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Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
In the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible knitting guru Hitomi Shida shares some of her favorite needlework patterns.
Shida's strikingly original designs and variations on every imaginable classic stitch result in intricate patterns that form the basis for beautiful and unique knitted fashions. This is the perfect book for the experienced knitter who is looking for new stitches that yield spectacular results! This Japanese knitting book features a wide range of rewarding and intricate stitches including:
cables
popcorn stitches
twisted stitches
edgings
and many more…
A set of detailed, step-by-step diagrams show you how to execute all the basic stitches. Instructions and diagrams for a series of small projects offer practice working with large patterns, lacy patterns, pattern arrangement and round yokes among other things. The knitting projects include:
A classic hat made using large patterns
An elegant scarf in lacy patterns
The ever-popular fingerless mittens
Thick socks that can be made using various patterns
A feminine collar using round stitching
And much more!
This Japanese stitch dictionary represents a whole new adventure for knitters and is sure to become a valued reference for experienced knitters.
Shida's strikingly original designs and variations on every imaginable classic stitch result in intricate patterns that form the basis for beautiful and unique knitted fashions. This is the perfect book for the experienced knitter who is looking for new stitches that yield spectacular results! This Japanese knitting book features a wide range of rewarding and intricate stitches including:
cables
popcorn stitches
twisted stitches
edgings
and many more…
A set of detailed, step-by-step diagrams show you how to execute all the basic stitches. Instructions and diagrams for a series of small projects offer practice working with large patterns, lacy patterns, pattern arrangement and round yokes among other things. The knitting projects include:
A classic hat made using large patterns
An elegant scarf in lacy patterns
The ever-popular fingerless mittens
Thick socks that can be made using various patterns
A feminine collar using round stitching
And much more!
This Japanese stitch dictionary represents a whole new adventure for knitters and is sure to become a valued reference for experienced knitters.
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
266 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 31, 2018
These patterns are gorgeous and very unique. I liked many of them and can see the designs in afghans and blankets. If someone can make their own patterns, these would make gorgeous sweaters.
The instructions are in graph form with Japanese symbols. These are unfamiliar to the North American knitter. There are explanations to the symbols at the beginning of the book but they aren't always clear. With some practice, one could figure this out.
I think this book would be a great book to own and reference to. I'm taking away a couple of stars for not having more detailed, written instructions.
Beautiful patterns.
The instructions are in graph form with Japanese symbols. These are unfamiliar to the North American knitter. There are explanations to the symbols at the beginning of the book but they aren't always clear. With some practice, one could figure this out.
I think this book would be a great book to own and reference to. I'm taking away a couple of stars for not having more detailed, written instructions.
Beautiful patterns.
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December 22, 2018Absolutely beautiful stitch patterns and charts. I probably am going to have to end up buying a copy of this since 98% of these stitch patterns I have not seen anywhere else before.
There's a wonderful combination of lace, cables, and twisted stitches throughout all the stitch patterns, as well as very unique methods of creating bobbles (two words: Crocheted. Bobbles. I must try these.) and some quirky gathered increases/decreases. While these are distinctly Japanese styled patterns, there were heavy influences of Estonian lace and Bavarian twisted stitches in many of the patterns. If you're specifically interested in either of these regional styles, this book is definitely worth a perusal.
All patterns are presented as charts with some unique symbols, but a comprehensive glossary is provided at the beginning of the book. Photo tutorials of some of the quirkier stitches are provided at the end.
A few patterns are included in the book, in addition to the stitch patterns, but I personally didn't find them captivating. They did provide a good example, though, of how to showcase the different types of stitches included.
A must purchase for knitters who love working from charts and with unique textures!!
There's a wonderful combination of lace, cables, and twisted stitches throughout all the stitch patterns, as well as very unique methods of creating bobbles (two words: Crocheted. Bobbles. I must try these.) and some quirky gathered increases/decreases. While these are distinctly Japanese styled patterns, there were heavy influences of Estonian lace and Bavarian twisted stitches in many of the patterns. If you're specifically interested in either of these regional styles, this book is definitely worth a perusal.
All patterns are presented as charts with some unique symbols, but a comprehensive glossary is provided at the beginning of the book. Photo tutorials of some of the quirkier stitches are provided at the end.
