Tag Archives: Norah Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourcebook

New Design: Leylak

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I am thrilled to show you my new design Leylak, knitted in the gorgeous hand dyed Walk Collection Merino DK in Flieder. The yarn was generously sponsored by Cathrin Walk who I met, through Isabel Kraemer, at Barcelona Knits last year. My plan was to work on the Ataraxia silhouette with its peplum and make the same silhouette without the peplum but with the wings. Instead of a collar I wanted to make a cowl and asked for one skein of Cathrin’s KidMohair Lace in the same colourway. I knitted Leylak using a 4 mm/US 6 needle with a 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch gauge measuring 10 cm/4″ square. My husband took these photos of me wearing size S, a few minutes from our house, down by the Rødnessjøen in Ørje. The pattern will be graded from size XS to 5XL.

Named after the Turkish leylak, the lilac tree, is this flowery cabled a-line cardigan with sidewings. The delicate cables, by Norah Gaughan, reminiscent of the lilac blossoms adorn the fronts, the back and the sleeves. Leylak ends in reverse stockinette stitch in a deep round neckline with a double neck- and buttonband. The jacket is knitted in the divine hand dyed Walk Collection Merino DK yarn, in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. To crown Leylak, make the cowl to act as a collar in excess yarn held together with the stunning Kid Mohair Lace.

The cable itself is one found in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. It seemed so perfect with its delicate look, even though it is a very time consuming cable to work, with a few rows where you need to be aware of changes as cables end or begin abruptly. But I do believe the cabling to be rewarding in the end, I must say.

The cardigan is worked back and forth in separate pieces and seamed. The asymmetric lower body has extra width – sidewing – in each side that is bound off. Each front has 3 cm/1.25″ extra width at center front that is bound off at the same time as the wing, then joined with the buttonband at the end. Waist shaping is worked in the sides.

Here is a detail of the neck and the cowl. You can also see how perfect in colour and texture the vintage buttons are. I found the buttons online, first I searched in Oslo, before the Corona virus, then online in both Norwegian stores including Epla (a Norwegian version of Etsy), before I found some on Etsy from an Italian store – vintage buttons in plastic in the perfect colour even though they are a bit big. The shop is called Razzle Dazzle Corner with an owner from Bologna, Italy, and specialises in vintage haberdashery, clothing & accessories.

I am planning to launch the Leylak pattern on September 9th and to begin the test knitting in July, allowing extra time since it is far from a quick knit.

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Norsk Strikkedesign – Upcoming Book: Cian Pullover & Cowl

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Cian Pullover & Cowl are two more designs, especially made for Norsk Strikkedesign/Norwegian Knit Design that will be published early in October by Cappelen Damm, where I contribute 5 projects and take part together with 5 other designers: Arne & Carlos, Kari Hestnes, Bente Presterud, Birger Berge and editor Iselin Hafseld. Below is the preliminary cover, while we are waiting for the next version. We all do hope it will be bought by foreign publishers and translated. My Cian Pullover and the Cian Cowl – one of two accessories, I made – are both knitted in Tinde pelt wool by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the Natural Grey shade by my sample knitter Kristin Nygård (sweater) and Grete Jensen (cowl). Yes, the cowl did come later. I decided upon the three main garments for the book first, then the accessories. In early February, just before delivery of the garments to the publisher, Michael photographed me wearing the sweater in size medium and the cowl (one size) in my yarn bunker & his photographic studio.

Named Cian after the Irish God who rules over love magic, is this long a-line pullover. Three central Moss cables, framed by double seed stitch, adorn the center of the body which ends in a vent. Cian is crowned with an I-cord decoration around its crew neck. The pullover is knit in pieces in the divine Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, Tinde Pelsull made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. 

  Both designs are knitted using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows gauge in stockinette stitch per 10 cm/4″ square. I found the gorgeous cables in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I placed three at the center of the front and the back for balance and one on the sleeve. I decided to frame them using a twisted stitch and a panel of double seed stitch.

The sweater is worked in pieces and seamed. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. As you can see in the photo above. The sweater is graded in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 cm to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

After Kristin had knitted the pieces, I did the finishing and decided to add a decorative I-cord band at the neckband as a divider between the cable pattern and the rib.

Here you can see a detail of the front and the cowl. I cannot remember what I was saying at the time, but it was probably something to do with what Michael should zoom in on. Next out in this series is the Cian Beret.

For a more detailed post, support me on patron and get access to 26 patron only posts including 4 videos plus rewards: www.patreon.com/lindamarveng.

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O-Chem Tunic in Interweave Knits Winter 2019

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I am so thrilled to have my design O-Chem Tunic in Interweave Knits Winter 2019. It was yet another design submission that was accepted by editor Meghan Babin. Yes, this is the Science Issue, hence the name O-Chem Tunic. In the intro, Meghan writes: “We’ve curated a collection of 19 designs inspired by the natural sciences and astrophysics.” My tunic is introduced as follows: “The O-Chem Tunic features a striking central panel of knotted hexagonal cables inspired by organic chemistry compounds. For visual balance with the three cables in the body, the sleeves have one main cable running down the arm, and all the cables in the sweater are framed with rope cables. The sweater sports a cozy standing collar and side vents in the rib at the bottom for a relaxed fit.” On the cover is Saturn’s Rings Pullover by Adrienne Larsen.

@ Harper Point Photography / Interweave

The tunic is knitted in the lovely soft Tahki Yarns Alden made of 50% merino wool, 25% alpaca, 25% acrylic with 229 meters/250 yards on each skein in 06 wine colour, using 3.75 mm/US 5. The yarn is distributed by Tahki Stacy Charles. As usual I have knitted the tunic in parts and seamed them together for the ultimate fit. The standing collar is knitted with an interfacing which is folded down.

