Keyword: Origami

Hello and welcome to Saturday Coffee! At this point, it's not Sophia who welcomes you as usual, but Judith, her Saturday Coffee parental leave replacement. From now on, we both get less sleep: Sophia because of the soon to be born baby and me because the little control freak in me is too excited to sleep through the live run of this text. My early morning actionism is pretty much interpreted by our dwarf dachshund Frida and house cat Mr. Holmes as a signal that it's time for breakfast. So does every move I make. Always.

If you feel the same way, then quickly feed the zoo at home (otherwise you get no peace). Then make yourself comfortable with a cup of coffee and a cookie: We're going on a little world tour in terms of wool inspiration!

A little peace...

I'm anything but a Schlager fan, but Nicole's ESC classic often makes me think wistfully about the current world situation. If certain gentlemen - instead of letting their hands hover over red nuclear buttons - would just knit, the world would be a better place (... naive idea, I know). Or they could fold origami cranes. That's what they do in Japan. The custom is called senbazuru and the tradition says: Whoever folds 1000 cranes has one wish free. After the nuclear strikes against Hiroshima, the paper cranes became a symbol of the Japanese peace movement.

Board shawl in origami techniquePhoto
: © Rastus Hsu

Taiwanese knitwear designer Rastus Hsu shows that origami doesn't just work with paper. As a young boy, his grandmother's wool store was his favorite playground, and so his path to a passion for yarn was mapped out. His scarf Boards brings the look of origami to knitting: with a clever combination of right and purl stitches crossed at certain points, the result is a tidy yet rather exciting structure. Accordingly, yarns that create a very clear stitch definition and show off the pattern to its best advantage are particularly suitable here.

In question would be therefore in any case Merino Twist from COWGIRL BLUES. Perhaps - in keeping with the Asian theme - in the color Celadon, a soft blue-turquoise shade that, by the way, derives its name from a centuries-old, originally Chinese dyeing technique for ceramics. (Heads up: I love supposedly pointless detail and side notes.) If you're looking for a less expensive yarn alternative, you might want to go with Premium Silk or Premium Cashmereboth crown yarns from SCHACHENMEYER. The pattern are currently only available in English, but once you understand the pattern, the thread runs by itself. There is also the Maschenfein translation table with the most important terms.

TIMELESS ELEGANCE FROM JAPAN

Straight from the homeland of peace cranes comes our next model inspiration. The designer Ririko (on Instagram as Handknitlife ) has created with Iris a shirt that has what it takes to become a real classic. Casual yet feminine cut, unpretentious geometric drape and a gentle fade to an A-line. I've unfortunately never been to Japan myself, but the simplicity and precision of this design reminds me of the construction and interior design style of Japanese homes.

Ririko uses a fine stitch yarn, for which we have created the appropriate kit: With Sparrow from QUINCE & CO. - many colors are on their way to us and will be available again soon - you have 100% organic linen on your needles. Perfect for real summer weather. It will probably take quite a while until then, but that will leave enough knitting time to get the shirt finished. And another good news: The pattern are not only available in English, but also in German.

Shirt Iris
Iris
Photo: © handknitlife

No to slush, yes to color!

Marisa is wearing the short-sleeved shirt "Big in Japan" by Katrin Schneider. She is leaning against a wall.
Big in Japan
Photo: © Ines Grabner / Maschenfein

We'll stay in the Far East for a moment - at least as far as the name is concerned. Big in Japan is called a T-shirt model by Kathrin Schneider. For the frostbite sufferers among us, there is also a sweater variant. What looks like a simple striped texture pattern is cleverly constructed: Starting with the back, which is first worked to below the armholes, the shoulder sections are shaped with short rows, and only then does it continue to the neckline.

In the store you will find knitting kits for both the sweater and the shirt with yarn combinations from - how could it be otherwise - ITO YARNS, who bring the finest yarns from Japan to us. In the sweater kit you will get the necessary amounts of Kinu and cozy Sensai. For the shirt Kinu (100% silk and therefore pleasantly cool on hot days) is combined with Washi half of which is made of paper fibers, which brings us back to origami. (As if I had planned it ...)

