My Irina Pullover

XT1A5418I knew I had to submit a design for the Film Noir Ballet theme and re-launch of knit.wear because I adore the grace of ballerinas and because knit.wear is such an outstanding magazine. A body conscious silhouette with set-in sleeve and tailored waist, was just what I had in mind. I obviously wanted to include cables and instantly knew which one I wanted to use for this pullover I had in my mind. The very same ones I used for a set of accessories, I called Talila was not forgotten and would be ideal as a panel on a sweater. In between the panels I decided to use garter stitch and also on the sides I opted for garter stitch. These were made to simplify shaping the garment but also to let the cables be the focus point. What if I move the cable panels towards each other, was one I idea liked and will continue to explore in the time to come. In the end I choose a minimal move. Above you see it worn on my, and yes, I do have an extra long back making the pullover seem cropped, not intentional. The Irina Pullover is available in English as a single pattern, in a digital version and in a printed version of knit.wear Spring/Summer 2016.

XT1A5419The sleeves have the same cable panel as the body. The remainder of the sleeve is knitted in garter stitch. Here is my introduction to the pullover:  Named after the beautiful Russian ballerina Irina Baronova, this fitted pullover has elegant cables swooning across it in panels with garter stitch dividers for shaping. Timeless, knitted in the round from the bottom up to the armholes then flat to soft square neckline and shoulders. The sleeves are also knitted in the round, long to adorn the hands and set-in. A divine sky blue color, and luscious texture was made by combining Rowan Felted Tweed with Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I initially suggested Rowan Fine Lace an alpaca mixture which makes the cables flatter. Editor Meghan Babin suggested the well known combination instead making the cables pop and giving the pullover a fuzzy appearance. She also choose a lighter blue tone giving it a more delicate look. By holding the two yarns together and using a 4 mm/US 6 needle the cables stand out.

XT1A5421I knitted this myself, while sample knitter Grete Jenssen was busy knitting Helka, last October. Both the body and the sleeves are worked in the round up to the underarm and then worked back and forth to the end. It is an enjoyable knit. I love how it has been photographed on a ballerina and the styling of the theme in knit.wear. I look forward to sharing more of my design ideas, as my new ones come off the needles.

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Talila Pattern Released

I am so happy to publish the English version of Talila on Ravelry, with an introductory offer which will be valid until I am back from Wollness Weekend on the outskirts of Vienna on Thursday 22nd of October. Talila was recently published in Norwegian in the new digital magazine “På Pinnen” for members of Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association. The set was brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne in May, worn by gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models with hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and boots by Monica Stålvang.

Talila E COVERTALILA

Just as the morning dew, they are named after, these cables move from one end to another across wrist warmers and all over a divine large cowl, with a matching clutch. The warm accessories are knitted in the beautiful Norwegian pelt yarn, Norsk Pelsullgarn from Hifa to make the cables soft and the background texture pulsating. The set is knitted in the round but can easily be adjusted by adding a pattern repeat or stitches in garter stitch. The clutch is reinforced and has magnetic bag closures.

Sizes: Cowl: One Size. Wrist warmers: One Size. Clutch: One Size

Finished Measurements:                                                                                                   Cowl: Height: 26 cm/10.25″. Circumference: 108 cm/42.5″                                               Wrist warmers: Circumference: 22 cm/8.75″ (can be stretched to 26 cm/10.25″). Length: 26 cm/10.25″                                                                                                                   Clutch: Width: 22 cm/8.75″. Height: 13 cm/5″

Yarn: Hifa, Norsk Pelsullgarn (100% pelt yarn, 100 g, 260 m/284 yds). Sample is knitted in Burgundy 1104: http://www.ull.no/garn/ullgarn/norsk-pelsull                                    Cowl: 2 skeins; 416 m/455 yds                                                                                                     Wrist warmers: 1 skein; 161 m/176 yds                                                                                       Clutch: 1 skein; 255 m/279 yds                                                                                                      Set: 3.5 skeins is sufficient for set: 832 m/910 yds

Alternative Yarns: Berroco, Ultra Alpaca Light (50% alpaca, 50% wool, 50 g, 133 m/144 yds). http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-ultra-alpaca-light                           Jamieson’s, Double Knitting (100% wool, 25 g, 75 m/82 yds) http://www.jamiesonsofshetland.co.uk/spindrift-and-double-knitting-1-c.asp          Rowan, Tweed (100% wool, 50 g, 118 m/129 yds) http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/rowan-tweed                                                          Malabrigo, Arroyo, (100% superwash merino, 100 g, 306 m/335 yds) http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=29                                                                 Or another DK/8 ply yarn.

Notions: Cable needle (cn), 4 stitch markers and yarn needle. Firm table mat to be cut into two pieces: 30 by 22 cm/11.75 by 8.75″ and 6 by 22 cm/2.25 by 8.75″, magnetic bag closures (19 mm/0.75″), sewing thread and sewing needle for clutch.

