Buying Japanese craft books can be a bit of a gamble. I don't know of a Japanese bookstore in Melbourne so I usually order online or wait until I go to Sydney (where there is a Kinokuniya) or Japan to buy books. The first time I went to Japan I had just started to sew and embroider so besides for the book selection being completely overwhelming I didn't really know what I was most interested in so bought books I thought I may like. The second time I was in Tokyo I had a better idea of what sewing and embroidery books I would like but had just signed up for a crochet class so I was hesitant to buy too many crochet books. So most of my crochet book choices have been ordered online after many hours of searching and indecision. One of my absolutely favourite crochet books is Zakka in Pretty Colours. From what I can tell this book is part of a series that also features a book on sewing .
The book mainly features crochet projects but also a couple of knitting projects. The pattern for my hexagon blanket is from this book. Isn't the tablecloth in the above photo lovely and the fruit? It is so beautifully photographed that I want to make almost every project and want to live in house that looks like the one in the book. I was so inspired by this book that I took a knitting class so I could eventually make the cushions:)
As someone who has only been crocheting for about a year I find Japanese crochet books far easier to use than crochet books written in English. The patterns are all written using symbols and there is usually a page of stitch diagrams which explains all of the symbols. I find this style far less daunting than long lines of abbreviations. Do you have a favourite Japanese crochet book?
Ooh! If you find that house, can I move in with you? We'll leave our families and sit in the sunlight and crochet all day every day....
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And I like the symbols better, too. I have The Encyclopedia of crochet and everything is written and laid out in symbol and it's so much easier to understand clusters and the like that way.
I've been nervous up til now about using Japanese crochet books, but you have made me feel a bit more confident to give them a try. They really are truly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI became quickly addicted to japanese crochet books after not even one of year of crocheting.
ReplyDeleteNow diagrams are my absolute faves !
I recently bought a wonderful japanese book about squares, borders and even triangles.
Have several others as well, slowly starting a collection one by one ! :)
s : I love the grey neckwarmer featured on this one !!