Off to the south, chasing the sun...

Traveling was hardly possible for anyone in the last two years. All the more reason to indulge in wanderlust, at least in thought. So let's jump from Asia to Bella Italia. I had the great fortune to study for a year in the enchanting city of Verona. Since then, my love for the country and its people (and food and wine and music... yikes) has never left me. Since Italy with its fashion capital Milan is one of the hotspots for designers worldwide, I'm always on the lookout for exciting knitting projects with an Italian background.

On my Ravelry forays, I therefore regularly stop by Stella Egidi aka Moody Knitter. The doctor lives in Rome, but has been all over the world with various international aid organizations. Her sweater Modern Art impresses with a simple, graphic pattern with great effect:

The round yoke - in contrast to the stockinette stitch rest - consists of geometric shapes that create a kind of 3D effect. The whole thing is reminiscent of diamonds in terms of structure, but works - unlike the complex look suggests - with a fairly simple combination of increases and decreases. Another detail that particularly appeals to me: By means of short rows, the sweater is worked slightly on the waist. A refreshing change from the many boxy cuts that are currently in vogue, and in keeping with the Italian rule that every day is suitable for making bella figura.

Modern Art Sweater
Modern Art Sweater
Photo: © F+W Media Inc, by Harper Point Photography

You have several options when it comes to yarn choice: If you don't give up hope for spring despite last week's weather (and rightly so!), you should be very happy with the soft and slightly shiny cotton-modal combination of Cosma from the house of LAMANA. Who prefers to go in the direction of merino, can reach for the classic Como reach for. Even clearer in terms of structure and feel would be Cotton Cashmere from Rowan.

How about a side trip to Appalachia?

We continue our woolly round-the-world trip with a jump across the pond: Virginia is home to Laura Aylor, who showcases her designs on Ravelry and Instagram as Fogbound Knits. Rainsong Is a sleeveless top in a classic tank top style. The A-line and smooth-right surface is only interrupted by a delicate textured pattern in the chest area. It may not look very exciting at first glance, but anyone who has ever stood in front of their closet convinced they have nothing - but nothing at all - to wear knows: good basics are everything. When Sandra saw the design, she immediately fell into a stitch-sample mood, and that's why I can tell you firsthand, so to speak: Cotton Wool by ROWAN fits exactly.

Rainsong Top
Rainsong Top
Photo: © Laura Aylor

Hej til Danmark!

I'm certainly open to new things, but a Saturday coffee without a trip to the Scandinavian neighbors? That would be too much change, in my opinion. After all, we desperately need a bit of stability these days:

Topstykke
Topstykke
Photo: © Bente Geil

Bente Geil lives in Silkeborg, near Aarhus. Her model Topstykke is called in the German translation - yes, good news, there is a German version of the pattern here too - Oberstück. That sounds a bit bulky, yet the result is the smooth opposite of that. The tunic is delightfully flowy and most importantly, it's a tunic! An incredibly practical and comfortable garment that looks great with leggings as well as long or short pants. The yarn would be Puno Winikunka from PASCUALI would be a good choice. If you like it muted, you'll find beautiful natural tones there with Walnut or Scots Pine. But with such a summery top, you can of course also really let it rip with shades like saffron or sky.

When in Rome...

... and because we are on the subject of tunics: It's the perfect garment for the transitional season. Thrown casually over a T-shirt, when it gets cold in the evening after a warm spring day, it works just as well as a layer in the layered look - if necessary with thermal underwear underneath.

Fashion-wise, the tunic belongs to the category of oldies, but goldies. As a long shirt dress, it was the garment par excellence in ancient Rome and was worn by both men and women. Whether under the gladiatorial armor or the senatorial toga - the tunic was the basis of every outfit.

