Natural Taste
Lady Boutique Series no. 2416
ISBN 4-8347-2416-6
Barcode 1: 9784834724165
Barcode 2: 1929476009050
www.boutique-sha.co.jp
As usual, it gives the kawaiiiiii meter a good whack. The patterns look to be in the beginner/intermediate range, and are mostly bags and little containers, with a few accessories to wear (motif scarf, shrug, hats). The tipping point for me was that this book also has a few pages in the back, showing each crochet symbol accompanied by illustrations showing you how to do the stitch(es) the symbol stands for (I am on the lookout for a Japanese knitting book that does the same – if you know of one, please let me know in the comments).
This is another Hakubundo purchase ($16.25). UPDATE 04/2008: Natural Taste is now available at Kpixie.com! The listing includes photos of all the projects.
For more on Japanese craft books and links with information on the symbols used, etc., please check out my earlier post on Japanese Craft Books.
The Knit Sock Kit Swap kit I put together has reached its destination: Meg (Knit and Sip) in Michigan. She likes! Now to see what I get! My pal has already (inadvertently?) revealed her identity, but I conveniently forget it every time she emails me. I prefer to be completely surprised – well, in a good way.
This hat was inspired by a reader-produced issue of Sassy magazine from back in the day – it’s really just a rectangle of cotton jersey stitched up the sides. The points poke up a bit and look a bit like ears – to get the “ears” up higher, use the thinnest jersey you can find (like an undershirt) and make the rectangle narrower. I did this as fitting prep work for a knitted hat, but Knitty magazine beat me to it and the Birkin’s Hat pattern is based on the same principle, and for sizing, I think this would fit a Pullip as well if you add 4 sts to the cast on and make it a little longer (checking for fit as you go), then replace “slip 1st 23 sts” with “slip 1st 25 sts”.
How to make:
I laid out an old t-shirt sleeve, with the hemmed edge at the bottom, marked out 4.5″ wide x 6.5″ high, gave it a 0.5″ seam allowance, and stitched it up. A little carelessly, as you can see from the side, but I just wanted a fabric blank to play with at the time. This is another fun one for fancying up – buttons, embroidery, fabric paint, etc.
A simple crocheted beanie for a Pullip doll, using a sportweight yarn. This was a really quick project, one that’s going to be easy to fancy up with appliques, ear flaps, pompons, all that sort of thing.
Peace Fleece “DK” sportweight, olive roots
crochet hook C/2-2.75mm
Make a slip knot loop and sc 6 sts into the loop; tighten loop.
begin increases
1) 2 hdc into each st (12)
2) *1 hdc, inc 1* (18)
3) *2 hdc, inc 1* (24)
4) *3 hdc, inc 1* (30)
5) *4 hdc, inc 1* (36)
6) *5 hdc, inc 1* (42)
Stop increasing. Start checking the fit after row 10 to get the length you want.
7 – 13) hdc ea st
done!
This is such a very very basic pattern that if you want to use it to make hats to sell, go right ahead. I’d love to know about it (and I can point potential customers your way too!).
Images and text © M.K. Carroll 2006
