Japanese Knitting Books
For the Adventurous Knitter

Click on the links below for more details

• Available books
• Fiddlesticks Knitting patterns inspired by Japanese stitch patterns
• Information about Japanese knitting books
• Free PDF on Interpreting Japanese Knitting Patterns
• Other web resources

A wonderful group of people has sent out a call to knitters to create "Handmade Scarves for Japan".
"Our project is to collect handmade scarves from all over the world and distribute them to the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami. This is one of the best ways to help Japanese people directly because what you send is brought directly to the victims."

With all the beautiful stitches in the Japanese stitch dictionaries, that is where I have turned to search for some special stitch patterns to knit a scarf and send it to "Handmade Scarves for Japan". Please join me. Visit the web page "Handmade Scarves for Japan" for more details.
Note many small items are also encouraged...socks, hats etc are all welcome.

Read more about the history of Japanese knitting
in the March 2010 issue of The Knitter (note copies available directly from them, both hardcopy and digital. More info about this issue "Marsha White inspires us with a look at Japanese knitting patterns, Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne discuss the pleasures and perils of simul-knitting. Judy Darley talks fashion, travel and music with knitwear designer Jean Moss, and Jane Crawfoot teaches us to make use of tubular cast on and cast off methods."

About Japanese Knitting and Crochet books

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.

Free - Interpreting Japanese Knitting Patterns
To help you with reading Japanese patterns I have written a free PDF 8 page information brochure on Interpreting Japanese Knitting Patterns . Enjoy! Marsha White

Note: If you are unable to print off the document, but would like a printed copy with your book order, please add your request into the Special Instructions section of your order.

The Most Recent Arrivals

Crochet Basics, $22.95 Cdn, $22.95 US

A good reference book for crocheters, there are 95 symbols with illustrated instructions to aid you reading other Japanese garment crochet books, plus basic projects for squares, a tote bag, scarf, and small placemats.
NV70052
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Hand Knit Sweaters, $22.95 Cdn, $22.95 US

The sweaters, capes and ponchos (14 garments) use yoke shaping to create the garment design. The patterns vary from aran and Fair Isle, to cable and Nordic colour designs. Beautifully done sweaters!
NV70095
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Knitting Basics, $22.95 Cdn, $22.95 US

A good reference book for knitters, there are 60 symbols with illustrated instructions to aid you reading other Japanese garment knitting books, 150 illustrated knitting techniques, plus some beautiful projects to work.
NV70051
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Keito Dama 2011 152, $34.95 Cdn, $34.95 US

Colourful garments in Nordic designs for sweaters, hats, arm and legwarmers; extravagant garments with ruffles and looped yarns; classic sweaters for men in geometric colours and stripes; lacy crochet wraps, sweaters and capes; plus several lace knit pullovers and cardigans. Over 100 designs to choose from!
NV1692
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Ladies Sweater Vest Vol 11, $22.95 Cdn, $22.95 US

A gorgeous selection of knitting styles and stitches - including graceful lace pullovers, a trendy cable poncho, a combo lace and fine fair isle pullover - so many lovely designs to choose from!
NV80221
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Let's Knit Series 2011, $22.95 Cdn, $22.95 US

A mix of knit and crochet patterns for sweaters - many light and lacy!
NV80194
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Let's Knit Series Couture Knit 16, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

More stunning designs from Hitomi Shida - feminine lace pullovers, and her classic lace and texture combination stitches create elegant garments you will wear for years. A ruffle edged cable poncho does double duty as a skirt too!
NV80225
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Patterns inspired by Japanese stitch patterns

Fiddlesticks Knitting Patterns - Designer Dorothy Siemens has been very entranced with the beautiful Japanese stitch patterns and incorporated them into several designs.

Charming	Elegance	Flair	Genevieve	Gloriana	Harmony Vest
Lorelei	Luscious Vest	Madame Butterfly	Silken Dream	Three Cosy Lace Scarves	Wavy Lace Scarves

Stocking Titles

100 Aran Knitting Patterns, $32.95 Cdn, $32.95 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.
NV7002
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262 Crochet Patterns, $38.95 Cdn, $38.95 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).
NV5611
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1000 Knitting Patterns Book, $88.95 Cdn, $88.95 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.
NV7183
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Clear & Simple Crochet Symbols, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 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.
NV7020
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Clear & Simple Knitting Symbols, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 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.
NV7021
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Crochet Patterns Book 300, $38.95 Cdn, $38.95 US

Predominately lace patterns, plus some texture designs. All are all row by row crochet (ie not motifs or in the round patterns).
NV6378
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European Hand Knit 2011 Aut Win, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

Lovely wraps and sweaters to keep you warm through the fall season and into winter. A cabled-top dressy long jacket is stylish and feminine; textured and innovatively shaped vest is perfect for casual wear and fit; plus a cosy cabled wrap for cooler evenings.
NV80220
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Fair Isle Knitting Japanese, $47.95 Cdn, $47.95 US

