I don’t know what happened to the summer, as I seem to believe we are at the beginning of August and not September. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Oslo Design Fair
Oslo Design Fair January 2020
Last Wednesday Michael and I went to Oslo Design Fair in Lillestrøm, to visit the yarn stands, as well as to meet fellow designers. The theme for this trade fair was Impossible/Possible. “What if we can make the impossible, possible? It is hard to imagine a society that is different than how we have it just now. But if we look back in time, we know that the changes will come and with today’s environmental threat and technological development the changes will come quicker than ever. Think about everything we know that we still do not know yet? Large challenges also create large possibilities. Oslo Design Fair wants to promote Norwegian Design and industry, art, crafts and architecture.” The well-known quote from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: “Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” was the inspiration for this theme.
I am wearing my Alva design, knitted in Tropical Lane Woolissimo, with a belt around the fronts, looking at the new samples from Rauma Garn. In the top photo the posters display the catalogue cover for the “Tumi” yarn and for the “Tjukk Mohair” yarn. The yarn companies are in Hall B, which hosts the categories jewellery, Norwegian craftsmanship, textile, fashion, yarn & hobby.
The best stand, that stood out in its bright pink & flower glory, was in Hall C (Design & Interior Architecture) by the company “Lykke Blomster” and they wanted to spread the “Luck” in their name “Luck Flowers”. It worked, they did!
Now, this piano was not only for display, but was actually in use during the day, while we were there.
Here are more of the samples on the Rauma stand.
Sandnes Garn display.
Järbo Garn, the Swedish company. The were more yarn companies there, but as you might have guessed, Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk did not have a stand (they usually do not on the January fair).
Cappelen Damm podium on the main street promoting some of their popular titles. We met designers Tove Lindtein, Bente Presterud and Familien editor Åse Myhrvold Egeland during the day. I enjoyed the fair, even though there were even less yarn companies than at the last fair this time, I always have the opportunity to see the new yarns and designs coming this spring.
Oslo Design Fair August 2018
The summer came to an end and the Oslo Design Fair opened its door on last Wednesday, at Lillestrøm. It is a day to catch up with designer colleagues as well as yarn producers, and this time was no exception. First on the agenda was a visit to the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk stand to see my latest collection exhibited and look at the new retailer brochure they have made. Above you see me talking to Øyvind Myhr with the sweater Lofn and the dress Sigyn in the background. Both are knitted in the lovely Sølje pelt yarn. Øyvind and Anette did want me to design 4 new designs and I am delighted to do so. Yes, I am wearing my Harding Cardigan, knitted in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, first published in Interweave Knits Summer 2016.
Here is another photo of the mannequins with the yarn kit and brochure at the floor. When Michael and I arrived at the stand, designer Kari Hestnes and co-author Hege Dagestad were there. They have recently written the book: Garnmagi med Plantefarging (Yarn magic with plant based dying), recently launched by Cappelen Damm. Kari to the left, next to Berit Løkken and Anette Toft both from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and Hege.
I also met up with Thomas Kvist of House of Hobbies. He is now the agent for Lana Gatto and the American Distributor Knitting Fever. Designers Iselin Hafseld and Tove Fevang, as well as Dagfinn Sigridson Skoglund – Works Manager at Oslo National Academy of the Arts – were also there and I had coffee breaks with them all. It is such an amazing and inspiring day!
There was no fashion show but House of Yarn did have a video of their fashion show running on their large stand. There were plenty of new yarns to look at and fondle. As you can see I was way to busy to take photographs so I am lucky that Michael did.
Finally I wanted to show you one of the photos Michael took of the Japanese inspired coffee shop in hall C named Scandinavian Design & Lifestyle. The Coffee shop is designed by Anderssen & Voll, with furniture from Japanese Ariake and food from Happolati. In addition I took one photo of the glass gate (read: the floor to ceiling glass wall is on the left hand side), where new exhibitors were presented on one side and exhibitions between the food outlets on the opposite side. 
