Imra Pattern Released

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Linda Marveng

The long vest, Imra, has been released after a test knit in my group on Ravelry. As always I am curious to see what changes the test knitters do. This time it was a question of length and closure; one chose to make a short version and another added a buttonhole at the top. You can see some of the results on the pattern page. The Norwegian pattern was first published in Familien Strikk last August, and the magazine is still available to order in print or digitally, see klikk.no. Above you see the Vest modeled by the gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here is my intro to the pattern: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed.

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

Finished measurements: Bust: 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (35.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)” Length: 81.5 (81.5, 81.5, 84, 84, 84) cm/32 (32, 32, 33, 33, 33)” Loose sleeve: Length: 49.5 cm/19.5″

Yarn: Hifa, Ask (100% wool, 100 g, 315 m/345 yds). Sample is knitted in Corn Yellow 6502. http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/ask-melert Vest: 3 (3.5, 3.5, 4, 4, 4.5) skeins; 882 (954, 1025, 1120, 1216, 1323) m/965 (1043, 1121, 1225, 1330, 1447) yds. Loose Sleeves: 1 (1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5) skeins; 279 (313, 329, 362, 395, 428) m/305 (342, 360, 396, 432, 468) yds. Rowan, Fine Tweed (100% wool, 25 g, 90 m/98 yds). Sample is knitted in Leyburn 383. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-fine-tweed Vest: 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins; 882 (954, 1025, 1120, 1216, 1323) m/965 (1043, 1121, 1225, 1330, 1447) yds. Loose Sleeves: 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins; 279 (313, 329, 362, 395, 428) m/305 (342, 360, 396, 432, 468) yds. Note: Yarns are held together throughout.

Alternative yarn for Hifa, Ask: Cascade 220 Sport (100% wool, 50 g, 150 m/164 yds). http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Sport.asp Madeline Tosh, Pashmina (75% superwash merino, 15% silk, 10% cashmere, 100 g, 329 m/360 yds). http://madelinetosh.com/pashmina/ Alternative yarn for both: Brooklyn Tweed, Shelter (100% wool, 50 g, 128 m/140 yds). http://www.brooklyntweed.com/shop/shelter/ Berroco, Blackstone Tweed (65% wool, 25% mohair, 10% angora, 50 g, 119 m/130 yds) http://www.berroco.com/yarns/blackstone-tweed BC Garn, Loch Lomond (100% wool, 50 g, 155 m/169 yds) http://garn.dk/en/wool/loch-lomond/

Needles: 4 mm/US 6 circular needle (80 cm/32″ and 40 cm/16″). 4 mm/US 6 DNPs for I-cord cast-on. Adjust needle size as neede to match gauge.

Notions: 1 m/1 yard thin round elastic for loose sleeves, cable needle, stitch markers, stitch holders, and yarn needle.

Gauge: 18 sts and 28 rows in st st and Double Seed st measures 10 cm/4″ square, blocked. 1 cable measures 8 cm/3.25″ across, blocked. 1 cable repeat measures 21.5 cm/7.5″ blocked. 28 rows in Cable measures 10 cm/4″ blocked.

Notes: The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

Photoshoot at Ekeberg Restaurant: Keya Shrug & Scarf

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Texture addiction is the key word for this design. I love how the colors came all together at the photoshoot. Photographer Eivind Røhne suggested we use the staircase on the side of the restaurant, and the result blew my mind again! To wear Keya with a pair of camel colored silk trousers was make up and hair artist Sissel Fylling’s advice since the wedding gowns looked to white against the sand colored shrug and scarf. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger is wearing Keya Shrug with and without the extra back piece and the Keya Scarf as a collar as well as jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design. The Norwegian pattern will be published on Ravelry at the end of February as soon as I receive the pattern back from my Tech Editor. The English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

I knitted the scarf while I was waiting for sponsored yarn to arrive from Permin, Rowan’s agent in preparation for our meeting at Made by Me in august 2014. Then we decided to leave it out as it did not fit in the blue and grey color mix. Now with dress designer Judith Bech’s wedding gowns I decided to include it and design a shrug to go with it. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Voluminus hidden sand cables in a tweed mixture made of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed, creates a divine texture for this shrug with bell cuffs worked sideways in one piece. You begin at one cuff and shape it in the round until the back where it is worked flat until the opposite sleeve. Why not lengthen the back by adding a loose back piece attached with an earring or a brooch? Make a loose reversible Keya scarf and use it as a collar for the shrug; named Keya after the bloom of a flower.