We have several kits ready for you in the store, if you want to follow the Romans' example: the Magnolia Bloom Tunic from Snefnug was a real hit in the Maschenfein community this winter. If you haven't gotten around to it yet - which includes me - you can put it on your late summer list. The Kingston Tunic by Andrea Mowry, on the other hand, is a real year-round hit. The timeless design is knitted with Bergamo from LAMANA. And for all those who want to swing the crochet hook again: The Crochet tunic is an in-house design by LAMANA for her Como.

Seek and you shall find - sometimes.

So I don't know about you, but it's amazing how you change in life: When I was a kid, hunting for Easter nests was a real highlight. Today, when I have no idea where my scissors are, it doesn 't trigger any feelings of happiness in me. Especially not when I'm comfortably knitting on the sofa under my snoring dachshund. Getting up is then simply not possible, because of waking sleeping dogs and so.

Since I treated myself to the Tool Kit from PetiteKnit, the probability that the striped bag and thus also the stork scissors are within reach, has become much greater. Another trick in terms of findability: With the scissors case from MUUD, the part also does not slip so easily in the wool basket between the balls.

By the way, both are super ideas for filling a last-minute Easter basket. If only a small space should be free between colored eggs and chocolate: A set of stitch markers is never wrong. Please tell me they don't just disappear on me....

Unfortunately, it won't make it into the Easter nest...

Laine shirt Florencia
Shirt Florencia
Photo: © Instagram.com/Laine Magazine

Actually, I always find it mean to suggest things and in the best case to arouse enthusiasm for something, only to say: Well, you'll just have to wait. So it is unfortunately in this case - but I did not want to withhold the anticipation from you: The new Laine magazine is coming out in May! And what do my tired cell phone scrolling eyes see there? The Finns will soon be getting graphic as well.

On Instagram, Laine fans could already spy a few designs. With the shirt Florencia I dream myself - already thanks to the name - immediately on a piazza in Tuscany. So when Signora Egidi's Modern Art Sweater is ready, a look at the new Laine issue couldn't hurt. We'll tell you all about the designs and our yarn ideas when the magazine comes out.

If you're as impatient as I am, you can pre-order the magazine in the meantime. You can also take this opportunity to click through the past issues. If you haven't done so yet, you can also listen to episode 14 of the Maschenfein podcast. Here Marisa talks to Sini Kramer, one of the founders of Laine-Verlag.

Net whisper and maschenfein knitting round

When I write, I usually take too few breaks. When I'm in the flow, I'd better not interrupt, I always tell myself. So a search on Instagram for webtalk is just what I need for skilful procastination:

In between her shifts as a resident, Larissa admirably still gets to knit (My significant other does the job too, so I know what the hospital staff has had to endure just in the last two years. Respect!). She's apparently just as excited about the new textured pattern trend from Scandinavia's knitwear design rooms as we are, and is currently working on the Sweater No. 18 Of My Favourite Things Knitwear. A round of Nordic relaxation and meditation is something Anja could also use. She calls the yoke of the Magnolia Bloom Sweater by Camilla Vad her "knitting mandala".

Ingrid Sweater Beige
Sweater No. 18
Photo: © Instagram.com/Lasristrickt
Magnolia Bloom yoke
Magnolia Bloom Sweater
Photo: © Instagram.com/Anjas_Kostbarkeiten

SALMA - A HIT EVEN WITHOUT MYSTERY

Even though it's not a mystery knit-along this year, the enthusiasm in terms of Mother's Day shawl is huge among you. Many have Scarf Salma posted. Lina, who knitted one of our samplers, is in a good mood because of her choice of colors: Spring starts in the head. Melpomene was luckier with the weather. The first four triangles can take a little sunbath with the daisies in the meadow.

Cloth Salma nerve food
Scarf Salma
Photo: © Instagram.com/woman.duck
Cloth Salma in the meadow
Photo: © Instagram.com/Melpomene_13_

With these spring feelings I send you into a maybe sunny weekend. I hope you had fun on our trip around the knitter's ball. Have fun coloring eggs, casting on and casting off or with your first origami cranes.