For the first time at Oslo Design Fair, Hall C will be open to the public, today Saturday 1. September. So if you are tempted and nearby, this is your chance. You can find more information on the website: Oslo Design Fair.
New Design: Barra
Here is the last of the four new designs made for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk; Barra. 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. It is beautifully knitted in Sølje – made of 100% pelt wool with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 gram skein and using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles – by new sample knitter Anne Langfjæran.
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 cables are the same as on Melva and from the cables are from Norah Gaughan’s brilliant Knitted Cable Sourcebook.
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″. All with the same length, due to the cable length: 79.5 cm/31.25″. 
The Norwegian yarn kit will be launched at Oslo Design Fair in late January. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group beginning in mid-May, before it is released about 6 weeks later. 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: Ardra
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.
Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad: Aki
I am thrilled to show you the professional photos taken by Eivind Røhne of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger, with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing Aki, at Ingierstrand Bad, late in May. Aki, is part of the collection 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. 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.
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.
I have been fantasising of using a diving tower in a series of photos, but for the second time around it did not work out. This time it was closed off for maintenance work, while the weather ruined it the first time around several years back at Hvalstrand Bad. Instead Eivind suggested we include it in the background with the view towards Oslo. I choose to style Aki with pencil pants and high sculptural shoes by Danish designer Camilla Skovgaard.
Yes, I do tend to choose a number of photos where Alex is looking dreamingly down. Their sensuality draw me in and make me focus on the pullover, at least I imagine it does. I also try to select photos with different arm positions to reveal more of the garment. 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 more designs worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger as well as 2 designs made for The Fibre Company. Stay tuned, enjoy the summer and keep knitting!
Photoshoot at Ingierstrand Bad: Wa
I am thrilled to begin to present the wonderful photos Eivind Røhne took of the stunning Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and gorgeous jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Ingierstrand Bad at the end of May. First out is Wa, one of four designs; a small collection made for yarn kits in collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk to be launched at Oslo Design Fair at the end of August. Eivind, Michael and I agreed to photograph this series on the pier by the fjord. It is a fabulous way to enter the restaurant. But unfortunately there are no ferries from Oslo to Ingierstrand Bad any more, so you have to take a fjordtaxi, if you want to arrive by boat that is.
I chose slim black pencil trousers, a tube top and sculptural sandals by Camilla Skovgaard – yes, I have been bargain hunting secondhand shoes online – to accompany Wa: A shawl turned into a vest with a back piece, named Wa; Eskimo for ”here it is”. A large Celtic Cable adorns the center with Round cables on each side and small framing cables, on both parts; the shawl and the back piece which is sewn onto main piece at the end. Wear it as a vest, a wrap or a generous shawl around your neck.
Wa is knitted in the luscious Norwegian pelt wool yarn called Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the divine shade called Lime 2107. Yes, it is not the first time I have used that colour, it is an addictive shade. I used it in my sweater Mistale. Each 100 gram skein has 260 meters/284 yards and is made of 100% pelt wool. The sample is beautifully knitted by Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry and Instagram, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle due to the number of stitches.
Above you see it worn pinned together in three different ways with a lovely Abelia brooch in oxidised silver with pearls by Kaja Gjedebo Design. You can also pull it tighter around the neck and make a shawl collar or pin it at the back if you prefer. As always I struggled to pick the best photos, as they were so many too choose from. I asked – read: begged – both photographer Geir Arnesen and previous editor of Made by Me now Marketing Manager at House of Yarn for their help to pick the best. Both of them obliged and gave me their selection, as I was working on picking the final one. Eivind also has to work extra hard as a reward for taking so many brilliant photos.