The shrug comes in size: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL), while the scarf is one size. The shrug is worked from cuff to cuff with bell shaping at each end. The cuff and sleeve is worked in the round until armhole, then worked flat across the back to the opposite sleeve where it is worked in the round to the final bind off at the cuff. Only the width varies between the different sizes, not the length. You can easily adjust the length by removing or adding pattern repeats to each sleeve if desired.

Sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, knitted the shrug at her usual speed and perfection using 5.5 mm/US 9 needles. That is the recommended size for Rowan Lima but since I wanted the sand cables to pop I decided to use the same size even though the yarn is held together with the Rowan Fine Tweed. By holding the yarns together the color becomes richer and the texture even more pronounced. The yarns were generously sponsored by Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent Permin.

The gauge is 16 stitches and 27 rows in garter stitch using both yarns held together. I often choose two thinner yarns held together, both with good meterage/yardage to create a denser texture, popping cables and a lighter garment instead of choosing a thick yarn usually with a shorter meterage/yardage that results in a heavier garment.

The loose back piece is attached using a gold brooch by Kaja Gjedebo Design at the center back of the shrug. It is knitted as a rectangle and meant to be pinned on when you need extra warmth on your lower back. An option would be to add buttonholes along the bottom of the flat back part of the shrug. In the photo above you see the scarf lying over the shrug as a collar from the back. Alexandria was ever so pleased that I kept her so warm in the cold October weather. This is one of the design that needed time to evolve, as some of them do.

New Design: Keya Scarf & Shrug

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Linda Marveng

Voluminous hidden sand cables in a tweed mixture made of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed, creates a divine texture that is reversible. First I made a scarf that was initially intended for the Nordic Vintage series published in Made by Me in September 2014, but did not fit the color scheme and was taken out. I took it out again last autumn and figured out it would definitely fit with my neutrals in the wedding gown series. But even at a winter wedding the bride will need more than a scarf to go over the wedding gown hence I thought a shrug with bell sleeves would do the job. Maybe even with a loose back panel to cover a bare or partly bare back too. The result is a shrug with a loose back panel and a scarf for collar or just make the scarf, or just the shrug. I plan to publish the Norwegian pattern on Ravelry in February and the English one after it has been test knitted in my group, early this autumn. Grete Jenssen, aka ma9, knitted the shrug magnificently and with the usual speed to which I slowed her down by having to send her more yarn…

By holding Rowan Lima made of 84% baby alpaca, 8% merino, 8% nylon, on 50 g balls with a put up of 110 meters/120 yards together with Rowan Fine Tweed of 100% wool on 25 gram balls with 90 m/98 yds put up, I made a dense tweedy and soft texture. I decided to knit on the recommended needles for Lima; 5.5 mm/US 9 to avoid the garment dropping and to make the cables pop. The result is a gauge of 16 stitches and 27 rows in garter stitch. The shrug is knitted from cuff to cuff, sideways in one piece. The first sleeve is knitted in the round, to the flat back and is then joined again for the second sleeve. I decided to keep the back piece loose so that it can be used around the neck too if desired, or pinned with an earring or a brooch to the back of the shrug and the scarf, see below (where I used safety pins). The yarn was kindly sponsored by Permin, Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian agent.

The scarf come in one size but can easily be adjusted by in width by adding repeats or edge stitches in garter stitch, while the shrug comes in 3 sizes: XS/S as I am wearing above, M/L and XL/2XL. The only variation on the shrug is the width of it and the width of the back panel. The cables do look complicated but all stitches are worked in either garter stitch or 1/1 rib all along, including in the cable crossings.

