:: i give in.. ::
This March, it is all its' fault! I have spent weeks looking at the fashion show looks and thought I was being inspired.. Instead I got inspired by something that most people already made or long way thought of at least or even better - did it...
I want to go to Japan, I hope hubby has a possibility to be deployed there, so I can get inexhaustible source of inspiration and unual to our state of mind lifestyle, trifles..
I have a friend who living in the US doesn't spend a single day without visiting about a dozen Japanese websites... I bet if she had a chance to get herself smuggled in a box there, she would be the happiest knitter ever!
When I first tried sushi ..damn sushi must have ignited it all.
Reasons to go there:
Sushi. Though they say it is bad with mercury and all, but give me seaweed- I will chew it, I will knit with it, I will sleep on it and be happiest and the most vegan and holistic purist gal.
Craft Books.
3 sewing projects I have to make!
Japanese book "Pattern Magic " I got last year from Yesasia.com
I know how to sew, it is not always my favourite thing to do, but doing it for a week makes me want to knit! And what do I know about reading/understanding japanese sewing patterns is more visual than knowing how to read?!
A very talented Di, whose insteps I followed to pattern my own box skirt. Thanks to her for a great visual on her flickr. I am hoping to get my fabric for it this week-end.
I also came across this blog, that's called Amores de Toquio (Tokio Loves), a lady whose top is so delicious, I want to wear it now! I hope to understand the weaving part, it is like 2 projects from that book combined in one! Genius!
And last, my the most complicated one is the Alexander McQueen's Kimono Jacket, it is from F/W2003 RTW. The pattern is apparently available online for free. How much fun it can be printing and gluing 50 sheets of paper of the pattern, scissors at ready, but oh my... reading the instrucitons in English and don't get it... not so much fun! I guess it is a project for those days when I don't feel knitting and need a brainwash by a super sewing pattern!
As for knitting craftbooks, my favourite ones are the Richmore, sometimes Keito Dama and mostly Japanese knitting dictionaries. Write "Boubariami" when you look for those.
Yarn.
I guess they started us all with Noro/Eisaku Noro Yarn. I think there was nothing like a craze over Noro Kureyon Evah! I think I made my first variegated sweater out it.
This season I was passionately collecting and knitting with Habu, which is a spoil and sophistication of a knitwear designers. Is it because it is "magical" or is it because it is japanese, I think it is the quality and the refinement of a finished garment that you can produce and hence this yarn leaves more room for our imaginative flow. And we do have a group to show off all your Habu Stash!
Verdict: hunger for more japanese - flatten me, fold me and ship me off to the country of rising Sun!
9 comments:
Gush, I do so totally get you.
Sushi, I think I could have every day for all my meal courses and never get tired of it, cucumber roll is my all time favourite and Tamaki yaki.
The yarn looks fantastic, have to try it some time soon
Anch'io, anch'io! If only I could figure out a way to make it happen…
I'm with you! As if sushi weren't reason enough to live out the rest of my life blissfully in Japan, there is so much fabulous fashion and craft coming from that country.
I saw that McQueen pattern and printed it, but there's NO way my elementary sewing skills could get me to complete one of my own. *Sigh...*
I like the kimono jacket too! Jen over at x-treme knitting just finished one. She might have some insight --http://www.xtreme-knitting.com/blog/
i agree with being inspired by japanese craft books. but please dont leave me! I would miss you too much olgita!
Congratulations! You're on get stitchy!
Thanks so much for submitting your blog.
Thanks for stopping by my site and for your compliments as well!;)
Your knits are great and you can even design there! That's so nice!
There is no doubt that Japan is a craft paradise!
Hi, thanks for the source of where to buy pattern magic. I had to get to page ten on google before I found the link to your site. My site is well trafficked by pattern makers and designers so considering how much they'll appreciate the info, I thank you on their behalf as well. In gratitude, I sent you a little link love.
Thanks!
oh, and thanks for the link to Tokio Love! wow.
oh, I forgot. I have something you may like (sorry for double posting). I have a lot of tutorials on zipper sewing, welt pockets and the like on my site in the left ADMIN sidebar under "tutorials index". No more basting, pinning and praying. This is how quality apparel manufacturers do it.
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