar. Yaelle’s side panels are picked up and knitted after the side seams are done. The pockets are knitted at the same time as the front, including the pocket band and the lining. Wear Yaelle as you like; hanging loose or gathered with a belt or with a shawl pin at the front. The pullover is knitted in the pelt wool yarn Tinde with lustre from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Olivia is wearing size S with + 53 cm/20.75” ease and she stands 167 cm/5’6” tall. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 5XL with a bust circumference of 128 cm to 192 cm/50.5 to 75.5 inches.

The pullover is worked back and forth in pieces from the bottom and up, then seamed. The side panel is picked up and knitted after the shoulder and side seams. The two vertical side pockets are worked at the same time as the front with extra stitches for the pocket band, with the lining attached horizontally at the top and bottom of the pocket. The collar is worked in the round.

Yaelle is knitted with a 21 stitches and 30 rows in Stockinette stitch gauge using 3.5 mm/US 4 measures 10 cm/4” square after blocking.

The pattern is currently under test knitting in my Ravelry group and will be released at the beginning of November as an individual pattern on both Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. This is one of my favourite set of photos from the photoshoot, as I love how all the colours came together! Thank you to my wonderful team!

Yarn kits with a pattern either in English or Norwegian are available to order directly from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Gillah

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Last out of the designs I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk that we photographed in late May, is the Gillah knitted in the divine Tinde pelt wool yarn in Grey Purple 2111. The gorgeous and talented Kaja Kvernbakken, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wears size XS/S and has been brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne. We have moved to the front of the small gallery building, opposite the Oslofjord Museum, and I wanted to show how this swoncho or pullover looks with and without a belt. Just as for the Epona pullover, the I choose to style the swoncho with a pair of Japanese culottes I have in my wardrobe together with ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size XS/S with 56 cm/22″ positive ease. The circumference is 144 cm/56.75 and I have graded it into M/L: 152 cm/59.75 plus XL/2XL: 160 cm/63″. Intended ease: + 40-56 cm/15.75-22″. You can adjust the size to fit you by deducting or adding sets of 12 stitches.

Devorgilla’s stunning cable adorns this swoncho with garter stitches on the center sleeve and collar. It is knitted in pieces with vents in each side and shoulder shaping in the gorgeous Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The collar ends in a I-cord bind off to crown the playful center cable. Gillah means joy in Hebrew and it suited this swoncho tribute to Dorota Kowalczyk.

Gillah is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

A yarn kit for the Gillah is available in selected stores in Norway as well as online from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The test knit of the English pattern begins in November and it will be released together with the Norwegian one in January.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Aife

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Next out in this series of photos taken by Eivind Røhne at the Oslofjord Museum is Aife, worn by the gorgeous Kaja Kvernbakken with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. I decided to style this fitted pullover, knitted in the divine hand dyed Dye Dye Done Pure Sport using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles, with a pair of Japanese culottes and Evelina ankle boots by Monica Stålvang. The yarn is made of 100% Superwash Merino and comes in 100 gram skeins with 300 meters/328 yards. The sample in size Small took 5 skeins and 1470 meters/1608 yards to make.

Aife was the Queen of the Isle of Shadow according to Celtic mythology. This elaborate cabled pullover with a slightly fitted waist, is made for a female warrior. A large cable panel, created by Devorgilla, is mirrored with two small cables at the center. The sweater ends in a generous turtle neck in ribbing. To show off the stunning hand dyed Pure Sport yarn by Dye Dye Done, the sleeves are in stockinette stitch with only two small centered cables. Aife is knitted in pieces for the ultimate fit.

Kaja is wearing size Small, but I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust and hip circumference of 86 to 123 cm/34 to 48.5″. Intended ease: + 5-7 cm/2-2.75″. Sample shown is 92 cm/36″ and worn with + 4 cm/1.5″ ease on model.

Above you can see the hand dyed tones in the yarn as well as the details of the cables. The pattern is being test knitted and will be released tomorrow in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry as well as LoveCrafts.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Bell Jacket

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I am ready to begin to show you the photos we took from our base at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker, outside of Oslo at the end of May. First out the Bell Jacket, this is an old pattern that was first published in my Norwegian book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” by Cappelen Damm in 2012. I want to present a new model, chosen for the occasion since I had so many designs to photograph this time I choose to book both Emma Ross and Kaja Kvernbakken. The multi talented Kaja is a former editor, designer, novelist and one of the few Norwegian technical editors. In addition she has been modelling for years and years, ever since she was working as a designer for the Norwegian yarn company Du Store Alpakka. You will find her face on several Norwegian knitting books and magazines. So here she is wearing my Bell Jacket with a pair of pirate trousers, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, plus ankel boots by Monica Stålvang, brilliantly photographed next to the corten steel wall by Eivind Røhne.

The Bell Jacket was photographed again since I am releasing the pattern as an individual pattern and because I wanted to sell the Norwegian pattern for reuse to the magazine Familien. I have received several requests for the pattern in English, but knew I had to revise the pattern and have my technical editor to check it as well draw a schematic drawing for it, hence it has taken a lot longer than anticipated.

The jacket is knitted in Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 made of 100% Lyocell that comes on 454 gram/1 pound cones with 3072 meters/3360 yards. The sample is knitted in Sienna and Pompeii with 1 strand of each color held together throughout using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle for the front band. The gauge is 29 stitches and 38 rows in stockinette stitch using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with 2 strands held together measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size with a 96 cm/37.75″ bust circumference. I have added a size extra large and done a few adjustments to the pattern as well as rewriting the pattern into my current pattern writing style. I loved seeing this jacket on Kaja! I am so proud to have such a fabulous team to work with! Thank you!

