tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:44:43 +0000Just another knitter's blog. And some bits and pieces about felting, spinning and leaving TX to Kyoto, Japan.http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/alden738@mac.com (O'chica)Blogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-8504974126010652822Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:05:00 +00002009-12-22T23:44:43.627+09:00craftFinishedI have found a good Santa Clause ornament.It was on a pretty expensive side for its size, but we think it will make us remember that it was the year my daughter played "Little Star" for the kindergarten Nativity Play.And, as a knitter, I couldn't resist to make this;He kind of looks like my ob/gyn doctor in the US. I thinks it's because he is wearing a mustache, not a beard.First thing I made http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/12/santa-santa.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-616057512361632347Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:25:00 +00002009-11-26T23:48:50.979+09:00craftI made it a promise to buy one Santa Clause ornament every year when we got our first Christmas tree (imitation) in the US. When we don't buy a tree, that is.So far, I got2004; a tree (~7 ft. tall, from Garden Ridge, which we said "good bye" to before moving back to Japan - it's not practical to have anything taller than my husband inside)2005; a Santa (with cute eyes)2006; a Santa (carrying http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/11/finding-santa.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-8988381056412574613Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:16:00 +00002009-11-16T11:12:39.784+09:00socializeFinishedRecently, I finished two garments for my daughter.Pattern based on; DROPS 112-38 Jacket in "Alpaca" and Kid-Silk" with long sleevesYarn; Omega Sinfonia, in various colors... please see my Ravelry project page Needles; JP 5 bamboo circular, US 3 Knitpicks Harmony circular and 2 1/2 Knitpicks Harmony DPNsPattern; my own, just plain knit-in-round vest.Yarn; SKI yarn fingering, colorway 1786 - one ofhttp://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/11/impulse-and-planning.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-7303399833775549004Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:25:00 +00002009-10-31T23:38:38.364+09:00My Halloween post for 2009.This semi-dry fish is popularly served for breakfast, or as salty treat in Japanese cuisine. We eat this as it is, head and bones and all, after lightly roasting it.It's called mezashi (speared at eyes, literally) or maruboshi (dried whole, literally). It is "dried sardine, held together by a bamboo skewer or string piercing the eye sockets" (by tangorin.com).It's http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/10/eyeless-fish.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-3553552313873135074Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:09:00 +00002009-10-27T14:14:22.169+09:00Non knittingkotatsu completedOriginally uploaded by O'Chica About 3 weeks ago, my daughter, born and spent her first 4 years of life in Texas, was watching TV and asked me, "Mom, what is this stuff?" On the screen was a kotatsu. We have one, but have not been using it as its original form - I mean, it was just a square coffee table for us these years.I had thrown away both of kotatsu futons (shiki-futon http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/10/mission-kotatsu.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-6871950435899678091Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:14:00 +00002009-10-27T14:16:19.460+09:00WIPI haven't finished any knitting project for a while. I'm working on these;My daughter's jacket/cardigan.Pattern based on; DROPS 112-38 Jacket in "Alpaca" and Kid-Silk" with long sleevesI'm using Omega Synfonia in my stash to use up most of them. It's a mercerized cotton yarn I bought at Hobby Lobby long ago, leftover from this colorful snake.I had such a fun time using this colorful yarns on http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/10/do-again-if-you-need-it-right.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-6317538558968555920Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:19:00 +00002009-10-09T11:12:31.710+09:00FinishedHere's my dughter's fluffy scarf, "huggie" towel, and a "tail" for her kindergarten bag.Patterns; Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood, and Mitered Hanging Towel in Maxon-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines. Both are arranged a bit.Yarn; Chaton (orange) and Chaton Print (mix) from Naska, 100% nylonNeedles; US 11 (8.0mm) plastic single pointsNotes; Scarf is made 2 rows of orange and 4 rows of mixed http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/10/living-with-girl.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-7689609319085397412Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:13:00 +00002009-10-01T11:46:11.080+09:00Non knittingWe have a washing machine. But not a laundry dryer. We have small ACs for our living/dining room and each of two bedrooms. And we turn them on only when we think we need to adjust the room temperature or humidity. OF COURSE we turn them off when we go out, even just for a grocery shopping. They are not a central AC for the whole house which keeps on working even while the house is empty and http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-not-using-dryer.