one year ago today

Remembering that beautiful sunny summer day...hand picked linen shirt...tailored made jeans...matching sandals and hydrangeas bouquet made by moi...I still get teary eyes every time I hear that beautiful rendition--- Moon River by Petra Haden ( The song I walked down the isle)

Happy anniversary, my love :)

soft tones

Farm fresh eggs from this week's market. I love green eggs, I don't know why. I even kept the egg shells. It's so pretty.


music. lyrics. cashmere. beige. cobblestone.



Here's a little sneak peek of P's anniversary sweater. Both sleeves are done. Now I wish the needle I ordered would arrive on time when I assemble to work on the yoke .

white jacket

Pattern : Habu kit 115
Yarn : Habu wool roving and two strands of ramie

I've been meaning to take some photos of me wearing the finished jacket for about two weeks now, but with the traveling, looking for work, doing actual work, I feel like I'm just all over the place lately. So finally, here you go....this is probably one of the most comfy sweater I ever made. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out aside from the armhole disaster. ( Yes again! My usual problem with fitted sleeves) Both sleeves was frog and reknit. If you're Interested to make this be sure to check your row gauge. I actually have to tweak the pattern a little in order to make it work.

I've not yet decided what I'm going to make next. I started P's anniversary sweater so may be I'll try to finish that before I jump on another project. Anyways, any exciting plans for the fourth? I can't believe it's almost July. I'm going to have another summer destash coming up, look out for the next post this weekend.

from this week farmer's market

Seaming party has just begun for another jacket .
Contemplating to make this, this or may be this.
Hmmm lemon mint granita, perfect for summer.
Have a great weekend everyone.
I'm going to make myself and cuppa tea and start swatching.
More photos of the white jacket next week!

interview with olga

Olga's latest pattern, Grecian top that she designed two years ago is now available at ravelry and also at her blog.

My first series about beautiful things in japan has come to an end. I hope you all enjoy it. Today, it's my honor to present an interview with talented knitwear designer Olga Buraya-kefelian from olgajazzy, whom had many patterns published in magazine/books such as Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Knitty, Sensual knits, Pints and purls and much more. Olga works as a freelance designer and she teaches knitting, crochet, and design workshops for crafters at all skill levels. She lives in DC area.

Q. Hi Olga, How are you? Tell us how and when did you learn to knit. What was your first knitting project?
I'm great. Thank you! I was taught to knit around 4 years of age by my mother. And around 7 my grandma taught me how to crochet. I remember rust orange wool and metal straight needles, first thing I made was a square garter stitch swatch. And I was taught to knit combination method from the start. On the encouraging point, it is not too hard, if a 4-year-old can pick it up! I think later on I was marked so to speak, when I was 6 it was a very dreary cold summer and I was sick with cold, I tried knitting again and something I did, I remember thin steel long dpn's and one of them going all the way through my palm. My mom was terrified, I wasn't even crying. It is more of a blurry memory, but as an adult I am having a laugh about it quite often, stigmata by knitting needles is hysterical, as you may guess.

Q. OMG! I'm sorry! I'm glad you didn't give up knitting. How'd you get into designing? What was your first published pattern?
I have been knitting through high school and college on and off, and I grew up without having any patterns available or they were too frumpy, so basic concept was taught to me by my mom. Doing simple math and calculations took some time, but having only 1 tiny book of stitch patterns kept us both busy. Then little by little as the steel curtain fell, in early 90's we started getting Verena and Burda magazines from Germany along with Sandra. So I can't even remember what was my first designed pattern, to be honest. I remember playing with this acrylic blend yarn for a long time, making something up, wearing it couple times, ripping and re-knitting something else out of the same yarn. First yarn store encounter of mine happened in Italy, this was then that I actually learnt there is a vast market of yarn brands and pattern support and such. My first self-published pattern was Seasalt Tank, that I published on my blog and now it is also available on Ravelry. I actually still have and wear it a lot.

