Yarn

Japanese Yarns In The Garment District

| Verónica

A few days ago, I was in New York City and took the opportunity to visit Habu Textiles. I dragged two teenagers through the Garment District in search of 135 W. 29th Street. The entrance is nondescript and if you’re not looking for it, you’ll probably walk right past it. Habu Textiles is located on the 8th floor, which is somehow fitting since the Japanese word for “ha 八” means “8.”

The showroom is quite small but filled with exquisite yarns spun in Japan. The fibers used in the yarns range from wool and silk to bamboo, stainless steel, and cotton so fine it feels like paper. While the showroom itself seems small, it is actually part of a larger room that houses the weaving studio. Beyond the free-standing sheet rock walls of the showroom, I could hear the whirring of looms in the background. I had to fight the urge to pull back the curtains marked “employees only” and take a peek. Thankfully, they were kind enough to let me take pictures of the yarns which I can now share with you.

There were baskets filled with yarn throughout the showroom. In the large basket in the foreground is Wrapped Tsumugi Silk (100% Silk). This yarn is a silk wrapped in silk. According to the Habu Textiles website, it is created using a traditional cord-making method.
Cotton Linen Paper Moire (65% Cotton, 35% Linen). This lace/fingering weight yarn is exquisitely delicate. It feels like fine paper.
This Kibiso Silk (100% Silk) is made from "waste" silk. It's a slightly rougher silk but with silk's sheen and strength.
Silk Gima (100% Silk). Gima means "fake linen" in Japanese. This yarn feels like linen but is made entirely of silk.
This "chunky" Alpaca Knitted Yarn (68% Mohair, 32% Nylon) is interesting to look at up close. It is actually a narrow knitted tube. You can knit this knitted yarn with large needles or fill the tube with roving (as shown) to create interesting looks.
There were shelves full of this thread-like yarn around the showroom.

Besides yarns, Habu Textiles offers woven fabrics also made from natural materials such as silk and pineapple fiber. The fibers originate from China, France, Japan, Laos and the United States. These two displays caught my attention. The knotted bags and ropes are made in Laos.

You can learn more about and buy these fabulous yarns and textiles at the Habu Textiles website.

WIP – Adrift in Green

| Verónica

This is one of my WIPs (works in progress). I love how the cabling gives it depth while the stockinette stitch gives it smoothness. I am using drift by Rowan, a super bulky wool in a deep green color with blue highlights (#905). It reminds me of soft rolling waves in a warm sea.

I still have a couple of balls of yarn to go before it’s finished. Stay tuned for the finished product.

WIP – Electric Blue Avenue

| Verónica

This lone bootie is one-half of an extended work-in-progress. I have a hard time knitting in pairs. Just when I experience the satisfaction of finishing one item, I sigh at the prospect of having to start all over again with the second.

The second bootie was languishing on its needles from lack of attention.

I used Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in color #340032. I call it “electric blue.” This baby soft yarn is made in Italy from 55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre and 12% Cashmere. One ball is more than enough for a pair for wee little feet. So after MONTHS of dangling around, I finally took up the needles and finished bootie #2.

Now all I need is a bouncing boy baby shower invitation and I’m all set.

Bind Off. Weave In Ends.

| Verónica

One of the steps in knitting that brings me a sense of satisfaction is getting to the part of the pattern that reads “Bind off. Weave in ends.” That’s when I know I’m almost done! Even though I enjoy the process of knitting itself – selecting the yarn, figuring out what I’m going to make with it, casting on stitches, knitting and purling, and watching the design evolve – my impatient self eventually just wants to get to the final product. Here are a few of my recently completed projects.

From top left:

I had fun selecting the various yarns in purple hues with a punch of blue to make this Easy Scallop Throw. The pattern is by Colinette although I have to admit that I did not use Colinette yarns.

I made this Garter Stitch Scarf for my husband. I liked the blue and yellow with a racy green stripe in between. I used Peruvian Mirasol Sulka – 60% Merino Wool, 20% Alpaca, 20% Silk.

I also made him this Monochromatic Scarf in garter stitch, knit lengthwise. I used RY Classic Yarns Cashsoft DK – Extra Fine Merino and Cashmere. It’s a very simple pattern but the grays and blacks give it a nice, elegant look.

From top right:

I kept seeing cowls in magazines so I decided to make one. I liked the look of this “Burberry” Style Cowl. Knit with Berroco Peruvia Quick – 100% Wool. Pattern here.

When I saw the Big Cable Scarf pattern in Men’s Knits by Erika Knight, I loved the look so much that I made it in lilac for me! I also knit a slouchy beret to match. It’s soooo soft in Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande.

I fell in love with the incredible colors of Noro yarn and used it to make this top for my four-year old niece. I used Noro Silk Garden #87 and the Tamayo pattern from Noro Family.