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-699886180865805882Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:42:00 +00002009-09-09T12:53:55.544+09:00WIPFinishedIt's about time to be productive again. The high for today is expected to stay under 30 Celsius (=86 Fahrenheit). As my mom said yesterday (on text message! Hooray for her!), we have survived another summer.I blogged on Aug.3rd that I got a lovely book "Amigurumi sweets"(changed the title translation). The taiyaki pattern was irresistible, so I just started right away at their home.It took http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-up.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-301729499896211635Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:20:00 +00002009-08-11T00:06:57.781+09:00thoughtNon knittingThis year, I got a pretty large plant pot, a bag of gardening soil, and a cherry tomato seedling from nearby home center. Later, I got a bag of fertilizer which says "for tomatoes", too.Today, I harvested eight tomatoes as the last crop and cut down all the vines, packed them in a plastic bag and put out as garbage. The tree was tired and lost almost all the leaves. I could have saved several http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/08/gardening-without-garden.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-1921066390467371756Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:31:00 +00002009-09-09T12:51:01.398+09:00thoughtFinishedNow the rainy season is officially over. Summer. Is. Here.My daughter and I spent 6 days at my husband's parents'. We had really good time. My husband (who couldn't make it this time due to business schedule) laughs at me, saying "you're more relaxed there than at your mom's!" He's got a point. At my mother's, I am supposed to take care of her. At in-law's, I can be one of mom-in-law's "http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/08/spoiled.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-6908846293202580579Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:42:00 +00002009-07-24T11:08:06.164+09:00FinishedNon knittingbeauty beutyOriginally uploaded by O'Chica I think I'm having a sort of whiplash (in Yarn Harlot's way of description).I can't gather up enough mental energy (which is not so much) to knit a sock.Instead, I'm eating tomatoes. Off the vines on my balcony, and even though I counted 119 so far from my crop, I'm buying bigger (means regular) ones at stores every week.Since I learned that the cold ofhttp://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/07/beauty-beuty.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-8962889742015086347Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:29:00 +00002009-07-04T17:49:56.711+09:00socializeWIPFinishedSummer.Slows down blogging. Slows down knitting & crocheting. I just joined worldwide mom's band of "summer break, what the xxxx." My daughter's summer break is not here yet (Spring, or 1st term ends on July 16th), but I can feel IT already.I have finished HÉLÈNE SOCKS;Pattern; Hélène Socks by Tuulia SalmelaPattYarn; Osaka TOA Prism light fingering (from a company long ago gone. one of the http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/07/summer-is-here.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-233343068785988454Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:31:00 +00002009-06-30T07:44:26.361+09:00WIPI've been working on Hélène Socks by Tuulia Salmela these two month. It's a challenge, to say the least. I'm doing this for a May challenge at Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry, means, I cast on between 5/1/09 and 5/31/09, to complete adult size pair before 6/30/09 (all the date in EST).The pattern is very intricate, and I had somewhat busy days. I'm having fun knitting them, but the http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/06/last-day-for-challenge.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-1038657854073136716Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:35:00 +00002009-06-11T11:29:20.820+09:00thoughtNon knittingOn the second&last day of a weekend trip to onsen, in the big outside bath tub stretching out my arms, I had that usual mixed thoughts.  It was a good trip - good food, nice room, fun family time together and quiet time alone.Where did my sock knitting mojo go?  I ended up knitting 40 cm of garter stitch scarf.It's OK. variegated + double stranded + garter stitch = therapeutic. Was true with http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/06/10.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-3421875040939123539Sat, 30 May 2009 12:14:00 +00002009-06-02T13:26:29.238+09:00WIPMy daughter's kindergarten was closed only on Friday and Monday, and her swimming club was closed for a week that she missed her class on Saturday.Just that, and I feel I'm still dealing with the messed-up schedule.  I'm not, but I feel I can't keep up with the everyday stuff like cooking, bathing my daughter, or knitting.I doubt the culprit is this;Hélène Socks by Tuulia Salmela.I chose this http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/05/too-much.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-5200326265694948534Thu, 21 May 2009 22:44:00 +00002009-05-22T09:50:07.718+09:00Non knittingKyoto city now has it's first swine flu (novel H1N1 flu, officially?) case.  A boy (10), who has not been out of the city for more than a week, was confirmed to have it.  