Nuala Pattern Released

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Linda Marveng

We seem to have skipped Spring in Oslo and went straight into Summer. A perfect time to release the English pattern of Nuala a straight summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug with a matching cowl. The pattern has been test knitted in my Ravelry group. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Julens Småstrikk last November. Above you see the set worn by model Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo Design, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar.

Size: One Size

Finished Measurement: Shawl: Width: 42.5 cm/16.75″. Length: 143 cm/56.25″ Cowl: Width: 70 cm/27.5″. Height: 28 cm/11″

Yarn: Rowan, Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Marina 580. https://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softknit-cotton Shawl: 6 skeins; 588 m/643 yds. Cowl: 2 skeins; 202 m/221 yds.

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for shawl and cowl. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/0.82″), 4 stitch markers and yarn needle.

Gauge: 17 sts and 25 rows in Dropped sts using 4.5 mm/US 7 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The shawl and cowl are both knitted flat. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method. The cowl is sewn together, but add buttonholes rows instead if you prefer and work selvedge st as on shawl.

Familien Julens Småstrikk with 3 of My Designs

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Linda Marveng

On Monday the special issue, Familien Julens Småstrikk/Christmas Small Knits is published with my designs; Hertha, Nuala and Syndra, to my utter delight. The shawl Hertha with loose sleeves, stunningly worn by Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, fringe skirt by Judith Bech, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, is on the cover in the bottom corner – see above – but much larger both on the contents page but also inside – see below.

Here you can see Hertha’s traditional lace pattern with shadow triangels in half stocking stitch and half garter stitch, tucks, shawl collar as well as magnificent jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo up close. The shawl and the loose sleeves are knitted in the divine Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double using 3 mm/US 2.5 and 3.5 mm/US 4, and is available in sizes: S/M (L/XL, 2XL).

“Gorgeous details. Beautiful garments in lace knitting designed by Linda Marveng, says the introduction”. Hertha in old Norse means a powerful woman, ideal for this modern shawl with a shawl collar, that can be worn in different ways. The loose sleeves have elastic inserted into the top hem to keep them in place. They are knitted in the round unlike the shawl. The collar on the shawl is shaped by short rows, and ends in an i-cord bind off. The hem and tucks are all knitted with 2 circular needles held parallel.

“The shawl with a shawl collar can be worn as a scarf around the neck, a shawl around the shoulders, or as a top; if worn upside down and pinned together with a shoulder pin. Anne Dorthe from Team Models is photographed at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with Poplar Necklace and Magnolia earrings by Kaja Gjedebo.” see kgd.no.

“An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern with dropped stitches is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug.” The Nuala shawl and cowl are both knitted flat using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the RS, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the WS. Both are made using the same one-row method.

“A cowl to warm you shoulders and matching loose sleeves. Both are knitted in the round using a beautiful reversible stitch pattern called Reverse Fern Stitch with a lush texture and I-cord bands. Make your own perfect yarn by combining a lace weight yarn like the luscious Dreamline Soul from Du Store Alpakka with a fingering yarn like Merino Tweed from Pickles.” The set is named after Syndra with her immense magical potential and knitted with both yarns held together to create a DK/8 ply yarn, using a 4 mm/US 6. Familien Julens Småstrikk will be available in all newsagents and selected supermarkets in Norway, as well as digitally here: www.klikk.no. All the patterns will be published in English on Ravelry after test knitting; Syndra is ongoing while Hertha and Nuala will be test knitted in March.

Familien Photoshoot: Nuala

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I am thrilled to show you these brilliant photos of my design Nuala, taken by Eivind Røhne at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in May. Let the turquoise color remind you of a lovely summer and look at gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models wearing the set, with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling as well as stunning jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo. Here is my introduction to the pattern: An intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr is highlighted with the cable structured Softknit Cotton by Rowan in this reversible rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Wear it with a cowl as a collar. The Norwegian pattern will be published in the special issue Familien Småstrikk at the beginning of November, while the English pattern will be released on Ravelry after test knitting scheduled for March next year.