All these photos were taken by my husband a few days before the photoshoot in October. I tried it over the wedding gowns I had borrowed from designer Judith Bech and guess what? The color did not match at all, hence I ended up choosing a pair of silk trouser in taupe to go with it instead. The photos of Alexandria wearing it made by jaw drop and my head spin. You wait and see!

Familien Strikk August 2015

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Linda Marveng

The special issue Familien Strikk is now available in print in Norway with 6 of my designs and 69 other patterns. On the cover in the right corner is my Quamara jacket with loop closure worn by gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Ok, it is a small photo on the cover but there is a large photo on the contents page, see below.

Quamara is knitted in the lovely wool and silk mixture called Permin Zenta, and available in sizes XS to 2XL. The English pattern will be published after a test knit in my group. In the editorial Åse Myhrvold Egeland writes about how she became “bitten by the bug” or hooked on knitting in other words.

My series is called “Flott med fletter/Great with cables”, and the introduction reads: “The garments Linda Marveng designs are not for new knitters but they are so magnificent. So if you are an intimidate knitter, just get started.” The introduction to each pattern is mine, and first out is the Alva in one size: A feminine poncho with a deep shawl collar in a reversible diamond pattern worked only in knit and purl stitches. Close it at the front or pin both fronts together at the back with a beautiful shawlpin. Or you can throw one front across your shoulder or wear it hanging loose. If you prefer, make buttonholes along the double seed stitch edge. The wide shoulder makes it drop down so, add a pair of long wrist warmers to make the outfit complete. The set is knitted in a luscious merino called Tropical Lane Woolissimo.

Next is Quamara, like the remaining patterns are all available in sizes XS to 2XL: A combined lace and cable stitch pattern adorn the back, sleeves, and the generous loop closure on this straight cardigan named after a beautiful elf. The loop collar can be worn loose, folded once behind the neck or twice in front or three times around the neck in a ballerina style. A fake garter stitch seam add a bit of structure to this cardigan. I knitted it in the luscious wool and silk mixture Permin Zenta.

Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed.

Mistale: The vivid lime green in the stunning pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsull, from Hifa intoxicated me. I discovered that cross cables with round cables in the middle made a gorgeous texture. By framing the cables with a rib, the sweater becomes figure hugging and is the perfect accompaniment to your favourite jeans or trousers. It ends with a squarish narrow neckband and you can choose if you want to add the matching cowl.

Oili: Playful cables are the focus of this classic straight top, knitted in the round with each side marked by garter stitches. Narrow bands of garter stitch band frame the armholes, neckline and bottom edge. The top has a matching cowl, with cables all around. The set is knitted in a soft cotton tape yarn by Permin, called Bonnie, to make you feel like a divine woman – the meaning of the name Oili.

Sculpted Frost: A beautiful frost flower lace pattern adorns this a-line jacket. The cuffed sleeves only have a central lattice panel, while the frost flowers reign on the body. The coat is framed by a shawl collar in garter stitch divided with a tuck and finished with an I-cord bind off. A vivid lilac color was made by combing the divine mélange lace weight Du Store Alpakka, Dreamline, Soul with the beautiful light fingering comb wool Hifa Huldra Kamgarn. Together they create a stunning stitch definition as well as a slight halo.

In Norway you can find the magazine in newsagents and selected supermarkets or order it by SMS, for more details and a preview of other patterns in the magazine see: www.klikk.no. The Norwegian magazine will be available on iPad, for more details see: www.klikk.no. All patterns will be available in English after a test knit in my Ravelry group.

Today, I am off on a week’s holiday to Turkey. I tend to spend a lot less time in front of the computer than I usually do, hence I will only bring my iPad and my next blog post will be on Wednesday 2nd of September! Yes, I will definitely be bringing my knitting needles and enjoy myself!

Familien Photoshoot: Imra

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am proud to show you the photos of gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing Imra, with beautiful hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Here is my introduction to Imra: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. I named this piece after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front, and bottom edges. Match with a pair of loose sleeves that can also be worn around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn. I used the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The Norwegian pattern, together with 5 others will be published in the special issue Familien Strikk, while the English pattern will be test knitted in my Ravelry group before its release.

