Stitches and Thrills

At Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden there is a very special exhibition about the Geisha culture in Kyoto (these Geisha's in Kyoto are called Geiko's). There was so much to see I had to go twice (luckily I have a Museum card that gives free entrance to a lot of Dutch museums.) The Geisha exhibit is only on till Monday May 25th, so if you are in the neighbourhood do go and visit! Last week there was a contest on the Facebook page of the museum and I won a surprise package!   The package contained 2 fans, a pair of miniature geta (shoes), a gorgeous calender with vintage Japanese photo's and a 'Noren': a decorative curtain to keep out sun and dust. The envelope with the lady turned out to contain the cutest little gift bags. Lucky me :-)  Here is a photo impression of the Museum Volkenkunde. Two more Japan related tips for the coming week: Sunday 24th May: Japanmarkt, Leiden and until Sunday 31st May: Zijden Pracht in Sieboldhuis (S...

Another FREE pattern you can use to join our knitting forces for KATTENMUTSEN VOOR JAPAN (Kitty Hats For Japan) This one is very easy, you just have to know how to knit and purl. And you don't need circular needles. The added colour design is optional. If you want to add colour, but not do fair isle, go for stripes =^x^= SQUARE CAT HAT (pattern) Materials: Knitting needles:   metric (European) size 3 ½ en 4 ½ /   US size 4 and 7 Tapestry needle Main yarn colour: 1 skein 100 gr Additional colour for ears : leftover yarn Gauge: 10x10 cm = 17 stitches to   25 rows Sizes:   (child: 46cm=18”) - teen: 52/54cm=21” – (adult: 60 cm=23”) Please take into account that the hat will stretch less if you apply a fair isle pattern (like the windmills) The knitting pattern: The front and back of the hat are knitted separately. FRONT: Rim: cast on ( 34) - 42 – (50) stitches on needle 3 ½ (US 4). Knit 10 rows 2   kni...

For "Kattenmutsen voor Japan"(=Kittyhats for Japan) we are hoping to collect a lot of kittyhats. For a kitty hat pattern in English I will direct you to the godmother of all kitty hats: Kittyville Here's the hat I made. I added  the cross stitch heart for the Japan relief theme. You can also make a fair isle knit pattern. In this case you will add 4 stitches after the seed stitch border divided over the whole round. So you will have 88 stitches before you start the pattern. After the pattern you will knit 2 together for 4 times to get 84 again. Tomorrow I will add more free kitty hat patterns. I will also post one that is on regular knitting needles and more suitable for the beginning knitter. Enjoy knitting! =^x^= Ama

Thanks to Yumiko Kunimori for introducing me to KNIT FOR JAPAN . Nearly a year after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami a woolly hug is still very welcome and help is still needed. “Knit for Japan” is an initiative by Bernd Kestler to collect and distribute hand-knitted/ crocheted items, yarn and knitting/ crochet tools to victims of the Tohoku earthquake. Knit/ Crochet items: Every stitch can make a difference. Take out your needles or crochet hook and start to cast-on for a woolly hat, pair of socks, a scarf or some gloves. Yarn and tools: From your stock of yarn send a couple of skeins together with needles or crochet hook. Many people at a shelter have not much to do during the day. Knitting can help to relieve some stress, increase motivation and produce something useful. Non-knitters might learn a new skill. You can send the crochet/knit items or supplies directly to Bernd Kestler in Japan, preferably by airmail. I am currently collecting for sending a...