DIY Q&A:: Yarn in Tokyo

I am traveling in Tokyo for the next week. I am looking for a yarn shop but have no idea where to begin. I googled some key words and came across your website. Do you know any knit shops in Tokyo, perhaps near Roppongi? And if not, do you know anyone I can contact to find out?

Thanks for your help.

Constance

Dear Constance,

I was in Tokyo around this time last year, and I loved it. The sights, the sounds, the DIY. Crafting is a institution in Japan. Even if you don't buy anything, the yarn shops are a mus- see for any knitter. Here are some of my picks:

Avril (in english)
102 Belle Maison, 2-34-9 Honcho, Kichijoji, Musashino-shi
Also known as Habu Textiles (in New York City). Yarns are sold by the ounce. Exciting and exotic yarns for knitting and weaving.

La Droguerie
4-26-18 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
A French craft store chain (you may be in Tokyo, but sometimes you'll wonder if you're actually in Paris). Aside from yarn, you'll find ribbons, beads and utton.

Okadaya (in english)
3-23-17 Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku
Start on the top floor and work youe way doown, this place is packed with all things DIY. The top floor is just books and magazines. All the japanese craft books are here! Yarn section of this shop is quite big. The yarn nothing spectacular, but the notions are the most inventive. You can find a sweater shaver, leather soles for slippers and the most tiny circular needles.

Motther Earth (in english)
3-3-39 Minamiazabu Minato-ku
My stay in Tokyo was short, so I didn't get to go here, as was a bit out of the way for me. You''ll find hand dyeed yarns and a small cafe. Check out Pink's post.

Other Links:
Pinku's Tokyo Yarn Shop List (in excel) Updated
PurlWise, Yarn Store Vists

Happy Travels,

Andrea

Something for Everyone

(New York TImes, via)

I love a good sweater coat. How cosy is that?

Let's Talk About Gloves

(Left: Miu Miu FW06 ad campagin, via. Right: Marc Jacobs FW06, via)

It's gotten so cold out here, so I know it's time for gloves. In past seasons we've seen the opera length gloves in leather, but this year we're seeing it in knit. The texture lends perfectly for the slochy look. I love the extra length because they can add drama to a simple outfit, and they keep the wind off when you're only wearing three-quarter length sleeves. I'm sporting mine today, store bought from Holt's but I'd love a pair in my Fable alpaca.

I also love the Marc Jacobs fingerless version that you can layer over leather gloves (as well it's good if you're too lazy to knit in the fingers!). You can turn any glove pattern into opera-length, Just knit the rib part much longer! As well, see the CRAFT blog post which links to some free opera glove patterns.

Also check out Kate-lit's opera length Missoni-inspired version.

DIY Q&A: Home Knitters

RE: Home Knitters

I am interested in becoming a home knitter for one of the fashion houses. Can you help?

Regards,

kathleen


Dear kathleen,

While knitting can be a possible way to make some income, it doesn't exactly pay the rent. When you look at the price tag of a hand knit designer garment, consider that the pay for labor would have been between 10-15% of the retail price. For something you work so hard for, the wages hardly reflect the effort.

Some things to consider before you start looking for work: Do you knit fast enough? Though your schedule may be flexible, projects still have to be completed in a timely manner Is this your sole way of making an income? If you have a day job, keep it. Keep in mind that this is considered contract work and does not offer benefits such as health insurance contribute to taxes towards unemployment insurance or pension plans. Are you prepared to show samples of your work to an employer? Do you own a knitting machine and skilled at using it? This may be an option. Once you've considered the realities of working as a home knitter, you're ready to look for potential employers.

Fashion houses tend to hire locally, so if you dreamt of knitting for Dior and don't live in Paris, you may be out of luck. Search for fashion businesses that specialize in hand knitted garments. Call and ask if they are looking for production knitters. At this point, you should be ready to show sample of your work. Consider searching for smaller local designers selling at boutiques. Another option is searching for yarn companies and independent knitwear designers who may need samples done up. Local yarn shops will sometimes hire to get their in-store samples done. Sometimes fashion design students need help getting samples done for projects, so you may want to get in contact with design schools and ask to post an ad. Do keep in mind that this sort of work is not stable and work is only available as needed.

Some resources to read up on:

The new 'granny chic', The Daily Mail, via
Post an ad on the Cosy Chat forum, Cast Off Knitting Club for Boys and Girls, via
Knitting Pretty, W, March 2006, via

Hope this helps.

Andrea

Patchwork Theory

(Left: Louis Vuitton SS07, Right: Chloe SS07, via Style.com)

More evidence that patchwork is new again. Playing with color and miltiple prints doesn't have to be intimidating. Here's some quick tips for choosing materials for your own patwork pieces.

1. Choosing fabrics fabrics that are similar to eachother, whther it be the same fabric but in different colors, or same color but different print or textures.

2. Stay within a color scheme or selective color palette. The easiest is a monochromatic scheme such as the LV pictured above. Or go with all neutrals with accent colors.

3. Adding contrast makes it interesting. For instance adding a striped or printed piece. The key to mixing prints is staying within the same color or texture range as the rest of the materials and using it sparingly.

4. Or, if you wish to use all print, limit the number of prints and choose prints that a graphiallly similar or have a simlar color range.

5. Another way of going about it is choosing your printed fabric first and picking out solid colors from the print.

Spotted: Chunky Socks and Pumps

(Left: from the Sartorialist, via Right: Jean-Pail Gautier, SS07 via)

I'm totally digging the chunky socks with punps captured by The Sartorialist and at the Jean Paul Gautier show. The Sartorialist's coverage of street chic on the Style.com site is a daily must-browse. It totally gives you the pulse of what is really going on in fashion. JPD's show felt like a JPG retrospect, took you all over the map of JPG-ism., from flapper style dresses to his signature Picasso striped shirt, to historial 18th century bustle, to Jane Fonda inspired outfits.