The vest and the loose sleeves are knitted using 4 mm/US 6 to create a dense fabric with an Worsted/Aran yarn gauge of 18 sts and 28 rows in stockinette stitch and Double Seed stitch. The set is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a finished bust measurement of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″. It can easily be adjusted by changing the stitch numbers in the sides in the reverse stripes (welt pattern) and by making the bottom band longer or removing pattern repeats. The sample made by sponsored yarn was knitted by Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, with her usual amazing speed with recommended modifications such as adding extra rows to the I-cord edge along each front.

The vest is worked in rows in one piece to the armhole where it is separated. Each front has a 3-sts I-cord edge that is worked at the same time as the vest. Both the narrow neckline and the armhole band has an I-cord bind off but the armhole band is worked in the round with a Double Seed stitch band. If you prefer a smaller armhole band continue working decreases. To achieve a looser bottom band, use a provisional cast-on method, and then make an I-cord bind off instead.

Both loose sleeves can be used as a belt, merely by pinning them together or you can use one as a neck tie. To close the vest, I figured out I could easily use one of Kaja Gjedebo’s large earrings called Magnolia in oxidized silver. It fits well together with Ivy hanging earrings with fresh water pearls and with the wide Caprifol ring, also in oxidized silver.

Above you see one loose sleeve used as a neck tie, perfect on a cold day as on our photo shoot day late in May. Well at least it did not rain. Next photos in this series are the ones of the Sculpted Frost Jacket, the last of the 6 designs to be included in the Familien Strikk magazine.

New Design: Imra

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I found this cable pattern online and instantly adored it. The pattern repetition is long hence length and cable placement had to be carefully planned. This is my introduction to it: Poetic cables framed by reverse stockinette stripes and double seed stitch, was my idea for this straight long vest. Named after the Arabic Poet, Imra. A small round neck has the same I-cord treatment as the armhole, front and bottom edge. Match with a pair of loose sleeve that can also be around the waist or one as a neck tie. To achieve popping cables two yarns were combined to make a rich colored tweed yarn; the bouncy Hifa Ask and Rowan Fine Tweed. The mix as well as the color is one I have used before (read: hooked on) in my Shawl Sleeves. I also choose to knit them with a dense gauge using a 4 mm/US 6. I was delighted that Grete Jenssen – aka turbo test knitter, aka ma9 on Ravelry – knitted the sample vest and the loose sleeves for me! The Norwegian pattern will be published in “Familien Strikk” at the end of August, while the English pattern will be test knitted then released on Ravelry this autumn.

I-cord bind off on the neck and the armhole was essential to me. Why not give the fronts and the bottom I-cord edgings too? I thought. For the bottom one, I tested out a new method to me, make an I-cord and pick up and knit stitches from it. There is an I-cord cast on, but as you may know it does create a very loose first row, hence a different solution had to be found. I found it on YouTube. It has elasticity but holds in the bottom at the same time. Another solution would have been to use a provisional method and then afterwards use the I-cord bind off. The I-cord at the front is worked at the same time as the front using this method: newstitchaday.com/how-to-knit-the-i-cord-edge-stitch. Grete suggested adding a few extra rows in even intervals on the I-cord edge to avoid it holding in the edge, and tested it out, to my utter satisfaction.

I choose double seed stitch as the main contrast stitch and reverse stripes – a welt pattern – in each side bound off for the armhole. To make the armhole smaller, a band was made by picking up and knitting rounds in double seed stitch while decreasing. I could easily have continued to do so to make the armhole even smaller. The vest is graded to fit sizes XS to 2XL, with a finished bust measurement of 84 (91, 98, 106, 116, 126) cm/33 (33.75, 38.5, 41.75, 45.75, 49.5)”. Both yarns have been kindly sponsored by Hifa and Permin, Rowan’s Scandinavian agent.

Above, I have joined the loose sleeves with 2 shawl pins and wear it as a belt. All the photos above where taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. I look forward to showing you those stunning photos.