A few patterns are included in the book, in addition to the stitch patterns, but I personally didn't find them captivating. They did provide a good example, though, of how to showcase the different types of stitches included.
A must purchase for knitters who love working from charts and with unique textures!!
March 18, 2018
Clearly photographed and charted so one does not need to read Japanese if one understands knitting chart notation. All the designs are beautiful and imaginative but attainable for an adventurous knitter. This volume contains mostly complicated cable or cable-like designs but also over a dozen round yoke patterns, about 70 edgings, and five full patterns (scarf, hat, fingerless gloves, round collar, socks). A great resource if you like complicated patterning over color work.
May 4, 2018
Breathtaking
Looking through the patterns in this book gave me so many ideas of beautiful things that I can knit for myself and others. There is not a pattern in this book that is anything short of gorgeous and I know that I will spend many happy hours adapting these patterns into scarves, sweaters, blankets, and socks and never grow bored of the "same old pattern". This book has my hands itching for needles and yarn! Perhaps I'll start with a sampler blanket to try each pattern out. This book is a treasure trove of innovative beauty that is certain to become a "must have" for any knitter worth their salt. I highly recommend this book over most knitting books currently on the market.
Looking through the patterns in this book gave me so many ideas of beautiful things that I can knit for myself and others. There is not a pattern in this book that is anything short of gorgeous and I know that I will spend many happy hours adapting these patterns into scarves, sweaters, blankets, and socks and never grow bored of the "same old pattern". This book has my hands itching for needles and yarn! Perhaps I'll start with a sampler blanket to try each pattern out. This book is a treasure trove of innovative beauty that is certain to become a "must have" for any knitter worth their salt. I highly recommend this book over most knitting books currently on the market.
March 6, 2019
Not really a reading book, it's a collection of stitches. I read the introduction, scanned the stitch patterns, and have worked my way through a particular example. This is going to be a great resource--the patterns are gorgeous, and doable, despite the initial OMG that most of us would feel when we see them for the first time!
P.S. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Gayle (the translator/introducer) do it, she's wonderful, very good at explaining carefully how to interpret Japanese patterns.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
P.S. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Gayle (the translator/introducer) do it, she's wonderful, very good at explaining carefully how to interpret Japanese patterns.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
November 4, 2017
Since this is non-fiction only to serious knitters I'll say this is a great book. It has so many patterns that can be used in designing your own patterns. However if you are not a chart reader and want the regular patterns it will be very hard to translate. Dislike....the pattern charts are small and hard to read. Bigger would have been nice.
August 7, 2023
I bought this book out of curiosity, mainly due to the intricate knitting design I saw on the cover and due to the fame Asiatic knitting designers have in the knitting community. At the time, I thought this would be just a fine coffee table book for me😊. But… my mistake! Hitomi Shida’s patterns are amazing, and you can find stitches for experienced knitters as well as for beginner knitters (provided that you are not afraid to learn a trick or two 😉)!
The photography is beautiful, and I also like the yarn colours that she has chosen to knit the samples.
The book is very well organized, in general, and the patterns are grouped into sections and subsections that include lacy patterns (with bobbles, leaves, etc), embroidery with beads, crossing stitch, just to name but a few!
All patterns come with a chart, and you can consult the symbols(stitch) of each chart in the 11-page guide to the symbols that is provided at the beginning of the book. The stitches in the guide are grouped by type, for example, “increases” or “crossing stitches: 2 or 3 stitches”. And the author is so organized that she even includes a column where she identifies the pages where each symbol is used, which is a blessing because there are symbols remarkably similar, and you can confuse them easily!
Although this book is more adequate for experienced knitters, there are several simple stitches that you can extract from more complicated patterns and incorporate into your basic garments, just to level them up 😊. These patterns are so beautiful that many designers have used them in their patterns. For example, the Kuutar Tee from Sari Nordlund incorporates a modified version of one of Hitomi Shida’s patterns, as is declared by the designer.
Overall, I love this book, and I recommend it to everyone that loves knitting!
Oh, I almost forgot! The author even includes a few designs that incorporate her stitches 😊.
The photography is beautiful, and I also like the yarn colours that she has chosen to knit the samples.