The shawl and cowl are both knitted flat, using 4.5 mm/US 7. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 9-sts. The pattern only comes in one size. The first 4 buttonholes are worked on the Right Side, while the last 4 buttonholes are worked on the Wrong Side. Both are made using the same one-row method. The yarn was generously donated by Permin.

The large Karakoram earrings and Hekla ring in silver lifted the outfit into evening wear in my opinion. Both are available from acknowledged designer Kaja Gjedebo. The staircase where Anne Dorthe is sitting leads down to the platoon, where we had hoped to take some more photos but due to both the bright sunshine and the strong wind we had to give it up. Just to take these photos, editor Mary-Ann Astrup was providing shadow holding a large screen see my behind the scenes photos.

Honeysuckle Pattern Released

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

After a successful test knit of the English version of Honeysuckle in my group on Ravelry, I am happy to release the pattern in the Nordic Vintage series. Stunningly worn over a silk dress by Judith Bech, by model Alexandria Eissinger/Pholk with hair & make up by Sissel Fylling, and brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. Here is the introduction to the pattern: Inspired by the climbing of the Honeysuckle is this lace pattern which adorns a soft Summer shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle it is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in Stockinette stitch. The belt is worked as a hem and can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch. Knit all parts in the cozy Rowan Softknit Cotton. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend and is still available through Familien.

Sizes: One Size

Finished measurements: Shawl: Width: 43 cm/17″ Length: 143 cm/56.25″ Cowl: Circumference: 70 cm/27.5″. Height: 28.5 cm/11.25″ Belt: Width: 2 cm/0.75″. Length: 179 cm/70.5″

Yarn: Rowan Yarns, Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Silver 586. http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/softknit-cotton Shawl: 7 skeins; 652 m/713 yds Cowl: 2 skeins; 202 m/221 yds Belt: 1 skein; 95 m/104 yds

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/0.82″), stitch markers and yarn needle.

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needle (60 cm/24″) for shawl and cowl. 2 sets of 4 mm/US 6 circular needles (100 cm/40″) for belt. Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Gauge: 17 sts and 28 rows in Honeysuckle Pattern and Double Seed st using 4.5 mm/US 7 measures 10 cm/4″ square. 20 sts and 28 rows in st st using 4 mm/US 6 measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The shawl is knit flat and the cowl is knit in the round. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in Stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add preferred tying length.

New Design: Nuala

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love this intricate woven lacy stitch pattern by Lynne Barr. I found it so well suited to the cable structured Rowan Softknit Cotton and selected a color which captures summer in an instant; a turquoise called Marina. The stitch pattern is reversible so well suited for a rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug. If you wear it with a cowl as a collar you have the perfect accompaniment to your favorite summer dress. The Norwegian pattern will be printed in the special issue Familien Småstrikk this autumn, while the English pattern will be published on Ravelry. The photos show me wearing it, they are taken by my husband a few days before the professional photo shoot at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter.

Both the shawl and the cowl are knitted flat with double seed stitch bands. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats. The shawl has 8 buttonholes, 4 at each end, and I found some beautiful dyed mother of pearl buttons at Perlehuset in Oslo. I have had knitting and pattern design (making neater buttonholes) help from both Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry, and Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry. Thank you both for all your assistance!

The dropped stitch pattern has its own rhythm and it is not as difficult to work as it might appear. Since the stitch pattern has a number of centering stitches, I had to make separate buttonholes and could not use the dropped stitches since they were too far into the shawl itself. Above you see me wearing it with black but the set does look great with white too! I look forward to showing you the fantastic photos Eivind took of model Dorthe wearing this set.