Q. Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
It is hard to say - my surroundings, other people, museums, traveling, nature, fashion runway, sleep, internet. It is a a big mystery to me. I know most of the time it's this compilation of images what you process in your head and when others see the outcome, which is your work, that is the result of how I feel about that much, called life.


One of my favorite pattern designed by Olga published in the latest IK Summer 09. Akomeogi which in translation from Japanese means "folding fan".

Q. What are some of your favorite sweaters you've created?
Haha, all of them of course! I never make anything that I won't wear myself. I know there are many tastes out there, different demographics to cater for with knitting designs and patterns. But I always try to make what I personally think is missing out there and what I or other won't be able to buy anywhere else. Some may hate it, some may absolutely love it, I am not trying to fit in. I like reading feedback, but naturally, I see a lot of time when people expect to be pleased and not appreciating the work that has been put into the garment. Pleasing everyone is impossible. I always saw clothes as theatre, you are expressing yourself, just like your haircut. You pick one that suits you best. Recently, I also try to work in more sizes into my patterns, but sometimes you can risk the garment lose its appeal. I wish I could be a stylist for everyone. Last year I was lucky enough to meet Tim Gunn and it was confirmed to me again - it's not what you like to wear, it's more what looks best on you.

Q. What a great response! I totally agreed with you. Do you have any upcoming projects that you're working on that you would like to share with us?
Currently, I have a large-ish project on my plate, but I can't talk about it just yet. Give it couple of months, hope all of you like what you see!

Q. Are you a one-at-a-time knitter or do you like to have multiple projects going?
Multiples of 5 to 7 projects at a time. I like working on something and if I grow cold towards that projects, I let it sit and time will judge it, whether I come back to it and finish it or entirely frog it. But it is rewarding, as you may end up with 2 projects finished in one week! I do enjoy the process, but I am all about the finished result!

Q. Do you have any dreams, goals or plans in 2009 for yourself that you would like to share with us?
Certainly, everyone has a year resolution, but this year I hope to work more and harder as I can see the outcome pleases me immensely. So be sure to be on the lookout for more patterns and designs hitting the stand and here online. I just released Grecian Top pattern, it was a favorite of many for a long time, I am glad it is finally seeing the light of day! I have also contributed to a book publication a while back and I found out the other day that it has landed the cover. [it would be my second time on the cover of a book]. This book is called Pure Knits by Yahaira Ferreira [www.bitterpurl.com] and is due November 2009.


The Petal Halter, featured in IK Spring 09 issue, was inspired by a quilted couture piece with a bandeau-like construction.

Q. Congratulations on getting second book cover for Pure Knits Olga. I can't wait to see it. Thank you so much for taking time away from your busy life to be interviewed with me. Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself?
For one to understand how complex design process is, it is continuous flow and sometimes can be overwhelming, you think of it as you do your daily chores or in commute, but most important I found out is to keep track. Remembering everything is impossible. Carrying a moleskin notebook with me certainly helps to documents ideas and when it is time, some of them see the World.

I want to thank you for inviting me and having this chance to share words of my experience with your readers. You are an amazing photographer and an inspiration to many. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

~photos of akomeogi tunic and petal halter courtesy of Interweave Knits.

entry five : textiles

~photos courtesy of maki textiles


One of many things I love about japan is its textiles.
Each piece of fabrics were either meticulously hand woven or hand dyed.
The unique quality of each garment subtly conveys their innate sense of elegance and style.
This entry is a little late.
I was battling with a cold and trying to get some work done.
Hope you long weekend was productive.

entry four : minimalist living

Minimal furniture.
A minimalist room would only contain a few essential pieces of furniture.

Clear surfaces.
Flat surfaces are clear, except for one or two decorations.

Store stuff out of sight.
Store everything you need out of sight, in drawers and cabinets.

Accent decorations.
Simple pieces of object, eg, vase, flowers or art.

Quality over quantity.
Choose just a few really good things.

Beautiful homes in Japan
Nureki
Kazuhiko Miyaki Architects
Sou Fujimoto Architects
Yoshinobu Mizutani Architects

~tips from the green dollar