The book is very well organized, in general, and the patterns are grouped into sections and subsections that include lacy patterns (with bobbles, leaves, etc), embroidery with beads, crossing stitch, just to name but a few!
All patterns come with a chart, and you can consult the symbols(stitch) of each chart in the 11-page guide to the symbols that is provided at the beginning of the book. The stitches in the guide are grouped by type, for example, “increases” or “crossing stitches: 2 or 3 stitches”. And the author is so organized that she even includes a column where she identifies the pages where each symbol is used, which is a blessing because there are symbols remarkably similar, and you can confuse them easily!
Although this book is more adequate for experienced knitters, there are several simple stitches that you can extract from more complicated patterns and incorporate into your basic garments, just to level them up 😊. These patterns are so beautiful that many designers have used them in their patterns. For example, the Kuutar Tee from Sari Nordlund incorporates a modified version of one of Hitomi Shida’s patterns, as is declared by the designer.
Overall, I love this book, and I recommend it to everyone that loves knitting!
Oh, I almost forgot! The author even includes a few designs that incorporate her stitches 😊.
November 23, 2020
This is a knitting stitch dictionary, like Shida's previous one w/250 patterns, so one doesn't so much read it as page through, jaw dropping again and again; the hard part is to keep from drooling on the pages. The patterns are that lovely.
This one, however, has the bonus of having been translated into English, so I now have a guide, as opposed to trying to puzzle out the unfamiliar Japanese chart abbreviations on my own.
I've used a couple of patterns already from the first book, so I know they work well, and I'm so happy to have this as a resource as well.
NB: This was one of the Harvard Bookstore warehouse sale books I bought during the pandemic (fall 2020).
This one, however, has the bonus of having been translated into English, so I now have a guide, as opposed to trying to puzzle out the unfamiliar Japanese chart abbreviations on my own.
I've used a couple of patterns already from the first book, so I know they work well, and I'm so happy to have this as a resource as well.
NB: This was one of the Harvard Bookstore warehouse sale books I bought during the pandemic (fall 2020).
June 15, 2019
All of the stitch combinations contained in this book are amazing! I always recommend the library first for knitting books, as usually there are only a few things that are worth making, and not enough to fork over $20 or more. Some of the combinations are quite complicated, but easily memorized, and there are some patterns for accessories. The combos are charted, and I recommend color coding the different stitches in a chart along with the legend, it would be easy to get confused. If you’re a serious knitter, you’ll definitely want in your personal library.
October 27, 2017
Complex beauty
This is not a book for beginner knitters. To use the patterns you must be able to follow a chart. I do find it easier to follow charts than written directions. The charts are intuitive - what you see on the chart is what you see on the right side of the knitting. Almost all of the stitch patterns are complex and all are beautiful. They consist of lace or a combination of lace and cables. This is a good addition for anyone who collects knit stitches.
This is not a book for beginner knitters. To use the patterns you must be able to follow a chart. I do find it easier to follow charts than written directions. The charts are intuitive - what you see on the chart is what you see on the right side of the knitting. Almost all of the stitch patterns are complex and all are beautiful. They consist of lace or a combination of lace and cables. This is a good addition for anyone who collects knit stitches.
November 26, 2017
It's wonderful when your gifts are picked from your wish lists. This is an amazing book filled with charts for knitting cable and/or lace patterns that you can incorporate with knitting sweaters, shawls, etc. It has knitted samples in colour photos along with a charts to follow.
Beautiful and a fantastic addition to my stitch dictionaries/guides.
Beautiful and a fantastic addition to my stitch dictionaries/guides.
December 26, 2017
Glad I bought this
I bought this stitch dictionary just because it kept coming up in my recommendations. I should have bought it earlier. It is full of beautiful lace patterns. All of the patterns are charted, so there is that to consider. But if charts don't throw you off, this is an excellent book.
I bought this stitch dictionary just because it kept coming up in my recommendations. I should have bought it earlier. It is full of beautiful lace patterns. All of the patterns are charted, so there is that to consider. But if charts don't throw you off, this is an excellent book.
January 12, 2022
The other (sequel?) book in this series is basically my most-used knitting book. Many of the stitches in that one come back in some shape, form or arrangement in this one. But this book also has a couple of pattern suggestions (which the other book lacks, whatever the cover says), and, charmingly, yokes!
