Dyed in Mocha Frappucchino

 I thought it would definitely turn black. But the result was the color of the cold drink.. 

 I don't think this article is interesting because the seeds of this tree is endemic to Japan. However, I will keep it as a record, and if you happen to be walking in a forest in Japan and find the seed someday, I would like you to remember it. 

Yashabushi ヤシャブシ

100g seeds were gathered for 100g of wool yarn. After mordanting the wool, I boiled the seeds for 15 to 30 minutes to make a brown liquid, then boiled the wool again for about 15 minutes. 

Too bad it is spotty. 

I used mordant of iron this time. Old iron nails are heated red and soaked in rice vinegar and water for 3 days until they turn green. 

The tree " Yashabushi" is so nondescript. 

The height is approximately 10 meters, and the seeds falling on the ground. 

It was around October

I might probably knit gloves with it :)

This month's photos and reports

 

 I love "shortbread. Even though I made them using a BBC recipe, they were clunky. The secret seems to lie in the difference in flour used( in England and Japan)

Homemade strawberry tart

 I found an old old knitting basket. It's useful for big project like a sweater. 

My happy dog 

Inside cat

Outside cat 

　He is now my mistress↑. We have feelings love for each other. But I am careful to not get found out my inside cat..

Mixed color simple dress

 I had a lot of yarn left over from knitted socks. Then I knitted a dress with them, instead of knitting socks over and over again, I used 700g of scraps yarn. And now the basket full of scraps is clean out. 

I see everything tired my socks, rather than a new dress ....

One thing is for sure, that dress is so warm I don't want to take it off :)

I used Paton's pattern from 70's as a reference at first, but it was mostly useless, I did the calculations myself.  I started to knit the hem of skirt, but it's better to start knit from top to down. The skirt is slightly A-line . 

 

2024 Feb

 

Runaway cat

 Around October last year, a cat started sleeping on top of the chicken coop. I worried (not about the chicken) about why the cat wasn't going home, I thought someone would be worried.

 I've seen the cat taking a nap with other cats in an old nearby apartment several times.

　Look at him closely, he has a mark on his ear, so he has been neutered from volunteer group of cat.  The cat was afraid of humans and didn't want to be touched.

Anyways I started calling him "Hako" and feeding him. 

 I made best possible but poor room for him. it's got cardboard and Styrofoam, My wool sweater and socks and cat heater inside. 

I don't know why, but Hako has started sleep inside the box every day and never returns to the apartment.

This month, he allowed me to touch him. and I thought I heard he said "thank you with tearful eyes. Also he remembered his name "Hako means box.

However It's best for Hako to return apartment. It's below freezing in the morning here and all the water freezes. 

Oh, My husband and I built this humble chicken coop. It's winter specification, to keep out wind and prevent weasels from stealing chickens. ( Firewood dried underneath, and goat's butt) 

 My chicken, Ms. Orchid is doing well. She fell from birdhouse of 30cm (12 inch) height and she hurt a little her leg. My husband laughed, He said " I thought a chicken was a bird !!" but I got worried and  thought to call the doctor. but she recovered within few days...!

 By the way, If Hako continues to live here, we will make him a warmer cat house with wood. ( He doesn't want to come into my house because we have a dog. )

P.S

We made a wooden room for him :) The electrical code is for the cat heater.