Behind the Scenes: Familien Strikk Photoshoot

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Linda Marveng

Would it stop raining for our scheduled photoshoot for Familien Strikk on Friday 29th May? It did, it was sunny but still cold. To plan the event I had booked photographer Eivind Røhne, hair & make up artist: Sissel Fylling and model: Anne Dorthe from Team Models. Then I convinced former Made by Me editor Mary-Ann Astrup to join us to for her essential advice. That my husband would be part of the team was obvious from the start. Next on the agenda was picking a location venue, and it is not easy, but I opted for Henie Onstad Kunstsenter because of the building itself and its location with a nature trail and marina. For styling, I borrowed from dress designer Judith Bech her magnificent fringe skirt, jewelry designer Kaja Gjedebo a selection of gorgeous jewelry and then obviously also Monica Stålvang some stunning boots. Above you can see Eivind and Dorthe in action with my husband assisting. Dorthe is wearing Quamara, a jacket with a loop closure knitted in Zenta by Permin in a mixture of wool and silk.

It was no surprise to hear that Sissel wanted to cut Dorthe’s hair, and that she was allowed. Just as last time, we could easily have formed a line wanting just that. The meeting room, Onstad, was our base for the day and the storage for all our suitcases packed with equipment and clothing. While Sissel was working away on Dorthe’s make up and hair, we discussed photo locations and order of garments. The strong sun was an issue we had to resolve at times, as well as the strong wind. As a result a couple of our prime locations such as the pier and next to the sculpture in the water with the Marina in the background had to be given up. Above, you can see how Mary-Ann is providing necessary shadow for Dorthe whose legs are covered in blankets, while she is wearing Nuala, a shawl buttoned up with a cowl knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton.

Sissel is busy putting on nail varnish on Dorthe’s nails, just as we are ready for the first project to be photographed: Hertha shawl with loose sleeves knitted in Jaggerspun Zephyr Lace held double, worn together with Judith Bech’s fringe skirt. The stair case on the side of the building was first out as first back drop. If you look closely on the photo above, over the roof of the black tent you will see part of the sculpture of a banana. Now, using that as a backdrop would have made a very different photoshoot, we agreed!

Here we are looking at locations; 3 geniuses at work as Eivind put it, photographed by my husband. The marina is just in the background but also in the sun, unfortunately. But we did find another suitable location instead. We photographed 9 new designs for Familien, and a secret project. Sissel made sure we had a plan allowing only 30 minutes for each garment so that we would have time for a delicious lunch at Bølgen & Moi as well as finish before we needed to vacate the meeting room at 16.30. We made it, thanks to brilliant co-operation. A marvelous team work, thank you all!

Familien Photoshoot: Honeysuckle Shawl

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I loved this silk dress by Judith Bech the moment I lay my eyes on it at the Designer-kollektivet in Oslo. So I had to include it in our Nordic Vintage series. I designed a shawl, a cowl and a belt knitted as a hem, and called the pattern Honeysuckle after its lacy stitch pattern. It still felt like a revelation seeing the dress, with Honeysuckle and fantastic shoes by Monica Stålvang, worn by gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne at Hvalstrand Bad. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Trend in February.

Honeysuckle is knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton, a very well fitting name indeed, since it is made of 92% cotton and 8% polyamide and of a cable structure in 50 grams balls with 105 meters/115 yards put up, using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needle. The shawl can be buttoned into a shrug. Like Honeysuckle the shawl is equally beautiful on both sides. Wear it with a cowl as a collar and a stylish belt in Stockinette stitch. The belt can either be tied or pinned together with a stunning brooch.

The shawl is knit flat and the cowl is knit in the round. You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in Stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add preferred tying length. The English pattern is currently being test knitted in my group on Ravelry and will be released when it is complete. Now, there is only one more design you have not seen professionally photographed and that is Hennika, coming up next.

New Design: Honeysuckle Shawl

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Linda Marveng

I love the lush and fairly thick cotton with its cable twist from Rowan Yarns, aptly called Softknit Cotton. Available in lovely bright colors but also several beautiful neutrals like Silver, a grayish white in my opinion, with 105 m/115 yds on a 50 g skein made of 92% cotton and 8% polyamide. I picked a lovely lace pattern which is equally beautiful on both sides and decided to make a rectangular shawl that can be buttoned into a shrug with a matching cowl and stylish belt made up of a hem in stockinette stitch: Honeysuckle Shawl. All perfect accessories to a stunning dress by Judith Bech and wonderful shoes by Monica Stålvang, to be part of the Nordic Vintage series recently published in the Norwegian magazine Familien Trend.

