Japanese Knitting Books
For the Adventurous Knitter

The complexity of the stitch patterns, the elegance of their garment design, and Japanese designer's love of traditional knitting combine to create exceptional garments. There are several stitch dictionaries available too!

NOTE: Recommended for the Adventurous knitter! These books are entirely in Japanese, but with great charts and schematics.

Upcoming Titles
There are several newly published titles on the way. Visit the Upcoming Japanese Books to view the covers and place your order.

The Most Recent Arrivals

Craze of Handknitting 2007, $21.95 Cdn, $21.95 US

Modern knits for young women, ranging from scarves and arm-warmers to shrugs and wraps - in both knit and crochet. Easy knits are done in heavier fancy yarns, finer cable and lace knits in dk to worsted type yarns.
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New! Kieto Dama 2007 136, $31.95 Cdn, $31.95 US

This issue features many different sweater styles and shapes, from traditional to glamourous, simple stitches with variegated yarns to luxury yarns and complex stitch patterning.
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Let's Knit Series 4, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

There are several accessory items in this volume - both crocheted or knit hats and scarves; sweaters and vests in casual and dressy styles. As with so many Japanese designs, the shaping and choice of stitch patterns combine to create intriguing garments to knit that both challenge and delight the knitter.
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Let's Knit Series Annual 2007-2008, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

This issue has a wonderful mixture of colour, texture and lace, plus some crocheted items. The 49 projects are divided into main sections: Sweet Knit, Glamorous Knit, Knit Jacket, Chic Knit and Early Autumn Knit.
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New! Nordic Mittens & Accessories, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

This is a charming book of mittens, with a few hats, socks and other accessories. Inspired by Nordic knitting patterns, there are several designs, many of them simplified, and with great photo instructions for techniques.
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New! Vintage Knitting in Tradition, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

There are several stunning projects in this book, designed by the same author as New Style of Heirloom Knitting. Rich with aran textures, fine Shetland lace, and intricate Fair Isle patterning.
NOTE this is the corrected most recent printing.
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100 Aran Knitting Patterns, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 US

From intricate cables with embellishments to simple but elegant cable and bobble designs this is an excellent addition to a knitter's library. There is also a section at the back of the book that illustrates many of the cable symbols.
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262 Crochet Patterns, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

Predominately lace patterns, but also including texture crochet and over 50 edgings. With the exception of the edgings, the patterns are all row by row crochet (ie not motifs or in the round patterns).
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1000 Knitting Patterns Book, $78.95 Cdn, $78.95 US

An extensive reference of stitch patterns, all charted, with the samples a mix of colour and black&white photographs. The knitting section covers knit/purl textures, cables, lace, colour work, colour and cables, colour and lacework, fair isle, mosaic and more. Plus there are 300 crochet patterns.
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Clear & Simple Crochet Symbols, $14.95 Cdn, $14.95 US

This is a great resource book for the crocheters tackling Japanese crochet patterns. There are just under 60 symbols listed, with clear illustrations and photos to explain how to work each symbol.
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Clear & Simple Knitting Symbols, $15.95 Cdn, $15.95 US

This is a great resource book for the Adventurous Knitter tackling Japanese knitting patterns. There are over 60 symbols listed, with clear illustrations and photos to explain how to work the symbol.
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Crochet Patterns Book 300, $34.95 Cdn, $34.95 US

Predominately lace patterns, plus some texture designs. All are all row by row crochet (ie not motifs or in the round patterns).
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Fair Isle Nordic and Lopi Sweaters, $21.95 Cdn, $21.95 US

Inspired by the multicolor work of several European knitting traditions, there are 12 sweater designs, each beautiful. The plentiful swatches of stitch and colour samples, and illustrated history of each knitting tradition both add to the inspiration of this book. All the photos are excellent! Each sweater is fully charted with clear schematics.
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Guernsey and Aran Sweaters, $21.95 Cdn, $21.95 US

Inspired by traditional Guernsey and Aran knitting traditions, there are 12 sweater designs, several updated with unique designer elements. There are some stunning garments in the collection.
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Hand Knitting Techniques book, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 US

Though many of the techniques illustrated are similar to the ones we find in English knitting books, I found that there were more illustrations provided for a given technique to really help you understand what motions you and your yarn are making. Also covers Japanese Short Rows; clear illustrations for picking up stitches along neck or sweater edges; and many examples of grafting situations.
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Keito Dama 2006 132, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 US