Needles: 3.5 mm/US 4 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for cowl and clutch. 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″) for clutch. 3.5 mm/US 4 DPNs for wrist warmers.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rnds in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square. 23 sts and 32 rnds in cables measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: Cowl is knitted sideways, in the round as the wrist warmers, both with centering stitches making a ladder to frame the pattern. Adjust the width by adding pattern repeats of 10 sts or an equal number of garter sts in each end of the round. The clutch is knitted in 2 parts; a main part knitted in the round in pattern and st st for lining and divider. Reinforce it with e.g. a firm place mat which is put inside the main part. The divider is folded and attached in the sides, the bottom and then a pocket is made by sewing seams on the inside.

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Familien Photoshoot: Talila

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 635Talila was also photographed at the end of May, worn by the gorgeous Anne Dorthe/Team Models with beautiful hair and make up by Sissel Fylling, fantastic statement jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo and stunning Carmen boots by Monica Stålvang, all brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The pattern is recently published in the new digital magazine called På Pinnen/On the Needles for members of Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association, and will be released shortly in English on Ravelry. Here is my introduction to Talila: Just as the morning dew, they are named after, these cables move from one end to another across wrist warmers and all over a divine large cowl, with a matching clutch. The warm accessories are knitted in the beautiful Norwegian pelt yarn – Norsk Pelsull – from Hifa to make the cables soft and the background texture pulsating. The set is knitted in the round but can easily be adjusted by adding a pattern repeat or stitches in garter stitch. The clutch is reinforced and has magnetic bag closures.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 652

The set is knitted using 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5, and comes in one size. The cowl and the wrist warmers can easily be adjusted in size. I began knitting a swatch in the round in this lovely burgundy yarn and discovered I might as well make it straight into a wrist warmer. Hence I did make a second before I asked Grete Jenssen, aka ma9 on Ravelry to assist me and knit the cowl. It was Grete’s marvelous idea to also make a clutch to go with the set and used a firm placemat, cut to size, to reinforce it. I did not need a lot of convincing, and loved the finished set! The yarn is generously sponsored by Hillesvåg Ullvarefabrikk.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 659The cowl is knitted sideways, in the round as the wrist warmers, both with centering stitches making a ladder to frame the pattern. Adjust the width by adding pattern repeats of 10 sts or an equal number of garter sts in each end of the round. The clutch is knitted in 2 parts; a main part knitted in the round in pattern and st st for lining and divider. Reinforce it with e.g. a firm place mat which is put inside the main part. The divider is folded and attached in the sides, the bottom and then a pocket is made by sewing seams on the inside. See the detailed photos below.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 665Dorthe is wearing the amazing Karakoram large earrings and Hekla ring, both in oxidized silver, which fitted so well to the geometry in the stitch pattern as well as the melange yarn.

20150529 Linda Marveng HO 674The Norwegian pattern will also become available on Ravelry when the rights revert to me in 6 months time. But in the meantime the board of the Norsk Strikkeforening will also discuss to make the digital magazine available for non-members and I will keep you posted.

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På Pinnen with My Design: Talila

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_01I am so thrilled to have the full cover of the new digital magazine “På Pinnen”/On the Needles for the members and published by Norsk Strikkeforening/Norwegian Knitting Association. Gorgeous model Anne Dorthe/Team Models, with hair and make up styling by Sissel Fylling, as well as beautiful jewelry by Kaja Gjedebo, is wearing the Talila Cowl – while the matching wrist warmers and clutch are shown inside the magazine – and is brilliantly captured by Eivind Røhne. The design submission request came early this spring from editor and Leader Tove Fevang who wanted an accessory with a cable pattern. I was not difficult to ask, and Talila was created and accepted. A few months later, Tove wondered if I wanted to be part of the editorial team together with Åse Bjørndal. I was flattered and certainly wanted to be part of making this digital magazine. In addition, Tove wanted to profile me, and asked if she could interview me at home bringing her husband, photographer – Geir Arnesen – to take some photos. Below you see the result, I was wearing my Quamara jacket and had prepared a rail with a number of my designs. The clean and modern look layout of the magazine is done by Janette Balchen of Designstreken.no.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_03The large photo of me is taken on the terrace while the other ones are taken in my living room. You might recognize my swatch photo of the Arcade Vest in the top right corner and that I am holding on to the back of the Gyda Jacket. I also asked jewelry designer Siri Berrefjord if we could use some of her fantastic photos of my swatches with her buttons. I was delighted when she accepted. The first part of the profile on me is based on my book introduction.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_04While the second part is more about my work and productivity today. Below is the first page of the pattern with all the essential information like the yarn; Hifa Norsk Pelsull and needles 3.5 mm/US 4 and 3 mm/US 2.5. The second page has a detailed photo of the clutch which I will show you in my next blogpost, together will all the brilliant photos Eivind Røhne took.

Magasin_Høst_2015_1_Page_05The magazine contains two more patterns, book reviews, report from Alta Strikkefestival and briefly from Koftefesten, article on yarn thickness, tips and ideas. I am delighted that the magazine has been popular so far, and we have started to plan the next issue and scheduled our next Skype meeting. So if you are Norwegian, or speak Norwegian, please join Norsk Strikkeforening and send us your ideas & suggestions for the magazine.

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