I try to cover all views of the garment and most ways, if not all, on how to wear it. Here is another version of Wa worn as a shawl, I simply could not resist. I am so thrilled and cannot express how much I love working with this team! This time we were fortunate to have jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo with us as well. Check out the funny video photographer Eivind Røhne made of Alex pulling faces and me fiddling with the brooch on Instagram) as well as the video Kaja made from the restaurant here.
Here is the side view of the shawl vest, where you see a bit of the wrong side of the back piece. The pattern is in one size with the shawl measuring: 50 cm/19.75″ wide and 156 cm/61.5″ long, and the back piece measuring 60 cm/23.5″ wide and 40 cm/15.75″ long. You can adjust the width by removing or adding cable repeats and/or adjust the number of side stitches in rib.
Finally the full back view. 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 4th of September and will be released approximately 6 weeks later. Do join us. In the meantime you can look forward to seeing more garments worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger as well as my two designs made for The Fibre Company. Stay tuned, enjoy the summer and keep knitting!
New Design: Iglu
For this second collection of designs for Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk, I wanted to have another go at designing a poncho and this time I choose to add short sleeve parts to make it easier to wear. The Norwegian yarn kits will be launched at Oslo Design Fair at Lillestrøm 30. August to 2. September. I was instantly smitten by the Celtic cable and selected a neutral light Red-Beige shade of the Sølje pelt yarn. Iglu is a lightweight poncho to live in, hence the Inuit name Iglu, with a Celtic cable on center front and back. The poncho has sleeve parts in rib and a collar in garter stitch ending in a I-cord. It is beautifully knitted with shaped shoulders in the bouncy and lustrous Sølje Pelsull.
I am standing in the heavy rain in our garden, in late May. My husband has taken these photos quickly, so I would not get to drenched. Above you see me holding the front together at the back for a more fitted look. The Poncho is beautifully knitted by Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 needle with a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows measuring 10 cm/4″ square. I was pleasantly surprised how well this fine pelt wool look knitted on a larger needle than the suggested 3 mm/US 2.5. The one size poncho with a bust circumference of 194 cm/76.5″ only requires 5 100 gram skeins with 350 meters/383 yards or approximately 1712 meters/1872 yards.
The poncho is knitted in two parts, back and forth for the body, while the sleeves are knitted in the round in rib. The sleeves are sewn on at the end and hold the poncho together in the sides. There is a garter stitch band on each side of the body as you can see in the photo above.
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 6th of November 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 one more design. Stay tuned, enjoy the summer and keep knitting!
New Design: Wa
My collaboration with Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk that started last autumn continues and I was delighted when they asked me to make four new designs for yarn kits to be launched at Oslo Design Fair at Lillestrøm 30. August to 2. September. The result is one shawl, one poncho, one pullover and one jacket, each with character of its own. First out is Wa: A shawl turned into a vest with a back piece, named Wa; Eskimo for ”here it is”. A large Celtic Cable adorns the center with Round cables on each side and small framing cables, on both parts; the shawl and the back piece which is sewn onto main piece at the end. Wear it as a vest, a wrap or a generous shawl around your neck.
I know the wet-look is not best suited to show off knitwear, but what do you do when the rain pours down day out and day in. I am wearing Wa as a vest, photographed by my husband in our front garden in mid May. In these top photos I am just using my hands to hold it close.
Wa is knitted in the luscious Norwegian pelt wool yarn called Tinde Pelsull from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk in the divine shade called Lime 2107. Yes, it is not the first time I have used that colour, it is an addictive shade. I used it in my sweater Mistale. Each 100 gram skein has 260 meters/284 yards and is made of 100% pelt wool. The sample is beautifully knitted by Kristin Nygård, aka Quiltefeen on Ravelry and Instagram, using a 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle due to the number of stitches. Kristin suggested a change to the edges from garter stitch to rib, and it was an improvement. Thank you, Kristin!
