November 02, 2023PRODUCT

A story about rainbows made from thread / 23FW PRODUCT

The temperature is dropping and it feels like autumn is coming. I like ripe persimmons.
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In this blog, I will talk a little about making clothes from yarn, which was my first experience.
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In Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, I met a Kasuri dyeing craftsman, visited a dyeing factory with over 50 years of history, and learned the joy of making clothes from yarn.
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Kasuri-zome is a dyeing method that dyes one thread in many colors. By mixing colors, it is possible to create unique threads by selecting an innumerable number of color types and dyeing pitches.
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Shotahiyama's Fall/Winter 23 collection is inspired by the changing beauty of the sky.
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The knit we are introducing this time represents a rainbow. In my daily life, I suddenly see a rainbow and it lifts my mood. I started making this product because I wanted to embody the elation I felt when I saw a rainbow through my clothes.
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One of the characteristics of Kasuri-zome is that a single thread can be dyed in many colors, so we worked with craftsmen over several months to create threads in a rainbow of colors.
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When it comes to making clothes, when we think about the appeal of the clothes, we crochet each piece by hand based on the idea that there are things that can only be created by putting in the effort.
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There are many things that we paid particular attention to, but the one we paid special attention to was the method of twisting the yarn. The question is how to twist the dyed rainbow thread together. For the first time, I learned that by trying various twisting methods, the finished product can vary greatly.
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By twisting the threads, we created threads with a thickness that cannot be knitted by machines, and by using threads that can be knitted by hand, we took advantage of the natural texture and softness of the threads. When I put on the prototype knit that I had actually knitted, I got goosebumps. If this is it.
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At the same time, I learned that commercializing hand-knitted products is not easy. Considering the difficulty of finding skilled craftsmen and the time it takes to make one piece, the number of pieces produced each month is extremely small.
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However, when I read the letter I received from the hand-knitting artisans, I felt strongly that I would like to continue working with the artisans so that those who are interested can feel the charm of hand-knitting as I did. Ta.
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The thread used this time is mohair, which is the hair of Angora goats. By choosing adult mohair, you can feel the length, luster, and smoothness that are characteristic of mohair, while still having the right amount of softness that is unique to adults. (Kid and young mohair are even softer.)
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Why adult mohair? My favorite was adult mohair. I like the way the bristles of the mohair knits lined up at thrift stores become a little bunched up over time, and are soft but a little stiff, so I decided on adult mohair while choosing yarns that would give that kind of feel. I'm looking forward to seeing how it changes over time.
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The hand-knitted series of sweaters, arm warmers, and hats are all available in one size.
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That's all about rainbows.
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Made in Japan
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