April 13, 2006

I'm back

I went back to Japan for a few weeks in March. I attended my brother's wedding and spent a good time with my husband's and my families. These are some pictures from the vacation, taken by my husband. Scary looking tree is a famous weeping cherry tree in Kyoto. It's really beautiful when it has some flowers, but unfortunately we were too early for that.

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I didn't have much time for myself, but managed to buy some yarn.

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It's not even half of what I intended to buy, because I got sick on the "yarn shopping" day and couldn't go shopping... but I thought it was meant to be when I got home and saw boxes full of my yarn stash. I really don't need any more yarn.

I'm knitting a simple top-down raglan sweater with my souvenir yarn now. It is knitting up nicely! The yarn is from "Avril." Avril sells their yarn to Habu textiles, and I think this yarn is the same as "Tsumugi Silk" at Habu.

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I'll get back to the Kai sweater after I finish this sweater.

Posted by noriko at April 13, 2006 12:46 PM
Comments

What lovely yarn and pictures. How fine is the Avril yarn? (I mean, what gauge is the yarn?) It's a lovely color - and will be a nice sweater.

Posted by: Pam at April 13, 2006 03:27 PM

Hi Pam,

I think the yarn is almost fingering weight, maybe a bit finer. I'm knitting the yarn 2 strands together, on US size 5 Clover Takumi bamboo needles. The gauge is 5 sts/inch.

I'm not sure if this gauge was suitable for the yarn, though. The garments I saw at Avril was knitted quite loosely and I wanted light fabric, so I decided to go with this gauge. But I'm afraid that they might grow when it is worn...we'll see..

Posted by: Noriko at April 14, 2006 12:51 PM

Hello Noriko!
I found your blog by searching on the Internet. I too just returned from Tokyo, and I'm a knitter living in the Pacific NW. To see my recent Tokyo pictures, check out the link: http://charisa.smugmug.com/gallery/1336524/1

I was fortunate enough to do some yarn shopping and found an amazing shop in Tokyo: "Mother Earth Yarn". See pictures: http://charisa.smugmug.com/gallery/1344886
I highly recommend stopping by the next time you are in Tokyo.

And, I have a favor to ask...I would like to send the photos of Naomi (owner of Mother Earth BIS), but don't know japanese. If you would be willing to help me compose a note to her, I would be most appreciative. Please contact me at my email address: cmc@charisamartincairn.com.

Thank you! Charisa

Posted by: Charisa at April 17, 2006 08:26 AM

Hi Charisa,

Thank you for stopping by.

Your photos are beautiful! Did you find Mother Earth Yarn by chance? The store was in my "Places to Go" list, but didn't make it there... I heard they have beautiful natural dyed yarns.

About composing a note in Japanese, I'd be glad to help. I'll email you later.

Posted by: Noriko at April 17, 2006 03:26 PM