Bell Jacket Pattern Released

I have released both the Norwegian and the English version of the Bell Jacket, an old pattern that was first published in my Norwegian book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” by Cappelen Damm in 2012, on Ravelry. The pattern has been revised and checked by my technical editor Barbara Khouri, who also made a schematic drawing for it. I choose to have new pictures taken for the pattern release during my last photoshoot in May, where I had two models: Emma Ross and Kaja Kvernbakken. The multi talented Kaja is a former editor, designer, novelist and one of the few Norwegian technical editors. In addition she has been modelling for years and years, ever since she was working as a designer for the Norwegian yarn company Du Store Alpakka. Kaja is wearing my Bell Jacket with a pair of pirate trousers, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, brilliantly photographed next to the corten steel wall by Eivind Røhne.

The Canterbury Bells stitch pattern cover this straight jacket with v-neck shaping and short sleeves. A number of extra stitches are cast on and then decreased to create the bells with their voluminous shadows. Hence the stitch pattern is stretchy and knitted loose to create a sculptural effect. A wide frontband in stockinette stitch frames the fronts and is made to hang loose. The Bell Jacket is knitted in the lovely silk like Tencel 8/2 by Valley Yarns in two colors to make a melange shade with one strand of each held together throughout.

Sizes S (M, L, XL)
Shown in size Small.
Skill level: Experienced

Finished measurements
Bust (with frontbands): 96 (104, 112, 120) cm/37.75 (41, 44, 47)“
Length: 53 (53, 56, 56) cm/21 (21, 22, 22)”
Sleeve length: 22 cm/8.5”

Yarn: Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 (100% Lyocell, 454 g/1 lb, 3072 m/3360 yds). Sample is knitted in Sienna and Pompeii with 1 strand of each color held together throughout.
Sienna: 1 (1, 1, 1) cone; 1576 (1725, 1880, 2029) m/1724 (1886, 2219) yds.
Pompeii: 1 (1, 1, 1) cone; 1576 (1725, 1880, 2029) m/1724 (1886, 2219) yds.
Or in one color: 3152 (3450, 3760, 4058) m/3447 (3773, 4112, 4438) yds.
Note: Jacket is knitted with 2 strands held together throughout pattern.
https://www.yarn.com/products/valley-yarns-8-2-tencel
Or another light 4-ply/fingering yarn held single and half the meterage/yardage.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 straight needles.
2 sets of 2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needle (80 cm/32”) for the frontband.
Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 29 sts and 38 rows in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10 cm/4” square.
31 sts and 40 rows in st st using 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measure 10 cm/4” square.
23 sts and 32 rows in Canterbury Bells using 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10 cm/4” square.

Notes: The jacket is knitted in pieces and seamed for the ultimate fit. The front band is knitted in three parts before they are all joined, to even out the v-neck shaping.

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Photoshoot at Oslofjord Museum: Bell Jacket

I am ready to begin to show you the photos we took from our base at the Oslofjord Museum at Vollen in Asker, outside of Oslo at the end of May. First out the Bell Jacket, this is an old pattern that was first published in my Norwegian book “To rett, en vrang. Designstrikk” by Cappelen Damm in 2012. I want to present a new model, chosen for the occasion since I had so many designs to photograph this time I choose to book both Emma Ross and Kaja Kvernbakken. The multi talented Kaja is a former editor, designer, novelist and one of the few Norwegian technical editors. In addition she has been modelling for years and years, ever since she was working as a designer for the Norwegian yarn company Du Store Alpakka. You will find her face on several Norwegian knitting books and magazines. So here she is wearing my Bell Jacket with a pair of pirate trousers, with make-up & hair by Sissel Fylling and jewellery by Kaja Gjedebo Design, plus ankel boots by Monica Stålvang, brilliantly photographed next to the corten steel wall by Eivind Røhne.

The Bell Jacket was photographed again since I am releasing the pattern as an individual pattern and because I wanted to sell the Norwegian pattern for reuse to the magazine Familien. I have received several requests for the pattern in English, but knew I had to revise the pattern and have my technical editor to check it as well draw a schematic drawing for it, hence it has taken a lot longer than anticipated.

The jacket is knitted in Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 made of 100% Lyocell that comes on 454 gram/1 pound cones with 3072 meters/3360 yards. The sample is knitted in Sienna and Pompeii with 1 strand of each color held together throughout using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle and a 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle for the front band. The gauge is 29 stitches and 38 rows in stockinette stitch using a 3 mm/US 2.5 needle with 2 strands held together measuring 10 cm/4″ square.

