Jack-O-lantern 2015!

   This is my son's Jack-o-lantern.  It was fun to work on this with my son.  He drew lines for eyes and mouth...but it was a little bit tough for him to cut out the thick pumpkin, so I helped him a little bit.   I had never carved a pumpkin before, and I didn't know that inside of the pumpkin was that empty!  I was imagining that the inside was filled with a lot of seeds and gooey stuff...but there was not much!   
    I put on the candle and turned off our living room light.  "Wow" ...that was the first word we said....The picture doesn't show the outline of the pumpkin well....but I like the lighting!   I sent this picture to my friend in Japan, and she said "Different sizes of eyes makes this lantern more creepier!"  I totally agree to her.  My son didn't mean to make them different sizes...but in the end, his hard work got paid off!  
   My son doesn't know that I enjoy watching this lantern even after he went to bed tonight. 

Free finger-less mitten pattern

   It's getting cold day by day!  I just completed my new pattern for finger-less mittens.  This mittens only require short yardage of yarn and can be finished in short time!  Let's start making these mittens before it gets really cold!  Video shows 'how to add a stitch (how to Make 1 stitch)' for thumb gore for your mittens.


Click Here to Download

Materials you will need...

• 2 color of Baby DK (category 3) yarn (main color -about 150 yards, for Fair Isle pattern-about 40 yards or if you have two-inch diameter yarn ball, it would be enough!)

• US size 3 (or 4 for relax fit mittens) double pointed needles(set of 4)
• 2 stitch markers
• about 8 inches of scrap yarn to rest stitches
• 1 tapestry needle to weave in ends

Amigurumi mouse Colby

Colby(Colbies) the Mouse(mice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I participated in a craft show last Saturday.  The venue was new to me, but it became a very enjoyable show.  I met a lot of kind people and I also had a chance to talk with my vendor friends!  Gaining new friends through craft shows always gives me a good reason to go back to another one!  I still remember that I was very nervous when I took part in a local craft show about 6 years ago for the first time.  I was full of fear --- I had no idea how the craft show would go and I was not sure if I were able to understand local people's conversation! ( My native language is Japanese. ) I just hoped  that I could give a right change to people who purchased my items!    
   Amigurumi mouse - Colby - is the very first item when I get ready for each craft show.   I like small and round creatures, and children love them!  It is fun to make these little mice thinking of smiles of those children.   I always enjoy chatting with little kids and they sometimes give me ideas what to make next.  This mouse Colby (I took the name from a cheese name) has helped me to start a nice conversation with people who comes to my booth! 

My favorite book of Fair Isle pattern - 200 Fair Isle Motifs

   I like to go to my local library to find new and old knitting books.  I have some books that I often 'renew' the period of borrowing.  One of those books is 200 Fair Isle Motifs - A Knitter's Directory, by Mary Jane Mucklestone - (c) INTERWEAVE.   It introduces from one or two-colored pattern with small number of stitch repetition to multiple-colored ones.  I often refer to this book when I want to find a cute pattern and color combinations.  All stitches has colored-pattern and that is very helpful.  Most of my yarn stock is 'worsted weight' and I love using patterns from this book for my hat project!  The pattern on the hat in the picture is made by 4-stitch repetition and 4 colors.  When I don't have exactly the same color of yarn as the book shows, I need to think about the color combination by myself.  It is always a challenging work for me to do that.  I really admire the beautiful colors of Fair Isle pattern in the book. When I open this book, I always feel like that I have a very kind 'teacher' sitting next to me!  I strongly recommend this book if you are thinking of learning Fair Isle patterns! 

New fingerless mitten pattern (free) is coming soon!

   I am working on a finger-less mitten pattern right now.  This will be a pattern for beginners.   I just finished one mitten for right hand.  I am going to make the pattern as simple as possible so that you can try without a fear!  
   The yarn that I used is baby DK (category #3) and the needle size that I used is US 3 (set of 4) double pointed needle.  Other materials you will need is short (about 8 inch contrasted color scrap yarn), 2 stitch markers, and tapestry needle to weave in ends.  Original size for finished product will be for small to medium.  If you would like to a little relaxing fit, I recommend using size 4 double pointed needles (aka - DPN).  Come back to check on my blog again next week!  (I'm planning to finish the pattern by next Thursday!)  Thank you!

