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! 

Two-tone Fair Isle Hat

    I always enjoy knitting Fair Isle pattern.  I like multiple-colored Fair Isle,too, but I think two-tone Fair Isle has its own character --- --somewhat humble and shy, but its personality stands out without telling us 'look at me!"  
   I like finding out what color combination --- usually darker color and lighter color --- works best.  At first, I was thinking that  choosing just two colors was very easy, but this idea was wrong!  Once I tried to find the best combination colors, I found that there were so many choices!  
In darker color and lighter color combination, lighter color stands out on the background of darker color.  However, if you choose both vivid colors like purple and magenta, it has a powerful impression!  See picture on the right.  It is a cowl. * The pattern was originally from Scarf Style 2 by Ann Budd (c) Interweave, but I made my cowl short for my personal use.

    Knit with just two colors may be a good starter if you are planning to learn Fair Isle knitting.  You don't have to worry about juggling multiple color of yarns.  Just two!  From my experience, it was really good for me to start with two colors because I was able to learn how to bring yarn in the back of my work with a good tension easily.  
   The pattern for the hat is on sale at my Etsy Store, Kay Clair Goodies.   I would love to see you try with different color combination for this hat! My online store Kay Clair Goodies
 

   I was working on beaded flower pins today!  These flower pins are going to the show tomorrow! 
 

Beaded Flower Pins

Alpaca Yarn is coming to a craft show!

   Time flies!  It is almost the end of September.  It means, my busiest craft show season is about the begin!  This summer was rather cool, and it was optimal time for me when I handle warm and fluffy yarns. 
   I was busy dying alpaca blend yarn this summer.  The yarn that I used has 50 percent man-made fiber and 50 percent of alpaca.  I personally like the result of this blend yarn dying.  The color came out soft. 

I bring these yarns to the craft show of this weekend-September 26, 2015, Saturday.  Come to see these yarn to my booth! 
Location / hours : Holy Child Roman Catholic Church (Gym), 212 Station Street, Bridgeville, PA, 15017.  10:00am - 3:00pm.  I have not been there before, and I am looking forward to seeing new people!