Tag Archives: Ravelry

Leylak Knitted by Irina

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Let me introduce you to Irina, the knitting-princess on Ravelry and Instagram, who has test knitted this stunning version of my Leylak design. Irina is indeed a knitting princess as she does “… a lot of charity projects, and some for gifts. I also really like doing test and samples, because it makes me feel like I’m more a part of the process of a pattern”, as she writes on her profile page on Ravelry. To make sure you remember her name, Irina is wearing a crown in her finished project photos. She test knitted size XS for me and used the soft Schurwollkammgarn by Seehawer & Siebert in a divine royal blue colour. The yarn is thicker than the sample yarn I used so Irina used much smaller needles to achieve gauge (22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square); 2.25 mm/US 1, 3.25 mm/US3 and 3.5 mm/US 4 instead of 4 mm/US 6 and 4.5 mm/US 7.

If you wonder how long it took her to make it, I can reveal that it took her “…57 hours and 40 minutes to knit including weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.” That is an impressive speed! I did not track my hours, but I can tell you that I used a lot longer making the sample with bigger needles.

I love these playful photos, which were taken on a playground close to her previous home in Germany, by a friend. Irina moved to Georgia in the US, recently. It shows the sidewing construction of the cardigan so well! In the notes part of the pattern you will find this information: The asymmetric lower body has extra width in each side – sidewing – 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.

Irina, the knitting princess, writes that it fits perfectly and that she is super pleased with it! I am so honoured to hear it! Thank you so much, Irina!

The Leylak pattern, in sizes XS to 5XL, is available in both English and Norwegian on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts. I look forward to showing you more stunning versions of my Leylak design!

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Photoshoot at Mortensrud Church: Edia

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The last Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk design of the four is Edia which has the same cable as the Gyro dress but is knitted in the darker colour of Tinde pelt wool yarn and made into an oversized pullover. The gorgeous Olivia Lindtein, with make-up & hair by Erica Poppe and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, looked stunning in the size Small sample, photographed by Eivind Røhne last November at Mortensrud Church in Oslo. Olivia wore it with 61 cm/24″ of positive ease.

Edia is an oversized sweater with a central cable panel, vent in the sides and a crew neck crowned by an I-cord bind off. The pullover has dropped shoulders and simple cables on the sleeves. Edia is an old Norwegian female name fitting for this relaxed sweater knitted in the gorgeous pelt wool yarn Tinde from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

The yarn Tinde pelsull is made of 100% pelt wool with 260 meters/284 yards on each 100 gram skein. The sample is knitted in Burgunderlilla 2131 with a gauge of 21 sts and 30 rows in st st, after blocking measures 10 cm/4” square using 3.5 mm/US 4 needle. The sweater is worked back and forth in pieces and seamed. The neck is deeper on the front, than on the back.  

I have graded the pattern in sizes XS to 3XL with a bust circumference of 136 to 184 cm/53.5 to 72.5″. Intended ease is + 46-56 cm/18-22″. The English and Norwegian Edia pattern will be released after test knitting which begins on the 18th of May in my Ravelry group. Yarn kits will soon be available from Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

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Makerist.com

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The Makerist.com is a digital DIY platform, that sells downloadable patterns for handcrafts: sewing; knitting; crocheting; embroidery; quilting and patchwork. The platform was brought to my attention by a designer posting about it in the Designer group on Ravelry. I liked the look of the webpage and decided to fill in the application form to sell on Makerist. You can apply to sell both patterns and video tutorials. Here is the link to the application, if you are interested: docs.google.com

“Makerist was founded in 2013 in Berlin, Germany by Axel Heinz and Amber Riedl and is the market leader in Europe for digital patterns and e-learning classes.” You can read more about them here. In their mission statement, they write: “Our goal is to motivate more people to become makers and artists by offering inspiration from the creative community as well as concrete skills and tools to just start making”. The platform has a German website, a French website and an American website. You will find my patterns on the American website, since I only have a few patterns translated into German and none translated into French: www.makerist.com.

I received a very positive response from Sarah Gillot, together with a very professional pdf, packed with information called: “Makerist. Crafting made simple. Join Us! A simple guide to becoming a designer”. I knew that it would be best to upload a large batch, so I have uploaded 50 pattern, for now. The uploading process was detailed and a bit time consuming, but with practice, I could do so at a quicker speed. I am pleased to say that I have sold my first patterns on Makerist.