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Canola Pattern Released

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The test knit of the English pattern to Canola is coming to an end and I have released the pattern on Ravelry. My test knitters have done a brilliant job and you can see their versions on Ravelry. The poncho was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and is knitted in their divine Tinde Peltwool. Yes, there actually is a pelt sheep; a Norwegian sheep breed that is a cross between a Gotland sheep and a Norwegian Short Tail Landrace (spælsau). The wool is naturally light grey and when dyed, it gains a heather colour. It has a lustre and a bit of a halo. In my opinion, it is perfect for cables. Yarn kits are available to order from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, while both the Norwegian and the English patterns are now for sale in my Ravelry Store. Photographer Eivind Røhne captured this brilliant photo of Emma Ross, with hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at the Vigeland Museum back in November. A longer more detailed post, with a photo of my Damara skirt/poncho made for the upcoming Norwegian book, is public on my Patreon page.

Named after Canola the Irish deity who ruled over music magic is this poncho with sideways cables at the bottom and on the high collar. The upper section is picked up and knitted from the lower cable panel and worked in stockinette stitch with shaping for the shoulders. The short sleeves in rib hold the poncho together. You can wear it with a belt or a shawl pin to gather it at the front or loose, just as you prefer.

Size: One Size

Finished measurements:
Bust: 194 cm/76.5”
Length: 74.5 cm/29.25”
Sleeve length: 32 cm/12.5”

Yarn: Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull (100% pelt wool, 260 m/284 yds, 100 g). The sample is knitted in Burgundy 2104; 9 skeins;
2158 m/2360 yds.
https://www.ull.no/produktkategori/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pel…

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…
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 circular needle (80 cm/32” and 40 cm/16”).
3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for sleeves.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge

Crochet hook: 3.5 mm/US E/4 (for provisional cast-on).

Notions: Stitch markers (removable), stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 21 sts and 30 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square.
49-sts Canola cable measures 16.5 cm/6.5” across.

Notes: The body is knitted in four sections with cables on bottom part and stockinette stitch on the upper part. A long circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. The sleeves are knitted in the round in rib. The collar is knitted separately using a provisional cast-on so that the ends can be grafted together. If you prefer to have the collar loose, pick up and knit stitches around the neck and work an I-cord bind-off.

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Aibell Pattern Released

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The test knit of Aibell has come to an end, and the pattern has been corrected as well as improved. I am delighted to let you know that the pattern is now available in both Norwegian and English in my Ravelry Store and on Loveknitting. Aibell was made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and is knitted in their divine Tinde pelt wool yarn using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 3.5 mm/US 4 needle. The dress came alive to me when Emma Ross wore it at the Vigeland Museum last November. Sissel Fylling who did her hair and make up also suggested wearing the cowl as a belt for those who dare. The stunning jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design, while the black Benedetta wedge boots are designed by Monica Stålvang. Eivind Røhne captured it all.

The idea began as a balloon dress, with a tight rib at the bottom and a voluminous stockinette stitch part. What if I used the stockinette stitches to make cables instead of decreasing and what if I made the introduction of the cables to look like a royal sash? Hence the front and back had to be opposite and not identical. I made a small swatch to see if the idea would work out. Yes, it did to my excitement. I choose to make the sample in a neutral colour and went for natural grey.

Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted the sample for me in her usual turbo speed and grafted the ends of the cowl together. After I had finished crocheting the dress together and made the neckband, I tried it on and discovered that I could wear it with the rib pulled up a bit, or folded in to make a thick layered tunic or merely hanging down.

Named after the Celtic Goddess of Munster who had a magical harp in her possession is this balloon shaped dress where the shaping is done by the cables. The a-line created by the cables is mirrored on the body. The front has Right cables beginning at hip one at a time, while the back has Left cables. A cowl make a high cabled collar or a belt. Wear it loose hanging down, slightly pulled up or as a tunic with the rib turned.

The dress is available in sizes XS to 2XL and you can see the gorgeous projects from the test knit on the pattern page on Ravelry.

Happy Easter! Enjoy the holidays!

You can read and hear more about my creative life, by becoming a patron with rewards such as monthly free pattern on Patreon.com

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Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Corra

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Let me present Corra worn by model Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly captured by photographer Eivind Røhne at the Vigeland Museum in November last year. Corra is made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and knitted in their divine Tinde pelt wool yarn in the blue turquoise colour 2129. The colour does look gorgeous on Em, I think. I choose to style it with black pencil pants and Benedetta high wedge boots from Monica Stålvang.

Named after the Prophecy Goddess is this elaborate cabled pullover with slightly fitted waist. Two large cable panels are divided by a small cable that ends in a Henley neck, framed with an I-cord. Unlike the body the sleeves only have two small cables surrounded by stockinette stitch, so all the focus is on the body. Corra is knitted in pieces and seamed.

Em is wearing size S, but I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 86 cm to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5″. The pullover is knitted with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch using 3.5 mm/US 4 needles, measures 10 cm/4″ square. Corra is photographed in the Monolith Hall, with the plaster models made by Gustav Vigeland as casts in parts for the granite 17.3 meter tall/56 feet and 9.1″ Monolith (the center piece of the Vigeland Park in Oslo); a column consisting of 121 figures. The figurine part is 14.2 meter/46 feet and 7″ tall, excluding the plinth. Carved from one single granite block, hence the name (mono: one, litho: stone). Take a look at Em in front of the Monolith in this blogpost: Behind the Scenes Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum.

The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at “Fagstrikk (Knits trade fair)” in Oslo in April, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on 18th of March before its release. It was like a dream to spend the whole day, surrounded by all these amazing sculptures, in the company of only the curators and my crew! Thank you!

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