“I want to move out of there,” she tells the other woman. “I’m expecting again. And I’m the only one in the place who’s not using.” She explains that she keeps finding drugs and works lying around the building. It’s not a good place for her daughter. But her social worker won’t let her move out, she says.  “It’s like she’s just waiting for me to fuck up.”  

I got off the bus feeling helpless, pulled up my hood against the rain and shivered. The day suddenly felt a whole lot colder. 

Welcome to East Van.

This is a new public art piece in Vancouver, designed by Ken Lum. I cycle past on my way home from downtown. I’m new to the city, but still think it’s fabulous. My art school friend gave me a little primer on Lum and the significance of the sign. The image goes back to the days when East Vancouver was an Italian neighbourhood. It was immortalized in graffiti tags, and maybe used by a gang or two, and is now revived in the form of public art. At night it lights up.

In some ways the lack of central heating makes ecological sense. First of all, put on a sweater and some slippers. Why heat up a whole house when you’re only in one room at a time? For that there are space heaters — electric and kerosene.

image stolen from the internetz

There’s also the kotatsu. Modern kotatsu are tables with built-in electric heaters. A thick duvet covers the table and traps heat inside. A wooden slab goes on top of the stack. Tuck yourself in, flick the switch and your legs stay nice and cozy.

Another brilliant invention is the Japanese bath. These are shorter and deeper than your average North American tub. When you sit down in the tub, the water comes right up to your neck. Your own personal hot tub. Ours is on a timer so the water is hot just before bed. It does the body good, helping me wind down after a long day, easing my sore muscles and warming me up, before jumping into the futon in the unheated bedroom.

my own personal hot tub

a japanese bath is a beautiful thing.

for cheerful dish washing.

When I started knitting I swore I would never ever knit a dishcloth. I disguised the first one as a handkerchief. But there’s no excuse this time…

This is my Japanese-inspired Candy Cane dish scrubby. You can download it for free from the Knit Circus website. Yes folks, the lowly dishrag is my first for-real published pattern.

The scrubbies pictured here are knit with a tough jute/acrylic blend.

cozy wrist warmers

Click here to read on.

Materials

Yarn: 2 skeins Diarubino by Diakeito (Wool 70%, Mohair 10%, Silk 20%),  You’ll have about a half-skein leftover.
Yardage per unit 144 yards (132 meters)
Unit weight 40 grams (1.41 ounces)
Gauge approximately 21.0 – 23.0 = 4 inches
Needles: Set of 3.5mm dpns.

Skills
Entrelac
Stockinette Stitch
Picking up stitches along an edge

 A Note on Entrelac: This is my first attempt both knitting and designing using Entrelac. As per my normal hatred of seams, I figured out how to do it in the round. I read some basic instructions for Entrelac in the flat before I began and I’d recommend you do the same. Basically each little slanted square is knit one at a time. A row of squares is referred to as a Tier to distinguish it from a row of knitting.  Working in the round becomes intuitive quite quickly, and the variegated colours in the yarn make it easy to see which stitches belong to which block. I found it easiest to work with a set of three dpns.

 Instructions
Cast on 30 stitches using the long-tail cast on method (or any method that gives a stretchy edge.

 TIER ONE  “Triangles”
This tier is worked in the flat and will set the stage for the slanted squares to follow.
(Right Side): K2
 (Wrong Side): P2
(RS): K3
 (WS): P3
(RS): K4
 (WS):  P4
(RS): K5
 (WS):  P5
(RS):  K6  (end of triangle 1. NB Don’t turn yet!) K2
 (WS):  P2
(RS):  K3
 (WS):  P3
(RS):  K4
 (WS): P4
(RS):  K5
 (WS):  P5
(RS): K6  (end of triangle 2. NB Don’t turn yet!) K2
Continue in this pattern until you have 5 triangles.
Divide stitches in their natural groupings onto DPNs. Join in the round.

 TIER 2 “Purl 2 Together”
(RS): Pick up 6 stitches knitwise, evenly spaced along the right-hand edge of triangle 1.
 (WS): P5, p2tog (with the purl 2 together, you’re joining your new square to the “live stitches” from the left edge of triangle 5).
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog (now all “live stitches” of triangle 5 have been used up).  Pick up 6 stitches purlwise along the right edge of triangle 5, purling together picked-up stitch 6 with the next “live stitch” of triangle 4.

(RS): K6
 (WS): p5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog
(RS): K6
 (WS): P5, p2tog (now all “live stitches” of triangle 4 have been used up). Continue in this pattern until all the live stitches from triangle 2 have been purled together.

