Tag Archives: Monica Stålvang

Photoshoot at Vigeland Museum: Aibell

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The next set of photos I am going to show you is the Aibell, the dress I made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, knitted in the divine Tinde pelt wool yarn. This was actually the first garment we photographed at the Vigeland Museum at our photoshoot in November. So while Sissel Fylling was working on Emma Ross’ hair and makeup, Eivind Røhne and I looked at the different halls and what we wanted as the backdrop to the different designs. We were awestruck by the large plaster sculptures in the Monolitt Hall and decided to start there. I styled the dress with boots from Monica Stålvang and statement jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. Em did look magnificent in the dress. First I wanted to show you how I prefer the dress, simply hanging down and with the cowl worn as a collar.

I did have a hard time choosing photos, especially for this dress since I also wanted to show off the different ways it can be worn. Here is my introduction to the dress: Named after the Celtic Goddess of Munster who had a magical harp in her possession is this ballon shaped dress where the shaping is done by the cables. The a-line created by the cables is mirrored on the body. The fronthas 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.

Aibell is knitted in Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde pelt wool yarn made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 grams using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5 for the bottom rib. The gauge is 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square.

The dress is knitted in pieces and seamed. The cables shape the dress, by adding one cable at a time. Add elastic to the bottom if you prefer to wear it higher up. Adjust the length in the stocking stitch area, depending on how you prefer to wear it. The cowl can easily be adjusted to your preferred height by adding cable repeats or purl stitches in between the cables.

Next view is the rib pulled up. Em is wearing size Small with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36.25 but the pattern has been graded from size XS to 2XL: 86 to 122 cm/33.75 to 48″.

Here is how it looks slightly pulled up from the back.

My last option was to pull the rib inside out and using it as interfacing for a tunic. Here you can see it without the cowl. The neck has an I-cord bind off.

 A close up photo with the cowl, showing the dress worn as a tunic from the back.

Just before Em went to put on trousers for the photos with the dress worn as a tunic, Sissel had an idea. It was a revelation really. She suggested using the cowl as a belt. So we had a go at helping Em putting on the cowl.

It is not a look that will suit everyone but I did love seeing this trendy young look, so thank you Sissel for that idea! You can easily adjust the cowl or belt to your own preference.

Here is the final photo I will show you of Aibell and it is just in time for the test knit which begins on Monday in my Ravelry group. The English pattern will be released after the test knit is completed with the Norwegian pattern and yarn kits will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at “Fagstrikk” in Oslo in April. I am so thrilled with all these photos! Thank you to my amazing team!

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Lofn

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I knew red would look marvellous on model Emma Ross. This particular red has a grey core and is a wonderful pelt wool from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk called Sølje. The pullover Lofn is the last of four new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and the Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning in mid October before it is released. Lofn is Norse for praise. This pullover is praising texture with its sideways voluptous cables and welt pattern that works like a rib. The upper part is picked up andknitted in Fisherman’s Rib and increased into top part of sleeve, while the bottom part of sleeve is knitted separately. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured this moment at Villa Malla in late May. Sissel Fylling styled Em’s hair and makeup. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots by Monica Stålvang.The sample is brilliantly knitted by Grete Jenssen in size S using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle but with a bottom width of 80 cm/31.5″ instead of 92 cm/36.25″ and height of 25 cm/9.75″ instead of 30 cm/11.75″ due to a tight gauge. However, it did fit Em perfectly. Lofn will be available in sizes S (M, L, XL, 2XL) with a bottom width of 92 to 132 cm/36.25 to 52″ and a wingspan (without the lower sleeve) of 71 to 91 cm/28 to 35.75″.

The body is knitted in four parts with cables and welt pattern on the bottom part and Fisherman’s rib on the upper part. Increases are made in each side of the upper part for top of sleeve part. Bottom sleeves are worked flat separately. If you want to shorten or lengthen the sweater, adjust the height of the lower panel, adjust the stitch number in Welt pattern and allow more yarn. Lofn was the last of the new designs we photographed at Villa Malla. I also decided to photograph three old designs: The Free Falling Pullover returned from Interweave, The Tau Scarf returned from Vienna Wool & Design Festival as well as the Merino Omslagsvest/Merino Wrap Around Vest from my Norwegian knitting book. So stay tuned to see how these photos turned out. But next on my blog I will show you two new designs to be released on Thursday 2nd August in the Interweave Knits Fall 2018 issue.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Irpa

