55 Fantastic Japanese Knitting Stitches

In her first English-language book, Japanese knitter Hayashi explores the interplay of color and texture via 55 innovative stitch patterns. The designs are divided into seven groups that focus on the type of stitch or shape, such as slip, V, bobble, and brioche stitches. Each stitch pattern is accompanied by a close-up photograph of a full-color swatch that shows multiple pattern repeats. This enables knitters to evaluate both the texture and the drape of the pattern. All are charted without written instructions—typical for Japanese knitting patterns and highly textured designs—but the symbols are explained on the same page. Complex stitch combinations are presented in step-by-step illustrations with a colored key chart, which makes the directions easy to follow. Twenty-two projects that incorporate one or more stitches are included, as well as instructions and illustrations for the cast-on and bind-off methods used in the projects.