 TIER 3 “SSK”
(WS): pick up 6 stitches purlwise from the WS-right edge of triangle 1.
(RS): K5, ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk  (Now all the live stitches from the last block are incorporated.) Working knitwise, pick up 6 stitches along the edge of the next rectangle, SSK pick-up stitch 6 with the next live stitch.

 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk. Now, pick up 6 stitches along the edge of the next rectangle, SSK pick-up stitch 6 with the next live stitch.

 Continue the pattern in this pattern, completing 3 more rectangles.

 TIER 4 “Purl 2 Together”
TIER 5 “SSK” 

Work for 10 tiers or until the desired cuff length is reached. 10 tiers gave me just over 6 inches to the thumb joint.

TIER 11 “SSK”
 (WS): pick up 6 stitches purlwise from the WS-right edge of triangle 1.
(RS): K5, ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk. MAKE THUMB HOLE: Using the crochet cast on method, Cast on 5 stitches, knit 1 live stitch from the next square.
(WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk
 (WS): P6
(RS): K5,ssk 

Pick up 6 stitches down the next edge, ssk pickup stitch 6 with the first live stitch. continue working your squares.

Work for two more Tiers (Total: 13 Tiers). You will have ended with a “SSK” Tier.

TIER 14 TRIANGLES & BIND OFF
(RS) Pick up 6 stitches knitwise
 (WS) Purl 5, P2tog
(RS) K4, K2tog
 (WS) P4, P2tog
(RS) K3 K2tog
 (WS) P3, P2tog
(RS) K2, K2tog
 (WS) P2, P2tog
(RS) K1, K2tog
 (WS) P1, P2tog
(RS) K2tog
 (WS) P3tog, NEXT TRIANGLE: pick up 6 stitches purlwise, purling together stitch 6 with the next live stitch.
(RS) K5, K2tog
 (WS) P5, P2tog
(RS) K4, K2tog
 (WS) P4, P2tog
(RS) K3, K2tog
 (WS) P3, P2tog
(RS) K2, K2tog
 (WS) P2, P2tog
(RS) K1, K2tog
 (WS) P1, P2tog
(RS) K2tog, turn
 (WS) Pick up 6 stitches purlwise, purling together stitch 6 with the next live stitch.

 Continue working the triangle Tier until all stitches are bound off. Break yarn and pull through the final stitch. Weave in ends using a tapestry needle.

(image from The Pansy Project)

(the reward for reading to the end of my rant is a free knitting pattern!)

The Pansy Project sprouted in UK, where artist Paul Harfleet began planting pansies at sites of homophobic abuse. These are the roots, buds and blossoms of resistance. 

Whether it’s serious guerilla gardening or casual seed bombing, these gestures help us take ownership of our common spaces. They scream our dissent over society’s inequities. Or perhaps just help to make the grey urban concrete more beautiful, one square foot at a time.

“We can either shut up and hope it finishes, or we can speak up and risk the other person getting violent,” writes our new friend over at the Octopus and The Rose. ”Either way, we are left with a dynamic of victimhood. The Pansy Project offers a third option. When we respond with beauty, we are choosing to act as opposed to react. … We regain the feeling of ownership (of our lives, our experience, and our memories) that public abuse can rob us of.”

Okay, okay. What’s this got to do with knitting? Well by complete coincidence, there happens to be a free knitting pattern, for you to make your own pansies. I’m thinking a felted version would be especially lovely. An emblem of solidarity.  

Peace.

Back home it’s getting on winter. There are flurries in the forecast, my mum wrote to tell me. “A cute sounding word for something kinda cold and really unwanted just yet…”

The changing seasons were the inspiration for my latest knitting project. Knit with a cozy wool, silk, mohair blend. I’m in the process of writing up the pattern, but here’s a sneak peak.  

entre deux saisons

People here actually use them sometimes. The little ashtrays are also at the heart of an anti-littering campaign lead by Japan Tobacco, with ads appearing on public transit and ashtrays all over the country. Complete with haikus in hilarious English translation, I just had to share a few of my favourites.

Inhaled. Burned. Thrown away. If it were anything but a cigarette it would surely be crying. (Seen on Mt. Fuji).

cross-posted to SpacingMontreal

I’m not one of those early risers you often meet at backpacker’s hostels. You know the kind. Keeners. Alarm set for daybreak. Chipper because they turned in early the night before. Their efficient yet loud movements through the dorm elicit grumps and groans from those less-enthusiastic. The keeners pour over detailed itineraries while drinking coffee from high-tech mugs. They stride out the door while I stumble zombie-like into the shared kitchen, fumble with the kettle, and pick sleep out of my eyes. I’m not denying my own keener status, it just takes me a while to get going in the mornings. That’s why, on my first morning at the hostel in Kawaguchiko, I was surprised to be the first one up in the dorm.

