Tag Archives: Rowan Lima

Familiens Strikkebok Photoshoot: Scarftex

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BQ5Q6383I have completed my Scarftex, a scarf knitted in Rowan Fine Tweed together with Rowan Lima using 5.5 mm/US 9 to make the reversible cables pop. I imagined this scarf worn as a statement jewelry on its own or as a collar for another garment. The cables pattern is by Lily Chin and I have used it to make a scarf with a lot of texture; a Scarftex. Brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller, beautifully worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto and styled by Line Sekkingstad. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familiens Strikkebok out in late August, while the English pattern will be published in my Ravelry Store.

BQ5Q6417Rowan Lima is made of 8% merino, 84% baby alpaca, 8% nylon and comes in 50 g skeins with 110 m/120 yds. I was attracted to the sand shade, called Lima, which worked marvelous together with the lighter shade of Bedale in Rowan Fine Tweed a pure wool with 90 m/98 yds on a 25 g skein. After testing with different needle sizes I chose to stay with the recommended needle size 5.5 mm/US 9 recommended for the Lima yarn to add extra bounce to the cables. The cable crossings are not as difficult to work as they look since all the stitches are knitted as they appear: either in garter stitch or in 1 by 1 rib. That is what makes a stitch pattern brilliant in my mind; that it looks so uncomprehensible but it is not that difficult to knit!

BQ5Q6393

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Familiens Strikkebok Photoshoot: Carla Coat

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BQ5Q6456I know some of you have been waiting to see this coat finished, and I am proud to present my Carla Coat: My Carla Shoes in wine by Monica Stålvang needed a coat to accompany them on an evening out. However, the shoes demanded quite a bit of drama to make the coat as stunning as the shoes. Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool by Hifa in burgundy with its lustre was my first choice, but more volume and texture was necessary so combining it with Rowan Lima created the perfect texture and a rich color. Ideal for a voluptuous braid framed by reverse stocking stitch and double seed stitch. The coat is crowned by a large shawl collar in double seed stitch. Brilliantly captured by photographer Kim Müller, stunningly worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto, excellent hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad. The Norwegian pattern will be published in Familiens Strikkebok in late August, while the English pattern will be released in my Ravelry Store after test knitting in my group.

BQ5Q6481The coat is knitted using 5.5 mm/US 9 to a gauge similar to a chunky yarn (12 ply) with 14 stitches and 22 rows in stockinette stitch measuring 10 cm/4″ square. But it does feel denser and also lighter in weight since I have combined two thinner yarns; one Worsted/10 ply (Lima) and one DK/8 ply (Norsk Pelsull). The density makes the braid pop out and the coat to keep its shape. As well as giving a brilliant stitch definition, which I adore! The Carla Coat pattern will be available in sizes S to 2XL, with bust circumferences of 92 to 126 cm/36.25 to 49.5″ excluding collar width to v-neck of 7 cm/2.75″.

BQ5Q6492The body of the coat is knitted flat, while the sleeves are worked in the round. The a-line shaping is done in stockinette stitch. Each cable has been gathered to keep its texture to the end. The shawl collar is picked up and shaped by short rows. I had initially planned for it to end in an i-cord bind off, but it pulled the collar out of shape, so I abandoned that idea. I decided that a bind off in pattern would have to suffice. You are however welcome to chose a different solution. I was running out of time for the photo shoot…

14-05-29_349We obviously had to take a number of photos where the fabulous Carla shoes were included and here is my favorite among those.

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Design in Progress: Carla Coat

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DSCN0711My Carla Shoes in Wine by Monica Stålvang needed a coat to accompany them on an evening out, I decided. For awhile the design was a dress, but a coat is easier to wear and combine with other outfits. However, it did take me awhile to find a color and texture I loved, since I felt the shoes need quite a bit of drama to make the coat as stunning as the shoes. Norsk Pelsull/Pelt wool by Hifa in burgundy – ruby really – with its lustre was my first choice, but more volume and texture was necessary. So I tried to knit it double, which was closer to what I had in mind but still not perfect. I needed to go yarn hunting, and knew I did not have any contestants in my stash so no need for a stash dive.

The revelation dawned on me when I saw Rowan Lima  yarn in La Paz, a subtle darker plum semi-solid shade, and knew it would add the essential volume and texture to the Pelsull. Next, what needle size do I choose; I wanted it dense and tested 5 mm/US 8 which was hard to knit with, I tried 6 mm/US 10 (read: mega size for me who likes to be on a size 3 mm/US 2.5) which made the fabric too loose; finally the winner: 5.5 mm/US 9 and the recommended needle size for Rowan Lima.

The sleeve has a braid framed by reverse stocking stitch and double seed/moss stitch, then stocking stitch under the arm. I have worked the sleeves in the round but will make the A-line body flat, possibly with 3 braids on the back. The fronts on the other hand have not agreed on their pattern yet, but will very soon since the pattern will be available late August in Familiens Strikkebok in Norwegian, then in English on Ravelry. The photo shoot is currently being planned. To be continued.

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