I am so chuffed to have been asked to hold a KAL (Knit-A-Long) with three of my designs in the A Place to KAL my Own (KALMYO) group on Ravelry.
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Tag Archives: Ronette
Report One: Vienna Wool & Design Festival
My first highlight of the Vienna Wool & Design Festival was that I met up with Nancy Marchant at the airport in Vienna on Friday afternoon. She landed half an hour before Michael and I so, Suncica suggested booking a taxi for the three of us, knowing that we would have a lot of luggage with us. It gave me a wonderful chance to get to know the Queen of Brioche Knitting. The festival had already began by the time we arrived; the first set of workshops started in the afternoon. Several of the stands were set-up, ready for the influx of knitters on Saturday, in the Market Hall (read: the Ballroom) at the Arc Hotel Wimberger. While I was busy looking down at all the yarns on all the 23 stands, Michael looked up and captured the banners with my design Tau, published in the: Vienna Wool & Design Festival Magazine: wool 2 to go 01. Mail order is open from today.
Suncica, one of the two organisers, had three different stands: The first for her current yarnshop: Wollsalon with the wonderful yarns like: Artyarns, Hedgehog Fibres, Lorna’s Laces, Malabrigo and Shibui. The second for her new brands called Pop-Up Store with: The Uncommon Thread, Biscotti Yarns and Doulton Flock. The third for her new yak yarn: Myak. I must admit seeing all those brands made me craving yarn. I am sure that sound familiar to many of you! I was way too busy talking to knitters I had meet in Vienna in 2015, test knitters from my Ravelry group and friends to take photographs, so most of these are taken by my husband!
Uschi, the other organiser, told me that they early figured out that they needed a photo wall, and where better to place it than on the stage. We took advantage of it and asked Susanne, aka shannara13 on Ravelry, to join us. On the Friday we were all wearing the same bluebell shade of blue and all my designs: Uschi, aka Grinsekatz on Ravelry, is wearing Ronette, Susanne is wearing Irina Pullover, both have made adjustments to the pattern to make them their own and I am wearing Kori.
I was looking forward to seeing Scottish designer Di Gilpin again. I met her first time at the Rowan Yarns’ stand at the Knitting and Stitching Show in London several years ago, while I was still working for Rowan and she was launching her first book with Rowan yarns. Now, she has her own yarn brand: Lalland Lambswool, sell finished garments and designs both for hand knitters and for haute couture. In the photo above you see Sheila, who trains all their sample knitters and assists Di. Her eye for design and especially intricate cable work stand out, just take a look at her website here: digilpin.com. And yes, I have several balls of her yarn to play with now. To be continued.
All the beautiful colours and yarns on the British The Little Grey Sheep stand blew me away. Here I am lost in colours. All you can see of me is the back of my design Helka. I first spoke their shepherdess Susie (you can see her in action in the picture hanging above the mini skeins in the photo below), before I spoke to dyer & manager Emma.
Invited to this festival was also the Polish designer Hanna Maciejewska, aka Hada Knits, who I met up with during the festival. We enjoy each others company a lot! Suncica, aka Sunce5555 on Ravelry, stopped us in our tracks asking for more autographs for the magazines. We obliged, enjoying the lime light for a short period of time.
Hanna’s husband Daniel was walking around with his camera just as Michael was. Another designer who also brought her man was Isabell Kraemer, but due to our workshop schedules I was not able to talk to her until Monday morning when the six of us had a late breakfast. I am very proud of the fact that I did not buy any yarn, but I was given several skeins and balls to play with so I do not feel deprived in any way.
None of my workshops were fully booked and the small groups made them extra enjoyable since it gave us more time to get acquainted! Among the participants I spoke Norwegian to three of them to my surprise; two of them were living in Austria while the third had worked as an au-pair in Norway. The rest of the time, I spoke English and several of the Austrian participants where surprised how quickly they could recall their English vocabulary that not been used for awhile. More photos and stories are coming up next so stay tuned.
Ronette Pattern Released
The English pattern for Ronette was test knitted last autumn, and it has been released for awhile now. But I have not caught up with my posts, yet. I choose a modified boat neck and vents in the sides, but some of the test knitters choose otherwise. It gives me great pleasure to see the different results, as well as seeing it in different colours and yarns than the one I chose for the sample. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk in August 2016 with magnificent photos taken by Eivind Røhne of the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and makeup by Jens J. Wiker and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Villa Malla on a sweltering June day.
