knitting and winter

i think the knitters out there would agree, knitting and winter go especially well together. i know that when it starts getting colder is usually the time i start thinking about new knitting projects. and, it seems there might even be snow falling in kyoto this weekend!

like most things related to crafts, knitting books in japan are especially cute, filled with good patterns and interesting-looking projects. i have to admit that since i got into making felt several years ago, i haven't been knitting as much. but recently i've become inspired especially by the combination of cold weather and great new knitting books.

and i am happy to say that i've finally added these knitting books to the shop. they have both japanese and english written instructions, so i am betting that they will be the perfect introduction to using japanese knitting books. and, the projects are awesome! they are all from nordic countries, and are very clever, seemingly simple with with very unique results. ok, so i should admit here that i am kind of a lazy knitter. i like big yarn, on big needles, not only because i can finish a project faster, but let's be honest, that's a consideration. also, i tend to make simple projects (hats, scarves, mostly a single color with a simple rib) that don't involve much surface design at all. but i really want to try some of these patterns,
maybe these armwarmers will be first...
although i also love this mobius scarf
and this crown hat would be great for a kid!

i also love this frilly scarf
and someday i might even be inspired to try socks (but probably not this year;-)

you can see all the photos from these books in my flickr knit and crochet books collection.



i also found this book that has explanations of all the common knitting stitches, including the symbols using in japanese knitting charts (it's in the shop).

and, last week i found some great yarn/ scarf kit, that i'd love to pass on to any reader of this blog who's interested:
each kit has 5 balls of 100% wool yarn (very soft, not sure about what kind of wool it is), each ball is 50 grams, and 100 meters. the kit also includes 2 knitting needles. with the rib 2 pattern included (in japanese) each kit should make a scarf that is 17 cm wide and 160 cm long.
i picked up one of each color: red, dark blue, and blue and brown.
if anyone would like one of these kits, they are $20, plus shipping. since i only have 1 of each, i am not going to put them in the shop, but just make them available to the first folks who send me an email to feltcafe@gmail.com. or maybe i will just knit with them myself, we will see...

happy knitting!

tiny knit turkey from spud and chloë

and here's a little knitting project for november! the pattern for this cute little turkey is available for free over on the spud and chloë blog.

shopping local in the pacific northwest

i'd like to share a few of my favorite finds from the urban craft uprising in seattle last weekend. the pear print moleskin cover with the pencil pocket is from the genius that is chikabird, in collaboration with slow loris (whose shirts i love), now located on guemes island washington. that's an image of their gasworks park design below.
be sure to check out the slow loris shirts, i am pretty sure you will love them.also spotted: these wonderful ormanents made from vintage wallpaper available from ladies and gentlemen, a new vintage store by jane from chikabird.


from portland, the beautiful ceramic work of leah nobilette. the colors are wonderful,
and the texture is stunning.


and more pretty portland art from twosarahs, printmaker.

and finally a bit more from some neighbors to the north, bellingham that is. spincycle yarns spins and dyes all their own yarns, and if you get a chance to see them in person, their yarns are spectacular.

renegade roundup: textiles and fiber

first up, the work of k studio, above. beautiful spare line drawings on pillows. you can even customize your own family pillow by choosing from their selection of people and pets (scroll down from the options page.

original handmade bags from nam kim (ab0ve).

super soft and stretchy clothing from jo clothing.

custom made uk makes lots of adorableness, like the owl pouch above.

five trees creates all sorts of critters and monsters.

and fiber! this yarn is spun and dyed by vera videnovich. vera is a farmer, knitter, spinner, and fiber arts instructor in the chicago area. i remember seeing her spinning at renegade chicago 2 years ago before i got my wheel, and it was nice to see her again.
more handspun by betsy ply
and traveling rhinos who carries all sorts of goodness in the shop.

dying yarn

my first batch of indigo-dyed yarn. half of the yarn was heathery jacob to start with, and the other half was white merino, both of which i spun myself. i'm hooked, obviously.
indigo-dyed merino yarn
handspun natural merino dyed with madder.
finally up in my shop!