The patterns in the book, (approx. 60 patterns in all) comprise a variety of styles and skill levels - simple pullover knits and cardigans to gorgeous complex lace and knit / purl designs. There are also some crochet patterns included, plus a section on knits for men. A full colour page is devoted to each design, often with gorgeous backdrops/settings.
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Keito Dama 2007 133, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 US

The theme for this issue is summer - colourful crochet, and lacy knits all with lots of charm! Some of the design details used in the 40+ designs are bell sleeves, 3/4 length sleeves, floral embellishments, crochet motifs, and bolero style shaping.
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Keito Dama 2007 134, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 US

This issue focuses on summer knit and crochet designs. Lots of short and sleeveless sweaters in light and lacy yarns, and most in a very feminine style.
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Knitting Patterns Book 250, $41.95 Cdn, $41.95 US

This is the stunning book than introduced me to the beauty of Japanese knitting. Gorgeous page after page stitch patterns of lace, cable, and texture designs. Many of the patterns combine several stitch styles together for even more challenges for the Adventurous Knitter! There is also a section at the back of the book that illustrates many of the knitting symbols.
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Knitting Patterns Book 300, $34.95 Cdn, $34.95 US

This series of patterns is a bit more complex than the 500 Knitting Patterns. Again a combination of several knitting stitch styles from lace and texture to cables and bobbles, twisted stiches and of course many combination stitch designs.
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Knitting Patterns 300 Lace, $36.95 Cdn, $36.95 US

Fully charted, these lacy designs vary from all-over lace to panels and mixes of lace and twisted stitch. The books is divided into sections covering the following styles of lace: Leaf, Diamond, Horizontal Stripe, Vertical Stripe, Wave, Small, Check, Ziz-zag, Herringbone, Flowers, and Cables.
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Knitting Patterns 500, $35.95 Cdn, $35.95 US

They say you can never have enough stitch dictionaries - there is no end to the creativity of knitters to design more combinations of stitch patterns. In this compilation of stitch patterns there are knit-purl textures, cables and bobbles, lace, and many designs which combine different stitch styles. Illustrated techniques at the bottom of some pages show how to work a stitch used in the stitch patterns above. Fully charted with large pictures of knitted samples.
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Knitting Signs and Make Patterns, $14.95 Cdn, $14.95 US

Though the patterns are similar to ones in many of the English stitch pattern books, and there are only 116 stitch patterns, what is very useful are the detailed illustrations given below the different knitting stitch patterns to show you how to work the more complex parts of the pattern.
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Let's Knit Series 3, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 US

A mix of both knitted and crocheted designs, featuring elegant lace sweaters with lace in the ribbing and cuffs for added design elements; plus several knitted and crocheted hats.
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Let's Knit Series 5, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

A mix of both knit and crochet garments, with some very creative crochet designs. Knitted sweaters range from bold garter entrelac blocks to textured pullovers and elegant lace.
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Let's Knit Series 6, $19.95 Cdn, $19.95 US

A mix of crochet and knitted garments, mostly sweaters, vests, and cardigans. Lots of great detailing in the cuffs and hems of many of the sweaters from added egdgings to well planned designs for great effects.
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Let's Knit Series 7, $19.95 Cdn, $19.95 US

Lacy crocheted vests, elegant knit pullovers, and crocheted lacy bolero style jackets - 33 projects in all. The projects are roughly split between knit and crochet, and the crocheted sweaters are far more intriguing and inspiring than the crochet designs one sees in local books. Great stitch combinations and garment styling in many of the projects.
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Let's Knit Series 10, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 US

20 designs for sweaters, vests, cardigans and wraps, using a variety of styles - lacy turtlenecks, cable cardigans, and colourful wraps and pullovers. One of the prevalent themes in each of the garments is the high attention to detail and edgings. A stunning book and with excellent photography.
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Let's Knit Series 12, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

Feminine styling with lace and scalloped edges are in several of this issue's projects. Combinations of lace and textured knitting are also used in the 20 projects for pullovers, cardigans and vests.
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Let's Knit Series 17, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

Textured yarns are the theme of this issue - tweedy yarns, boucles, mohair and multicoloured yarns - in 26 projects for sweaters and accessories.
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Let's Knit Series 2005, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

Classic styles and shaping for 25 projects for sweaters, cardigans and vests, plus a few for men. Lots of texture, lace, twisted stitch and cables used for twin sets, sweater and skirt combos, and sweaters.
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Let's Knit Series 2007-2008 $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

Stylish jackets, couture knits, and casual style are the main themes of this issue. Lots of chevron knits, cables, and crochet both as edgings and main sweaters.
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Let's Knit Series Annual 2006-2007, $35.95 Cdn, $35.95 US

