texture

inspiration

:: ashen details ::

As Volcano in Iceland keeps spewing ash and causing havoc of disastrous proportions over Europe it makes me only hope and wish that nearby Fuji doesn't start doing the same as it is also way overdue and considering the wind and proximity - it certainly won't be a pretty sight to see. At orientation week they informed us that last time Fuji-san did erupt, it threw up boulder-sized of a building/houses right into this area, which is pretty darn close!

Observing all that madness I kept knitting away on my new design this week. Ever since knitting of Ori Ami Knits garments was complete I was sketching more ideas and desire to explore deeper and beyond the concept we have created. With monochromatic influence of the upcoming season I have decided to challenge myself to try expressing depth of my knit garments through a different angle.

This one is Ashen, collection of colors, fibers, stitches, details all in one pullover. This is coming to life fast and will be done just in time for warmer days this week. Deep in heart, I hope to wear this as these dark clouds of Japanese mountains descending, so they just *stay* in a garments, while we bask in the warmth! (I really wish!)

:: day to day ::

Though it was a sunny awesome day here yesterday and 77F weather really teased with a dress and sandals, today it is back to cold day in Japan with pouring rain all day long. Many say it does rain here a lot in spring but usually very warm by now... But weather did give us a couple of single days suitable to enjoy the Hanami season.

And when the wind is blowing it is snowing millions of pink petals.



On Sunday morning I was thinking through a new design and had one of those light bulb moments, just had to sit down and do it right away. At least, it was morning time, not my usual 2am when those strike! 2 attempts later at this wretched hem, by Monday afternoon it is done and well underway along with a surprising find in my needle stash. I have discovered a pair of Addi Turbo, not lace ones, but regular ones with a sharp tips and that just makes my knitting glide! (Wonder when and where those were obtained?!)

Decided it is time to share more process photos of the projects and my general sketching, tools and place where "magic" happens. Today only the light is horrible, so this is for something to see in the future.

I have found watching or rather listening to movies can be an entertaining background while I work, but discovered a better source than just music. Audio books - they are much easier for this purpose and one can find lots of them free online. And just perfect, I don't own a Kindle or Nook or iPad but audio books really took away my guilt for not reading more books, so instead I listen.

As any spring, this one wasn't any different about my sewing bug. I see many quilting these days, it is of an epidemic proportions, but that is a hobby I really don't have room or patience for though. So have been inspired this year to incorporate some knit details into my sewing. Like I did a couple years ago on a jacket. Here it is ... yummy silk jersey



I have been on a hunt in a couple of yarn stores, crafting places in search of cool and mind-blowing fibers to explore.. I must say I have seen a very puny share of what Japan has to offer. So I have started with a reliable store before, not in person yet (as they are located all the way in Kyoto), but via amazingly fast Japanese mail! The site is in English as well, as well as great customer service! Now just to think of what other wonderful things to acquire from them!
LIN-NET.COM

This wonderful linen is currently on my needles and is being made into something fabulous.

:: Ksenia Kahnovich for Byblos Spring 2010 ::

It is spring somewhere afterall... so bringing in some awesome Springy knit inspirations... (yes, I am complaining about this cold Japanese weather we've been having, which is so not April-like to me)

view other non-knitted stuff from collection

:: are we there yet? ::

I know past months just zoomed by me. In haste and knitting time and things to do just to wish the cold grey days away faster and welcome spring. The ways things work in the industry - have to think about upcoming season while it is still cold outside. Planning, sketching, playing with fibers, finding oneself overwhelmed with possibilities and wishful thinking of helping hands. Because laws of creativity work this way - the more you design and think of, even more comes your way, even when you sleep.

Looking back at Fall 2010 runways, gathering the feelings it gave, it scares me. We are so close to apocalyptic end, aren't we? Palette is rather depressive. Don't get me wrong, I adore greys and blacks, but neutrals and obscene amount of military shades throw me off.
Nomads, gypsies, piles in layers upon layers, real and faux fur, smartly arranged to make it ever ready for a new ice-age. Injections of tartan for color here and there, but overall domination of cocoon-like knits. I have seen cold season's runways having some knitwear, but let me tell you.. fashion industry have seemed to exploded with it this time. Cabled, fair-isled and warm-looking drapey garments have been spotted everywhere, Prada, Daks, Pringle of Scotland of course. Dolce & Gabbana have produced entire collection in fair-isle motifs.

Daks

So what is runway trying to convey - the end is soon and we need to be ready, is it recession taking its toll?
Footwear suitable to be your second skin, wardrobe and accessories to help survive a nuclear winter or inevitability of this all... yet trying to preserve the beauty but introducing more function into it. I am sure we knew it long time ago, so let's embrace the palette, keep experimenting with texture and construction, keep calm and continue knitting on.

Dolce & Gabbana





Rick Owens



Prada