- YARN KITS VOL.2
Now it's been a while since I've shared a blog post and today I suddenly felt like writing a post about one of my own favorite designs, namely the White Bear Sweater! I have been asked a number of questions about how to increase stitches on the sleeves when there is a pattern and I will also explain there here.
Pictures from this winter! Photo: Marte Stensland Jørgensen
In the fall of 2019, I started working on my second book, “Wildlife Sweaters 2 - Warm Sweaters for Adventurers, Big and Small”. I must honestly admit that I found it very scary to start book 2. Suddenly I felt pressure to deliver since my first book had sold so well. I therefore decided to work non-stop from the fall until the book went to press. The working days were extremely long and I didn’t know what my free time was. After the book went to press, it took many weeks before I “landed”, but when I held the book in my hands for the first time in August, I felt that it was worth every single hour! I was so proud that I had to shed a few tears. I also have to add that I have had incredibly good help from my test knitters!
Two of the Polar Bear sweaters I knitted this winter! I knitted the red for myself and I'm really looking forward to using it: D
When I finished the first sweater I was so happy that I had to knit another one right away! During the winter, I ended up knitting 7 or 8 White Bear sweaters.
I so wanted one of the pictures of Kvitebjørn in the book to be taken on Svalbard. I therefore sent a White Bear to Melissa Schafer who has published a book about Polar Bears together with her boyfriend Fredrik Granath! They were going up to Svalbard to work and were to take some pictures while they were there. This was just before the municipal boundaries were closed due to Korona. I got a message from Melissa that they had so little time before they had to go again, but they did get some pictures! I felt really stressed! because I so wanted to include the pictures in the book from Svalbard. But luckily it worked out.
One of the pictures Melissa Schafer sent me before they had to leave Svalbard due to coronary restrictions. Photo = Fredrik Gran ath
The polar bear sweater is a pretty decent sweater to knit, even for beginners. But there are simple things that I have been asked about that I will explain here: D
Long distances and knitting strength
One is that you have to twist the threads when there are long distances. Twisting the thread is exactly what it sounds like. You just have to catch the thread that becomes long with the thread you are knitting with. There are lots of videos on youtube on how to do it and you can search for "how to catch floates in knitting". It is also very common to knit tighter in the pattern so it is quite possible that you will have to use a larger needle size than what is stated as the recommended needle size.
Increase on right side of center stitch =
See where you are in the chart. So let's say you are in row 10 and stitch 3 when you have finished the round and are ready to increase (right picture). Use sheets to mark where in the chart you are. Slides the sheet one stitch away to the left. As you can see in the picture, increase in dark pink (left picture).
Increase on the left side of the middle mask =
How to knit the bears
Yarn for Kvitebjørn
Which yarn you should use depends on the use. I prefer Lettlopi, Vidde lamull yarn and Varde fur wool yarn that I have stated in the book, but it is possible you will want a sweater with other properties and appearance. Here is an overview of some of the options🐧
🐑Pure merino from mimilano = A yarn for you with very sensitive skin. 100% merino. Fits everyday clothes.
🐑Alpaca tweed from DSA = A tweed yarn of alpaca and wool. I react to alpaca so I can unfortunately not say much about this yarn other than that it looks beautiful. Garments in alpaca get wet very quickly outside so it is not suitable for outdoor life.
🐑Drops Nepal, Alpaca wool from sandnes yarn or Big strong from DSA (these yarns contain alpaca and wool) = Suitable for everyday garments.
Faroese speech from DSA, Drops Air or Drops brushed alpaca silk = Brushed alpaca. Here you get a slightly "puffy" look on the garment (suitable for indoor use).
Left picture: Marte Stensland Jørgensen.
We'll email you when we have something new! 😁
*Does not apply to hand-dyed yarn and ordinary book sales