OLGAJAZZY

I have been back to Japan for a month now and it has been so incredibly filled with events. Work to catch up on, visiting places around Japan, trying to appreciate every single day I get to spend here. We went to Kakegawa Castle and visited 7 waterfalls in Shizuoka Prefecture. Have also visited heart of Edo period in Japan which is in Kawagoe and got to see where one of the most popular shoguns was born and resided. Life seems moving forward, Japanese are so resilient and signs of disaster are almost not there, they certainly appreciate all the business and nothing makes them happier than seeing tourists and people visiting their historical places. So we try to show our support as much as possible.

As rainy season sets in, I try to find some comfortable clothing to get through it. And my rainboots… I am so happy I’ve invested in them last year because I literally live in them.. Last Saturday we set on our way to Hakone and Lake Ashi in the mountains. When we got there, weather looked like a hurricane and besides treacherous winding roads you could barely see anything, complete white out. And today it’s raining again…

This week was also another exciting development. I have bought a knitting machine, a Japanese one and I love it! My Australian knitterly friends have been at it recently A LOT!
With a help of my Japanese friend who helped me sort out through some Japanese Yahoo auctions, I have bought a brand new, as in very very old, but in original packaging and never been used Brother machine for almost nothing! They stopped production of Brother machines in 2000. I looked on eBay, but no one would ship them to me. I have always wanted one, I was afraid that it would eat into my hand knitting time, but fear not. It’s solely for making some fine knit clothing. The kind that takes forever to knit on tiniest needles (not like I haven’t already done that before). Whole concept of machine knitting is more technical and I find hand-knitting still more methodical and appealing to me. But it certainly triggered more ideas for designs. Funny thing how inspiration works.

General life of a crafter consists of dipping into other kinds of it as well. I have been really into making some funky and simple jewelry. I am sure many of your have already heard of Pinterest and it is just an amazing source for pinning all things that interest you… instead of saving all those images on your computer. You get to organize and remember them!

2 weeks ago I went to Yuzawaya, got a box of paper clips and electrical tape. $4 dollar necklace. Yes, please!

So last year around Fall time I had been mulling over an idea of making a fun new vest, but being generally not a vest person, I wanted to stick to things that I am most passionate about – versatility, something geometrical, one-of-a-kind and yet very wearable. I have been playing with basic geometric forms and pondering ideas, very much inspired by Issey Miyake and their new line of 132.5. Where all the clothing can be worn but creased at the lines that collapses/folds flat into a geometric shape… I have spoken to Cirilia who worked at Berroco at that time and she along with Norah Gaughan were very kind to make this design into reality! Thank you very much, ladies!!!

I have taken two circles and “Ensō” in translation from Japanese means a circle, it is also a very sacred symbol in their culture as it has many meanings and functions. I have imagined a puffy vest, almost like one of those down type that you would put on over your clothes in the winter for a ride in a car or a chilly walk in the evening to keep extra warm. To make the puffy look I have decided to go with a welted stitch pattern over a solid color yarn, because it gives volume and depth and a pretty stitch pattern. I have worked out a way for this vest to be reversible without actually making 4 circles and seaming them. Ensō Vest is worked flat using short-rows and when you are done, you simply graph the live stitches together and voila – it’s already folded at the outer edge and you have doubled fabric!

You even have opening all around the armholes if you wish to stuff it with fiber fill to make it more voluminous. So two identical circles, joint at the part of an outer fold to create a back seam. What’s more fun is that knit fabric is so elastic it allows you various ways of styling this vest of even fold it some more and turn it in this oversized scarf.

I know timing may seem odd talking about this design today, but I have published this pattern back in January and due my hectic schedule I wasn’t able to tell you about it’s little story! And I’m really proud of this design. I know Winter has come to our knitter friends down under and it’s never too late to start knitting for the colder season, because afterall that is the time when we need and appreciate our warm knits most.