January 28, 2022
Beautiful and stunning stitch charts and pictures. There is a section in the back dedicated to chart explanations and a handful of patterns that use the various charts in them as examples. This is most definitely an experienced knitter's book, though. It would be overwhelming for beginners. But, a good gift for someone getting started to work towards, maybe.
February 16, 2022
Holy Molly. I just got it, looked through every single page and I'm close to fainting. Do I feel capable of implementing those patterns in my own designs and actually making them? Heck no. Will I still try? Heck yes. Can't believe it didn't even cost me 20 euro; this book will stay on my shelf for YEARS. Perfect choice. I'm in knitting heaven.
August 6, 2025
Great pattern book.
This is a treasure trove of the most amazing Japanese patterns. The instructions are clear. The non-standard stitches are very well explained. I've been knitting cables and lace. These patterns are a rich combination of both with the addition of very unusual stitches. The intricacy of the patterns is stunning. If you knit, this book is a must have.
This is a treasure trove of the most amazing Japanese patterns. The instructions are clear. The non-standard stitches are very well explained. I've been knitting cables and lace. These patterns are a rich combination of both with the addition of very unusual stitches. The intricacy of the patterns is stunning. If you knit, this book is a must have.
December 25, 2017
Cute patterns. But the best thing was the explanation of knitting pattern symbols in the front. Even though I didn't understand most of it yet, I leaned the symbols for some of the stitches I do know.
December 30, 2017
I first saw this book when a coworker bought it for our Chinese collection. Not sure if the symbols were universal I was sorely tempted to ask her to translate parts of the guide for me but I thought she would think I was crazy. Then I saw it was coming out in English. Can't wait to try them out.
January 15, 2018
This book has amazing stitch patterns. No patterns you would want to knit, but I found myself more than once wishing this was translated into Norah Gaughan's Knitted Sourcebook system so that I could swap out patterns.
January 22, 2018
Wow
An entirely new way of thinking about knitting. I'm not good at reading charts, but when I see the beautiful combinations, I have got to develop my skills so I can knit these patterns.
An entirely new way of thinking about knitting. I'm not good at reading charts, but when I see the beautiful combinations, I have got to develop my skills so I can knit these patterns.
October 28, 2018
Wow. What beautiful stitches. This would be a great reference book to have on hand if you would like to design your own scarves, hats, etc. Each pattern is more beautiful than the next. Includes lace, cables, bobbles, trims, and collars.
December 7, 2018
This book has many samples of stitch variations, using particularly the cable method for knitting. Since its presentation is spread out with the 260 patterns, this work is an encyclopedia, and should be bought as a reference book.
April 27, 2019
This book is jam packed with interesting knitting stitches, and combination of them and they are very different from the ones normally found in English/American/Australian/New Zealand stitch dictionaries. I am going to be purchasing this book for my reference collection.
May 8, 2019
Exquisite is the perfect word to describe these knitting patterns. At first I was overwhelmed by the intricacies, the details of each one, and hesitated to even begin, but as a friend said, "It's one stitch at a time."
February 14, 2020
A Master of textile art - the beauty of these pieces and the follow-up (which I perused first) are inspiring and only mildly intimidating because of the breakdown of the patterns.
I borrowed these from the library but I plan to buy them in future because I think I will get a lot of use from them!
I borrowed these from the library but I plan to buy them in future because I think I will get a lot of use from them!
December 9, 2020
Beautiful work
I have this as an ebook and have found it a very interesting and informative book. With methods of knitted stitches I had yet to come across. It has made me very excited to incorporate these stitches and patterns in my own work.
I have this as an ebook and have found it a very interesting and informative book. With methods of knitted stitches I had yet to come across. It has made me very excited to incorporate these stitches and patterns in my own work.
October 30, 2017
Would love this book if I was designing my own knitted items. Lots of great cables and twists. Definitely not for 'mindless' knitting.
November 14, 2017
Beautiful patterns. I’m anxious to try some.
November 21, 2017
There are some really excellent / extremely complicated knitting patterns that I'd like to try.
December 12, 2017
Wow these are gorgeous. Charted stitch patterns with very clear swatch photos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews