The Strikkefestivalen/Knitting Festival in Fredrikstad, one hour south of Oslo, was back in action last weekend (16th to 18th of September) with lovely weather as you can see in the photo above taken by my husband. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Sidsel Høivik
Oslo Design Fair August 2019
Last Wednesday Michael and I attended the Oslo Design Fair in Lillestrøm. As always it was a great opportunity to meet Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk since they are located in Bergen on the coast and also other designers, as well as yarn companies and agents. Michael and I arrived in time for the press breakfast talk that introduced to the trade fair and its current topic: ”Rethink”. The modules in massive wood by Vardehaugen Arkitekter exhibited will be given a new life after the fair as cottages at Træna and in Sweden. The modules can easily be changed and put together depending on your need. Below you see a photo Michael took of the so-called Tower.
All the talks and most of the interior companies were located in Hall C, while the yarn companies were in Hall B, at the fair. Below you see me talking to MD Øyvind Myhr and Anette Toft at the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk stand. They have made a new catalogue with my latest designs: Epona Pullover, Macha Jacket & Cowl and Gillah Swoncho. I am pleased to tell you that they wanted 4 new designs for the spring and that I have started working on those.
House of Yarn, consists of several separate companies some of them with previous lives but now joined into one: Dale Garn, Du Store Alpakka, Gjestal Garn, Camilla Pihl Strikk, Gullungen Garn, Oransje Skjerf Garn, Rosa Sløyfe Garn, and Linde Garn. The 1980s have come back and I am not too keen on the revival since I lived through it once already. There was no fashion show but House of Yarn did have a video of their fashion show running on their large stand. There were plenty of new yarns to look at and fondle.
I also talked with Thomas Kvist of House of Hobbies. He is the Scandinavian agent for the Italian yarn producer Lana Gatto and for the American Distributor Knitting Fever. Thomas talked me through the new yarns. On his stand was also designer Tove Lindtein who has used a number of the Lana Gatto yarns in her upcoming book that will be launched in November. We had a long talk about making books and knitting workshops.
Michael and I met up with Tove Fevang (centre), Bente Presterud (right), Sidsel Høivik (left) and Gro Sandvik (next to Bente) for lunch. I had not met Gro before but know the other designers from years back. It was a great opportunity for us to meet and update each other.
I must also show you a photo of the marvellous Japanese inspired stand that Kaja Gjedebo Design had set up in Hall B.
Kaja had commissioned fashion drawings to have on the wall of her stand. They were graphic black and white drawings, that lured you into her stand. Her artistic jewellery is so stunning and so beautifully displayed on the fair. I did enjoy hanging out here, I must admit. Late in the afternoon Michael and I headed home. The trade fair was on both Thursday and Friday too but this time the trade fair ended on Friday without any public days.
Oslo Design Fair 2017
I spent both Wednesday and Thursday at Oslo Design Fair this time, since I tend to meet more and more people I know. Jewellery designer Kaja Gjedebo Design found me first listening to a talk about Fast and Slow Fashion. Yes, knitting belongs to the slow one, whereas fashion shows where you are able to buy the garments straight after the show belong to the fast one. Kaja captured my hand since I was wearing her stunning Wide Caprifol Ring. I just had to make sure she photographed a bit of the Kohno Kimono I was wearing too. Later I read on Instagram that Kaja after 15 years in the business still enjoys seeing people wearing her jewellery.
I spent a lot of time at the Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk and made sure those that had not met them did so. Including the VIPs – at least to me – from the UK, Daphne Marinopoulous and Iain Stanley, owners of The Fibre Co. So I got to meet them for the first time in real life after working with them online for my contributions to the Fell Garth II collection (see below). But Photographer Eivind Røhne was first since he has not met them in real life before and could take a look at his photos decorating the stall. He had brought his camera and photographed the stand. While my husband photographed me below and talking to Iselin.
Managing Director Øyvind Myhr to the right. And me photographed mid sentence. Here is a more detailed shot with the Aki sweater on the cover of the brochure they have made with the 4 new designs I made in their Pelsull/Pelt wool yarn qualities: Tinde and Sølje. On the wall is Sulli jacket with a loop and the Aki sweater while the Iglu Poncho and Wa Shawl is displayed on a mannequin.
I was thrilled to meet Iselin Hafseld again, she was on the House of Yarn stand launching her new book (in Norwegian): Strikk fra Tinde/Knit from Tinde published by Cappelen Damm as well as a collection for Du Store Alpakka. Iselin has now turned back to designing hand knits from machine knitting and her brand Tinde. She was instrumental in making my book happen and has been a mentor to me since we first met at Heimen Husfliden in 2000. It is her partner Kim Müller who has not only photographed her book but also made the brilliant lay-out. Yes, Kim also photographed my book. You can find Iselin at Instagram as tindeknits and her book available to order from the publisher Cappelen Damm.
The fashion show also attracted designers Sidsel Høivik and Kristin Wiola Ødegård, and I photographed them sitting down as we were catching up.
The most inspiring part of the fashion show was these three outfits made of thick woven furniture fabrics.
I was also fortunate to meet up with Marketing Manager Mary-Ann Astrup at House of Yarn, Agent Thomas Kvist of House of Hobbies and for the first time the two talented women behind the Norwegian new knitting magazine Bladet Garn– Unni Cathrine Eiken, Malsengarn (see Ravelry) and Solveig Engevold Gaustad, aka Surrehue. Yes, I did enjoy the fair tremendously and received more job offers than I can handle at the moment. Now, that is a vote of confidence I am so grateful for. Thank you!