Some specs
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia (100% wool from Peru), in Vino Tinto colorway 7153;
680 – 1240 yards (622 – 1134 m)
Needle: US 8 – 5 mm
Sizes available:
To fit bust sizes 31.5, 33, 34.5, 36, 37.5, 39, 40.5, 42, 43.5″

Find it on Ravelry

$ 7.00

If someone told me in the past 2 months that I would have to make SO MANY decisions and follow up and then change them in order to adapt to a situation, I’d say they were talking about someone else’s life. Firstly, thank you to everyone for your immense support!!!

For the past month and a half I have been displaced from Japan as in “voluntarily departed” for the time being till the situation got stable. Such a funny work to think of right now.. stable, it would take years to see the damage from what happened. I have been blessed enough with many generous and kind friends who offered me shelter stateside. Not to speak of all my knitterly friends online who were “with” me till the moment I left. I can’t complain that I spent my nomadic “vacation” in Los Angeles, city I once lived long long time ago. I tried concentrating on the positive in every single little bit of the day – sunny weather, fact that I was in good health, delicious and missed foods, swam in a pool, even saw Taylor Swift shopping in Anthropologie, but not without that buzzing noise in the back of my head “what’s next, when can I go back home to Japan?” The worry and stress got to me eventually and I have been down with a nasty cold for 2 weeks, what else can top this cake… BUT (trying to look and stay all positive)..

It was so nice catching up with fashion and knitwear designer friends and finally meeting them in person, Wendy of Knit and Tonic fame with her wonderful family who extended their kindness to me. Many smiles and laughter moments shared while we visited historical Farmer’s marker and the Grove and food food food.. I must say, I haven’t grown that fond of most Japanese food as huge amount of it contains rice or noodles of some kind and it’s always hard to find flavors palatable to a Westerner. Oh I am sure you wonder if there was yarn involved.. Even better – yarn and button store in a very close proximity to each other!

I got to meet mia meraviglioso amica italiana Francesca of fluffbuff and have a delicious lunch at a mozzarella bar in Westfield mall, I believe I haven’t eaten mozzarella and prosciutto crudo that good since I lived in Italy. I really wish by the time I felt better I could do more and see more friends, but by some strike of luck, my fashion designer friend took me to Santa Monica one afternoon and we dropped by Wildfiber store unplanned and it was my luck to have met Grace, Terri and Natasha and their team who hosted Ori Ami Knits trunk show and book signing prior to my going back home.

Now I am back in Japan, with new digits in my year count, life seems restoring and sad to have missed “hanami” and so much to do. In fact I haven’t told you stories of 3 new designs that I have already published but all about them in upcoming week.

I gave myself a promise to blog more this year (yeah, right!) as my New Year’s resolution, only to get slammed in January with all these projects, this exciting work that I can’t talk about yet or show you my living room filled up with yarn.. where cat and husband can be spotted occasionally.

I want to assure everyone that we are OK.

This has been really a scary experience…. our building is usually quite well absorbing small quakes and tremors… not today.
In fact today I planned the photoshoot for new designs and was getting ready with my make up and dressing while I felt shaking and then doors started swaying.. then all of my apartment, cabinets with glass in them started rattling, shelves, things that just laid were places there fell out on the floor and my poor cat just hid in a closet and simply won’t budge when I tried to grab him and go downstairs just to wait the worst of it out..
Since the biggest earthquake at around 3pm, we’ve had over 30 aftershocks and all 5-6+ scale.. what one can do.. wait out the worst… I am really far from the coast so we are safe on Tsunami front and live on a 5th floor.

My heart goes out to all the victim families and areas that are affected by tsunami..death toll is rising and so many are still missing.. I guess Japan will deal with the rest of it in the morning… for now.. just prayers.

I know this is the season of all kinds of Holidays, for example we celebrate 2 Christmases and 2 New Years, fun isn’t it?! All the rushing to finish the gifts in time.. just like many of you I was still knitting on a gift on Xmas Eve… Go me! I finished and it even dried by the Xmas morning, went “green” by skipping the wrapping paper and it’s really loved by the recipient. Although his last hat he *cough* felted in a washing machine *cough*, but it all happened to us once in a while….