Two-needle cast on

   Have you experienced tight cuffs of your knitted socks?  Even though the cuff is made by ribbing, it would not stretch well...... If sock cuffs were too tight, you would not like to wear them-- that is very sad ending.  If I made an unwearable item (unexpectedly), I would cry, saying "Give me back the time!"  Making socks  takes time.  So, we would prefer to being happy when we see our completed works.  Cuff making is the very first step for us to take when we make socks (well, some people make socks from toe, though).   Two-needle cast on is a rescuer. This is a good technique for making a little stretchy cuffs for small items.
   As you can see in the pictures, simply use 2 needles when you cast on.  After casting on the number of stitches you need, remove one of the needles.  At this point, you can feel the stitches on the needle are loosely sitting on it.   This is very simple and effective technique to solve tight cuff problem. 

I love merino wool

    Merino wool is regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep.  The size is about 24 micron - compare with human hair, it is about 1/4 to1/5 size of it!  I have dyed merino wool several times, and it is always my favorite wool.  If a yarn content is 100 percent merino, the color comes up beautifully all the time.  Pictures on this page are fingering weight yarns that I dyed. Hand painting (hand dying) goes through the following process.  First, the yarn needs to be soaked in water with some mordant, like vinegar or salt, at least 30 minutes.  It is for removing air bubbles inside of fibers.  If the air is trapped in the fiber, that part doesn't absorb dye very well.  Next process is, making dye solution.  Powdered dye is easy to handle.  I usually use hot water to dissolve the dye powder.  And next, take out the soaked yarn from water, and squeeze out the excess water.  Then, put the dye solution on it with sponge brush.  After finishing this procedure, wrap the yarn with plastic wrap, and put it in a steamer.  I usually steam it about 30 minutes.  After going through, kind of a rough process for fine fiber, it still holds shimmer and softness when the dying process is over.  If you haven't tried merino wool yet, don't be afraid!  This yarn is stronger that you think!  I think merino is the best yarn to make a next to skin item such as shawl (scarf ) and hat. 

Yarn Engineer - Stephen West

   I admire Stephen West very much.  Every time I see his works, I cannot help thinking that he is an engineer of yarn.  His design reminds me of an architecture which has a beauty and a function.  He has a lot of shawl patterns and they look very beautiful and Kakko-i-i (=Japanese word, and it means 'cool').  I like all kinds of cool stuffs.  When something is created, it always starts from an imagination.  He is the person who can visualize his imagination with yarn.  I want to try doing the same thing, but on my finished work, it is hard to see my first imagination.  I mean, sometimes, the work is far from it!  How can he make such a wonderful art work?!  I really wish that I had at least 1 of 10,000 of his talent.  To get to know his work better, it may be a good idea to try his pattern first.  Well, I am not yet experienced knitter.  So I need to pick one that looks simple to me. (I wonder if there is such thing for me....)  Wish me luck!  
   You can find his patterns and books at the following links.
* jimmy beans wool  
* Ravelry  
*WEBS-America'sYarn StoreTM

Movie time - Irresistible Knitting Time!

   I like watch movies -- cartoons, actions, and romantic comedies.  I also like knitting something simple when I am watching a movie.  Garter stitch work is always good companion for my movie time.  The picture on the left is a dish drying mat that I made while I was watching a movie.  Garter stitch - both 'right side' and 'wrong side' are knitted as you know.  Garter stitch work is usually finished in a short time.  My son always says "Can't you stop knitting while you are watching a movie??  You always say 'do one thing at a time!"   --- When I hear this, my inner voice is telling him like this --  "Yes, my son, you are right.  But...Especially, when I have to watch kids' cartoon which I am not so keen on, I really need to hold something that makes me feel really good!  I just want to make the most of my time."  I may be a little bit selfish, but as an adult, I have something that I need to do every day.  I feel a little bit guilty, but I cannot help.  About 2-hour movie time would often give me enough time to accomplish a small work.  