That means, the virus is here in Kyoto area for a while.  Now all the high schools in the city, along with some elementary schools and kindergartens, which includes the one my daughter goes, are closed for one week.  We have http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/05/closed.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-6802291904376454345Tue, 19 May 2009 22:33:00 +00002009-05-20T11:16:19.052+09:00thoughtSome 10 years ago. It was when my grandmother was still active enough to go to a nearby Shinto shrine to meet her friends and do some exercise every morning.  She saw ginkgo trees over there having lots of nuts and thought it's a shame not to share them with families.There're mixed info about what she actually did.  I heard she picked up some nuts right there (carefully, as the fruits is stinky http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/05/losing-and-keeping.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-9012516215389765344Mon, 11 May 2009 22:33:00 +00002009-05-12T10:39:48.956+09:00craftfuture listI can't believe it's five years since I made this.I don't quilt often.  It's like scrapbooking for me; I don't enjoy it as a crafty hobby, but do it as a very satisfying (when done) chore.  When there're ashamedly huge amount of pictures to be sorted, I just put them in albums.  No fancy stickers nor cutting into cloud-shape/heart-shape the pics.  When there're enough amount of worn-out clothes http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/05/planning-again.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-2868158825048863726Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:47:00 +00002009-04-24T14:28:11.680+09:00craftFinishedSorry for the quality.  Cell phone doesn't make better picture.I didn't like Home Economics class.  I hated it.  Why does this lady talks forever about these boring stuff which my mom could teach in 5 minutes/day?  Why do I have to make this bag (pajamas, skirt, or stupid origami for "children") ?  ... My thought was filled with blank "letmego letmego letmego" and "ring,chime,ring,chime,ring,http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/turn-phobia-to-jag.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-5802721853380568273Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:54:00 +00002009-04-15T16:12:29.178+09:00thoughtMy daughter just started her first year in kindergarten (she'll be attending there for 2 years).  There's another child, a boy, who started this year, too, but everyone else in her class has been taking a 3-year course since last April.  We all talk that young children are more flexible in mind, easier to adjust to a new group than adults.. but at the same time, we know from our own experience http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/drop-in-pick-up-put-down.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-8001703921917953078Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:19:00 +00002009-04-11T16:23:59.066+09:00Finishedknit-to-fit gloves_fits!!Originally uploaded by O'Chica My daughter loves swings. She wants to grab the chains really well even on a cloudy, windy day because she now is hooked on standing up on a swing (unlike in the US, swings in Japanese playparks are made of hard plastics or woods, not a rubber piece. Standing up on it is pretty safe even for a 4-yr old.).Thus, a pair of gloves.Patterns; http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/knit-to-fit-gloves-fits.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-8526504211671267914Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:18:00 +00002009-04-05T22:25:52.415+09:00future listThis month's Sockdown! challenge is about "underappreciated" patterns. (And knee-highs.)  I can't help downloading patterns after patterns the members chose for their challenge. But at the same time, I know it's impossible to knit all of them and wear them.  I already have more than 150 sock patterns as pdf.  And the patterns in the books I have in my bookshelf.I asked myself if I am OK with http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/sock-sweater.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-2504778439367435301Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:09:00 +00002009-04-03T10:19:25.175+09:00socializeI took a quiz about knitting addiction.  Here's the result.You scored only 47%. Either you are a beginning knitter, or you just don't have an addictive personality. If your family accuses you of addiction they are insane. In fact, you are so non-addicted, I'm surprised you took this test! Ok.  I'm NOT addicted.  Still my husband will say I'm a patient of incurable disease.  I'd say incurable, http://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-am-not.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4669550604350482943.post-67416710181407590Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:00:00 +00002009-04-02T20:17:46.788+09:00future listI took my daughter to a local amusement park. I decided not to take any knitting project today. When I told so to her, my little knitter disagreed with me, saying "Just in case,mom." And put her coloring book and crayons in her bag. I finally put my glove project in my all-in bag but didn't reach for it all day (I'm in the train on the way home right now.)I don't mean I never thought of knittinghttp://knitoverfelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/no-knitting.htmlalden738@mac.com (O'chica)0