The hats are never enough, they have to go with some particular outfit, match the style and go in color, at least in my wardrobe… But there are never enough cabled hats. Classic, modern, slightly rustic and soft. I’ve had a skein of Rowan Cocoon left from my Sideways Cable hat from 2 seasons ago. So I put on a movie, get some DPNs to accompany my journey to a new cabled hat.

So this is Hineri.

Hineri in translation from Japanese means “a twist”. The cables of this hat are worked with a little more fabric in the twists in order to give them more volume and not be so visibly consumed by the twisting.

Some information about the materials:

Yarn: Rowan Cocoon or 130 yards (119 m) of any Aran weight yarn
Needles: US 8 and US 9 DPNs (or your other favorite method of circular knitting)
Gauge: 15 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in over washed and blocked St st swatch worked in the round on larger needle
Sizes available: 22, 22.5″
Pattern here

As it’s Christmas, this hat pattern is my gift to you!

We finally hit freezing temperatures here and I know blizzards are raging in the States. Time to go dig your stash for some bulky and let knitting of the hats commence!

Keep warm and stay safe!

I think I have lost track of all the comments and compliments that poured into my inboxes for the past 4 days! Thank you very much for your gracious and kind compliments on Cable Braided Necklace. I am truly humbled that so many of you have found it amazing and have made it already. That little technique does go even further, but I hope to show it to you possibly next week. With this blog and with projects and deadlines and holiday craze it’s hard to keep promises. But we shall see!

Today I want to share a skeleton from my closet… that is something I have knit and worn and loved for many months and years now. It was planned and designed even much earlier prior to its final execution. But a staple that every wardrobe needs. Female or male. It’s rather unisex in style and simplicity, the overall textured look of it – effortless and quick. Dress it up or dress it down, for a ride down the country or belt it with a skirt and pair of heels.

FLOGS jacket being chunky shows a great example of Garter stitch and its great versatility. It’s very elastic and stretchy. With the right choice of yarn it can easily be that go-to cardigan or jacket for you.

For Love Of Garter Stitch.

Worked top down featuring circular yoke and seamless construction as sleeves are worked in the round. To accommodate many tastes, there are two various length instructions provided for the sleeves. Bracelet length and regular full length.

The stand up collar is great as it can reveal a little and hide some when needed. It’s rather wide, so a scarf can easily be worn around your neck and still be visible!

Here are some pattern specifications.

Flogs Jacket

I used Laines du Nord Korall, which is a discontinued yarn, but one can use any bulky weight yarn.

Gauge
15 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in over washed and blocked swatch in Garter stitch

Required yardage
830 – 1670 yards (759 – 1527 m)

Needle size US 10 (6 mm)

Comes in 15 sizes.

Finished bust measurements: 28.25, 30.5, 32.5, 34.5, 36.75, 38.5, 40.5, 42.5, 44.75, 46.5, 48.5, 50.5, 52.75, 54.5, 56.5”

Queue it up on Ravelry

USD 7.50

Happy Knitting and Happy Holidays everyone!!

Yesterday, I have been deep in thought while sizing a pattern, deadlines all looming and sooo much to do before the year’s end. I have thought to share a great little technique with you. Something last minute that you can make for either a gift or for yourself! It’s been cool, so having that tiny bit of precious cashmere caressing your neck certainly felt cozy.

So here is what you would need:
Time: 1.5-2hr (excluding drying time).
15-20 grams of Fingering or Sport weight yarn.
Make sure to choose something delectable, tiny bit of cashmere, royal alpaca, merino or qiviut. Try the yarn on your neckline area first to determine the itchiness level as it’s highly sensitive area. So you don’t end up ripping necklace off after 10 minutes of wearing it. Finished/braided necklace measures approx. 22″.

Needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)
Crochet hook C or D.

Gauge: 6 sts and 7-8 rows in 1″ over Stockinette stitch swatch

Cabled Braids are made up by knitting 2 strips.

1st strip:

Using needle and yarn CO 9 sts.
Start by purling the 1st row. Work a total 7 rows straight in St st. On next row (RS): K4, yo, k2tog, k3.
Repeat previous 8 rows for a total of 16 times. Then work 15 rows in pattern. BO on the next row.

