Putting Needles to Rest in Tofu!

Today, I took part in the Hari-kuyo ceremony in Asakusa. This is a 400-year-old rite to honour your broken needles and the hard work they have done in the past year. The Shinto belief that objects have souls is merged with the Buddhist spirit of showing gratitude to things that have served you well.

In front of Awashimado Hall, on the grounds of the famous Asakusa Kannon Temple in Tokyo, slabs of firm tofu had been set up. Kimono makers, as well as seamstresses and quilters, stuck their broken needles into these cakes of tofu and offered a prayer of thanks.

This ceremony is held in Tokyo on the 8th of February every year. I have until now been unable to attend but it has been on my bucket list to at least once take part. This year I was fortunate to find the time.

I saw many women clad in kimono.

If you found this interesting, please read this Wikipedia article and my friend Cynthia's report on her visit in 2021.

Friday Homework for Lesson 313: Darning Stitch

 This stitch is easy, especially on Aida or a counted weave,  and quick.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Mottled Wool Scribble Cloth

WIPW - One Bookmark Finished

Work In Progress Wednesday. 

Hexablooms

These are the ten hexagon flowers I made in the last 7 days. The total is now 260.

Bookmarks

I have completed the stitching of the bookmark, but will only show you the reverse. Once the gift has been handed over I will show the front.

I am stitching on a long and narrow length of canvas and have divided the 'ribbon' into six sections, meaning I will make six bookmarks. 

To be able to place and stretch the stitching area in a hoop, I needed to add support fabric on both sides. As the stitching on the first bookmark is completed, I will move the support fabric further down the 'ribbon' and start on the second bookmark.

There will hopefully be more progress to show you next week.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 313: Darning Stitch

Darning Stitch is another basic stitch I have not introduced yet. It IS a form of Running Stitch, which is one of the simplest and most common stitches there is. However,  the latter is usually even in length, whereas the Darning Stitch is longer on the surface and shorter on the reverse. It is often used as a filling stitch, and each row is staggered, like the pattern on a brick wall.

I found a clear and easy-to-follow tutorial in RSN's Stitch Bank.

Here are my photo instructions.

The traditional Running Stitch

Here is the Darning Stitch.

Compare them.

Here is the Darning Stitch in staggered form.

As you can see, these stitches are easy and should have been included much earlier, but it is never too late, eh?

Homework:

Fill in here.