You will also find my digital knitting patterns on these platforms:

Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/stores/linda-marveng

LoveCrafts: www.lovecrafts.com

MakingThings: patterns.makingthingsapp.com

Annie’s: www.anniescatalog.com

Deep South Fibers (for retailers): www.deepsouthfibers.com

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Merino Vest Wrap Pattern Released

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Merino Vest Wrap is an old design made for my knitting book, published in 2012. I wanted some new photos for it so I included the garment in the photoshoot we had at Villa Malla in May. Photographer Eivind Røhne brilliantly captured model Emma Ross, with make up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, wearing the vest knitted in the gorgeous hand-dyed Tosh Sock yarn. The pattern has also been reviewed by my technical editor Barbara Khouri. Merino Vest Wrap is now available in English in my Ravelry Store.

Here is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by Tinde Knits gorgeous designs by Norwegian designer Iselin Hafseld is this vest knitted sideways in Tosh Sock hand dyed yarn with Indian crosses. The vest can be used upside down for a smaller collar and a longer vest. Drape it as you please and pin it together.

Size: One size.

Finished measurements: 74 cm/29.5” wide and 112 cm/44” long.

Yarn: Madeline Tosh Sock (100% merino wool, 100 g, 361 m/395 yds). Sample is made in discontinued shade Baltic which can be replaced by Esoteric:
5 skeins; 1643 m/1797 yds
                                    https://madelinetosh.com/collections/fingering-sock

Needles: 2.5 mm/US 2 circular needle 40 cm/16” for armhole band.
3 mm/US 3 circular needle 80 cm/32”.
Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stich markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows in Indian cross stitch using 3 mm/US 3 needle measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The vest wrap is knitted sideways in one rectangular piece with shaped armholes. To make the vest longer, add pattern repeats of 6 stitches at left side of work (end of RS row) before the border stitches.

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Kori Pattern Released

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The test knit of my design Kori is completed and the English version of the pattern is available on Ravelry and on Loveknitting. Kori is old Norse and means perfect; Kori is the result of a complex mathematical equation that cannot be calculated by the human mind. Just as the intricate cable that crowns this tted jacket. The intricate cable crossings are lled by seed stitch, hence seed stitch bands and playful tucks at the bottom. The jacket has a shawl collar and ends in I-cord bind off. It is knitted in parts to give extra shape in the beautiful Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk in August 2016. Brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, modelled by Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, over a skirt by Judith Bech Design.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished Measurements: Bust circumference: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                                                                                                                Waist circumference: 74 (81, 88, 96, 106, 116) cm/29.25 (32, 34.75, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75)” Hip circumference: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 56 (57, 58, 59, 60, 61) cm/22 (22.5, 22.75, 23.25, 23.5, 24)”                                Sleeve length: 51 cm/20″

Yarn: Rowan Yarns, Baby Merino Silk DK (66% merino, 34% silk, 50 g, 135 m/148 yds). Sample is knitted in Bluebird 684: 9 (10, 11, 13, 15, 17) Skeins; 1161 (1323, 1485, 1647, 1917, 2187) m/1269 (1446, 1624, 1801, 2096, 2391) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/baby-merino-silk-dk

Alternative yarns: Shalimar Yarns, Breathless DK (75% merino superwash wool, 15% cashmere, 10% silk, 141 g, 247 m/270 yds) http://www.shalimaryarns.com/portfolios/yarns-sept21-active/?cpt_item=breathless-dk Manos del Uruguay, Silk Blend (70% merino wool, 30% silk, 50 g, 137 m/150 yds) http://www.manosyarns.com/the_yarns/silk_blend/ Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Needles: 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for tucks on body and sleeve. 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (120 cm/48″) for collar. 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for size XS waist. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 22 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 40-sts in Kori plus 2 purl sts measures 12 cm/4.75″ across. 28-rnds/rows in Kori measures 10 cm/4″ down.

Notes: The body is worked flat in pieces, unlike the long sleeves which are worked in the round to the armhole. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

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Gift-A-Long 2016

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rv76m9f-imgurFor the second year around, I am taking part in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long, GAL for short, on Ravelry. I had a great time last year seeing all the projects being made, the competitions, and all the chatting in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group. You can easily join the fun even before you know all about, just like I did last year. The Indie Design-Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. From Tuesday, November 22nd at 8:00 pm US EST to Wednesday, November 30th, 2016 at 11:59 pm US EST 335 indie designers will be discounting between 5 – 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2016. There are 2 200 electronic pattern prizes to be won as well as physical prizes, for taking part in the KAL/CAL and the Designer Hunt Game. Take a look at the interesting stats above.

ravelry-500x500-v2-hi-resAbove are the most of the patters I have discounted, since each item in a pattern count as one. The collage was made for the sign-up and you can access the full list of designers and see all the collages here: ravelry.com. In addition we have all made a Gift-A-Long 2016 bundle of discounted patterns so that they are easy to find. The hard working group moderators and volunteers have also made a series of Pinterest.com/IndieDesignGAL boards for you to look at. Do join us!

