Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida

549 Pages·2017·73.69 MB·English

by  Hitomi Shida

260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
Japanese Knitting
Stitch Bible
TRANSLATED WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY GAYLE ROEHM
TUTTLE
Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
About this Collection of 260
Knitting Stitch Patterns
More than ten years have passed since my first collection of knitting
stitches, Couture Knitting Patterns 250, was published in 2005. Since
2009 I have also created spring/summer issues for my series of Couture
Knits, which now totals 17 volumes. This second volume of stitch
patterns gave me a welcome opportunity. In this collection, I have added
scallop patterns and a number of round yokes and edgings. Every pattern
I looked at brought up memories, and I found it hard to decide which
ones to include here.
If you use the patterns collected here to create knitted items, I’d be
pleased to receive any hints you have.
In considering a knitting pattern, I carefully scrutinize one pattern
stitch at a time. I divide it into its parts and try to reconstruct it. While I’m
knitting, I’ll quickly change the original pattern to see where it takes me. I
can’t stop trying new techniques. There are times when it goes smoothly,
but more often I end up heaving a sigh of disappointment. However, I
know that this process is very important to me and I want to continue
feeling the urge to experiment. On this road that I’ve followed I’ve had a
lot of support. I’m grateful and happy to be able to continue to knit. From
now on, step by step, I’ll keep on developing my work.
Finally, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of you for your
participation and use of this collection of knitting patterns.
—HITOMI SHIDA
CONTENTS
Welcome to the World of Japanese Knitting
About Japanese stitch pattern charts in general
If you’re knitting back and forth
If you’re knitting in the round
Symbol definitions
About these charts in particular
“Knot” stitches
Other notations
A Guide to the Symbols
Lacy Patterns
Overall Patterns and Crossing Stitches
Pattern Panels
Pattern Arrangements
Round Yokes
Edgings
Welcome to the World of Japanese
Knitting
The world of Japanese hand knitting draws more and
more Western knitters every day, with good reason. Japanese designs
are innovative and elegant, filled with fine stitch work and beautiful detail
—a feast for any knitter. And yes, Japanese knitting can be challenging.
As with any new method or technique, the differences take some getting
used to. But you will find that the graphic format of Japanese patterns is
quite accessible once you understand certain conventions. The results
are extremely satisfying and well worth the effort. In time, this style of
needle work will become second nature.
The gorgeous stitches in this book are the product of a single brain. Like
so many who find their niche in unexpected places, Hitomi Shida didn’t
set out to become a knitting designer, but during a period of recovery
from illness she was introduced to machine knitting, and eventually
qualified as an instructor. She later turned her attention to hand knitting.
In 1990 she participated in a group show, which was her debut as a
designer. She began taking on work for magazines and yarn companies,
and published her first book of garment patterns in 1996. The next year,
Shida began creating an annual Couture Knitting collection of fall and
winter women’s garments. She added a spring/summer edition in 2009,
as well as ongoing work for magazines and yarn companies. She’s now
one of Japan’s best-known and most respected hand knitting designers,
and her work defines “Japanese knitting” for many knitters.
This lovely volume is her second collection of hand knitting stitch
patterns, and the first to be made available in English. In this book, Shida
offers insight into how stitches can be modified and varied to create new
patterns. Every knitter is sure to find a new world of inspiration in these
pages.
An abridged list of Hitomi Shida’s publications includes: 私のナチュラル
ニット (My Natural Knits) 978-4277112857, August 1997
春夏のクチュール・ニット―おしゃれに着こなす (Spring and Summer
Couture Knits: Dressing Well Stylishly) 978-4529028820, March 1997
[Volumes 2-10 of the Couture Knits series were published between
September 1997 and August 2005]
クチュール・ニット� 模様編み250 (Couture Knitting Patterns 250) 978-
4529041768, November 2005
Volumes 11-13 of the Couture Knits series were published between
August 2006 and August 2008.
クチュール・ニット春夏―涼やかな⼤⼈のニット (Couture Knits Spring
and Summer: Cool Adult Knits) 978-4529046831, February 2009
Volumes 2-7 of the Couture Knits Spring and Summer series were
published in annually in February between 2010 and 2015.
Volumes 14-20 of the Couture Knits series were published between
August 2009 and August 2015.
The book you hold in your hands was published in November 2015 as 棒
針の模様編み集260 (Couture Knits: Hand Knitting Pattern Collection 260)
978-4529055024.
About Japanese stitch pattern charts in general
The stitch patterns in this book are presented in the form of charts, using
symbols to describe each stitch.
Unlike other stitch pattern charts you may have seen, Japanese
charts do not provide a key for how to work the symbols. The symbols
are standardized, and every Japanese publisher uses the same symbol
set. A Japanese knitter is expected to know them. Complex or unusual
stitch combinations may, however, be illustrated with drawings or photos;
you’ll find some in this collection.
For knitters who aren’t familiar with Japanese stitch symbols, the
guide to symbols (found on pp. 7-17) defines how to work each of the
symbol/symbol combinations. It may also refer you to photos or
illustrations for some of the more complex maneuvers.
The single most important thing to remember is this: the chart shows
the right side of the work. It’s a visual representation of what your knitting
will look like when it’s done. Each symbol describes what the stitch will
look like on the right side, not necessarily what you execute. For
example, to create a knit stitch on the right side, you purl on the reverse
side.
If you’re knitting back and forth:
• On the right side, read the chart from right to left, in the same
sequence that you work the stitches.
• On the reverse (or “wrong”) side, read the chart from left to
right, and reverse the stitches, so that your stitches will show
up correctly on the right side.
• aside from knits and purls, not many stitches have to be worked
on the wrong side. The guide to symbols describes how to
work symbols on reverse side rows. if only one definition is
given, that particular symbol is only done on right side rows.
If you’re knitting in the round:
Read every row from right to left. There’s no need to reverse stitches. In
most charts, you’ll see a lot of blank boxes. If so, the chart provides a key
to tell you how to read the blank. You’ll usually find this key at the bottom.
For instance:
tells you that a blank box is worked as a knit stitch.
tells you that a blank box is worked as a purl.
This convention keeps the chart cleaner and easier to read—your eye
can focus on what you have to do, without a lot of visual “noise” from the
background stitches. Compare stitch patterns 1 and 2, for instance.
Pattern 1 has a reverse stockinette stitch background, while pattern 2 is
stockinette-based.