Knitting for the First Time, Vol. 2: Writer Souya Oikawa
Mr. Oikawa, who studied shoemaking in London and then worked as a PR representative for a fashion brand after returning to Japan, is currently active as a freelance writer. He is also involved in promoting steteco (men's long underwear) and teaching fashion culture at a vocational school, demonstrating his versatility across a wide range of fields. He is also a father with high school-aged children.
Mr. Oikawa and interviewer Yoshida met when they worked for the same brand.
Even then, he left a strong impression as someone interested in all sorts of fields and possessing a wealth of knowledge.
Since then, as they both pursued freelance careers, they deepened their relationship by sometimes working together.
Then, during a casual conversation, Mr. Oikawa mentioned, "I'd like to try knitting someday."
He said it... and so, I made a big mental note of those words.
In recent years, we've gradually seen more men enjoying knitting.
However, I believe the joy it brings still has great potential to spread further.
I want men to enjoy knitting more freely and naturally.
So, this time, I asked Mr. Oikawa to try knitting a KOGANE cashmere scarf for his "first knitting experience."
We documented the entire process, from his initial hesitation to his hands gradually getting used to it, and finally, his expression when the scarf was completed.☺
Mr. Oikawa and his wife also took on the challenge
Knitting began in late September last year.
I visited Mr. Oikawa's home, and we started together with casting on stitches for the scarf and learning knit and purl stitches for stockinette.
Once he held the needles, his fingertips wouldn't move as he wanted.
Mr. Oikawa was temporarily bewildered, unable to understand the structure of the knit fabric.
Despite struggling, he somehow managed to knit a few rows on the first day.
SOS from Mr. Oikawa!
After that, he continued to knit little by little during breaks from work and on holidays, but problems kept arising.
Stitches would drop, twist, increase, decrease, and sometimes the yarn would even break.
All sorts of difficulties stood in Mr. Oikawa's way.
Since we couldn't meet directly to share knitting time, whenever a problem occurred, he would send us photos, and we would respond by taking and sending videos showing how to fix it.
Beautiful stitches!
Every time I saw the images he sent, I was amazed by the beauty of his stitches.
Mr. Oikawa said he carefully pulled the yarn to maintain the same tension for each stitch.
True to his word, the fabric was beautifully even.
As the rows accumulated, he said he gradually developed "the余裕 to enjoy it."
While listening to the radio, playing music, or sometimes while lost in thought.
For the last two months or so, he told me that "the knitting time itself felt comfortable."
Although not precisely measured, a rough calculation of the time spent on the scarf indicates approximately 624 hours.
624 hours ÷ 24 hours = 26 days.
He dedicated the equivalent of 26 full days to this single piece.
Finished!!! You truly worked hard!!!
And then, the moment he first wrapped the scarf he had knitted himself around his neck.
Mr. Oikawa was deeply moved by the smooth feel of the cashmere,
and he said, "It's truly luxurious to be able to knit with 100% cashmere for my first knitting project."
Going out with the scarf he knitted himself
When he started knitting, Mr. Oikawa said he wanted to give it as a gift.
He laughed and said, "There's too much sentiment in each stitch; I'm keeping this one for myself."
Next time, we will interview Mr. Oikawa, and he will openly discuss what inspired him to try knitting and what the experience of knitting the scarf was like.☺
Text & Photo: Satoko Yoshida