Kaja is wearing the smallest size with a 96 cm/37.75″ bust circumference. I have added a size extra large and done a few adjustments to the pattern as well as rewriting the pattern into my current pattern writing style. I loved seeing this jacket on Kaja! I am so proud to have such a fabulous team to work with! Thank you!

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Jacket in Cross Pattern Released

Jacket in cross COVEROne of my favorite jackets, Jacket in Cross, from my knitting bok was selected to be part of my Nordic Vintage series, by Mary-Ann Astrup former editor to Made by Me, to my delighted. You can see the designer portrait, she wrote about me on Egmont’s blog: Tusenideer.no At our photoshoot it was worn by the gorgeous Alexandria Eissinger at Pholk with beautiful hair & make-up by Sissel Fylling, brilliantly photographed by Eivind Røhne. The Norwegian pattern was printed in Familien Trend in February, while the English pattern with a new chart and schematic is available to download from my Ravelry store. Here is my introduction to the pattern: Missoni’s thin and featherlight garments inspired me to design this jacket that can be tied in the back or front. I chose a neutral but fashionable color, namely Taupe in a thin Tencel yarn, a newer form of viscose, knit double with a divine gloss. The pattern creates an intricate cross effect and looks a lot more complicated than it is to knit. Extra long sleeves adorn the hands.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL)

Finished measurements: Bust: 82 (90, 98, 106, 114) cm/32.25 (35.5, 38.5, 41.75, 45)” Length: 38 (38, 39, 39, 40) cm/14.5 (15, 15.25, 15.25, 15.75)”                                                   Sleeve length: 56 cm/22″

Yarn: Valley Yarns, Tencel 8/2 (100% Lyocell, 453/1lb cone, 3072 m/3360 yds).          Sample is knitted in Taupe: 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) cones; 2550 (2916, 3290, 3610, 3994 m/2789 (3189, 3598, 3948, 4368) yds. http://www.yarn.com                                                              Note: Yarn is held double throughout.

Yarn alternatives:                                                                                                                 Jagger Yarn, Zephyr Wool Silk 2/18 held double (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 454 g/1lb cone, 4609 m/5040 yds)                                                     http://www.jaggeryarn.com/wholesale-yarn-lines/zephyr-wool-silk.php                            Drops, Lace held double (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 800 m/874 yds, 100 g) http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/yarn.php?id=100

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (80 cm/32″). 3 mm/US 2.5 DPNs. 2 sets of 2.5 mm/US 1.5 circular needles (120 cm/48″) for collar.

Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, stitch holders and yarn needle.

Gauge: 32 sts and 34 rnds in Alternated Twist pattern using yarn held double and 3 mm/US 2.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square. 28 sts and 36 rnds in st st using yarn held double and 2.5 mm/US 1.5 needle measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The stitch pattern is stretchy and knitted loose to create a sculptural effect. The extra long sleeves are knitted in the round, while the body is knitted flat. Adjust the length of the ties if preferred.

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Ruby Snood Pattern Released

Ruby Snood COVERI designed a large drapey snood in a luscious tencel, which feels like silk, for my Norwegian knitting book: To rett en vrang. Designstrikk. Ruby Snood was stunningly worn by dancer Francesca Golfetto, with hair & make up by Line Sekkingstad and brilliantly photographed by Kim Müller. The English pattern is now available in my Ravelry Store. Here is my introduction to the Ruby Snood: Cone after cone, color after color of luscious Tencel 8/2 at Handweavers Studio in London made my feel like the ground vanished from under me. I managed to short list a few colors and favoured this deep glossy red color, Ruby for a snood. You can wear it in different ways as a top, hood, belt or as a cowl. Find your own favourite color or make your own melange color!

Size: One size

Finished measurements: Circumference: 62 cm/24.5″                                                 Length: 158 cm/62.25″

Yarn: Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 (100% Lyocell, 1 lb/454 g cone, 3675 m/3360 yds). http://www.yarn.com                                                                                                                    Sample is knitted in Ruby: 1 cone: 3311 m/3621 yds.                                                             Note: Yarn is held double throughout pattern.

Alternative yarns: Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 held double (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 454 g/1lb, 4609 m/5040 yds)  http://www.jaggeryarn.com                            Drops, Lace held double (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 100 g, 800 m/874 yds) http://www.garnstudio.com                                                                                                  Fyberspates, Srumptious Lace held double (45% silk, 55% merino, 100 g, 1000 m/1093 yds) http://www.loveknitting.com/fyberspates-scrumptious-4-ply                                          Or another 2 ply/lace weight yarn held double or 4 ply/fingering held single.

Needles: 3 mm/US 2.5 circular needle (40 cm/16″). Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Stitch marker and yarn needle.

