Shop Blog
amirisu Travel vol.1 Pattern Introduction ~Hike Edition~
February 01, 2022
Travel vol.1 A Day in Nara Fair Information
February 01, 2022
We will hold a sample exhibition fair at WALNUT Tokyo and WALNUT Kyoto.
Knitting for Beginners! 2 ~Yarn processing and lots~
January 29, 2022
Good evening.
This is the second installment of Knitting for Beginners!, a project in which beginner staff members ask Tokuko-sensei more and more questions.
This time, about the processing and lot of woolen yarn.
What kind of yarn does not get pilled easily and which can be washed in the washing machine? ? I would like to be able to choose the appropriate thread according to the purpose.
Youtube is here!
https://youtu.be/Bg98zUxSa0c
We also accept questions from beginners. If you want to get rid of the blur, please write to us.
https://amirisu.typeform.com/to/IYyCTYFV
***
Question 1: What is the difference between super wash and non-super wash?
Super wash = shrink-proofed Non-super wash = not shrink-proofed
is.
Shrink-proofing is a process that literally prevents shrinkage.
Amirisu's Trek, for example, contains 70% preshrunk wool, making it a superwash yarn.
Have you ever been washing knitwear and suddenly your hair has become stiff?
This is a phenomenon called "felting". The hair is originally fluffy, but when washed, the fibers stick together and become stronger, shrinking and hardening.
Preshrunk prevents that and makes it shrink-resistant even in the washing machine. That's why I'm thankful for Super Wash for socks that I wash often. I hate washing my socks by hand.
It is also recommended to knit children's things in super wash .
If you wash it over and over again, even super wash will eventually become felted.
Question 2: Should I put it in the net and wash it carefully even with super wash?
of course. The less friction, the farther the road to felting.
For example, I always put my socks in a net and wash them in the cold water mode of the washing machine and dry them in the shade. I've had them for 4-5 years and still use them.
Question 3: Is there a difference in warmth?
yes. Super wash lacks warmth because it does not lint. Suppressing fuzzing means that the surface area that the hair hits is reduced and it is cold. I have a superwash merino shawl from La Bien Aimee, but it's not that warm, so I use it for spring/autumn instead of winter.
Question 4: Is there a difference in feel?
Hand and preshrunk are different issues. It cannot be said unconditionally that the pre-shrunk fabric feels better or worse. It depends on the type of sheep, so you have no choice but to touch and choose the one you like.
Question 5: What kind of thread is prone to pilling?
The ease of pilling depends on the strength of the twist. The stronger the twist, the less likely it is to pill. 1ply fluffy ones are easy to knit but prone to pilling.
Also, even with the same thread, the ease of pilling may change depending on the weaving method, so it is difficult to weave tightly.
However, it is difficult to generalize because it depends on the length of the pile and the material of the thread.
The more you knit, the more you learn the characteristics of the yarn, so it would be nice if you could knit a lot and be able to choose the yarn depending on what you want to knit.
Question 6: What is the "lot" written on the tag?
It is the number attached to the pot and kettle when dyeing wool. Something like a serial number.
Items with the same lot number are dyed in the same pot at the same time. Even with ordinary threads that are not hand-dyed, the color may change slightly if the kettle is different. It is affected by slight differences in conditions.
The tag looks like this.
And what would be a problem if the colors were slightly different for each skein?
Even if it doesn't bother me at all when I'm knitting, when I look at the finished work from a distance or take a picture of it, there are times when I'm surprised by the difference in color. Since the sweater will be striped, it is safe to buy in batches.
Buy all the yarn you need to knit your piece in bulk.
Question 7: If you miss a purchase, is it difficult to find the same lot of yarn again?
I think it is difficult. If you can only get a different lot, I think it would be better to bring the different lot skein to an inconspicuous part such as the sleeve or back body.
For advanced users, there is also a way to make the most of the difference in color.
Question 8: Do you have lots for hand-dyed yarn?
Although there are lots, it seems that they are not managing lots. I think there are many manufacturers who don't use it because they can only dye 4 to 5 skeins in the same pot.
As for the speckle, there is no lot because it is completely different for each skein.
Question 9: What is a base?
The base is the fabric thread. The original undyed yarn has the color of the wool itself. Colors like white, beige and grey. The colorful threads lined up in the shop are dyed fabric threads.
I think that there are large manufacturers and manufacturers that are particular about making yarn, and they talk to spinning factories and make fabric yarn from scratch. However, small manufacturers and individuals who sell hand-dyed yarns often buy yarns from companies that make fabric yarns and dye them.
That's why, when I look at the yarn, I can tell that the ◇◇ yarn from that manufacturer and the ◆◆ from this manufacturer use the same fabric yarn. Ordinary people may not know this.
By the way, amirisu is made from fabric threads. It is an original base that is not on the market elsewhere.