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Shalana Pattern Released

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shalana-coverStrikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk ended 30. October and the 5 garments I exhibited have been returned to me. Among them the pullover Shalana, knitted in the beautiful colour Avocado in Rowan Felted Tweed DK. Even the test knit has finished so I have released the English pattern on both Ravelry and on Loveknitting. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Strikk 2016 in August, and is still available to order from them. The sample was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne, worn by Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, at Villa Malla in early June.

SHALANA                                                                                                                                 Sand Cables that travel from the center towards each shoulder dominate this fitted sweater with a rounded  boat neck. The center panel of double seed stitch is framed and increases in size with the cable move. On the long sleeves the cables dominate. Named after the most powerful spirit Shalana.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished measurements: Bust: 88 (94, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                                                                                                                                     Waist: 78 (84, 90, 96, 106, 116) cm/30.75 (33, 35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75)”                           Hip: 88 (94, 100, 106, 116, 126) cm/34.75 (37, 39.25, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                         Length: 60 (61, 62, 63, 64, 65) cm/23.5 (24, 24.5, 24.75, 25.25, 25.5)”                            Sleeve length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.5)”

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed DK (50% merino wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Rayon, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds). Sample is knitted in Avocado 161: 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) skeins; 1172 (1312, 1452, 1592, 1767, 1942) m/1282 (1435, 1588, 1741, 1932, 2124) yds.

Alternative yarns:  The Fiber Company, Acadia (60% Merino Wool, 20% Silk, 20% Alpaca, 50 g, 133 m/145 yds). http://www.thefibreco.com/acadia.html                                 Or another lightweight DK/8 ply or Sportsweight yarn.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″ and 60 cm/28″). Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 32 rows in Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 18-st Sand Cables measures 7 cm/2.75″ across.

Notes: All parts are worked flat. The sand cables move from their center position on the body towards the shoulder by increasing into center Double Seed st panel and decreasing into st st at the side. The neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end.

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Hel Pattern Released

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hel-coverThe long a-line vest Hel was received with excitement in my Ravelry group together with a request of a much earlier test knit than the one I had scheduled for next spring. I was happy to oblige and moved the test knit to July in time for late summer. The result was numerous stunning versions of Hel. You can see a selection of them here: Hel. The pattern was published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Strikk in August 2016. You will also find the English pattern available at Loveknitting. The sample knitted vest is one of five designs exhibited at Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk, and will be there until 30. October. Hel was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne at Villa Malla by the fjord in June, worn by gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Here is my introduction to the pattern:

Sweeping Cables crown this long a-line vest with vents. The v-neck, framed by an I-cord bind-off, can be worn on the front or on the back. The cables have areas of rib in between hence a high rib became the obvious bottom band. Hel means complete in Norwegian and the Norse Hel ruled over nine worlds.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)

Finished measurements:                                                                                                       Bust: 82 (90, 98, 106, 116 126) cm/32.25 (35.5, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”                            Hip: 92 (100, 108, 116, 126, 136) cm/36.25 (39.25, 42.5, 45.75, 49.5, 53.5)”                 Length: 77 cm/30.25″

Yarn: Rowan Yarns, Alpaca Merino DK (83% alpaca, 10% nylon, 7% wool, 25 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Belvoir 107. 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins; 869 (1016, 1103, 1200, 1310, 1420) m/950 (1111, 1206, 1312, 1432, 1553) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/alpaca-merino-dk

Alternative yarn: Rowan Softyak DK (76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon, 50 g, 135 m/148 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softyak-dk

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (40 cm/16″) for armhole bands. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.   

Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, waste yarn and yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 24 sts and 30 rows in rib measures 10 cm/4″ square. 62 sts Sweeping Cables measures 18 cm/7″ across.

Notes: The vest is knitted back and forth in parts.