Gauge: 29 sts and 36 rnds using double yarn in st st measures 10 cm/4″ square.

Notes: The snood is knitted with double yarn in the round, and is made with a provisional cast-on method so it can be grafted together. Or use an ordinary cast-on and mattress stitch together if preferred. Stripes of st st and reverse st st are made by turning the work.

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New pattern release: Lace Top & Cowl

Lace Top COVERI am delighted to release the English version of the Lace Top & Cowl, called “Blondegenser” in my Norwegian book, in my Ravelry Store, see Lace-Top. Above is the pattern cover, with photos of the beautiful dancer Francesca Golfetto brilliantly captured by Kim Müller. I have written a more detailed English version of the pattern, while my Creative Director (read: husband) has made a new chart, and a schematic. Just to make sure I did not add any mistakes, I sent it to my technical editor Heather Zoppetti to check, see Stitchsprouts. From the intro to my pattern: I have been searching for a fitted party sweater for awhile, since I have not found one, I have designed one. Inspired by Missoni’s collections I have chosen a yarn made of tencel that has a fabulous drape and shine. The yarn can be pulled into shape and hides all unevenness. The sweater is knitted in Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel held double which comes in a large selection of color that makes it possible for you to create your own.

Sizes: S (M, L)

Finished measurements:                                                                                                          Top: Bust:      90 (94, 99) cm/35.5 (37, 39)”                                                                                    Waist:               78 (82, 87) cm/30.75 (32.25, 34.25)”                                                                       Hip:                   90 (94, 99) cm/35.5 (37, 39)”                                                                            Length:             54 (55, 56) cm/21.25 (21.75, 22)”                                                                              Sleeve length  46 cm/18″                                                                                                                  Cowl: 32 cm/12.5″ height and 54cm/21.25″ circumference.

Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel in Black (100% Lyocell, 1lb/454 g, 3360 yds/3675 m): 1 (1, 1) Cone: 2346 (2670, 2993) m/2565 (2920, 3273) yds for top and an extra 770 m/842 yds used for cowl. Note: Yarn is held double throughout pattern. Yarn

Alternative yarns: Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 held double (50% merino, 50% tussah silk, 454 g/1lb, 5040 yds/ 4609 m) Jaggeryarn                                                           Drops, Lace held double (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 800 m/ 874 yds, 100 g) Garnstudio

Needles: 3mm/US 2.5 straight needles, 3 mm/US 2.5 80cm/32″ circular knitting needle, and 3mm/US 2.5 40cm/16″ circular knitting needle for cowl or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 24 sts and 38 rnds in Lace Panel using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10cm/4″ square.                                                                              29 sts and 36 rnds in st st using 3 mm/US 2.5 needles and 2 strands of yarn held together measures 10cm/4″ square.

Notes: The sleeves are knitted first and worked flat to learn the stitch pattern, while the body and the cowl is knitted in the round. The pullover has puffed sleeves, made by increasing each side of the middle Lace Panel. Increasing and decreasing is done between the Lace Panels in reverse stockinette stitch. The sleeves have 2 stitches in reverse stockinette stitch while the body has 5 stitches. Size M and L have additional stitches in reverse stockinette stitch after 6th and 12th Lace Panel.

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Jacket in Cross by Tone Camilla

DSCN1501I am delighted to show you the Jacket in Cross made by Tone Camilla in a thin beautiful red alpaca yarn. She shortened the sleeves and worked fewer rows on the collar than stated in the pattern. I met Tone Camilla last weekend at the Finishing and Fairisle workshop I held in Larvik. As ever it was a thrill to see one of my designs knitted and worn. Thank you Tone Camilla! It is one of my favorites from my knitting book available in Norwegian and Finnish. Below is a photo from the book of the stunning Francesca Golfetto captured by Kim Müller. Missoni’s thin and featherlight garments inspired me to design this jacket that can be tied at the back. I chose a neutral but fashionable color, namely Taupe. The pattern creates an intricate cross effect and look a lot more complicated than it is to knit. The stitch pattern is stretchy and knitted loose to create a sculptural effect. The sleeves are knitted with double yarn in the round, while the body is knitted flat. It is knitted in Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2 with 2 strands held together (100% Lyocell, 453 g/1lb cone, 3072 m/3360 yds) and available to order from WEBS in the US; yarn and Handweavers Studio in the UK; handweavers. Tencel is a delight to work with a sheen and touch similar to silk but less slippery. Like a magic trick it only needs a light stretch to create a machine knitted resemblance and an evenness you thought you could only dream of.

Photograph: Kim Müller

Photograph: Kim Müller

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