Knitting is a very maniac, but it's a fun handicraft that you can start by choosing your own materials. It's difficult at first, but I hope you enjoy choosing yarn while imagining what kind of work you want to make. Don't be afraid to fail and gain experience.
what are you knitting now? 〜Amalies Sweater knitted with Biches & Buches Le Gros Lambswool〜
January 26, 2022
what are you knitting now? ~Halibut Cowl knitted with Brooklyn Tweed Dapple~
January 22, 2022
Start a blog for beginners.
January 21, 2022
Hello everyone who wants to start knitting this year.
This is Hasuda, a beginner staff with a year and a half of knitting experience.
"Knitting seems fun. I would be happy if I could knit a fashionable knit by myself."
Even if you think so, isn't there a lot of people who don't know what to start with?
In particular, amirisu deals with imported yarns from overseas and text patterns that are not yet popular in Japan, so I feel that the hurdles to entry have become even higher.
So, in this new series, I asked Tokuko-sensei about all the doubts I had when I started knitting, and tried to clear them up. I plan to deliver it on my blog and Youtube.
Youtube is here!
https://youtu.be/Iykq0WEGBCE
I think it's too easy for experienced users, so feel free to skip it. (There may be hidden bits of knowledge that aren't known unexpectedly...!)
We also accept questions from beginners. If you want to get rid of the blur, please write to us.
↓ ↓
https://amirisu.typeform.com/to/IYyCTYFV
***
First time, about the thickness of the wool.
When I started knitting, my first reference was a Japanese knitting book. So, the first thing I learned was the Japanese notation for the thickness of yarn, such as medium thin and average thickness. However, when you visit a Walnut shop, there is no such notation. I didn't know which one to choose, so I took out my smartphone and searched the internet one by one in front of the shelf.
However, when I looked into it, it seems that the thickness of the thread is rather ambiguous.
Let's ask Tokuko.
Question 1: Is there a standard for thread thickness?
There is no standard for how many millimeters in diameter it should be called.
Then what determines the gauge is generally the gauge when knitting knitted knitting. It is decided that "If it is a gauge of what number of stages, let's use this thickness".
A gauge indicates how many stitches (horizontal) and how many rows (vertical) a square knitted fabric of a certain size is composed.
For example, "30 stitches and 40 rows in a 10 cm square" is written as "30 stitches & 40 rows = 10 cm".
It is also written on the thread tag like this. Dan is not even mentioned. Also, there are both cm and inch notation, so please be careful not to make a mistake. (1 inch = about 2.5 cm)
Also, although it is a little more specialized, there is also a method using a stick-like tool called WPI, which counts how many times the thread can be wrapped around a 1cm width. However, personally, I have never thought about thread thickness in WPI.
Question 2: Do you understand the correspondence between the Japanese notation and the English notation?
I've moved away from Japanese knitting, so I don't know (laughs).
However, if you search the Internet, you will find many correspondence tables.
Roughly speaking, the response is as follows.
Question 3: It seems that the notation is different depending on the country. Which English notation is used in amirisu?
I use the one on Ravelry .
Ravelry is an SNS where knitting enthusiasts from all over the world gather. Buy designer patterns, share your knitted creations, and store patterns you want to knit.
And Ravelry is also a yarn database. Make sure to check the thickness of the thread because it is always written.
This is amirisun's original yarn, Wanderlust Linen page.
circled in blue ? Press to display the thread classification table.
I think that the manufacturers put in the thickness by themselves.
However, when a lot of people who try knitting the thread say, "It says DK, but I definitely think it's a Sport," sometimes things change.
In addition, there are threads that can produce various gauges depending on the needle. It's the same with amirisu's Hike, and I'm having trouble figuring out how to write it. Gauges appear from DK to Aran.
In other words, there is no need to stick to the notation of thread thickness.
Since the amount of hands used when knitting differs from person to person, even with the same thread, the gauge will vary from person to person. It also depends on the material. If you want to knit something, first get a gauge .
Question 4: You can't try gauges without buying thread. When I buy yarn for the first time, I don't want to make a mistake, but what should I do?
Beginners who do not know the salt plums around here,
1. Buy the thread recommended by the shop staff 2. Buy the thread in the kit 3. Buy the specified thread for the pattern
I think choosing one of these is the easiest way and you won't make a big mistake. Even with the specified thread, you may not be able to get the specified gauge, but prepare a lot of needles and increase or decrease the size of the needle to get as close to the specified gauge as possible.
However, if you are new to knitting and you don't know if you will continue to knit, you may be reluctant to buy a set of needles. (It's also worth the price...)
In such a case, please start with scarves and shawls that can be used without problems even if the size is slightly different. With sweaters and socks, it would be sad if they didn't fit or were too big.
Knitting is an experience value. The more experience you gain, the more yarn options you can use. Isn't that the difficult part of knitting, and the interesting part?
