Nerjordet Arne - 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments, Tree Decorations, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings

55 Christmas Balls to Knit

Colorful Festive Ornaments Tree Decorations
Centerpieces Wreaths Window Dressings

ARNE & CARLOS

First published in the United States of America

In 2011 by

Trafalgar Square Books

North Pomfret, Vermont 05053

Originally published in Norwegian as

Julekuler by Cappelen Damm A/S

2010 Cappelen Damm A/S

English translation 2011 Trafalgar Square Books

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for a review in a magazine, newspaper or Web site.

ISBN: 978-1-57076-487-5

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010943267

TRANSLATION BY CAROL HUEBSCHER RHOADES
ILLUSTRATIONS: ARNE & CARLOS
PHOTOGRAPHY: RAGNAR HARTVIG
STYLING: INGRID SKAANSAR
BOOK DESIGN: GINA ROSE

Printed in China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Table of Contents

PREFACE
We live and work in an old train station in a rural community in Etnedal, Valdres, Norway.

We have worked there as designers with our own fashion label since 2002. At first we managed the designs and production of both sewn and knitted garments that we sold to shops around the world. However, we always felt that the most inspiring aspect of our collections was the knitting. Our knitwear also got the best response from the buyers when we presented our collections at fashion shows abroad. It took a while before we realized it was clearly the knit designs we should focus on, and, five years after we launched our brand Arne&Carlos we finally decided to concentrate just on our knitwear designs. We completely changed our concepts and began to knit sweaters, jackets, and accessories such as scarves, hats, and mittens inspired by Nordic patterns and traditions.

We both grew up with knitting and crochet around us and perhaps because of that we find a special joy in working with knitting needles and yarn. After we discovered what we really wanted to do was right in front of our noses the whole time. We decided to take a step further and not only produce the finished garments but also develop patterns for hand knitting. And now we have finally published our first book of knitting patterns! Our method of designing involves assembling a mass of information and inspiration we then use to construct our own universe and it is from this universe that all our designs emerge. Unfortunately we cant present very much of our inspirational sources or our universe along with the commercially-made knitwear we sell in shops. With this book we can finally show several aspects of our work everything behind the designs and the final products themselves. Now we hope that you will be inspired not only by the patterns, but also the concepts and stories behind the various motifs.

Christmas is a special time for those of us who live in the north. Winters are dark and cold, and we spend a lot of time sitting by the warm stove with some handwork. For that reason it seemed only natural that our first pattern book should revolve around Christmas and Christmas decorations we both have a particular weakness for that time of year. Our Christmas workshop has an important place in our home in November and December, when our creativity and joy at making things peak. The concept for this book is quite simple: Christmas balls one basic pattern with 55 variations. We could have gone on endlessly with this theme, but chose to stop at 55 ornaments. After that, it is up to you to create your own variations in the style you like.

We hope this book will inspire you to have a productive and creative time before Christmas! With our best wishes for a wonderful and happy Christmas,

THIS HOMEMADE DOLL HOUSE has a separate room for the Christmas workshop.

CHRISTMAS memories from many parts of the world have found a place in this American trunk.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

BY THE END OF OCTOBER the snow sticks on the ground and is here to stay. While this occurs early in the year up here in the mountains, it is not uncommon that we still have a lot of blooms in the meadow. The last colorful flowers covered with a fine layer of snow are such a lovely sight. It happens just as suddenly to us every year, and then we have to rush around the yard and take care of everything that must be done before the really big snow storms come in. Tools and outdoor furniture have to be put in the shed and we have to prepare ourselves for the long winter ahead. Its the time of year when we think about how blessed we are. We are fortunate to live in the country and experience this early snow that covers up all the gray and lights up our everyday lives.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER, we start preparing for the Christmas season. When the first Sunday of Advent arrives we take out the Christmas decorations and plan how to decorate the house. It has to be different from year to year. Old and new purchases and our own handmade Christmas decorations will soon be given their places around the house. We love this time of the year, we take time off to relax, sit back and enjoy the colors, glitter and finery that we have placed throughout the house.

WE COULD EASILY PLAN for Christmas all year. It has to do with expectations the expectations we had when we were children and sometimes resurface in adults as they get older. When we travel or are just out and about, we always look for more Christmas decorations. It doesnt matter where in the world we find ourselves and what time of year it is. We have come home with angels from Texas, ceramic decorations from Mexico, a wooden Christmas crche from Peru and numerous glass Christmas balls from Fortnum & Mason as well as Victorian ornaments from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. We have ransacked flea markets everywhere in the world, always in the hunt for Christmas ornaments not just objects originally intended as Christmas decorations but other items that can be used for Christmas, such as curtain tassels, fabric remnants, beads on a string, gold fringes, and crystals from old lamps. Yes, there are no limits anything and everything offers possibilities!

WORKING WITH COMME DES GARONS:

A Christmas Ornament is born

ADVERTISING PHOTOfor a Christmas ball designed for Arne&Carlos in collaboration with Comme des Garons. Now we have a new version of this ball, Selbu, that you can hand knit.

WE WHO ARE SO BESOTTED WITH CHRISTMAS were honored when, in 2008, we had a commission from Comme des Garons, Japans most respected design house. The commission was to design a complete Christmas collection of knitted sweaters, hats, scarves, and neck warmers. Since it was a Christmas collection, we also sent a suggestion with pictures of a little selection of the Christmas balls that we had designed and knit and asked if maybe they wouldnt like to have some. The owner of Comme des Garons, Rei Kawakubo, liked the Christmas balls so much that she ordered four motifs at once. These were knitted up in Peru on hand knitting machines and sold in her shops in Tokyo, Paris, New York, London, and Hong Kong and so our little idea about knitted Christmas balls with Nordic motifs became a reality.