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I knew that model Emma Ross did not need to wear a wool cardigan on top of the Sigyn wool dress at Villa Malla in the sweltering heat at the end of May, but I did want to show how well they work together. Photographer Eivind Røhne knew my plan and captured these brilliant photos after Sissel Fylling had finished perfecting Em’s hair & makeup. The accessories are also of Norwegian design: Jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the ankle boots are by Monica Stålvang. Michael was ready to hold the large reflector but did not need to hold it in the end. I was making sure that all sides of Irpa was photographed and also wanted Em to wear a pair of pencil trouser beneath instead of the dress to show off its versatility. The Norwegian pattern and yarn kit will be launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 12th of November before it is released.Irpa is Norse for dark brown and suited this long oversized cardigan with a v-neck and a slight shaping for waist. Pine cable cover the center back, while only one pattern repeat adorns the fronts and sleeve. A wide rib makes this casual jacket a perfect extra layer to the Sigyn dress.

Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on both Ravelry and Instagram knitted the beautiful sample in size Small for me, while I was working on another project you will see later this autumn. Irpa is knitted in the  luscious and bounce Tinde – a breed specific Norwegian pelt wool – from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. The button band is knitted using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle. The sample has 11 buttons with a diameter of 20 mm/0.78″.

The cardigan is knitted in pieces and seamed. The second part of the v-neck decreases on the fronts moves to the opposite side of the cable in order for the cable to continue to the shoulder.

I have graded the dress from sizes S to 2XL, with a bust circumference of 110 to 154 cm/43.25 to 60.75″. Next out in this series is the last of the new designs: Lofn.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Sigyn

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Model Emma Ross’ favourite garment of the ten designs to be photographed at Villa Malla, was the dress, Sigyn made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. It was cloudy when Em, Michael and I met up with photographer Eivind Røhne and makeup & hair artist Sissel Fylling in the morning at Filtvet by the Oslo Fjord in late May. I decided to style Sigyn with Evalina boots by Monica Stålvang and borrowed jewellery from Kaja Gjedebo Design. In addition I wanted to show the dress with a belt and also beneath the long jacket Irpa. The Norwegian pattern and kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 10th of September before it is released.

Sigyn is Norse for victorious girl-friend and ideal for this a-line dress with a central swing cable, surrounded by ribbing to make it figure hugging. The cable is divided and moves towards the shoulder to make a v-neck at the front. Decreases are made in the purl sections to emphasize the silhouette of Sigyn. The dress is knitted in the bouncy Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The dress was perfectly knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry in the shade Grass Green using a 3 mm/US 2.5. Grete knitted size S with 28 stitches gauge due to the time pressure (instead of 24 stitches) hence the sample measures 88 cm/34.75″ across the bust instead of 94 cm/37″. I have graded the dress in sizes XS to 2XL, with bust circumference of 88 to 130 cm/34.75 to 51.25″.

The dress is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The decreasing for a-line is done in the purl sections of the rib. The cables are moved towards the shoulder on the front, beginning 10 cm/4″ before the armhole and ending just before the neck shaping. The swing cable is the same I used on the sweater Vaga and found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

You can easily adjust the length of the dress if you prefer, for instance by shortening (or lengthening) it with up to 7 cm/2.75″ before the a-line shaping begins. For a tunic, reduce the length with a further 17 cm/6.75″ by working 1 cm/0.5″ less between each of the decreases.

Here is the cool shot of the Irpa jacket worn on top of the Sigyn dress. More photos of the jacket is coming next in this series.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Sirona

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Sirona, was another pullover that looked magnificent on Emma Ross at Villa Malla in late May. Photographer Eivind Røhne made sure we did not have any women in bikinis’ in the background and captured all these brilliant shots. Yes, I did struggle to minimise the number of chosen photographs. Sissel Fylling made sure Em’s hair & makeup was up to scratch and suggested a number of poses to Em. The statement jewellery is by Kaja Gjedebo Design and the boots are by Monica Stålvang. Sirona is Celtic for Star Goddess, the name for this fitted pullover with an intricate central cable surrounded with smaller cables and seed stitch. The round neckline needed a crown and was given an I-cord bind off decoration. Sirona is knitted in pieces in the divine The Fibre Co. Cumbria.

I knitted this sample in the St. Bees Beach colourway of The Fibre Co. Cumbria using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The yarn is made of 60% Merino wool, 30% Brown Masham wool, 10% Mohair, with 218 meters/238 yards on each 100 gram skein.

Yes, Cumbria has become one of my staple yarns. This is the third pullover I have designed in this yarn. Vaga was the previous one and the first one was Eira Pullover made for knit.wear Fall/Winter 2017. Eira Pullover has been returned from Interweave to me and will be photographed again in my next photoshoot.

