Nuala Pattern Released

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Linda Marveng

We seem to have skipped Spring in Oslo and went straight into Summer. A perfect time to release the English pattern of Nuala a straight summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug with a matching cowl. The pattern has been test knitted in my Ravelry group. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Julens Småstrikk last November. Above you see the set worn by model Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar.

Size: One Size

Finished Measurement: Shawl: Width: 42.5 cm/16.75″. Length: 143 cm/56.25″ Cowl: Width: 70 cm/27.5″. Height: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Rowan, Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Marina 580. https://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softknit-cotton Shawl: 6 skeins; 588 m/643 yds. Cowl: 2 skeins; 202 m/221 yds.

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for shawl and cowl. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/0.82″), 4 stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 17 sts and 25 rows in Dropped sts using 4.5 mm/US 7 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The shawl and cowl are both knitted flat. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method. The cowl is sewn together, but add buttonholes rows instead if you prefer and work selvedge st as on shawl.

Familien Julens Småstrikk with 3 of My Designs

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Linda Marveng

On Monday the special issue, Familien Julens Småstrikk/Christmas Small Knits is published with my designs; Hertha, Nuala and Syndra, to my utter delight. The shawl Hertha with loose sleeves, stunningly worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, fringe skirt by Judith Bech, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, is on the cover in the bottom corner – see above – but much larger both on the contents page but also inside – see below.

Here you can see Hertha’s traditional lace pattern with shadow triangels in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, tucks, shawl collar as well as magnificent jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo up close. The shawl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4, and is available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL).

“Gorgeous details. Beautiful garments in lace knitting designed by Linda Marveng, says the introduction”. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn in different ways. The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The hem and tucks are all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel.

“The shawl with a shawl collar can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shoulder pin. Anne Dorthe from Team Models is photographed at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with Poplar Necklace and Magnolia earrings by Kaja Gjedebo.” see kgd.no.

“An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern with dropped stitches is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug.” The Nuala shawl and cowl are both knitted flat using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method.

“A cowl to warm you shoulders and matching loose sleeves. Both are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.” The set is named after Syndra with her immense magical potential and knitted with both yarns held together to create a DK/8 ply yarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Familien Julens Småstrikk will be available in all newsagents and selected supermarkets in Norway, as well as digitally here: www.klikk.no. All the patterns will be published in English on Ravelry after test knitting; Syndra is ongoing while Hertha and Nuala will be test knitted in March.

Familien Photoshoot: Nuala

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you these brilliant photos of my design Nuala, taken by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in May. Let the turquoise color remind you of a lovely summer and look at gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing the set, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling as well as stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Småstrikk at the beginning of November, while the English pattern will be released on Ravelry after test knitting scheduled for March next year.

The shawl and cowl are both knitted flat, using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The pattern only comes in one size. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the Right Side, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the Wrong Side. Both are made using the same one-row method. The yarn was generously donated by Permin.

The large Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring in silver lifted the outfit into evening wear in my opinion. Both are available from acknowledged designer Kaja Gjedebo. The staircase where Anne Dorthe is sitting leads down to the platoon, where we had hoped to take some more photos but due to both the bright sunshine and the strong wind we had to give it up. Just to take these photos, editor Mary-Ann Astrup was providing shadow holding a large screen see my behind the scenes photos.

New Design: Syndra

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I loved how my design Atika came out, and discovered a new gorgeous textural stitch pattern for another cowl and loose sleeves to wear with a stunning dress or with a vest. Named after Syndra with her immense magical potential, is this cowl to warm your shoulders and the matching loose sleeves. Both the cowl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Pickles Merino Tweed. Syndra will be published together with Nuala (turquoise shawl & cowl) and Hertha (cerise shawl & loose sleeves) in the Norwegian special magazine Familien Småstrikk due out on 2. November. The English pattern will be published after a test knit in my Ravelry group.

The cowl is knitted sideways and in the round. You can adjust the length of the one size cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 10 sts. If you want to wear it twice around your neck, add 2 pattern repeats. The loose sleeves are knitted in the round to the end and come in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL). An elastic band is threaded through the stitches on the wrong side of the top of each sleeve. Use knit-in elastic if you prefer. For edgings I choose I-cords and since the I-cord cast-on gives a loose edge I decided using a provisional cast-on (e.g. the backward loop cast-on) later to be replaced by an I-cord bind-off for the cowl, while for the loose sleeves I made an I-cord, then picked up and knitted stitches from it, see video on YouTube. The set is knitted with sponsored yarn from Du Store Alpakka on a 4 mm/US 6 needle.