I named the design Honeysuckle, inspired by its climbing, and its similarities to the lace pattern itself. Above it is worn without the cowl. Both the shawl and the belt is knitted flat, while the cowl is worked in the round. The shawl and the cowl with their lace patterns are worked using a 4.5 mm/US 7 while the belt is firmly knitted using a 4 mm/US 6 to avoid stretching out of shape. I was fortunate to have help knitting the shawl and the cowl by skilled knitter Airin Hansen, aka Teodor on Ravelry.

You can easily adjust the width of the shawl and the circumference of the cowl by removing or adding pattern repeats of 16-sts. Eyelets in the lace pattern is used as buttonholes. The belt is designed to wrap twice around the waist and then be tied. It is worked like a hem in stockinette stitch and cast on using two circular needles held parallel. Adjust the length of the belt by measuring your waist and add prefered tying length. The belt can also be pinned together with a stunning brooch if preferred. All the photos here of me wearing it, were taken in our garden last August by my husband.

Here you can see the buttons I chose, and how the lace patterns works as buttonholes. I plan to have the shawl test knitted in my group on Ravelry before I release it in English as a downloadable pdf. The test knit will start shortly. I look forward to showing you the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took of gorgeous model Alexandria Eissinger from Pholk wearing the Honeysuckle Shawl with the intended dress by Judith Bech and shoes by Monica Stålvang.

Zest Shawl Pattern Released

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Linda Marveng

I know it is not the season for summer shawls made in cotton, but a huge dose of color is necessary at this time of year, hence I am releasing my Zest Shawl in English as a downloadable pattern on Ravelry. Beautifully worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto, brilliantly styled by Line Sekkingstad and stunningly captured by photographer Kim Müller. The Norwegian pattern was published in Familien Strikk at the end of August. The sample is knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds) using a 4.5 mm/US 7 needles, but can easily be worked in a different fiber such as wool as long as it has the same gauge. The dark lime color and the cable structure of Softknit Cotton made it so attractive to make a shawl. Sew on buttons if you want to button it into a shrug, and why not add a gorgeous brooch by Siri Berrefjord. See the play on color on the two different brooches photographed lying on the swatch, by Siri herself. The right side of the swatch is on the cover above, while the wrong side of the swatch is below. You can find more of her jewelry in Siris Skattkammer/Siri’s Treasure Trove. The cowls in two different sizes, make attractive collars.

Sizes: Shawl: One Size. Cowl: Small (Large)

Finished measurements: Shawl: 60 cm/23.5″ wide and 150 cm/59″ long Cowl: 44 (88) cm/17.25 (34.75)” wide and 25 (30) cm/9.75 (11.75)” high

Yarn: Rowan Softknit Cotton (92% cotton, 8% polyamide, 50 g, 105 m/115 yds). Sample is knitted in Dark Lime 579, Rowan Softknit Cotton Shawl: 9 skeins; 935 m/1023 yds Cowl: 2 (3) skeins; 126 (263) m/138 (288) yds

Needles: 4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles (80 cm/32″) or straight needles. Adjust needles to match gauge.

Notions: 8 buttons (21 mm/082″): Two toned colored mother of pearl buttons from Perlehuset for the shawl. Perlehuset

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in garter st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 14 sts and 26 rows in Ridge Lace meaures 10 cm/4″ square.

