Remember this?
Viking Turid, Knitters Magazine, Fall 2000. When I saw this, I was gobsmacked. It represented everything I admire in a design: simplicity, art, wearability, longing, uniqueness. I knew I would make this and I did. It was a labor of love. The designer is Elsebeth Lavold, who brought Viking Knits to the US with that design. She also designed my “Holy Grail” project — aka the Dragon Sweater (see main post here).
Her signature book, Viking Patterns for Knitting opened up a whole new approach to doing cables. She is a prolific designer with her own line of luxurious yarns. And I got to meet her!! Yay!
Elsebeth held back-to-back workshops yesterday for the Minnesota Knitters Guild. The first focused on her cables and techniques. The second was really about her creative design process: what inspires her and how she takes a design from concept to culmination. It was fascinating to listen to her!
She is such a warm, down-to-earth person. She told us that she comes up with ~60 designs a year, which is necessary to populate her books and other commissions. Wow. Again, wow.
She is working on a much anticipated sequel to the original Viking Knits series — I’ll be the first in line to buy it.
Her designs truly stand the test of time – her Inggun Vest (which she had with her) is now in my queue!! I recommend that you revisit her designs – you will be inspired!!
And, excuse me, but isn’t spring in 15 days??!!??
They called a snow day today in our school district which NEVER happens, so I had to stay home… 🙂
The dragon sweater – awesome. I’m glad you referred back to it today, because I hadn’t yet discovered your blog when your first wrote about it. It’s one of my holy grail projects, too; thanks for letting me know it can be done. Lucky you for the opportunity to take a workshop with Ms. Lavold!
Comment by stashdragon — March 5, 2013 @ 2:00 pm
Oh my. Lucky, lucky you. I love her stuff. Every single piece.
Comment by Needles — March 5, 2013 @ 6:15 pm
Oh the dragon sweater is just jaw droppingly amazing! It sounds like a wonderful day.
Comment by Carie — March 5, 2013 @ 6:23 pm
lol I was wearing my Lavold sweater today I knit it about 8 years ago from the Viking book you mention. I can’t remember which design name it was. I love her way with cables and I’ve kept her techniques in my head when I’ve done cabling for other patterns. I am jealous, but glad you got to meet her. Your dragon sweater is great. Hmmmm.
Comment by Helen — March 6, 2013 @ 5:58 am
I took a couple of classes from Elsebeth at Arnhild’s Knitting Camp several years ago. Simply amazing talent! I have several of her books and love the designs, just need some time to knit them.
Comment by Penny — March 6, 2013 @ 10:32 am
Ah, spring. The fickle season! Elsebeth Lavold’s designs are lovely and classic! Just beautiful.
Comment by Kym — March 6, 2013 @ 7:17 pm
Ditto almost everything everyone else has said. (Alas, I’ve never been to Amhild’s Knitting Camp or have yet to knit one of her beautiful, beautiful designs). Mostly, so, so lucky.
Comment by Chloe — March 6, 2013 @ 9:22 pm