MG: in love with belly warmers

it started when i noticed the knitted tube around Grandpa Umatarou's tummy on Yakitate Japan. it looked like some sort of traditional tool of warmth. i thought it could be cute under the right circumstances and also a knitted hug for my tummy, so i googled about for history and examples to inform the one i'd like to knit.

they are called haramakis ("maki" like what you might order at a sushi restaurant, you know, to roll yourself up in) and thought to be good for cold hands and feet, stomach aches, cramps, etc. the same way a hot water bottle is good (especially if it comes in a knitted cozy).


then i found this PingMag article and became completely smitten by the super cute, modern Habonichi versions. i now want to knit a half-dozen of them: cabled ones, colorwork ones, argyle ones, ones for sleeping, ones to hide under a shirt, ones with pockets (b/c there are not enough pockets on women's clothing), even one with a passport pocket on the side against my belly. i love the orange one above. perusing other photos in the article, they work surprisingly well into everyday outfits. i wanna start one straight away.

i went button-hunting at Stonemountain and Daughter. there is an FO soaking away in conditioner at this very moment.