Conveniently located near the base of Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko is a good base-camp to tackle Mr. Fuji himself, or the many day trips in the Fuji Five Lakes area. I contemplated the empty lounge as I ate my toast. In some ways it made sense. It was almost October. The tourist season is over. Mt. Fuji is technically closed. We’re the stragglers; the ones who put it off.. slept in.. missed the bus.. missed the season..

For my first day, I had a long but easy hike planned up Mount Mitsu-Toge. Figured I’d work up to Fuji, and hopefully find some hiking buddies in the meantime. But, about to head out, I met some guys from New York who were going for it. 

You’re welcome to come, one said. The first bus up leaves in 20 minutes.
Sure. Let me grab another water bottle.

When I came back, the first guy looked at my daypack and runners doubtfully. I’ll be fine, I told him. He finished lacing his hikers and swung his own expedition-sized pack onto his back. Only then did we get around to introductions.

Piotr and Adam arrived late the night before, straight off their flight from New York. They were jetlagged, running on adrenaline. We stopped at the seven-eleven so they could grab a konbini breakfast of champions to eat on the hour-long ride to the 5th station. I grabbed some onigiri for the road. We caught the bus from Kawaguchiko station. The summit was shrouded in cloud, but the ride up was clear and bright. The trees started showing their fall colours as we climbed in elevation.

We arrived at the 5th station just in time for the rain.

chestnut reveals it's hidden treasure

For several weeks now a big tree near the house has been throwing spiny pods as me whenever I pass. They litter the path and sting my toes through my sandals on early morning garbage detail. Except annoying, I didn’t know what they were. I grew up near the ocean, so to me they looked like a sort of land-urchin. This week the green pods started turning brown and splitting open to reveal the treasures contained within: chestnuts.

There’s nothing like fall to bring out one’s hunter-gatherer instincts (well, the gathering, anyway). Gathering fruit brings out a feeling not unlike a child’s excitement on Easter morning, as she sets out to hunt for chocolate. I quickly filled up a bag with chestnuts, brought them inside and realized I had absolutely no idea what to do with them — other than roasting them on an open fire, of course.

Mine is a lost-generation. Making jam, preserves, bread… Theses are skills practiced by grandparents and even many of our parents, but not passed on. We grew increasingly disconnected from where food really comes from. I was fortunate to grow up in a place that still relied on the land. Newfoundland has the fishery (or what’s left of it), many people hunt, and in the fall the bushes are heavy with berries. Fall was definitely not complete without berry picking – blueberries, chuckley pears, raspberries, crab apples.. My mum made jam, pies and muffins. But other than eating the final product, I didn’t take much interest until recently. Fortunately knowledge has not been completely lost, archived only a few mouse clicks, an email or a long-distance call away.

I’m certainly not the only one taking more of an interest in lost skills. I recently read an article about a rise in urban foraging. I’ve always been a bit of a scavenger. A good back alley and dumpster are hard to pass by unexplored. In the face of hard times more urbanites are looking beyond their grocery stores to find food and reconnect with the land. People are even organizing clubs and Community Supported Agriculture-type models to harvest and distribute the wild bounty. Beyond dumpster diving or balcony gardening, people are heading into local greenspaces looking for berries, greens and other natural edibles. In New York there are even guided tours to reintroduce people to edible species available in their native surroundings.

The fear of runs on the bank may have died down, only to be replaced by runs on the greenery. The article tells of undercover cops following the New York group, and a preventive harvest in San Francisco’s Presidio neighbourhood. A website called Urban Edibles (that catalogues food available in Portland, Oregon) suggests acting neighbourly can avoid conflicts — asking permission before harvesting your neighbour’s apple tree is probably a good start, as is being considerate and taking only what you will use.

Which brings me back to the taks at hand: what to do with all these chestnuts. I did a shout-out to my friends for suggestions and I got back some great suggestions. What a versitile little nut!
• Kale, chestnut and bacon soup
• A vegetarian chestnut mushroom raviolli
• Ground up and put into chocolate cake. (this one is making my mouth water)
• Sauteed with greens
• With rice – My roommate suggested soaking the meat overnight, chopping it up and steaming it in the rice cooker (I tried this today and it was teriffic).

my little harvest

The insects in Japan are large, but most of them aren’t so dangerous. One quickly learns to co-exist. For months the incessent meee-mee-meeee of the cicadas rang in my ears. Someone told me that they make more noise after they mate, which seems counter-intuitive to the usual cycles of nature. The cicada’s season is ending, but their ghosts remain; hard exoskeletons, and wing fragments litter the garden like fallen leaves.

The larger spider presumably ate the cicada. He spun his web outside my bedroom window several weeks ago. The elaborate lacework is almost invisible in the flat daylight, except for the corpses of insects, wound tight with silk.