Beautiful Fair Isle sweaters and vests in fine patterning and gorgeous colour combinations.
NV70001
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Hand Knitting Techniques book, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 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.
NV5629
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Keito Dama 2010 147, $31.95 Cdn, $31.95 US

A collection of both knitted and crochet designs for autumn wear - sweaters, vests - texture, bobbles to Fair Isle and cables. 50 patterns for womens garments.
NV1687
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Keito Dama 2010 148, $31.95 Cdn, $31.95 US

An exceptional collection of both knitted sweaters plus some accesories, many featuring the work of high profile Japanese knitwear designers - includng Hitomi Shida, Takeshi Yajima, and Mitsuharu Hirose. Over 45 patterns many of them inspired by Fair Isle, lace, Nordic and argyll patterning.
NV1688
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Keito Dama 2011 151, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

This issue features Cowichan inspired sweaters, colourful fair isles, sweaters for men, and a special on beautifully detailed and colourful Hmong textiles.
NV1691
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Knitting Around the World 2007-2008, $36.95 Cdn, $36.95 US

This semi-annual volume 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.
NV4325
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Knitting Around the World 2009-2010 Aut Win, $36.95 Cdn, $36.95 US

An inspiring collection of over 50 designs, primarily knit plus some crochet. The themes this issue include Fair Isle and Lopi sweaters, Gray Chic, Charming Jackets, Casual Knits, Colorful Knits, and Classic Elegant Knits.
NV80065
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Knitting Around the World 2010-2011 Aut Win, $37.95 Cdn, $37.95 US

Over 50 gorgeous garments and accessories for women under the themes Nordic Sweater, Color Combination, Feminine Knit, Fashionable Jacket, Stylish Accessories, and Fine Knit Yarn.
NV80169
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Knitting Around the World 2011-2012 Aut Win, $33.95 Cdn, $33.95 US

Tradition with a twist in this issue. Colourful bright Fair Isles; a Fair Isle sweater with a ruffly edged scarf; and an oversize cabled wrap with shawl collar and matching legwarmers and mittens. All getting ready for another chilly fall!
NV80237
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Knitting Patterns Book 250, by Hitomi Shida,
THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT

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.
NV6379
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Knitting Patterns Book 300, $38.95 Cdn, $38.95 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.
NV6376
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Knitting Patterns 300 Lace $41.95 Cdn, $41.95 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.
NV7173

Knitting Patterns 500, $39.95 Cdn, $39.95 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.
NV7152
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Knitting Signs and Make Patterns, $17.95 Cdn, $17.95 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.
NV7181
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Let's Knit Series Couture 14, by Hitomi Shida $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

Knit designer Hitomi Shida creates collections of beautiful garments, many combining lace and texture for complex stitch patterning that challenge knitters. This current collection has many stunning sweaters to choose from, many with great details and edgings.
NV80054
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Let's Knit Series 15, by Hitomi Shida $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

The Couture series features the exemplary work of Hitomi Shida, whose expertise in designing garments with exquisite stitches and borders is well appreciated by adventurous knitters.
NV80143
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Let's Knit Series Couture Knit Spr Sum 2, by Hitomi Shida $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

Knit designer Hitomi Shida creates collections of beautiful garments, many combining lace and texture for complex stitch patterning that challenge knitters. Summery lace is the theme of this issue of Couture Knits - light tops, some with co-ordinating cardigans or capes, all very feminine. The lace patterns are beautiful!
NV80105
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Let's Knit Series Couture Knit Spr Sum 3, by Hitomi Shida $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

Knit designer Hitomi Shida creates another collection of beautiful garments for spring and summer. Lacy tops with elegant twists and turns of stitches to entice both the knitter and those who admire these gorgeous designs!
NV80105
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Let's Knit Series Grandmum Knits 2010, $23.95 Cdn, $23.95 US

Casual elegance with innovative styling in many of these lovely sweater designs. Stitch patterns include lace, cables and textures, plus entrelac; plus some unusual shaping techniques used for both flair and fit. There are 24 designs for sweaters and some accessories.
NV80153
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New Style of Heirloom Knitting, by Toshiyuki Shimada, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 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!
NV6300
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Nordic Mittens & Accessories, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 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.
NV4336
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Scandinavian Jacquard Caps, $20.95 Cdn, $20.95 US

19 patterns for hats, many with Fair Isle patterning, in a variety of styles with a modern look.
NV4406
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Stylish Knit, $19.95 Cdn, $19.95 US

Some lovely sweaters knit in classic-style stitches in garments with modern shaping.
NV80227
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Tunisian Crochet, Mitsuharu Hirose, $27.95 Cdn, $27.95 US

Tunisian crochet is usually worked on a hook with a long end - stitches are worked onto the hook on 1 row, and then worked off on the next. Very unusual effects can be created, and this book of 15 designs features some beautiful textures and patterns.
NV6551
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Resources

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.
  
  
• Crochet Hook sizes translation -Japanese/English sizing A very handy chart of sizing for crochet hooks listing US, UK, aluminum, bamboo, all cross-referenced to Japanese sizes. Thanks to Tracy from CA, USA for compiling this on her LiveJournal.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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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