This annual volume is a large size format softcover book with full size page stunning photos of the 57 projects, plus 4 pages of the latest runway fashion garments for even more inspiration. Pattern sections include Neo Traditional Knit, Joyful Knit, Graceful Knit, and Colorful Knit.
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Let's Knit Series 2007, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

Lots of variety in the styles for this issue - some boxy knits in heavier yarns; textured and tweed yarns in simple texture knits; plus some fair isle and fine textured yarns and stitch patterns. There are 21 projects including tweed and textured vests with charming short sleeves.
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Let's Knit Series Adult $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

There are 27 projects to choose from; pullovers, vests, cardigans plus accessories, mostly knitted and a few in crochet. In many of the designs though the stitch patterns are easy repeats, it is the combination of complementary patterns in both texture and often lace that create exquisite designs.
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Let's Knit Series Autumn Winter Knit, $18.95 Cdn, $18.95 US

This issue focuses on warmth and comfort with a few bulky knits, lots of cardigans and pullover, plus some accessories.
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Let's Knit Series-Beautiful Knit, $19.95 Cdn, $19.95 US

A mix of cardigans and vests, both knit and crochet. 15 patterns in all, including a lace shortsleeved sweater with picot edged collar, hem and sleeves, an aran knit vest with diamond garter stitch and a diamond pattern borders and crocheted vests in both lace and texture patterning.
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Let's Knit Series-Cafe, $13.95 Cdn, $13.95 US

A book of small projects for purses, hats, an afghan, charming pouches, and home accessories, worked in both knit and crochet.
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Let's Knit Series Let's Knit Series Grandmum Knits, $19.95 Cdn, $19.95 US

This issue focuses on warmth and comfort with a few bulky knits, lots of cardigans and pullover, plus some accessories.
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Let's Knit Series Men's Knit, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 US

23 garments for men ranging from accessory items of scarves, hats, and fingerless mittens to vests and pullovers.
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New Style of Heirloom Knitting, $23.95 Cdn, $23.95 US

There are some projects in this book that can take your knitting breath away (as can be said of so many of the books listed here!). There are 16 designs including: an entrelac yoke pullover where the squares of entrelac start small and increase in size!; beautiful colours combined for Fair Isle cardigans in both traditional pattern styles and one in a unique wave pattern; an elegant lace shawl in feather and fan (shown on the right) edged in a very delicate lace; and the Mondnacht shawl - a tour de force of knitting lace!
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Nordic Small Knitting, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

All wonderful warm things small and Nordic is the theme, and includes colourful mittens; scarves knit in the round and edged in traditional Nordic woven tapes; gloves with beautiful patterning; and lots of inspiring swatches of different stitch designs.
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There are several on-line resources with information about working with Japanese patterns, some of which are listed below.

• The Basics of Japanese Knitting by Tata & Tatao an excellent resource on reading Japanese patterns.
• Knitting Fool has an extensive list of knitting symbols for many sources, including Barbara Walker, Japanese, and Burda http://www.tata-tatao.to/knit/e-home.html ABC's of Knitting, is a Japanese website on knitting, with some sections in English. This is the most highly regarded source of information for English knitters wanting to learn about Japanese knitting techniques.
• Clearwater Knits has a detailed description of reading Japanese knitting charts for machine knitters, and much of the information is also useful for hand knitters.
• Kanzawa This web site is all in Japanese, and shows many of the Japanese yarns that are available.
• Kinver Beach Knit Design Maureen Mason-Jamieson is a knitting designer/teacher who has taught her popular workshop Japanese Knitting Techniques (plus several other topics) at Stitches events and several guilds. Visit her web site to check out her current teaching schedule, and for contact information if your guild or LYS would like to learn more about Japanese knitting techniques.
• Knitting Elegance Blog is a great resource for knitters who are working on patterns from the Japanese knitting book series "Let's Knit". Also has links to other resources.
• Knitting in Japan is a Yahoo Group that discuss resources, current projects of Japanese knitting patterns, discussions on how to work different Japanese knitting symbols, plus knit-a-longs and so much more.
• Manoa Yarns Great resource for those wanting to find Japanese Knitting yarns. The site is in English and has links to yarns from Richmore and from Hamanaka. They are located in Honolulu HI.
• Knit Japan features photos with written essays from the work of many Japanese knitters from 'Fushiginoiroito' who were at the Knitting & Stitching Show in the UK, as part of the Japan 2001 Festival. Also includes 2 essays on the History of Knitting in Japan.
• Also of great use is Google's translation tools – you can input a web site address too. Note that of course the translations can be a bit difficult to read through.

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