Let’s knit toys
Some shots of color encounters in Tokyo. Greens and yellows appear to be big.
Rather lovely construction barriers in Daikanyama
Bento boxes at Loft
The 2nd floor women’s bathroom at Kiddy Land in Harajuku
Little tofus from a mini-crane game in Akihabara
Pretty socks from Kiddy Land in Harajuku
We’re in Japan now. Yesterday was spent hunting down aquarium stores, visiting Junie Moon and debating if I’ll finally get a Blythe doll (conclusion: maybe) and shopping in Shibuya. While in Shibuya (the epicenter of youth and shopping and creepy nationalist demonstrations), we had to check out a couple of game centers. One of which inexplicably smelled like poop, but overall they get a B+.
To recap my obsession with crane games in Japan, I love them because their toys are actually really good, their toys reflect the current popular characters, and depending on the game center, the employees may open up the game and move the toys around so that they’re easier to win.
We were happy to see that Rirakkuma is still a favorite offering in these games of luck and skill.
These little Rirakkumas are each bearing chicks that have different birthdays printed on their stomachs.
And yesterday we were introduced to Kapibara-san, the new guinea pig character from Try Works, which is like San-x, except with a guinea pig character.
We were especially impressed by the animation on this slick TV monitor in a seemingly completely unsupervised and un-security-guarded center:
We tried our darndest (about 1,000 yen worth) to grab one of these little guys, but in the end, we had to give up and purchase the very same toy at the Loft department store for 800 yen.
Crane game: 1
Us: 0
Tomorrow my husband and I are leaving for our much-awaited Christmas present (from him to us): two weeks in Japan! We’ll spend a few days in bustling Tokyo (shopping, shopping, shopping), a few in Okinawa, (beaches and snorkeling and kayaking), and a few around Nagoya (friends and hopefully a little rural side trip).
My internet access will be a little spotty, but I hope to update the blog with yummy Japan things as often as possible.
To kick off an exciting two weeks, here are a few randomly selected favorites from past rising-sun-land experiences:
Manga: Avant-garde publication Garo from the 1960s - discovered in the Shibuya Mandarake.
Movie: Densha Otoko (”Train Man”) - a silly otaku-themed romantic hit that I saw at the reserved-seating Roppongi Hills movie theater.
Music: Glay concert my friend took me to in Nagoya in 2005 - crazy coordinated participatory arm gestures for 3 hours straight!
Craft: An old knitting magazine I picked up at a flea market - check out those charming choppers.
And for those who care to experience my last year-long stay in Japan in its shameless entirety: my old blog.
It’s an extraordinary day in Mochimochi Land when not one, but TWO new patterns are added to the shop!
Announcing…
Hrumph
A grumpy little monster, he may resent you for knitting him, but that’s his problem!
And everyone’s favorite treat…
Sausage Dogs
These pups are linked together sausage-style. All the better to sniff one another’s butts!
This is a free and easy pattern for you to make and share. Please check out the Mochimochi Land Shop for more patterns that you’ll love!
Happy Spring! These little guys are popping up everywhere. Make one or more to celebrate the season.
Finished size (after felting and stuffing): approx. 5″ tall
You’ll Need:
Felt-able wool yarn, such as Elann.com Peruvian Highland Wool (different-sized yarn will also work, with needle size adjustment)
Size 6 US (4.0 mm) straight needles
Tapestry needle
Embroidery thread and needle or beads for eyes
Polyfil for stuffing
Gauge: Doesn’t really matter, but your stitches shouldn’t be too tight or loose
Abbreviations
k = knit
st = stitch(es)
kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
k3tog = knit 3 stitches together
ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert left needle back into both slipped stitches and knit together
Pattern starts here!