Reversible Cable Stitch

   There are a lot of stitches that I would like to try.  One of those stitches was 'reversible cable stitch'.  I found a scarf which was made by this cable technique in a book - Scarf Style 2 by Ann Budd (Publisher: Interweave) .  At first, I was hesitated to try because it looked very difficult to me - I kept thinking,  'I have never tried reversible cable stitches....Can I really make this scarf??'  I could not decided if I should try this scarf for three days!  In the end, I was tired of my 'negative' way of thinking, and I just grabbed a ball of yarn and a long circular needle.  I ignored its gauge instruction!  It was not a matter for me at all - if it became too big or too small - the size of finished work was not a problem for me. My curiosity about learning this cable stitches won over!  I follow the instruction religiously. The instruction was awesome! The shape of this scarf is a crescent.  It means, the number of stitches are increasing by the rows.  The huge number of stitches - 482 stitches at the final increasing row - was the only overwhelming thing for me,  but by then, I was able to see the cable stitches that I had made!  It was really good to know that reversible cable stitch was not so difficult than I expected.  
  A reversible wardrobe is very easy to wear -  we do not have to worry about which is front and back!   This scarf will be very handy for this winter!  Would you like to try making this scarf?!  It is your turn to try this!   Don't worry, you can do it!  
   About the book that I introduced above, it has a great collection of scarves - 26 scarf patterns!   You probably can find the one you would like in the book!  About the yarn that I used is Loops & Threads® Impeccable™ Yarn, Solid (color : Deep Forest).  - about 2 balls.
 The needle you will need is size 8 circular needle (32 inches - 40 inches).  

Bamboo needles or Aluminum needles?

Bamboo or Aluminum?

There are generally three types of knitting needles (the same as crochet hooks).  They are made of wood, metal or plastic.   I would like to talk about bamboo (one of the kinds of wood) and aluminum needles (metal) today.  
   When I started learning how to knit, my mother gave me a pair of metal needles.  I do not know exactly what kind of metal they were at that time, but I just remember they were very light weight metal.  So, I am guessing they were aluminum needles. I liked the sound of 'click, click' when I was working with them.  I felt very comfortable with those needles because they allowed me to work smoothly.  Later day, I clearly found out metal needles were convenient, especially when I work with fuzzy yarn.  I tried with bamboo needles with the same kind of yarn, but the yarn tend to become tight on the needle, and in the end, I often have to slide stitches to go on to the next stitches.  That did not happen so often when I was using aluminum needles.  I am not going to say "I don't like bamboo needles."  Actually, I often use bamboo needles, too!!   They are really good when I work with lace yarn.  Lace yarn is very thin, if I use aluminum...well, any kind of metal needles, they often slips out from stitches!  Bamboo needles are lighter than metal needles, and they keep stitches safely on them!  Bamboo and aluminum both have their own 'match' with certain types of yarn. 

Yarn talks- Ombre Yarn

    Ombre yarn -- sometimes it is called 'self-striping yarn.'  Originally, the word 'ombre' is a French term and its meaning is 'shaded.'  I have used ombre yarns for several times, and I always like the visual effect of them.  Ombre yarn is a kind of a 'magical yarn' for me.  When I start working with an ombre yarn, my mind is fully occupied with my inexplainable joy about its color change.  I like using simple 'knit' stitch when I work on this kind of yarn because I think the simple stitch helps the yarn to show its beautiful shade.   I sometimes even feel as if the yarn were talking to me like this - "I don't need your skill, just 'knit' and make me look beautiful!"  If you are an avid knitter, I think you can understand what I have experienced.  Yes.  Yarn talks to us.  Yarn tells us what we have to make from it.  We can say ombre yarn has a quite personality in this point.    