Sirona 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. Em is wearing size S, but I have graded the pullover from sizes XS to 2XL with a bust & hip circumference of 86 to 126 cm/33.75 to 49.5″. Waist circumference from 76 to 116 cm/30 to 41.75″.

The Norwegian pattern will be published in a special magazine by Familien released in August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning 6th of August before its release.

I did wonder whether I should use the brown ski pants or the navy blue silk trousers together with Sirona, but opted for the silk trousers in the end since it is a fitted pullover. Next in this series from the photoshoot is the vest Var made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Vaga

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Vaga, knitted in the sea green, Yew Tree shade of The Fibre Co. Cumbria Worsted, looked magnificent on modell Emma Ross, at our photoshoot at Villa Malla. As usual Sissel Fylling had to cut her hair, so it would look immaculate, before styling it and then doing Em’s make up. We did not raise an eyelid, since this is the norm, now. Em is also wearing statement silver jewellery I borrowed from designer Kaja Gjedebo. Photographer Eivind Røhne captured these magic moments on a sweltering day in May. I choose to style Vaga with a pair of brown ski looking pants and boots from Monica Stålvang in a very similar green tone.Named after the Celtic Goddess of the River Wye is this pullover with cables that runs over the body and sleeves. A saddle shoulder allows the swing cable to continue to the neck with its twisted rib ending. The pullover is slightly shaped for the waist and knitted in the gorgeous The Fibre Co. Cumbria Worsted.

Cumbria Worsted is made of 60% Merino wool, 30% brown Masham Wool and 10% Mohair, with 218 meters/238 yards on each 100 gram skeins. Vaga is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle and with a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square. It was sample knitter Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on both Ravelry and Instagram, that made this in size S for me. Kristin knitted the pieces, while I crochet them together and knitted the neckband.

Vaga is scheduled for test knitting in my Ravelry group beginning on 9th July, before the English pattern will be released. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in a special magazine from Familien called Strikk, available in August.

The pattern has been graded from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference from 84 cm to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. Next design out in the photoshoot series is Sirona.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Ardra

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Here is Ardra professionally photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by the gorgeous Emma Ross at Bøler Kirke/Church, late in October. Yes, I did know that the cognac shade of Sølje by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk would suit Em perfectly. Sissel Fylling did start by cutting Em’s hair and had her assistant Nora helping her. Jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo Design, who lives close to the church, were also with us for the first part of the day. I styled the pullover with black pencil pants, a turtle neck and Monica Stålvang’s stunning boots. Here is my introduction to Ardra: Round knot cables run along the body of this a-line pullover with a slightly longer back. Only one cable adorns each sleeve. The body is worked in the round and ends in a round neck with an I-cord bind-off. A false seam on the sides make the fit better. Ardra is Celtic and means noble.

The yarn kit was launched at Oslo Design Fair in January by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and will shortly be available in selected yarn stores. The pullover was beautiful knitted, using 3 mm/US 2.5 and a 24 stitches and 32 rows gauge, by Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry and Instagram, since I was busy working on another new design. Sølje Pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 gram skein and comes in 30 beautiful shades.

The body is knitted in the round with short rows for a longer curved hem at the back up to the armhole. Then it is worked back and forth in Back and Front. The sleeves are knitted in the round up to the armhole. Emma is wearing size Small with 4.5 cm/1.75″ positive ease. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

Finally the back view with the extra long curve at the bottom. The cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook, and appear smaller due to the thinner yarn than on the poncho Donia. The English pattern for Ardra will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on 23rd of April before it is released in mid June.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Barra

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Barra was photographed at Bøler Kirke/Church in the opposite corner to Cahal, to complement the light brown Sølje yarn by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk the cardigan is made of. Just as brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne suggested. I was delighted to see gorgeous model Emma Ross, with makeup & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing the jacket with such flair. Barra is styled with pencil pants and a black turtleneck as well as with Monica Stålvang’s stunning boots. Here is my introduction to the cardigan: Elaborate spear cables run like a spine on the back of this long jacket before they are moved towards the shoulder at the top. At the front one cable follow the line along the v-neck. The sleeve has a spear cable running around it at the bottom, before the upper part is knitted in the round in stockinette stitch. The a-line cardigan is named Barra – Celtic for spear.