Cast on 32 st
Row 1: knit
Row 2 and all even rows: purl
Row 3: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 st, ssk, k1 (30 st)
Row 5: knit
Row 7: same as row 3 (28 st)
Row 9: knit
Row 11: same as row 3 (26 st)
Row 13: knit
Row 15: k1, k2tog, k to end (25 st)
Row 17: knit
Row 19: same as row 15 (24 st)
Row 21: knit
Row 23: k1, kfb, k to last 3 st, ssk, k1
Row 25: k1, kfb, k8, k2tog, turn and work these 12 stitches separately, leaving remaining 12 stitches on the needle
Row 27: k1, kfb, k8, k2tog
Rows 29 and 31: same as row 27
Row 33: k1, kfb, k to last 4st, [k2tog] twice (11 st)
Row 35: same as row 33 (10 st)
Row 37: k1, [kfb] twice, k to last 5 st, k2tog, k3tog (9 st)
Rows 39 and 41: same as row 37 (7 st)
Row 43: [k2 tog] twice, k3tog (3 st)
End with a purl row, break yarn and pull through 3 st
Reattach yarn to 12 stitches on needle
Rows 45 and 47: knit
Row 49: k2tog, k8, kfb, k1
Row 51: knit
Row 53: same as row 49
Row 55: knit
Row 57: [k2tog] twice, k to last 2 st, kfb, k1 (11)
Rows 59, 61, 63, and 65: same as row 57 (7 st)
Row 67: k3tog, [k2tog] twice
End with a purl row, break yarn and pull through 3 st
Reverse side (everything is reversed from first side)
Cast on 32 st
Row 1: knit
Row 2 and all even rows: purl
Row 3: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 st, ssk, k1 (30 st)
Row 5: knit
Row 7: same as row 3 (28 st)
Row 9: knit
Row 11: same as row 3 (26 st)
Row 13: knit
Row 15: k to last 3 st, ssk, k1 (25 st)
Row 17: knit
Row 19: same as row 15 (24 st)
Row 21: knit
Row 23: k1, k2tog, k to last 2 st, kfb, k1
Row 25: k12, turn and work these stitches separately, leaving remaining 12 stitches on the needle
Rows 27: knit
Row 29: k1, kfb, k8, k2tog
Row 31: knit
Row 33: same as row 29
Row 35: knit
Row 37: k1, kfb, k to last 4 st, [k2tog] twice (11 st)
Rows 39, 41, 43, and 45: same as row 37 (7 st)
Row 47: [k2tog] twice, k3tog
End with a purl row, break yarn and pull through 3 st
Reattach yarn to the 12 stitches on needle
Row 49: k2tog, k8, kfb, k1
Rows 51 and 53: same as row 49
Row 55: [k2tog] twice, k to last 2 st, kfb, k1 (11 st)
Row 57: same as row 55 (10 st)
Row 59: k3tog, k2tog, k to last 3 st, [kfb] twice, k1 (9 st)
Rows 61 and 63: same as row 59 (7 st)
Row 65: k3tog, [k2tog] twice (3 st)
End with a purl row, break yarn and pull through 3 st
Making up
Weave in loose ends. Felt pieces by running them through a washer and dryer. (Felting pieces in a pillowcase or lingerie bag is recommended, as is checking on the degree of felting midway through dryer cycle.)
After felting, embroider on each eye by “drawing” a circle in backstitch and filling it in with satin stitch. (Beads can also be used for eyes, though not suitable for small children.)
With wrong sides facing each other, sew the two halves of body together with mattress stitch, stuffing with polyfil as you go.
For bendable blades of grass, you can insert a piece of wire bent into a V shape before closing up. (Pictured grass does not contain wire; depending on the stiffness of your yarn, it may hold a bent shape on its own.)
Can you spot the little Grass in his natural habitat?
Update 10/22/07: Jennifer at Kounting Sheep has just converted my pattern for Grass into crochet!! Her version is called Winter Grass, and the whole pattern is up on her blog for everyone to try.
I’m currently looking for a couple of people to test knit a baby elephant named Pepto.
If you’re interested in testing the pattern, and if you think you could test it within the next two weeks (knitting the pattern should only take about two days), please send an email to info [at] mochimochiland [dot] com.
Update: Thank you to those who volunteered to test Pepto! For others who are interested in test knitting Mochimochi Land patterns, please keep checking the blog for future opportunities.
This looks like trouble….
Don’t be alarmed! Mischievous Mouse is just playing with his friend Sleepy Snake.
You do have permission to be alarmed, however, by the terrible toupees both are wearing.
I’m happy to say that my snake and mouse set is almost finished!
The mouse is done, so I thought I’d show a little sneak preview:
I think the toupee in particular turned out nicely. In fact, it closely resembles the hair of someone else in this household….
The snake is felted but still needs to be made up. Here’s hoping he also turns out well.
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