Familien Strikk August 2014

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Linda Marveng

For the first time, I have 6 designs in a magazine together with a presentation of me, and an article on how to design, which was written when I was making my Knitting Design Workshop. As long as I supplied 8 patterns (2 of the 6 have several parts), I could organize my own photoshoot, an opportunity I did not want to miss. In my chosen team is photographer Kim Müller, dancer Francesca Golfetto and stylist Line Sekkingstad. As well as Norwegian shoe designer Monica Stålvang whose inspirational shoes and boots were essential to the collection. This magazine is a separate issue made by one of the largest magazines in Norway; Familien and it is called Strikk, meaning Knit. Above is the cover with only a small but striking photo of my design Zest Shawl in a zingy green with a matching cowl.

I have two prominent photos on the contents page, to my delight. Meet Norwegian Designers is the headline to the introduction by the Handcraft editor Åse Myhrvold Egeland. The middle of second paragraph reads: “It is not easy to be a designer and make a living off it in Norway. Therefore we think it is important to present some exciting names whom might be unknown to you. But first and foremost we focus on Norwegian design because there is so many great designs to find here. Linda Marveng has, in addition to create a gorgeous series in fabulous colors, written how you can design your own garments. So who knows – maybe it is your designs we show in the magazine next year?”

My series of designs have been given the heading: For inspiration. “I want to inspire you who knit, and want you to enjoy the pictures photographed by Kim Müller of dancer Francesca Golfetto from Nasjonalbaletten/The National Ballet.” The introduction to the different designs, is the one I have written for each pattern. My bio is from my Norwegian knitting book. The only new addition is what I do for a living at the present: “Now I am living in Oslo with my British husband, I design for Familien, Made by Me and the American Clotheshorse, hold workshops, proof read knitting patterns, and translates knitting patterns to and from English.” Shawl Sleeves, knitted in one strand of Ask – Hifa 2 and one strand of Rowan Fine Tweed held together using a 4 mm/US 6, and Scarftex, knitted in ones strand of Rowan Lima and one strand of Rowan Fine Tweed held together using a 5.5 mm/US 9, are both available in English from my Ravelry Store.

Here are the next two pages with Zest Shawl, knitted in Rowan Softknit Cotton using 4.5 mm/US 7 and Carla Coat, knitted in Rowan Lima held together with Hifa Norsk Pelsull using 5.5 mm/US 9. I have recently received a few exquisite photos of the Zest Shawl taken by jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord with her brooch on, and will shortly release the pattern in English in my Ravelry Store. The Carla Coat on the other hand, is currently being test knitted, in my Ravelry group. If you are a member of Ravelry, you can take a look at the magnificent photos of test knitters’ coats and join the test knit as well as the group if you are tempted.

Here are the last two designs presented: Curvy Check Cowl and Conic Coat. The first is knitted in a self composed tweed made by combining Ask – Hifa 2 and Rowan Fine Tweed, while the coat is knitted in Embla – Hifa 3. The cowl pattern will be available in English soon, while the test knit of the coat will begin early October in English in my Ravelry group.

Following my design pages, is the article I have written on design: “This is how you make your own design”. “Today there are numerous patterns in magazines, booklets, books and online. And yet it is not certain that you will find exactly what you are looking for; So why not make your own pattern?”

My example is the Tyrol Jacket, see photograph by Kim Müller of Francesca Golfetto and my husband’s sketch, available in English to download. I will not translate the full article but the main points are:
1. Sketch/Notes. 2. Choose yarn and stitch pattern. 3. Swatch. 4. Basis pattern. 5. Use a finished garment. 6. Take measurements. 7. Ease. 8. Calculations. 9. Collars and borders. 10. Yarn amount. 11. Write pattern. 12. Test knitting.

The magazine in available in news agents like Narvesen and selected supermarkets in Norway. If you live abroad and read Norwegian, or simply are desperate to get your hands on it, you can order a copy and receive an invoice for the magazine plus postage from Customer services by emailing: kari.bachke@egmont.com

Familien liked my designs and especially the bright colors I chose for all the designs, so they have ordered another series for next year’s issue. I am honored and very grateful for this opportunity!

Linda Marveng

Knit wear designer and author

Tag Archives: Rowan Softknit Cotton