The cardigan was beautifully knitted by Anne Langfjæran, aka kosekontoret on Instagram, using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles to a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows/rounds in stocking stitch to 10 cm/4″ square. Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Sølje is made of 100% pelt yarn with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 gram skein in a lovely melange brown. Emma is wearing size Small with 4.5 cm/1.75″ positive ease. I have graded the pattern from size XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round after the sideways cable panel to the armhole. Stitches are picked up along right side of cable panel for the top sleeve. The cable is the same I used on the pullover Melva and found in Norah Gaughan’s inspirational Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I attached 10 buttons with a 15 mm/0.52″ diameter on the button band which is picked up and knitted at the end.

Here is the a view of the back, and you can see how the cables are moved towards the shoulder at the top, while they are moved from the v-neck shaping at the front. The Norwegian Barra yarn kits were launched by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk at Oslo Design Fair, while the Norwegian pattern will be released shortly and available at Ravelry. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning on the 14th May and it will be released around 6 weeks later.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Cahal

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Next out is Cahal in my series of pictures from our photoshoot at Bøler Kirke/Church brilliantly taken by Eivind Røhne. The vest, knitted in Olive Green Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, looked stunning on model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The perfect boots are by Monica Stålvang. Cahal, and the other three designs in the Hillesvåg Collection, were all styled with black pencil pants and a black turtle neck pullover. Cahal is an Origami vest with reversible cables that folds into shape. Vents are made by leaving the seam open at the bottom. The horizontal seam draws a line across the shoulders ending in a curve at the armhole. You can wear the vest with both sides out by making a neat or flat seam. The name Cahal is Celtic for strong in battle.

Emma is wearing size S, with a finished bust measurement of 106.5 cm/42″ but the Cahal is also available in sizes M/L and XL/2XL with these measurements: 117 (127) cm/46 (50)”. The vest is knitted in two parts. The front is a square, while the back has 30.5 cm/12″ extra body length that folds to the front at each shoulder to form the upper front and the neck opening.

Cahal is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle and a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I was fortunate to have Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitting this vest for me. The lovely yarn, Tinde Pelsull, is made of 100% pelt wool, with 260 meters/284 yards per 100 gram skein.

The back of Cahal with the courtyard next to the chapel at Bøler Church in the background. We could not have planned the colour scheme with all the natural materials any better. I love this straight back view. The intricate cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook.

Not only the cables are reversible on this vest, I think the whole garment is reversible. I considered working a flat neat seam, but opted for a visible seam creating an even more marked shoulder line instead. Seams with the sewing allowance visible is in fashion at the moment and I like the rougher look it gave to the vest. As usual I used a crochet hook and worked a slip stitch seam. This cropped photo was chosen as the cover for the retailers brochure by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Sissel wanted to try out a new hair style on these reverse set of photos and added several extra hair bands on Emma’s wonderful hair. We were all in favour and waited patiently as she did it. Above you can see the result! I also love this stylish photo and I am so grateful for having such a wonderful team!

Last, is the view of the back with the wrong side out. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release. The test knit will begin 9th of April. The Norwegian pattern will be released shortly. The yarn kits were launched last week at the Oslo Design Fair and will be available online at Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk’s website: www.ull.no and in selected yarn stores shortly.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Donia

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I am so excited to show you the photos of the gorgeous Emma Ross, with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling & jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing Donia, captured by Eivind Røhne at Bøler Kirke/Church in Oslo last October. Yes, I did select the medium blue in Tinde Pelsull by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to go with Emma’s hair and because it was a shade I wanted to use for some time. We started our photoshoot at Bøler Kirke/Church in the courtyard next to the chapel. The colour of all the natural materials worked so well together with the colours I has chosen for the collection for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, to be launched at Oslo Design Fair. I decided to style the poncho with high heeled boots from Norwegian designer Monica Stålvang, and black pencil pants.

Round knot cables adorn the bottom and the top of this poncho. A high collar gives it a noble look, hence the name Donia; Celtic for rules all. The upper part 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.This was Kaja’s favourite from the shoot, and she borrowed it when Emma had changed into the next garment. I have made the design in one size, but it can be adjusted to your preference in both width and length. The bust circumference is 194 cm/76.5″ and the length is 74.5 cm/29.25. The sleeve length is 32 cm/12.5″.

The body is knitted in four parts 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.

Donia is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square. The Tinde Pelsull yarn is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein and it comes in 30 divine shades.

The last photo of Donia shows it worn with a belt. Sissel and I decided to use the wide belt on Emma. It is only the front piece that is gathered together with the belt, while the back piece is left to hang loose and hence seem longer. The yarn kit with a Norwegian pattern will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of January, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning on March 5th, before it is released at the end of April.

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