Icelandic Jacket Pattern Released

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Stunning model Pia Cecilie/Team Models, with hair & make up by Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, is wearing vintage styled clothing by Kristin Elise Halkjelsvik of Makeløs/Remarkable, Bettina ankle boots by Monica Stålvang, and my Icelandic Jacket, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Bjørnulfgården in Fredrikstad. The pattern was first published in Norwegian in our Jugend Love series in Made by Me in the autumn of 2014. The English pattern has been test knitted and is now available in my Ravelry Store. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Inspired by Iceland’s wild nature, I have designed an a-line jacket with a cable spine panel in fine tweed on the back, framed by stockinette stitch in a lush silk yarn mixture with tucks in a matching tweed on the cuffs. To show off the cable panel on the front, I made it into a cowl.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL) Cowl: One size

Finished Measurements: Bust: 90 (96, 104, 114, 124) cm/35.5 (37.75, 41, 45, 48.75)” Hip: 110 (116, 124, 134, 144) cm/43.25 (45.75, 48.75, 52.75, 56.75)” Length: 70 (71, 72, 73, 74) cm/27.5 (28, 28.25, 28.75, 29.25)” Sleeve length excluding cuff: 45 (45, 46, 46, 47) cm/17.75 (17.75, 18, 18, 18.5)” Cuff length: 8 cm/3.25″ Cowl: Width: 15 cm/6″ Length: 102 cm/40.25″

Yarns: Col 1: Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace 2/18 in Juniper (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 4608 m/5040 yds, 454 g/1lb): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) cone or 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) spools of 100 g; 1015 (1074, 1136, 1257, 1359) m/1110 (1175, 1375, 1486) yds. http://www.jaggeryarn.com/wholesale-yarn-lines/zephyr-wool-silk.php Col 2: Rowan Yarns, Felted Tweed DK in Watery 152 (50% merino, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) ball; 70 (90, 110, 130, 150) m/77 (98, 120, 142, 164) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/felted-tweed-dk Col 3: Rowan Yarns, Rowan Fine Tweed in Wensley 371 (100% wool, 90 m/98 yds, 25 g): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) balls; 250 (260, 270, 280, 290) m/273 (284, 295, 306, 317) yds. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-fine-tweed Cowl: Col 3: 4 balls; 342 m/374 yds.

Alternative yarns: Col 1: Garnstudio, Drops Lace (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 100 g, 800 m/875 yds) http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/yarn.php?id=100 Col 2: Rauma, Puno Petit Alpakka (56% alpaca, 10% merino, 34% polyamide, 50 g, 175 m/191 yds) http://www.raumaull.no/produkter/garn/alpakka/puno-petit-alpakka Col 3: Pickles, Merino Tweed (100% wool, 100 g, 380 m/415 yds) http://shop.pickles.no/en/products/yarn/pickles-merino-tweed/

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″) 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (60 cm/24″) 2 sets of 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) Adjust needle to match gauge.

Notions: 3 buttons (17 mm/28L, 0.70″) and 3 sets of snap fasteners to attach on the back. Special ordered buttons on sample are made by Siri Berrefjord, see http://epla.no/shops/sirisskattkammer/ 8 Stitch markers, cable needle, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 30 sts and 32 rnds using Col 1 in st st after blocking measures 10 cm/4″.  25 sts and 16 rows; 1 cable pattern using Col 3 measures 6 cm/2.25″. 20 sts and 30 rnds using Col 2 in st st measures 10 cm/4″.

Notes: The body is knitted in three panels; Left Panel, Right Panel and Spine Panel. Each side panel is sewn to the Spine Panel and has an interfacing front band which is knitted simultaneously and then folded back. The bottom hem on the side panels is knitted into place. The sleeves with their tuck cuffs are knitted in the round to the armhole and then worked back and forth in rows. The cowl is identical to the Spine Panel, just longer and joined at the short ends.

