design – Ink, Yarn & Beer

First Practice in Sashiko

Awhile ago I decided to try my hand at sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery used for both practical and artistic reasons. Originally it was used to quilt layers of cloth together, old clothes to make new ones. Patches were pieced onto already patched clothing. Today it is hard to imagine that clothing had to last generations, but this art form was for practical reasons. The artistry of it – the creation of patterns – shows the fact that, despite hardship and poverty, the need to express and create, to add beauty to the world, exists at many levels.

Today, we don’t patch clothes like that, to make them last for ages. We don’t need to for the most part. Instead, we call it “visible mending” and use it to enhance our clothes or show off our skills. It is a tradition that is now becoming a fabric art, much as quilting. However, these stitches are made by hand (although Babylock does have a machine which mimics hand sewn sashiko) and add character to jeans or old denim, or are used as a way to enhance something, such a purse or towel or whatever.

I bought sashiko thread, needles, a palm thimble specific for sashiko, and from there watched a few videos. I have some denim that I am cutting up to practice on. My stitches are uneven and I am trying to find a rhythm first in creating a running stitch. It is far harder than you think. So, first, the rhythm and comfort with the stitches.

Above is my first attempt. I just drew straight lines by hand, but later got out my pica stick and used it. Loops are left so that the fabric does not pucker as the rows are stitched, and as each row is done, I attempted to straighten and flatten out the fabric – a running stitch is great for gathering!

Above is my second attempt. More running stitches, but I tried different ways to begin and end rows. The loops prove to be important is not getting puckers – I got rid of a few with a hot iron, but you can see at the bottom a pucker across the left side.

Securing stitches is important. I tried different ways – many involve stitching over other stitches. I am still exploring that element – I want to figure things out on my own!

Above is the reverse of each of these samplers. The one on the left is the first; the one on the right is the second. The second one is neater as i carefully used a Chaco chalk pen to mark lines as I moved along.

Currently I intend to stick to straight lines and figure out how to connect them in different ways to make patterns. Tradition holds many patterns to be explored – many straight, geometric, circular, a combination of both, and many can become pictorial if you desire. Not all are done in a running stitch is my guess as I have seen some designs with completely solid lines of thread – backstitch or a running stitch then redone in between and in the reverse direction with another running stitch?

Mysteries to be explored!

Knitting Day

With this being a three day weekend, I’ve actually been “chillin out” quite a bit. Yesterday, did the grocery run, and then started swatching for a sweater I will be making Josh. It turns out he is more sensitive to wool, unless it is highly processed, than we thought. The wool I planned to use was too much for him, which is unfortunate, as it is from a fleece I bought. Really soft wools are not, in my opinion, meant for an overall sweater with heavy wear, so we decided to check out KnitPicks new line in acrylic, Brava. We chose the worsted weight. The package came yesterday, and it is actually pretty nice – soft, good twist, and the color we chose is called “currant” – the shade of dark, red wine. Texture shows up well, it doesn’t feel plasticky -why do some acrylics just feel so dreadful??? – and hasn’t demonstrated any tendency to split unless I jab a needle into the ply. Because the yarn is dark, texture and fancy cables are not going to be highly noticeable. My swatch is rather large, with multiple patterns in it. I measured it before I threw it in the wash with a couple of towels and a quilt. I’ll measure it when it comes out of the dryer, check the feel of it, and how it looks.

In other knitting arenas, I have mittens to finish, a hat to write up and possibly a pair of socks, and my own pullover to finish. Admittedly, like the dogs in Up!, I get easily distracted. Photography has been taking up a lot of my time this past year, and while it is fun and enjoyable, challenging and a learning experience, there is always something to be said for old friends. Knitting is one of them. So is painting. However, often the drawback to these last two is the fact that they can be too solitary (which I enjoy) and are done indoors. The photography is great for that, and has gotten me off my tuckus and out in the fresh air.

So the plan for the day, once the bills are done, is to begin designing the sweater Josh has so patiently awaited. I know what I want to do as far as the overall design, but the final touches are the important element. I like the idea of texture, but not a lot that will be lost in a dark yarn and end up feeling like a wasted endeavor. As it is a cardigan, I want a shawl collar. Not sure about the button situation yet; my inclination is to do a crocheted edge, or an i-cord binding, with loops for buttonholes and toggles. Pockets may be patch, but I am rather drawn to slash pockets – for these I need to pull out some of my “how to” books, such as the Vogue knitting book, or Montse Stanley, or Deborah Newton. The entire pattern will be done in one piece, with raglan sleeves, and with as little sewing as possible.

And I will have some company – Jack Reacher is standing by!

Man Sweater, a.k.a. Josh’s Cardigan

I’ve done a lot of swatches, and the fact is the yarn I have for Josh’s sweater is simply too weirdly plied to allow for any texture to come through when knit up. The end result is pretty awful – a lot of work and nothing to show for it. However, this does not mean this yarn is not worth knitting up – it really is beautiful, has a soft feel to it when washed, and so the design process will ultimately be very simple – but not without adventures. I may do diagonal slash pockets and saddle shoulders. That should keep me busy! Cast-on is done, and 1×1 ribbing is commenced. This will carry up the button bands as well, with stockinette in between.