Convenient and Practical Cowl

   Cowl is, by the definition of Oxford Dictionary, 'a large loose hood, especially one forming part of a monk's habit.'  Cowl -this recent creation - ring-shape scarf -has became popular since last 10 years or so with the growth of young knitters' population.   I love cowls.  It wraps around my neck cozily, and stays there no matter how hard I move.  I don't have to worry about fixing when it become out of shape like when we wear a I-shape (or straight shape) scarf -- it often become loose little by little.  There is another good thing that I like about a cowl.  I can choose styles --- wear it loosely or wear it double by folding it.

   I like making cowls.  Its shape is simple and easy to work ---not like making a sweater!   I have seen a lady was wearing very bright color of cowl the other day and I thought it was a cute accent of wardrobe like a brooch and a bracelet.  I usually don't try a bright color on me, but I already started thinking of trying a new color for this winter!  Hmm..what color is good for me?  

Choosing a proper size of hook for Amigurumi

    For successful Amigurumi making, choosing a right size hook/needle is important.  Yarn label always says its recommended hook size.  I usually pick 1 or 2 size smaller hook than the recommended one.  Why?  It is because I want to avoid gap/hole between stitches.  After finishing all the parts for Amigurumi, next step is to stuff fiber filling in each part --- head, legs, arms...by stuffing, the stitches will be stretched out to some extent.  So, it is always important to crochet tightly.   Using a smaller size of hook is the simplest way to make a tight gauge stitch.  For example, when you use worsted weight yarn (category 4), I recommend using size 6 hook.   If your yarn is bulky weight (category 5), I recommend size 10.  It is the same as you use double pointed needles to make an Amigurumi.  1 or 2 sizes smaller needles that the yarn label suggests will always work best. 

Duplicate Stitch--Easy Solution for Small Embellishment

    In color work, we have two choices--knit into a pattern with main color, or duplicate (=embroider) it.   But what can we do when we need only a part of a large pattern?  I recommend using duplicate stitch.  There are two reasons for that.  One is a structural reason.  When we make a small work, for example, mittens, we need to think about 'smooth fit' of our work.  If we duplicate a pattern, the the yarn would never been dangled at the back, so finger tips won't be stuck under the bridge of yarn!.   The second reason is that duplicate stitch would be a time-savor.  We sometimes feel that we would like to see our work result as soon as possible.  Duplicate stitch would be a good solution.  We can just concentrate on  working with one color of yarn (for body of your work), and then, start working on a small pattern with other color.  Knitting pattern into the main color requires switching colors frequently --- bring yarn A, Yarn B, and Yarn A again....But duplicate stitch is much easier.  Using a tapestry needle, embroider stitches on the stitch that is already made for the body of your work.  

Duplicated Stitches

   You can apply duplicate stitch technique to your hat, scarf, and socks whenever you would like to give a small embellishment to your work!  
   ***Just be careful about a good tension of yarn when you make duplicate stitches.  If you pull yarn too hard, the background color would be seen like a 'gap'.  This is something you would like to avoid!

Beaded Choker--Turkish Oya

   I found a book about Turkish beaded edging at a local library.  The beaded edging is called Oya.  Until I encountered this book, I did not know anything about the beautiful art work of Turkey.  According to Wikipedia, Oya is a common feminine name or it means 'lace.'  The book that I picked up was for Turkish lace work with beads.  Since I was a child, I always liked intricate art work, and beaded Oya caught my attention immediately.  When I see something beautiful, I cannot resist holding the work in my hands.  So, I decided to make something by using the technique of Oya.  I have been crocheting with fine yarn, but with beads, it is an another story.  I threaded some beads and started following the instructions...it was not so easy!  First time is always difficult.  I know about that.  So, I decided to try making ONE cluster only, hoping that it would be easier if I could finish one by one...When I saw my completion of one cluster, I felt elated at the result very much!!  And in the end, my beaded Oya work became long enough to make a choker necklace!  I probably try making a bracelet next time! 