@ Harper Point Photography / Interweave

The pullover shown measures 94 cm/37″ (the third size) and is modelled with 7.5 cm/3″ of positive ease. I have graded the tunic to these underarm circumferences:  86.5 (87.5, 94, 104, 114, 124.5) cm/32 (34½, 37, 41, 45, 49)”. I enjoy the college setting and Tina Gill’s superb photostyling. You can also study the beautiful hair & makeup by Janie Rocek in the close-ups below.

@ Harper Point Photography / Interweave

I found the gorgeous cables in Norah Gaughan’s inspiring Knitted Cable Sourcebook. I placed three at the center of the front and the back for balance and one on the sleeve. I decided to frame them using a basic cable and continue the cables up on the collar but use reverse stockinette stitch instead of stockinette stitch as on the body. Finally, I want to thank the team at Interweave and Harper Point Photography for making my design look so fantastic!

@ Harper Point Photography / Interweave

The Interweave Knits Winter 2019 issue is available in a digital edition or print edition. In Norway you can buy the print issue at larger Narvesen stores or order it at your local one. I will show you the photos Michael took of me wearing this design, but if you do not want to wait, you can have a look here: O-Chem Tunic.

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Photoshoot at Bøler Church: Ena

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The next set of photos from our shoot is of Ena, knitted in The Fibre Company’s Acadia, beautifully worn by Emma Ross leaning towards the rusty cor-ten wall panel with Bøler Kirke/Church carved into it. Photographer Eivind Røhne who captured these brilliant shoots made sure to position Em so that the two letters “Bø” as in “Boo!” was visible at all times. Yes, we do have a lot of fun! Hair & makeup stylist Sissel Fylling made sure that Em’s hair was not covering up the collar. On Em’s finger is one of Kaja Gjedebo Design’s statement rings in gold-plated silver.

Ena is Celtic for fiery. As you need to be passionate about cables to make this jacket. The woven cables lean towards the left and the right hence the spine has been accentuated with a twisted stitch at the center back and along front opening. Ribbing in the sides make the jacket appear casually fitted. The collar in rib can be worn open or closed and folded over. Ena is knitted in the rustic Acadia with silk noil from The Fibre Company.

The bespoke buttons are made by Siri Berrefjord in a brown orange colour she matched to my knitted swatch, ideal for this dressy jacket I styled with a pair of wide silk trousers in navy. The handmade buttons are moulded in plastic after old traditional national costume/bunad silver. You can look forward to seeing her stunning photos later. Siri is also a photographer so even the yarn and stitch definition can then be studied in detail!

The cable I chose is from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook, so no surprise there, as I have found a lot of inspiration in it. The Acadia yarn, made of 60% merino wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk with 133 meters/145 yards on each 50 gram skein and it is a luxury to both knit and to wear. I used a 4 mm/US 6 needle with a 21 stitches and 30 rows  in Stocking stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square gauge. The jacket is made in pieces and seamed. The collar is picked up and knitted before the buttonband. The last buttonhole is on collar before fold over.

Em is wearing size S with a bust circumference of 92 cm/36.25″, worn with 6 cm/2.25″ positive ease. The cardigan is graded in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 124 cm/33 to 48.75″. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, beginning on March 12th, before it is released at the end of April.

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New Design: Ardra

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Why not start the new year with a new design, I thought. So here it is: Ardra. Yes, it is another design for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to be launched at the Oslo Design Fair in late January, knitted in the lovely Sølje Pelsull with the same cables as my Donia: 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 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. The colour is called Cognac and Sølje Pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 gram skein. The pullover is 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.

My husband photographed me at the outdoor stage next to Ørje Brug, today a museum called Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum on a very windy day in October. I am wearing size S but the pattern will be available in sizes XS to 2XL with bust circumferences from 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″.

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. But before that I will show you how it looked on the gorgeous model Emma Ross with hair & makeup by Sissel Fylling and captured by photographer Eivind Røhne.

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New Design: Aki

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Here is the second of the four designs I have made in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk. The Norwegian yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at Lillestrøm 30. August to 2. September. Aki is an a-line pullover with a cable I discovered in Norah Gaughan’s Knitted Cable Sourcebook. Yes, it is the sourcebook, in my opinion. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Round cables, reminiscent of antic coins hence the name Aki; Eskimo for value, adorn this a-line pullover with vents at the bottom. The pullover is crowned with a double collar with cables and garter stitches. The body is worked in two parts, while the sleeves are knitted in the round, all parts with garter stitch in the sides. Aki is knitted in a soft heather pink in the luscious Sølje from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

Michael photographed me by the rock next to Rødenessjøen, a short walking distance from our house in Ørje, and we just missed the rain this time. I am pulling the sleeve down, without pulling too much of a face. A reminder why it is so essential for me to have a professional model. It gives me a large number of excellent photos to choose from instead of merely finding a few that are acceptable.

The pullover is beautifully knitted in Sølje by Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry and Instagram, at an impressive speed just in time for me to make the collar, just before the professional photoshoot. Sølje is a pelt yarn that comes in 100 gram skeins with 350 meters/383 yards and has a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle to 10 cm/4″ square. I am wearing size Small but it will be available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. The front and back are worked back and forth, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The rib on the body is not seamed at the bottom to create vents. The double collar is picked up and knitted in the round, allowing the cables to continue. The interfacing part of the collar is knitted in stockinette stitch.

The Norwegian pattern will only be available in the yarn kits to be launched in early September. While the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, it is scheduled to start 2nd of October and will be released approximately 6 weeks later. Do join us. In the meantime you can look forward to seeing this worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger as well as more new designs. Stay tuned, enjoy the summer and keep knitting!

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