E.M. Otani's Avatar

E.M. Otani

@permanentstranger.bsky.social

Writer, maker, woman-about-town. West coaster in NYC. I look Japanese, and my name sounds Japanese, but turns out I'm American. I watch lots of sports. I knit. I bake. I like stories. I tell stories.

37 Followers  |  103 Following  |  38 Posts  |  Joined: 21.01.2025  |  2.4891

Latest posts by permanentstranger.bsky.social on Bluesky

Tammi was taken from us way too soon. What a voice. She and Marvin and Ashford and Simpson. Absolute dream team creating the most uplifting tunes ever recorded. Thank you for the reminder!

26.08.2025 14:56 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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21.04.2025 02:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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April in the city has been cold and drab, but we’ve had a couple of sunny days recently and the flower boxes in my neighborhood are in full bloom!

21.04.2025 02:50 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Vibrant red, blue and white patterned ikat kimono fabric.

Vibrant red, blue and white patterned ikat kimono fabric.

Berries and leaves abstract ikat kimono fabric in darker hues accented with green and red.

Berries and leaves abstract ikat kimono fabric in darker hues accented with green and red.

Two of my favorite kimono fabrics from my mom’s collection. Both are lightweight wool ikat, or β€œkasuri” as it’s known in Japanese. #kimono #japan #fabric #textile #art #sewing #weaving

08.04.2025 20:57 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Kimono detail- pink, green, white poppies against turquoise on silk.

Kimono detail- pink, green, white poppies against turquoise on silk.

Close up of pink poppy on silk.

Close up of pink poppy on silk.

Kimono detail- blue, pink and gold flowers on silk.

Kimono detail- blue, pink and gold flowers on silk.

Kimono detail - stenciled floral and fan motif on silk in pale orange and green.

Kimono detail - stenciled floral and fan motif on silk in pale orange and green.

More of my mother’s kimono. Tradition dictates a fidelity to the seasons, so here are some pretty springtime motifs. πŸͺ‘ #sewing #japan #textile #fabric #kimono #spring

07.04.2025 21:38 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Spare ikat design of red and white on black.

Spare ikat design of red and white on black.

This is considered an β€œeveryday” kimono. You know, nothing fancy. But I find this pattern striking

07.04.2025 20:57 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Embroidered floral obi in vibrant colors, stitched on vibrant crimson satin.

Embroidered floral obi in vibrant colors, stitched on vibrant crimson satin.

Maple leaves and fruit motif embroidered on vermillion satin.

Maple leaves and fruit motif embroidered on vermillion satin.

Good design is always timeless, though some of these almost look quite modern. Look at these obi.

07.04.2025 20:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Detail of a blue and white floral patterned cotton yukata and red/blue embroidered obi.

Detail of a blue and white floral patterned cotton yukata and red/blue embroidered obi.

My mother needed to downsize and so I’m now the owner of many kimono. She says these designs are very old fashioned β€” these are Showa era/mid century designs. I think they’re quite chic, modern and quite beautiful. Here’s cotton yukata and complementary obi.
#kimono #textile #japan #sewing πŸͺ‘

07.04.2025 20:44 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

A stunner and love how it’s styled with the eyelet blouse!

01.04.2025 14:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Let’s celebrate the beauty of this amazing culture, its creations, and its crafts.

02.03.2025 02:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Classic beauty!

25.02.2025 08:10 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Wonderful. Love lace in vibrant colors!

23.02.2025 21:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Whoa these are amazing!

23.02.2025 17:02 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Haha, assuming she finished her multi-year project and her grandad ended up with a precious handmade gift from his granddaughter?…

22.02.2025 19:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

What is lace but a series of artfully arranged holes?! 😊

22.02.2025 19:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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Open Air Wrap pattern by Purl Soho IN PURL SOHO’S LINEN QUILL

Clearly my love for Purl Soho patterns and yarns is obvious from the few posts I’ve shared! Can’t help it as they’re all so wonderful. Here are the patterns www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib... and www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...

22.02.2025 18:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Bright yellow scarf folded, in simple lace pattern using a linen blend line weight yarn.

Bright yellow scarf folded, in simple lace pattern using a linen blend line weight yarn.

Bright yellow scarf in simple lace knit pattern showing the drape of the fabric in a table.

Bright yellow scarf in simple lace knit pattern showing the drape of the fabric in a table.

β€œArchway” lace pattern in a deep β€œpeacock” color as it appears in a shawl using sport weight yarn.

β€œArchway” lace pattern in a deep β€œpeacock” color as it appears in a shawl using sport weight yarn.

Closeup of the β€œarchway” lace pattern

Closeup of the β€œarchway” lace pattern

I’ve only begun knitting lace, mostly because my mother loves it. I happen to be visiting her now, so I can share the first lace pattern I’ve ever done (β€œso that’s what a yarn over is for!”) and a shawl I gifted to her over the holidays. #showmeyourknits 🧢 #knitsky

22.02.2025 18:32 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

This beautiful hat is beaming with kindness πŸ₯°

17.02.2025 03:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks!

15.02.2025 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Beautiful! Is there a link to this pattern? Or only available in the kit you got from the store? HUGE fan of Daruma patterns.

15.02.2025 15:33 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

How lovely!! A cat home built from the ground up πŸ˜ƒ

14.02.2025 01:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Is that his lil’ house in the background? 😊

14.02.2025 01:03 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Oooh nice little detail on the cuff. Beautiful!

13.02.2025 13:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

All your knits are amazing. Those hoodies are fantastic!

07.02.2025 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Bravo! I hope to grow up to be just like you! πŸ˜‰

03.02.2025 23:26 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Your work is so lovely. I hope this one works out :)

03.02.2025 02:38 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Trust me, I know the feeling. I seem to only get a rhythm with lace patterns after the first mistake-free repeat. If I’m especially frustrated I put it aside and start an easier/more straightforward project so I can feel accomplished again.

02.02.2025 22:57 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks for this grounded perspective. Mav’s org had to have grounds for this decisionβ€” albeit it’s still a WILD one. As a lifelong Laker fan, I certainly hope Luka is the next great Laker. So, what happens to LeBron?..

02.02.2025 20:21 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Dovetail Scarf Everyone loves a one-skein project! It’s intrinsically fast, inexpensive, and most importantly, clever. So thank…

Yes, here you go! Another one of the free patterns from Purl Soho that i often go to
www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/...

31.01.2025 21:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
A knit triangle in pale pink, garter stitch.

A knit triangle in pale pink, garter stitch.

Same here! πŸ˜ƒ

31.01.2025 18:39 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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