Owl -- a good-luck animal

   In Japan, owl is called "fukuro."  (who-coo-row)  Originally, fukuro is spelled as 梟 in Kanji character, but we sometimes use other characters for the bird.  It looks like this : 不苦労 (fu-ku-ro).  This usage of characters is not official one, and it is a kind of a word play.  不 means 'no- / non- , 苦労 means 'hardship.'  So when we use the combination of these characters, it means 'No hardship'.  So an owl is considered as a good-luck animal.  
   This summer, my son and I were invited to a water park to spend time with our friends.  The hotel we stayed at had a small zoo in their venue, and I found a huge owl in a cage. It was called 'hawk owl.'   The size of its eye was about 1 1/4 and it looked like a beautiful marble.  When I noticed, my son was pulling my sleeve since he wanted to go see other animals...I guess I was looking at the bird longer than I thought... Anyway, it was very attractive animal and I felt as if it gave me some mystical power to me.  
   After I came back from the short trip.  I started making an owl.  The Amigurumi owl in the picture above doesn't look like anything that I saw at the zoo, but I made this owl hoping the person who would adopt this owl will have a good luck by the power of this enchanting animal.  

*** The word Amigurumi is a created word by the combination of two words.  Ami - Originally -  Amu (verb).  It means to knit/crochet.  And Gurimi- is a part of a word Nui-gurumi.  It means a stuffed animal which is made of sewn fabric.  So, Amigurumi means knitted/crocheted stuffed animals / dolls.  ***

Finger-less Mittens for indoor space?!

   I took some of my knitted finger-less mittens with me for a local craft show today.  I heard an interesting way of usage of finger-mittens from a lady who came to my booth. She told me that she needed them when she worked at her office.  Before I heard her story, I was thinking finger-less mittens were used only when we were outside and want to get some warmth while we were using cell phones.  She explained that her office was cold, and these mittens were very convenient when she does her office work  --- holding a pen, handling some paper documents and etc.  Finger-less mittens are not only for out door thing!   
   Every time I go to a craft show, people tell me about their stories.  This is my favorite part to be at shows.  Their story often gives me a chance for me to go back and think about my initial motivation when I started doing this business -- to create something that people really needs.  I was happy to know that the finger-less mittens were really needed by the lady and I could not forget about her smile after she left from my booth for a while.  I am looking forward to seeing somebody like her at my next show! 

Non-wool yarn dying

   I used to dye only 100% wool yarn.  The result was always satisfying.  Dye was perfectly settled on the fiber and the color was usually vivid.  
    A couple of years ago, my friends gave me some non wool yarn (55% Nylon and 45% Acrylic fiber blend).  I knew that Nylon takes dye very well through my childhood experience (my mother was using kids' drink to dye yarn for her craft).  Acrylic fiber is required special dye, and it can be dangerous for home dying process.  The word "Nylon" reminded me of my mother's experiment, and it was enough motivation for me to try dying this nylon/acrylic blend yarn.  What would happen when I dye man-made fiber like this?!  The yarn my mother used was 100% Nylon.  The color that I remember was very bright orange.  The yarn that I was about to use was 55% Nylon content.  I was very curious about the result of dying this yarn, and I jumped to start!  
    I soaked a hank of yarn in water for about 30 minutes (to saturate the fiber -- it removes the air which is trapped in fiber).  Then, I squeezed out the water, and spread the yarn on a plastic sheet.  I made dye solution, and took it with a sponge brush.  "Ready?"  
    I used four colors for the yarn, and I steamed it about 30 minutes.  After waiting for it to cool down, I started washing the fiber.  I was surprised at the color.  My mother's 100% Nylon fiber dying showed very bright color, but my 55% Nylon fiber showed soft but somewhat solid.  The picture above on the right is the yarn that I dyed.  The acrylic fiber in the yarn didn't take dye, and the color became soft.  After I washed it, I finished with a sheet of fabric softener (I didn't have a liquid one!). This is how I use the fabric softener sheet--- I dipped it in the water and rubbed it between hands, then the softener comes out from the sheet to the water!)  I rinse the yarn in the water and squeeze out the water...and dried by hanging on a hook. The blend of 45% Acrylic and 55% Nylon shows beautiful shimmer, too!