A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Finished Measurements: Bust: 84 (90, 96, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.5, 37.75, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Hip: 98 (104, 110, 120, 130, 140) cm/38.5 (41, 43.25, 47.25, 51.25, 55)” Length: 74 (74, 76, 76, 78, 78) cm/29.25 (29.25, 30, 30, 30.75, 30.75)” Sleeve Length: 49 (50, 50, 51, 51, 52) cm/19.25 (19.75, 19.75, 20, 20, 20.50)”
Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK (76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). Sample is knitted in Praire 233: 9 (11, 12, 14, 17, 19) skeins; 1188 (1377, 1566, 1881, 2196, 2511) m/1299 (1506, 1712, 2057, 2401, 2746) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softyak-dk
Alternative yarns: Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (66% merino wool, 34% silk, 50 g, 135 m/147 yds). http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/baby-merino-silk-dk Baa Ram Ewe Doverstone DK (100% wool, 100 g, 230 m/521 yds). http://baaramewe.co.uk/collections/yarn/products/baaramewedovestonedk?variant=3272919620 Malabrigo Arroyo (100% merino wool, 100 g, 306 m/334 yds). http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/pattern-arroyo-14#.V0MAPmMaK6Q
Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/36″). 4 mm/US 6 DPNs. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.
Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders, cable needle and yarn needle.
Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows in st st after blocking measures 10 cm/4″ square”. 21-sts Bulb Cables Sleeve measures 8 cm/3.25″ across after blocking. 51-sts Bulb Cables Body measures 19 cm/7.5″ across after blocking. 44-rows Bulb Cables pattern rep measures 14 cm/5.5″ high after blocking.
Notes: 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 neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end.
Strikke 2016 at Hadeland Glassverk
I spent last weekend at Hadeland Glassverk holding two different workshops and visiting the knitting exhibition in the amazing new gallery, with the glass entry part designed by Snøhetta, during their knitting festival called “Strikke 2016”. The exhibition was initiated by one of the owners Atle Brynestad, who started his first company a knitwear company at the age of 16. A selection of the first sweaters are exhibited together with photos from the -70s and -80s. There are 19 participating Norwegian designers in addition to 4 International designers. Among them are Christel Seyfarth, Sonya Yong James, Tine Solheim, Sidsel Høivik, Tove Fevang, Nina Granlund Sæther, Bente Røvik, Vanja Blix Langsrud, Denise Samson and me. The festival, including the exhibition, opened on the 3. September and will hang until the 30. October.
The yarn shower containing 1000 strands of yarn, sponsored by the House of Yarn is at one end of the exhibition while the coffeeshop and the beautiful view of Hadeland is on the opposite side.
The intricate and colorful designs by Sidsel Høivik, accompanied by her first book and flyers for her second book. Sidsel now sell her designs as yarn kits directly from her website.
My part of the exhibition, taken by my husband so that I could stand next to my designs. I am wearing my long jacket, Helka and displayed are from right to left: Yellow Gold Pullover, Shalana, Hel, Kori and Ronette. I choose to display these designs since the Norwegian patterns are all found in the special magazine Familien Strikk now on sale in Norway.
Danish designer Christel Seyfarth is know for her colorwork and pattern combinations. She is one of the designers giving a talk about her inspiration on the 22. October. Here is the full list of talks: Hadeland Glassverk.
Here is a view taken from the coffee tables next to the large windows seeing the shop part at the front.
The shop with the Festival sweater hanging on the wall. The shop has a large selection of books, yarn kits, ready made knitwear, some knitting needles, patterns and accessories. I am happy to have my Norwegian book for sale there.
I know the photo is dark but I wanted to share the amazing view as well as weather with the Randsfjord in the background. Here is the full program. So if you have the chance to see it, do! Do bring your knitting too!
Familien Strikk 2016
The special issue Familien Strikk is now out in Norway with 79 patterns including 6 of mine: Kori, Yellow Gold Pullover, Ronette, Hel, Shalana and Githa. I am delighted to have a series of patterns included in this magazine together with Tine Solheim and Bente Presterud Røvik. None of my patterns are on the cover but there is a small photo of both Kori and Shalana on the contents page. Two of the patterns: Yellow Gold Pullover and Githa are available in English in my Ravelry Store and on loveknitting. The remaining patterns will be test knitted this autumn in my Ravelry group before they are released.
All the six projects are brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne. The gorgeous model is Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair and make up by Jens J. Wiker, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, and tulle skirt by Judith Bech Design. I have named the series “Reiselyst” meaning “Wanderlust” or “Travel-lust” directly translated. “Water, beach and wanderlust have inspired this series by designer Linda Marveng. Intricate cables and lace pattern adorn the garments. Be inspired and travel and travel in the country or abroad. But do remember to bring your knitting!”. The introduction to Kori is as follows: “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 fitted jacket.”
On the following page is a photo of the back. Yellow Gold Pullover is next: “Elegant chain link cables framed by a welt pattern adorn this gorgeous pullover. Playful tucks add life to the rib and give the pullover more texture. It is knitted straight from the bottom and up in parts and sewn together at the end. Jamieson’s Spindrift, a fine heathered wool was chosen for its lightness and color.”
