Photoshoot at Villa Malla: Githa

20160601 LM Villa Malla 099 cropGitha is first out of the professional photos, since the test knitting has started on Ravelry already. I am so excited to show you the amazing photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger/Nordic Model Agency with hair & make up by Jens J. Wiker and jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design at Villa Malla at the beginning of June. I had also borrowed two skirts from Judith Bech Design, and I decided that the tunic Githa with a large cowl would look fab with the tulle skirt. Judith sent me a selection of other cocktail dresses too, just in case I wanted to borrow some more. It is such a treat to open each box sent from her, and have a close look at all the dresses!

20160601 LM Villa Malla 139 cropMy initial plan was to have the fjord in the background but the pier is quite high so it had to be the sky instead. I think it worked even better. These two top photos are both cropped and with even more sky, they appear like a stunning film poster. See more of the background in my husband’s photos at villa-malls-sneak-peek. The Norwegian pattern for Githa will be published in the special magazine Familien Strikkebok out at the end of August. While the English pattern will be published on Ravelry after the test knit is completed.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 151As always I want a photo from the front, side and back to show it from all points of view. So that you can see that the back does have a lace panel too. Githa is knitted in the lovely and summery Rowan Panama, a slubby yarn mix of cotton, viscose and linen with a subtle sheen to it. Both the tunic and the cowl is knitted using a 3.25 mm/US 3 needle with a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rounds/rows in stockinette stitch to 10 cm/4″ square. The tunic is available in sizes XS to 2XL with a bust circumference of 84 to 126 cm/33 to 49.5″, while the cowl is available in sizes XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL). Alexandria is wearing size S in the tunic and size XS/S cowl. The reason I choose three different sizes on the cowl is so that it will easily fit around the shoulders for the different sizes. But you can also easily adjust the size of it by adding or removing pattern repeats.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 197Here it is photographed with the large cowl across the shoulders. As you can see it has an area of garter stitch used for shaping the cowl and also to match the casual look of the tunic. The tunic tank is knitted from the bottom and up, in the round to the armhole, then separated into two parts and worked flat. The shoulders are shaped with short rows. The neckband and armholebands are picked up and knitted in the round at the end. A false sideseam is created by a reverse stocking stitch with garter stitches on each side. If you want a smaller neckline or armhole, you can either work additional rounds on the bands or adjust the pattern with for example 3 cm/1.25″. The cowl is knitted from the bottom and up, in the round. It is shaped in a separate garter stitch panel.

20160601 LM Villa Malla 240The wavy lace stitch pattern is the same I chose for the Adoe jacket. I was thrilled to match it with Kaja Gjedebo’s new Rubble & Roll Collection. Here is a mind-blowing quote from Kaja: “A piece of jewellery should be a miniature sculpture – an everyday piece of art you would like to wear not only today, but for the rest of your life.”  On that note, I will leave you and come back to show you more stunning photos from our shoot! I am so grateful for having such a magnificent team behind me!

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New Design: Githa

XT1B1335I am busy preparing for my next photoshoot on Wednesday, which I look forward to despite the fact that I am still knitting on three of the nine new designs to be photographed. Today you can see more proof of why I choose to hire a professional model. Here is one of the new designs that is ready. 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 makes 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 Norwegian pattern will be published in Familien Strikk at the end of August.

XT1B1338The tunic started its life as a top, and was rejected as a design submission twice. Firstly, because the whole collection collapsed. Secondly, because it did not fit into the magazine. The proposal was given new life with a longer body, and a scoop neck with an additional shaped cowl. The tunic pattern has been graded from size XS to 2XL, while the cowl comes in XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL).

XT1B1346The lovely slubby yarn has unfortunately been discontinued, but is still available to buy. It had already been knitted by the speedy sample knitter Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry, before I found out. A number of alternative yarns has been listed in the pattern. Rowan Panama is listed as a fingering/4-ply yarn with a gauge of 27 stitches and 36 rows using a 3.25 mm/US 3. Neither Grete nor I managed to knit it at that gauge. I tried with a 3 mm/US 2.5 and ended up with 25 sts and 36 rows. It did however look too tight for the yarn, and I opted for the suggested needle size 3.25 mm/US 3 and a gauge of 24 sts and 32 rows instead. The yarn has been generously sponsored by Rowan Yarns’ Scandinavian Agent, Permin.

XT1B1343I am wearing size S and was trying to keep warm in the cold wind and drizzle. My husband was given the order of being quick to photograph me so I could put on more clothes. My favorite of these photos are definitely the back view. If the stitch pattern seem familiar to you, I can reveal that it is the same one I used for the Adoe jacket. I cannot wait to see how this will look on my stunning model Alexandria Eissinger. You wait and see.

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