2nd strip:

Using needle and yarn CO 9 sts.
Start by purling the 1st row. Work a total of 15 rows straight in St st.

On next row (RS): K4, yo, k2tog, k3. Then work 7 rows in St st.
Repeat previous 8 rows for a total of 16 times. On the next row BO all sts.

If you wish to make strips longer – repeat the sequence from *.

Wash your strips, make sure to use wool wash to help and fluff those fibers. Or steam the strips if you don’t have time.

Then follow the photo guide to braid your necklace or bracelet or headband.

Insert the longer end of a strip into the first yarn over of the shorter end strip.

Then insert the top strip into the yarn over of the strip below (the first yo of the longer end strip).

Then continue inserting the top strip (they will alternate) into the next yarn over, make sure not to miss any and tug on them evenly.

The view from down under.

Continue braiding and once finished you will get two different textures in the same braid. Neat!

Using crochet hook take the ends of yarn and crochet a chain to make a loop to work as a buttonhole. I have flattened the edges of the strips and joined them together just by whip stitching.

I have had these gorgeous ceramic buttons from Jenny Potter for a while and the print on them matches the texture perfectly! Just sew on the button on the other end and weave in all ends.

There are multiple ways of wearing this little accessory. 22″ length was perfect to wear around the head as a headband.. almost makes me think of those very 50ies Prada cabled hair adornments, but I don’t have hair long enough to demonstrate it.

Or a nifty bracelet ..

I hope you all like it!

Happy Crafting!!!

Or queue it on Ravelry!

IMPORTANT: THIS PATTERN IS FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY! ANY USE OF THE PATTERN OR FINISHED GARMENTS MADE USING THIS TUTORIAL AND INTENDED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION ARE PROHIBITED. COPYRIGHTED. 2010.

Translated instructions for Cabled Necklace in FRENCH.

Translated instructions for Cabled Necklace in ITALIAN.

Translated instructions for Cabled Necklace in SWEDISH.

I feel time of the past months just have been running like water in a spring brook. I wonder if all this sunny weather has anything to do with it, if it has been dreary and grey I bet it would have felt much more depressing, but au contraire – cheerful and warm.. even now in it’s 50ies, while many others are enjoying the excessive snow early this year!
I have only recently got a chance to start breaking out my hand knits. But I have been knitting so intensely… I feel very inspired this Fall and the opportunities are just great, so I can’t wait to share them with you. This week a new collection of patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas has been released and I am so happy to have a design included in it.

Knot sleeve blouse is made using unique and luxurious yarn called Royal. This yarn is from royal alpaca, without a hint of any guard hairs that makes it incredibly soft and warm.

This idea was one of those “lightbulb” moments and I just ran with it. Ever since getting a gorgeous test skein of Tosh Merino Light in Cloak from Amy (Madelinetosh) at TNNA I have been thinking of what goodness can come out of it.. After some time and contemplation I decided to give this yarn a try and the amazing nature of the stitches formed Hari. This was just what I wanted and hoped for… Hari in translation from Japanese means “needle”, to me it’s a needle, spike, peak… which can be a fanthom once heavily stretched…

Knit simply straight following the continuous repeats, I had the yarn and stitches dance into peaks and valleys with a lovely zigzagged edges… what was most cool is that the make up of this is so easy.. yet I got the intricate landscape growing. Rhythm of lace making, which is not very elaborate, but can be a great training for your short-term memory.

In the end it had to become more than just a scarf.. By using several hook and eye closures this fabric is manipulated, morphed and naturally expanded its wearability.

Scarf
Long cowl – close the loop
Short cowl – twisted it once and close it in a loop, arrange around your neck
Snood – just close it in a loop by twisting once,arrange around your neck and head
Shrug, Shawl or Stole… as the design comes with 2 length and width variations – the wider one can easily become the later.

Yarn:
Tosh Merino Light – 1 skein for shorter-narrower version, 2 skeins for wider-longer version