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!
Knit Café at Gyldendal
I went to Saturday’s Knit Café at Gyldendal, where there were 3 workshops to choose from, samples from recent published books: “Strikkesidas favoritter”/Knittingpage’s favorites, “Voksne ingen adgang”/Kids only, and “Heklelyst”/Crochet desire, fashion show with designs mainly by Kristin Wiola Ødegard and Sidsel J. Høivik from each of their first books and the second ones to be published next year, raffle with proceeds going to the charity Kirkens Bymisjon/The Church City Mission. The banner above says “Come and Knit with Gyldendal, Open House, Knitting Day, Workshops, Knit café and more. Come and be inspired by our knitting book authors! From 15.00 Fashion show. Please someone who is dreading Christmas. We want to spread some light and warmth in the city at a time which is extra difficult for many. If you need a scarf, it is yours.” I met several knitters, editors and authors I know so I had an enjoyable afternoon in good company.
Here is one part of the presentation of the book “Voksne ingen adgang”/”Kids Only” by Heidi Grønvold and Anna Enge – the women behind the yarn brand Pickles. This is the first book they have published at Gyldendal, but they have published books previously on their own.
Here is the end of the fashion show, with author Sidsel J. Høivik in the door entrance. As you can see it was a popular even with about 150 knitters present and the yarn shop Nøstet Mitt provided an essential shop stand, since not everyone had brought enough materials for the workshop. Some knitters did not need any excuse to buy more yarn.
Models wearing garments designed by Sidsel J. Høivik who held one of the three workshops on offer: Useful techniques and ideas to decorate your knitted garments. Bente Myhre held a workshop on crochet for beginners, while the Pickles girls held a workshop on their Islandsk Soloppgangsjal/Icelandic Sunrise Shawl and how to work the little crown stitch – which looks like a row of sunrises, see a useful video here: pickles.no/islandsk-soloppgangssjal.
Finally the two authors and designers: Kristin Wiola Ødegård with “Strikk med raske pinner” and Sidsel J. Høivik with “Lekre masker og lekne sting”. Kristin’s new book is out in January while Sidsel’s new book is out in August next year. We are all waiting with anticipation after this fashion show!
Lekre masker og lekne sting
Gorgeous stitches and playful stitching is the title of Designer Sidsel J. Høivik’s new book, stunningly photographed by Anne Helene Gjelstad and recently published in Norwegian by Gyldendal. The book is like a treasure trove filled with inspiration, it is made with the intention not only to knit but also to simply enjoy each garment and each photo. “What makes knitting fantastic is that you make everything from scratch; out of one single thread. It is the closest you can come to magic!”, a great introduction to this spellbinding book. Sidsel learned to knit as a four year old and has never stopped since. Indeed, after completing a four year degree at Accademia di Costume e di Moda in Rome, Sidsel designed even more beautiful garments for yarn companies and magazines – see sidsel-j-hoivik, on Facebook: sidselhoivikcom and on Ravelry. But this is her first book and Photographer Anne Helene Gjelstad herself a former designer with a unique vision – see annehelenegjelstad – was Sidsel’s choice. And what a team they make!
Above is one of Sidsel’s favorites a poncho with set in sleeves, knitted in a pure alpaca; Inca by Rauma with a thin mohair; Plum and fashion yarns; Beo and Concorde for the bubble/popcorn crocheted edges. The collar is attached at the neck but could easily be made into a cowl and worn on its own together with the hat.
I adore this cropped Bolero with a long top underneath in a delicate beige wool Finull by Rauma held together with a fine kid mohair; Plum, knitted in cables and rows of eyelets on a stocking stitch background, edged by garter stitch.
The cover photo is a popular design based on the traditional Fana pattern given a modern remake by Sidsel; Fritt etter Fana/Freely after Fana, worn with one of several crocheted necklaces, made of flowers delicately attached by mother of pearl buttons to a chiffon ribbon.
The book contains 50 patterns including accessories, a few matching patterns for girls and babies, great sketches, advices and tips; covering an amazing 254 pages. No wonder it has hit the best seller lists! Who would not, want to be inspired?
The book is available in most bookstores in Norway, and can be ordered from Gyldendal, their information in English pages will add the book details, this summer: Agency.
The Day Job: Made By Me
The latest issue of Made By Me came out on Monday, here in Norway. I have not submitted any designs, but I have written some of the picture texts, translated a number of the patterns from English into Norwegian, and formatted a number of the patterns. That is one part of my day job, the other much larger part is the translation of the previous issues of Made By Me – 3 in total – into English for both the UK and the US market where it will be sold as an app. The popular magazine covers Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing and Crafts and the latest issue contains a whopping 92 patterns, printed in a separate booklet. I love reading the designer portraits, the trend reports as well as studying the designs!
My favorite designs in this issue are by acknowledged Norwegian designers Ann-Kristin Knardal: an Inca inspired series of garments in alpaca – see below, Sidsel Høivik: an elegant outfit in layers with a matching bag decorated with buttons – see button set: knappesett, and Nina Granlund Sæther whose book: Putefest is presented with 2 patterns, read my post: putefestcushion-party. The formerly bi-annual now quarterly magazine is published by Egmont Hjemmet Mortensen, designer is Tine Solheim, see tinesolheim – I am listed under Diagram og Oversetting/Chart and Translation, since you ask – and it has a Swedish version. Its conquest continues…
Design Update: I am pleased to let you know that Clotheshorse has accepted my design submission for their Fall/Winter 2013 issue!