Don't be afraid to fail and don't take yourself too seriously, just try.
Question 5: What does 1ply, 2ply mean?
Ply represents the number of twists. If it is 1ply, it means that it is not twisted. With 2ply, two strands are twisted together. However, just because a thread is twisted a lot does not mean that the thread is thick. Even 4ply is thin.
Question 6: Is it stronger if it is twisted a lot?
of course.
However, it depends on the number of turns of the twist (tightness, looseness), so it's hard to say for certain...
Question 7: What is Light in Light Fingering?
A little thinner than Fingering. Not as thin as lace, but thinner than Fingering. Conversely, Heavy means a little thicker.
Question 8: There are some fingerings that say sock yarn and others that don't. If you want to knit socks, should you choose sock yarn?
It is the manufacturer side that names it as sock yarn. The manufacturer simply recommends, "This thread is recommended for socks!"
So, you can knit socks with sock yarn according to the recommendations, knit sweaters with yarn that says sock yarn, or knit socks with yarn that doesn't.
In general, good socks are those that are twisted to some extent and are durable. Amirisu's Trek is highly recommended.
Question 9: Does mohair have thickness?
Mohair is the so-called animal hair. This is the hair that comes from the Angora goat, not from sheep. The thickness of the thread changes depending on how it is processed, so naturally there are variations in the thickness of mohair. There is no such thing as fat because it's a sheep or thin because it's a goat.
For example, DARUMA's wool mohair and silk mohair are completely different in thickness.
Question 10: What are solids and speckles?
A solid skein that is evenly dyed in a single color, or that looks like a single color.
Speckle is speckled in English, but it has a grainy pattern.
Danzome is a gradation.
By the way, when you knit yarn with different colors in half of the skein like this, the knitted fabric will be completely different depending on the width and size of what you are knitting, so you won't know until you try it.
Knitting a sweater and knitting socks are completely different in length. It is a good idea to try knitting and enjoy the fun of how the colors come out.
It's annoying and frustrating to try to solve a puzzle after failing, but don't be discouraged at first and try to solve it as many times as you like. Unlike sewing, you can start over again, so in a sense you can start at ease.
***
This is getting long, so I'll stop here for now.
Next time, we will talk about yarn processing.
What is Super Wash? What kind of yarn is less prone to pilling? What is lot? And so on, I will listen!
We are also accepting questions from everyone!
https://amirisu.typeform.com/to/IYyCTYFV
I still want to knit, cardigan!
January 20, 2022
I can't help but want to knit a cardigan, and I'm still looking for patterns. Sweaters are often knitted in a single color, but for some reason I'm curious about the eye-catching colors used in cardigans.
So this time I picked up a border pattern.
Aimée Cardigan by Joji Locatelli
This cardigan was designed after Aimée, the owner of La bien Aimée, who is always stylish and has a great choice of colors. This color combination is really great! Also, it's nice that the color continues to the button band.
Of course, it would be nice to knit in this shade, but it would be fun to choose your own five colors. The original is knitted with sport weight, but is it okay to use fingering weight? I'm looking for a thread.
Douglas Cardi by Andrea Mowry
This cardigan is named after your father. It has large pockets and a relaxed fit, designed to look like something your grandpa would wear. It certainly looks like something a grandpa would wear, but the colors are lovely and mesmerizing.
If you look at the Ravelry page, both designs are knitted by many knitters in their own colors, so please take a look.
I want to knit a cardigan!
January 14, 2022
I wear cardigans a lot this winter. Wear it over a T-shirt, or layer it over a sweater when it's a little chilly. So, I wanted to knit a cardigan with a simple shape that would go well with any kind of clothes, so I searched for it.
Bee`s Knees , with its distinct cable pattern and all-over texture, caught my eye. Designer Thea Colman has released many designs that effectively use the cable pattern, and this cardigan is also a very beautiful piece, such as where the rib on the hem connects to the cable, and the switch on the back. It seems that the finish of the collar can be selected from several patterns, not just the shawl collar as shown in the photo.
It may not be as easy to knit as knitting, but it's nice to carefully knit each pattern. I currently have a wide variety of Worsted weight yarns and would like to pick one for my winter project.
what are you knitting now? ~ YELL knitted with JAMIESON'S SPINDRIFT ~
January 13, 2022
Hiromi Nagasawa Fair Information
January 08, 2022
The first WALNUT fair in 2022 is the Hiromi Nagasawa fair.
I will show you lots of samples. Please come and visit us.
Date and time
WALNUT Tokyo store:
1/12 (Wed) - 1/20 (Thu) 11:00-18:00
*We are closed on Sundays and Mondays. please note.
WALNUT Kyoto store:
1/25 (Tue) - 1/29 (Sat) 11:00-17:00
*We are closed on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. please note.
amirisu podcast 30
December 29, 2021