Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida

As a knitter and also as a fan of Japanese culture and Japan in general, I knew I had to have this book. I had been trying for some time to find more on the web about Japanese stitches, and I did find bits and pieces but nothing with a good, solid foundation from which to start. So, even though I have been quite disappointed with the majority of new knitting books I've recently purchased, I was cautiously optimistic that this volume would in fact be just what I was hoping -- and when it arrived, my hopes were met and well exceeded! Enclosed in this softcover, oversized book are quite a few new and unusual stitches, as well as a multitude of stitch patterns that are far more complex than most any Western knitter is accustomed to seeing. Some patterns even include crochet mixed into the knitting! Stitch patterns and even single stitch "groups" can be complex: some, such as the "double decrease right over purl", are complicated enough that instead of explaining the symbol inline, Shida-sensei provides step-by-step, illustrated instructions later in the volume. After explaining the symbols, the remainder of the book is dedicated to stitch patterns, primarily large repeats (50 sts x 48 rows, for example) of interspersed lace and cables which look absolutely stunning. No enthusiastic knitter can possibly browse through them without wanting to immediately try them all. I would recommend this book only for knitters with more than a little experience knitting both cables and lace, and only those very comfortable working from charts. In general, Japanese knitting patterns do not include written instructions, only charts. This volume is no exception. Many, perhaps most, of the stitch symbols included on the charts here do not have equivalent US/Western chart symbols because the stitches simply do not exist in traditional Western knitting. Some of them are easy to conceive of, like adding increases and decreases to a cable stitch to create a lacy cable. Such stitches are not entirely foreign to you if you've read Barbara Walker's Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns or something similar. Others, however, such as Shida-sensei's lift-over and wrapped knot stitches may be entirely new to most knitters confronted with them for the first time. Shida-sensei also provides a selection of "basic" and "arrangement" stitch patterns which show options for modifying the patterns in various ways to create something entirely original to your project. Finally, a sampling of round yokes and a small selection of patterns for complete projects are included at the end (remember: charts and basic steps only, no row-by-row instructions), but the majority of the book is dedicated to stitch patterns without doubt. In summary, experienced and advanced intermediate knitters will find plenty -- tons! -- of new stitch patterns in Shida-sensei's most excellent collection of Japanese stitch patterns. There are enough patterns here to keep you knitting for at least a year or two without knitting the same pattern twice. But I would again caution any knitter who doesn't feel confident in lace and cable knitting to instead gain more experience in those first, and then come back to this treasure afterward. One final caution: Because many of these stitch patterns include such large repeats, they will likely look best in sport weight or lighter yarn. If you are a knitter who prefers to work in DK and heavier yarn, you will probably be dissatisfied with these patterns. It would not be possible to make most types of projects using these patterns with heavier yarn and still get the sizing right. A scarf with a 50-st repeat in even DK weight yarn would be rather wide, don't you think? :)

This book was an eye opener in knitting for me and the possibilities. The chart symbols are explained in English and easy to understand. I had never heard of chart knitting before. My only complaint about this book is that the pattern on the front cover is not in the book; however, there are tons of exquisite patterns in the book. I would love to find that pattern somewhere though. Highly recommend if you're tired of finding the same old patterns online or in other books, but are not yet to a point where you feel you can create your own (or just don't want to).

I confess, I have not yet tried any of these patterns. The author uses a visual type of instructions that look complicated and I think it will be something to study next winter, which is when I tend to knit. The description for the book indicates this, so I knew it when I made the purchase. (I don't fault the product if it matches the description.) I never knew you could make such intricate details with knitting, and I think the designs will be worth the effort. My thanks to the authors for sharing Ms. Shida's patterns. I think this book will push my knitting to new levels.

This is a fabulous book of knit stitches and patterns for many different applications: collars, frills, cables, lace, scallops, bobbles, fancy edgings, etc. There are hundreds of patterns. It is VERY IMPORTANT to realize that the pattern graphs are Japanese style graphs, which means that the pattern shows each row as it looks from the right side of the garment. If you are knitting a wrong side row, do not knit what the pattern shows, but knit itʻs opposite. This change from Western convention takes a little getting used to, and if you donʻt know it, none of the patterns will come out correctly. It states this in the introduction, but being excited to start I chose a pattern and got knitting before reading the introduction, only to find that my work looked ridiculous. Read the introduction. There is an exhaustive key to symbols (some of which are new to Western knitters) and good in-depth instructions with photos for the complicated stitches. There are generous size color photos of knit samples which show every stitch pattern and texture. The pattern graphs for knitting what is shown in the photos are at the back of the book. The key to symbols is at the front of the book. This means you have to keep flipping from back to front pages as you execute a pattern, which is a small pain, but worth it because this book is a treasure chest of new patterns. Yay!

These patterns are traveling or twisted stitch, rather like Austrian and Bavarian knitting stitches, but with that refinement that is Japanese knitting; hard to define but a bit crisper and more graphic, might be a good way to put it. The photography of the samples is clear and the light yarns used show these pattern textures to really good advantage. There are examples of widening patterns, starting narrow and growing broader to make a fan shape--can be used for little girl skirts and other garments. A few garment examples (like fingerless mitts.) You also get a section of defining the symbols that make up Japanese knitting code--so if you like Japanese knit books but don't read Japanese, you can figure out some of their patterns using this symbols. A hat example shows just what you can do with this kind of knitting--also very good for socks and hiking stockings. Lovely book.

This book is amazing im super excited to try it. I just didnt realise i would have to learn a whole new system to be able to read the patterns.It is charts. I guess I should of assumed it would not be Americanized. It is still worth it because the patterens are awe inspiring. I have just got the book so I'll update this. It may be that the charts are easy tp understand.

I got this book yesterday after returning from a knitting tour of Ireland. I was exhausted, but couldn't put the book down. The designs are wonderful from simple to very intricate. My mind is spinning with ideas and I am anxious to swatch them out. The charting is going to take some time to get used to, as some of the symbols are a little different from what I usually knit from. There are no written instructions per row, only the charts. I can't see doing these designs in any other way. The chart symbols are cross referenced to the design pages. The book is divided into chapters, each with its own small project: Lacy Patterns, Overall Patterns and Crossing Stitches, Pattern Panels, Pattern Arrangements, Round Yokes and Edgings. The photography is excellent, each photo showing the design that is charted. This is a must have book for anyone who enjoys designing their own knits, loves texture and is a stitch pattern enthusiast. This is not a book for knitters who don't like charts. Extremely reasonable price for what you receive. Don't pass this one up!

This book has stunning, uncommon stitch patterns including lace and cables, many combinations of the two, patterns that work for round yokes or hats, and edgings. A few will be familiar to American knitters - traveling vine and old shale, for example, but most look very new. They remind me of architectural details. There are designs with feminine and masculine feels, art deco and art nouveau styles, and ideas for combining cable or lacy stitches into allover patterns. What's missing? Instructions. There's no "k2tog, k1, yo, k1, ssk" at all.The stitches are shown in charts with lots of special symbols. You'll need to check back to the front to find the meanings of the symbols, and then sometimes to go to the back of the book for further explanation. The patterns often go over 52 rows with widths up to 50 stitches. The charts are small, too. Swatch boldly, though. Once you've learned a pattern it's worth the trouble. There are a few garment patterns: a scarf, a collar, fingerless mitts, a cap, and socks. Most of the book, though, is a wonderful collection of gorgeous stitch patterns.