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Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Kori

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20160601 LM Villa Malla 359I am delighted to show you the next set of photos from Villa Malla; Kori. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne, gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency, gifted Hair & Make up Artist Jens J. Wiker, photographic assistant Michael Marveng-Puckett and I moved to the upper terrace at Villa Malla for the next set of photos. Eivind immediately spotted a view towards the fjord, reminiscent of the Greek island of Santorini where it not for the lack of height, on this sweltering summer day. Yes, we did wait for the sailboat to enter into Eivind’s camera lens to make this iconic photo. The beautiful statement jewelry is by Kaja Gjedebo Design while the magic skirt with a train is by Judith Bech Design. Kori will first be published in Norwegian in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok out at the end of August. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group, set to begin in November, before its release.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 366Kori is old Norse and means perfect; Kori is the result of a complex mathematical equation that cannot be calculated by the human mind. Just as the intricate cable that crowns this fitted jacket. The intricate cable crossings are filled by seed stitch, hence seed stitch bands and playful tucks at the bottom. The jacket has a shawl collar and ends in I-cord bind offs. It is knitted in parts to give extra shape in the beautiful Rowan Yarns Baby Merino Silk DK.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 339The jacket is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needles with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in Stocking stitch to 10 cm/4″. I have graded it from sizes 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 to the armhole. Above you can see the stocking stitch side where the decreasing and increasing are done for the fitted waist. The hem and the tuck are worked with 2 sets of circular needles held together.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 393The cable pattern is demanding with inserts of seed stitch/moss stitch, but rewarding in its sculptural beauty. The tucks at the bottom of the body and the sleeves mirror the cables, just as the I-cord bind off I chose for all parts including the collar.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 385I love how this photo captures the tucks and sleeve cables. By working purl rounds in between two tucks the second tuck turned in the opposite direction. I discovered this when I was working on the Indigo Sweater for my Norwegian knitting book.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 377Yes, as you might have gathered by now, I did have a difficult time to choose photos of this. The perfect blue color called Bluebird worked so well against our chosen backdrop. I did consider whether to have the back covered with cable repeats, instead I choose to keep each repeat separately, giving the back several spines and straight lines to relate to. The samples and professional photos of Kori will together with Yellow Golden Pullover, Hel, Ronette and Shalana be exhibited at the knitting festival Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk from 3. September to 31. October. In the mean time I will show you some exquisite photos from our photo shoot.

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New EU Law about VAT on Sale of Digital Property

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The new EU law about VAT on the sale of digital property went into effect January 1st, and I am so pleased that Ravelry (where I sell my digital patterns) has decided to co-operate with the British website Loveknitting, blog.loveknitting.com/loveknitting-ravelry-team-up-for-hassle-free-eu-digital-pattern-sales, who will deal with paying VAT to all the different EU countries, dependent on the buyer’s country, on my behalf. The announcement of this VAT led to an outrage because it affects not only the intended large internet companies such as Amazon but all of us micro businesses (I think nano businesses, fits even better for some of us) too. This article explains it well: How-the-EU-is-throttling-online-business-with-idiotic-VAT-reform. Here is a blogpost about the co-operation between Loveknitting and Ravelry: blog.loveknitting.com/update-loveknitting-ravelry-team-up-for-hassle-free-eu-digital-pattern-sales.

I have chosen to continue to sell my patterns to EU citizens – Norway is not part of the EU, only the EEA (European Economic Agreement; working with the EU) – through Loveknitting, while other designers have decided to block sales of patterns to customers in the EU (temporarily or permantly), or stop selling patterns completely, or pay the VAT themselves. I checked my Ravelry sales by country, and discovered that I sell 3 times as many patterns to the US as I do to Norway and Denmark, followed by Germany.

So any EU customer can either buy any of my patterns from Ravelry and be re-directed to Loveknitting where they will need to pay the added VAT according to their country’s VAT percentage, or log on and buy it directly from Loveknitting.

I was in the second selected batch of testers on Ravelry, and have used a considerable amount of time during Christmas editing my pattern descriptions to fit with Loveknitting’s formatting. There are still a few glitches that needs to be fixed before it is up, and running perfectly. If you are a member of Ravelry you can follow the discussions, the options and the testing in the Ravelry Shopkeepers Group. The Loveknitting option is giving me an additional 6 months (free trial period) to look into other solutions such as picking an EU country (unless you are a resident in one, that is), e.g. UK and Ireland, and register with the VATMOSS (Mini One Stop Shop) – nicknamed VATMESS – or hoping that Ravelry’s programmer Casey (code monkey is his preferred title) will figure out a smart technical solution to this mess. In the meantime I will try to focus on designing instead. Here is more recommended reading:

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