Easter Knits

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Ideal colors to illustrate that Easter is upon us, as well as an essential color injection I crave at the moment after a long winter. I am planning to knit a lot, and know I am not the only one. The combination of these two yarns is one that I have used previously and love too much to let it go, at least not yet. I used Hifa Ask held together with Rowan Fine Tweed for my Shawl Sleeves first published in Norwegian in Familien Strikk last August. So another cable project is in the works, again for the same special issue. I am also working on a couple of design submissions for the new blogzine called “Around the World in 80 Skeins“. Their website is up and running, but the blogzine with its collection, inspired by the city of Paris, will not be launched until early autumn, then with both individual pdf patterns and an eBook with the entire collection available to buy. One quick look at their mood board, filled with stunning pictures of Parisian fashion and architecture (you can see it here: niice.co), made my head spin with ideas. So my submission will be finished in good time before the deadline of 15th of April. I wish you a happy Easter with plenty of sunshine and knitting time!

Familien Trend Photoshoot: Hillevi

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am delighted to show you how elegantly my scarf Hillevi can be worn. Gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk, with beautiful hair and make-up by Sissel Fylling, is wearing a divine pleated deep olive silk dress with a blue reflection by Judith Bech, with the scarf elegantly on top, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne who suggested the bar at Hvalstrand Bad as the backdrop. The statement bracelet is Monies, and unfortunately you can not see the stunning shoes by Monica Stålvang in these photos. Hillevi is part of my Nordic Vintage series recently published in Norwegian in the new magazine Familien Trend.

My introduction to Hillevi: A reversible scarf with a large shawl collar in a self-made tweed mixture of Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed. Two staghorn cables form the stitch pattern combined with garter stitch edges and shawl collar. Wear it as a scarf with the collar tight around your neck, or as a shawl with the collar around your shoulders. You can even wear it upside down with the collar as a shaped curve, or as a top around your bust pinned together with a shawl pin. We had only time for these two different wearing options at the photoshoot, but you can see me wearing it with all the options in this blogpost: New Design: Hillevi. The English pattern will be released on Ravelry after it has been test knitted in my group.

New Design: Hillevi

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

One of my infatuations is reversible scarfs, and the different ways they can be worn. You can follow the development of these, as if it was a design series that started with the Cable On Scarf, recently published in Norwegian, followed by; Scarftex and now the latest; Hillevi. I had reached the conclusion that I wanted to add a shawl collar along the scarf’s length to make it more wearable: Wear it as a scarf with the collar tight around your neck, or as a shawl with the collar around your shoulders. You can even wear it upside down with the collar as a shaped curve, or as a top around your bust pinned together with a shawl pin. Hillevi was designed for the Nordic Vintage series I made in collaboration with dress designer Judith Bech and shoe designer Monica Stålvang to be published in Norwegian in Familien Trend out on 23. of February. Again, just as I did for Scarftex, I choose to hold Rowan Lima and Rowan Fine Tweed together but in two shades of blue this time. Grete Jenssen knitted the sample for me, to my relief and utter satisfaction.

This is how Hillevi looks worn as a scarf, with the collar lying flat around the neck. The lighter shade of the Rowan Fine Tweed, called Skipton, creates an extra depth of color to the deeper blue Rowan Lima, called Amazon. Even with both the two yarns together, it was knitted with a 5.5 mm/US 9 to make the cables pop. The reversible staghorn cables I found in Lily Chin’s book on Power Cables. I choose to use garter stitch on all the edges and the collar. All these great photos are taken by my husband in our garden in the warm mid-September last year.

Above the scarf is worn as a shawl upside down with the collar hanging loose. As you can see one center stitch makes up a spine in the collar with increases on each side to give the shawl collar extra fullness. In addition I choose to shape it by working a large number of short rows.

This is how the scarf looks worn as a top around the bust, pinned together with a shawl pin. I just left the excess scarf to flare at the front. I love the result with the full shape of the shawl collar visible and its sculptural look. The pick up row along the length of the scarf is visible but it only adds texture to it, in my opinion.

From behind, the middle stitch on the collar makes a decorative spine. The first small swatch I made looked stunning on Judith’s folded dress in olive green silk with a blue shine to it. So both the dress and the swatch was chosen for the collection. As you can imagine model Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk looked gorgeous wearing them both and brilliant photographer Eivind Røhne captured it all. To be continued.

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Rowan Fine Tweed