Next is Ronette: “A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.” Also listed are the pattern details with yarn, sizes and needle. Followed by the vest Hel: “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.”
Shalana: “A fitted pullover with Sand Cables that travel from the center towards each shoulder. At the center of the body between the cables is double seed stitch, framed by a twisted stitch which is increased into at the same time as you decrease in the stocking stitch on the opposite side of the cables.”
Githa: “A central wavy lace panel adorns this a-lined tunic tank with garter stitch bands. The lace pattern creates fans with boxes of garter stitch in between creating texture to the uneven chainette yarn made of a mixture of cotton, linen and viscose, Rowan Panama. The yarn make the tunic tank easy to wear during the summer or for a party. A generous shaped cowl covers your shoulders and dress up the tunic tank to make a perfect set called Githa, from Anglo-Saxon; to give or a gift.”
The magazine is available at selected news agents and super markets. If you are in Norway you can also order it by SMS just write “Strikk16” in addition to your name & address to 2205 or buy a digital version for iPad, see www.klikk.no. If you live abroad you can order the Norwegian special magazine by e-mailing kari.bachke@egmont.com and then transfer payment into their bank account.
The samples and the professional photographs of all these, except for Githa, will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk from 3. September to 30. October.
Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Ronette
Next out is Ronette. I was thrilled to see how well the teal color, called Praire, suited gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency. After photographing Kori, skilled hair and make up artist Jens J. Wiker suggested a change in hair style and I suggested adding a pleat. I love the result and how it shows off both the playful bulb cables as well as the stunning statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. Brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured these iconic shots, on the terrace at Villa Malla on a sweltering day in June, when the Oslo fjord looked like the Mediterranean Sea. The sample and these photographs will be exhibited at Strikke 2016 Festival at Hadeland Glassverk, together Kori, Hel, Yellow Gold Pullover and Shalana from 3. September to 30. October. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Strikkebok out on 22. August, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.
Here is my introduction to Ronette: A central cable that ends in a bulb captivated me into designing this long a-line sweater with vents in the side along the bottom rib. A few garter stitches in the side makes the seam look like a zip. The sweater ends in an I-cord bind-off at the neck only shaped by the shoulders. It is named Ronette which means ”strong councel” in Old English, because the cable pattern did just that.
Ronette is knitted in Rowan Softyak DK, a lovely soft mixture of 76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon with a dark grey undertone to all colors, with 135 meters/147 yards on each 50 g skein. The gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch measures 10 cm/4″ square using a 4 mm/US 6 needle. The yak fibre makes it feel more like working with a wool mixture than a cotton one, and it feels lovely against the skin. The stitch definition is crisp hence makes the cables pop.
I have graded the pullover from size 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 neckband is an I-cord bind off, which is grafted together at the end. Next is Shalana!
New Design: Ronette
I came across these cables in one of my Japanese stitch pattern books and new I had to design with it. The way the central cable ends in a bulb or Tulip shape drew me in. I tested out different yarns and loved how it looked in Rowan Lima but since the yarn has been discontinued I opted for the new lovely blend of cotton, nylon and yak called Rowan Softyak DK; it is indeed soft and lovely to wear. Why not make a long a-line sweater with rib at the bottom creating a vent and then add a few garter stitches in the side so that the seam looks like a for a zip. Each front and back were given the full cable panel, while I chose to distract a third of the cable for the sleeve so that I could take it all the way to the top of the sleeve. I did want to knit this sweater myself but since speedy sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, had finished Shalana she was ready for another one. A relief in the end since I still had more to knit. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk in late August, while the English pattern will be test knitted and then released on Ravelry. But first I need to finish the pattern, that is.
The sweater is knitted using 4 mm/US 6 needle with a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rows in stocking stitch after blocking. The cables might look complicated but they are not and they do keep you interested as the cable pattern develops. I choose stocking stitch on each side of the cable to frame them. The neckline, identical on both sides is created by the shoulder shaping, and ends in an I-cord bind off. The Softyak DK comes in 50 gram skeins with 135 m/148 yds and was generously sponsored by Permin Rowan’s agent in Scandinavia.
The pullover is named Ronette which means “strong counsel” in Old English, because I think it fits. It will be available in sizes XS to 2XL. I am wearing size S, knitted with a gauge of 21 instead of 22 at the top part hence with a slightly looser fit than intended across the bust and cross back. It is easy to do when under time pressure. My husband took these photos of me on our terrace in the rain yesterday.
Ronette is one of 5 new designs for Familien Strikk, and one of 9 new designs to be photographed by Eivind Røhne at our photoshoot on 1st June. 2 of my designs for Interweave Knits; Yellow Gold Pullover and Inverness Sweater will also be photographed again, this time so that I can sell the pattern when the rights revert to me. More news about the upcoming photoshoot and new designs will follow, so keep in touch.