You can wear the cowl loose around your neck, or across your shoulder or twisted around your neck as above. If this is how you prefer to wear it, pin together two of your scarf, try on and measure to get the right length. For these photographs, taken by my husband, I choose black but for the photo shoot I choose cream to let the stunning lilac color come alive. I think you will agree with me when you see the photos taken by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Stay tuned, and keep knitting!

New Design: Nuala

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love this intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr. I found it so well suited to the cable structured Rowan Softknit Cotton and selected a color which captures summer in an instant; a turquoise called Marina. The stitch pattern is reversible so well suited for a rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. If you wear it with a cowl as a collar you have the perfect accompaniment to your favorite summer dress. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special issue Familien Småstrikk this autumn, while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry. The photos show me wearing it, they are taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

Both the shawl and the cowl are knitted flat with double seed stitch bands. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats. The shawl has 8 buttonholes, 4 at each end, and I found some beautiful dyed mother of pearl buttons at Perlehuset in Oslo. I have had knitting and pattern design (making neater buttonholes) help from both Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, and Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Thank you both for all your assistance!

The dropped stitch pattern has its own rhythm and it is not as difficult to work as it might appear. Since the stitch pattern has a number of centering stitches, I had to make separate buttonholes and could not use the dropped stitches since they were too far into the shawl itself. Above you see me wearing it with black but the set does look great with white too! I look forward to showing you the fantastic photos Eivind took of model Dorthe wearing this set.

Behind the Scenes: Familien Strikk Photoshoot

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Would it stop raining for our scheduled photoshoot for Familien Strikk on Friday 29th May? It did, it was sunny but still cold. To plan the event I had booked photographer Eivind Røhne, hair & make up artist: Sissel Fylling and model: Anne Dorthe from Team Models. Then I convinced former Made by Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup to join us to for her essential advice. That my husband would be part of the team was obvious from the start. Next on the agenda was picking a location venue, and it is not easy, but I opted for Henie Onstad Kunstsenter because of the building itself and its location with a nature trail and marina. For styling, I borrowed from dress designer Judith Bech her magnificent fringe skirt, jewelry designer Kaja Gjedebo a selection of gorgeous jewelry and then obviously also Monica Stålvang some stunning boots. Above you can see Eivind and Dorthe in action with my husband assisting. Dorthe is wearing Quamara, a jacket with a loop closure knitted in Zenta by Permin in a mixture of wool and silk.

It was no surprise to hear that Sissel wanted to cut Dorthe’s hair, and that she was allowed. Just as last time, we could easily have formed a line wanting just that. The meeting room, Onstad, was our base for the day and the storage for all our suitcases packed with equipment and clothing. While Sissel was working away on Dorthe’s make up and hair, we discussed photo locations and order of garments. The strong sun was an issue we had to resolve at times, as well as the strong wind. As a result a couple of our prime locations such as the pier and next to the sculpture in the water with the Marina in the background had to be given up. Above, you can see how Mary-Ann is providing necessary shadow for Dorthe whose legs are covered in blankets, while she is wearing Nuala, a shawl buttoned up with a cowl knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton.

Sissel is busy putting on nail varnish on Dorthe’s nails, just as we are ready for the first project to be photographed: Hertha shawl with loose sleeves knitted in Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double, worn together with Judith Bech’s fringe skirt. The stair case on the side of the building was first out as first back drop. If you look closely on the photo above, over the roof of the black tent you will see part of the sculpture of a banana. Now, using that as a backdrop would have made a very different photoshoot, we agreed!

Here we are looking at locations; 3 geniuses at work as Eivind put it, photographed by my husband. The marina is just in the background but also in the sun, unfortunately. But we did find another suitable location instead. We photographed 9 new designs for Familien, and a secret project. Sissel made sure we had a plan allowing only 30 minutes for each garment so that we would have time for a delicious lunch at Bølgen & Moi as well as finish before we needed to vacate the meeting room at 16.30. We made it, thanks to brilliant co-operation. A marvelous team work, thank you all!

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Nuala