Above you see the shawl worn crossed at the front and pinned together using a shawl pin. Yes, our grass did appear close to a shade of lime green for a short while and seemed to grow several centimeters each time we looked at it. I am happy to report that the rain did take a break on our photoshoot day, we were blessed with warm sunshine. And the weather has improved since but is still very unpredictable, like most Norwegian summers are. The pattern is in one size with the shawl measuring: 50 cm/19.75″ wide and 156 cm/61.5″ long, and the back piece measuring 60 cm/23.5″ wide and 40 cm/15.75″ long. You can adjust the width by removing or adding cable repeats and/or adjust the number of side stitches in rib.
Here you see it worn as a generous shawl. If you study this photo closely you can probably also see the rain has started to drip from my hair. So it was a good thing that it was the last of the photos taken at home. 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 4th of September 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 (for a sneak peek check out the funny video photographer Eivind Røhne made on Instagram) as well as more new designs. Stay tuned and keep knitting!
Hillesvåg Stand at Oslo Design Fair
Yes, I know it was back in the beginning of September, but I am trying to catch up with all the knitting related events that has happened during the last two months so far. Oslo Design Fair, opened Thursday 1. September and closed on Sunday 4. September, while I was at Strik Bornholm. The yarn producer Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk had a stand and launched the yarn kits for 4 of my designs see Hillesvåg Eksklusiv: Andor, Idunn, Halli and Elfa. All the designs are made in the wonderful Norwegian pelt wool/Pelsull, the last two are made in the new finer Hifa Sølje, while the first two are made in the re-named Hifa Tinde yarn. The lustrous yarn has a mohair feel and a melange colour due to its natural greyish base. The new yarn Hifa Sølje with 350 meters/383 yards on each 100 g skein is to die for, so do try it when it is ready in all the 30 divine colours. Closest in the photo above is Halli. Designer Tove Fevang and her husband photographer Geir Arnesen went to the fair, and Geir took these brilliant photos, as you might have guessed! Thank you!
Here are three displayed on mannequins and one hanging, with the yarn kits and the brochure made for retailers below: Halli, Andor, Idunn and Elfa. Here is my introduction to Halli: A sideways cardigan with a reverse textural pattern, and deep waterfall fronts. Each front and sleeve has two tucks at the end; one in reverse stockinette stitch and one in stockinette stitch. Choose if you prefer to leave the fronts hanging loose, pinned loosely together or draped across each other. Halli, comes from Old Norse and means rock. Perfect for the stitch pattern and symbolicly for becoming the rock in your wardrobe.
Above is Anette Toft from Hillesvåg, who used her time well, knitting. Here is the introduction to the most popular of the four designs the poncho Andor: A trendy oversized poncho defined by its pairs of ornamental cables on each wide shoulder part. The stockinette center part is crowned by a high neck collar. The poncho has sidebands that can be closed with buttons. It is knitted flat in two parts with shoulder and neck shaping. Andor is the Norse element for Eagle and its wingspan appropriate for this poncho.
Idunn is the pullover knitted in Hifa Tinde in Petrol. Named after the Norse goddess of spring and immortality is this straight sweater with a Henley neck with center cables. Ribs frame the cables in each side and make the sweater figure hugging. One center cable adds texture to the sleeve. The sweater is worked in the round to the underarm in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Tinde from Hifa.
Last is Elfa: Elfa is an a-line long jacket with central cables along all parts. Tucks divide the different patterns giving a slight flair and a softer touch to the jacket. A large shawl collar crowns the garment, hence the given name Elfa – after the Norse king and warrior. The body is worked in pieces while the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. It is knitted in the in the lustrous pelt yarn with a mohair feel, Sølje from Hifa.
They also launched eleven kits by London based designer Michelle Lowe-Holder. Michelle makes sensational designs that experiment with the mixture of vintage, antique and recycled materials. See the two photos at the back in the photo above. Here are more details: Hillesvag Eksklusiv Gjestedesign/Michelle Lowe Holder.
I am delighted that a number of knitters and shop owners have ordered the kits, and I look forward to hearing as well as seeing the results!