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      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

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