Wabi-Sabi Noro Yarn
Noro is unapologetically Wabi-Sabi with its generally rustic look and feel. It’s impossible to create Noro colors in a plied yarn, so Noro is almost always a single ply yarn. The result is irregularity of the yarn - an unpredictable thick and thin
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Embracing Sustainability: Why Noro Yarns are the Perfect Earth Month Addition
April is Earth month, but it’s also Noro month. While many spring and summer yarns arrive in early March, Noro is a predictable April arrival - I often wonder if it’s meant to coincide with the cherry trees. I doubt it’s that carefully coordinated, but I await them both with eager anticipation.
It’s fitting, really, that Noro arrives in Earth month, as Noro is one of the most environmentally conscious yarn producers there is. Mr. Eisaku Noro, who
Why is Noro important now?
Okay, let me start by saying that I am not an expert in Japanese art or even a student of Japanese culture and aesthetic. I am, however, a big fan and an obsessive collector of Japanese textiles in the form of yarn. I’ve carried Noro in the shop for 15+ years and have knit literally dozens of garments with Noro. When I look at my handknit collection, it is Noro garments and accessories that have stood the test of time. Noro sweaters remain in my closet, year after year. What is it about Noro that makes it so fascinating? I have thought about it and written about it many times on the blog, each time uncovering some new aspect that deepens my love and respect for the yarn, the company, and
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All about the color
This month is all about Color. Between Socktoberfest with all the beautiful hand-dyed yarns and our annual Noro event, I am in color heaven. Color is a powerful force. It is what first attracts us, evoking an involuntary emotional response. We see the color and there is a sudden slight intake of breath. Our pulse quickens. Our eyes dilate, and our blood pressure rises a bit. It's like love - or lust anyway. The first words out of our mouth are "I love this color--what can I make with more
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Noro - perfectly imperfect
In case you haven't seen the posts on Facebook and Instagram, it's Noro time. If you're a Noro addict, as I am, you'll want to sign up for the Noro Party we're doing October First Friday. We'll have Gilda Ongkeko more
Inspired by Nature
Life is full of beautiful moments, from the exciting new experiences to special times spent with loved ones. But what makes those times special? Certainly, the emotions involved are a big chunk of it, but I believe it's more than that. I think it's the rarity of an experience that makes it special. The thrill stands out against the everydayness of our lives. It is when we don't see someone we love for a long time that the time spent together is all the sweeter. It's the contrast of the ordinary
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Out of your control
Sometimes life throws us a curve ball. We're ready to hit a fast ball, and hit it hard, so when that curve ball comes and smacks us in the face, we go down hard. You probably remember the curve ball that hit my son, Johnny four years or so ago when a traumatic elbow injury and surgery derailed his plans for a career as a Marine Corps officer. It was devastating for him. Looking over the smoking ruins of his plans he had to plot a new course to keep him on track to graduation and a successful future. He had some missteps and false starts, but
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