Crochet :: Japanese Style

Ahhh this book, do you remember me telling you it arrived on Saturday? It came aaaaaalllllll the way from Japan you know, and for some inexplicable reason this makes me feel incredibly excited. First time I've ever had anything arrive All The Way From Japan before. I keep thinking how bloomin marvelous it is that I can see something on my computer screen, make a few clickety-clicks on my keyboard, then hey-presto less than a week later a plop through my letter box brings it right into my excited hands.  Can you tell I'm a newbie at International Internet Shopping?

Anyhow :: this book....let me tell you now, I've fallen truly, madly, deeply in L:O:V:E with it. 

It is quite simply GORgeous. Stunning. Inspirational. Beautiful. Desirable.

Oh yes it is all those things and many more besides and I am seriously in love.

This is what greets you when you first tiptoe into the pages..............

Oh oh OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mm mm MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't that just the stuff of anyones Hooky Yarny Dreams???????

I fell in love right there and then, at the sight of that first Double Spread.

BAM!!!

Just like that.

Want to see some more??

Want to see some of the projects within these delicious Japanese pages?

A perfectly perfect Attic24-stylie bag.

Scrummy.

The most beautiful, beautiful crocheted clothes hangers.....

....just look at that amazingly pretty edging!!

And this, one of my absolute favourite pages in the whole book. Love everything about this image, isn't the styling to die for?? That shelf with those teapots!!! OH how I Love that!! Not to mention the beautiful hexie blanket there....

Isn't that design just amazing?

Love it.

Now as you know, this book came All The Way From Japan, meaning it is a Japanese book.

Meaning it is written in Japanese.

Of course.

But fear-ye-not, because the patterns for all these desirable projects are written in Universal Diagram format, as show above. Lots of gobbledegooky Japanese writing as well, but we can ignore that and concentrate on the diagram....

....which is actually pretty straight forward to follow.

Now if anyones interested, I would gladly write a post about these diagrams, explaining the symbols etc and how to read them, cos thats Very Useful Knowledge to have if you're into crochet.

This afternoon, I had a little go at reading the above diagram and making a hexagon, well five rounds of one anyhow....

....and it didn't turn out too bad, although I think I would need to practice my joining techniques as it's a little messy where each round begins and ends.

Now before I toddle off to go drool some more over the pages, let me give you a few details....

I first saw this book mentioned by Jane. And then by Hen. And it was indeed the lovely Hen who kindly told me where I could go to find this book and purchase it All The Way From Japan.

It came to me via an amazing Etsy Seller called Pomadour24. Super fast delivery, and beautifully packaged too. I think it cost me about £19 including delivery.

The book itself is called "Pretty Colour Crochet and Knit Goods"

Do go take a look at this amazing Etsy shop, there are some lovely looking books to be had All The Way From Japan. (just spotted this one oooo-ooooo!!)

Hmmm....I can feel an addiction coming on. Dear oh dear.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Monday :: edited to add :: Wonderful to read all your excitable comments on this post, oh me too, me too, the excitement over this book has not yet diminished!!

Just to let you know that Pomadour24 does restock/update her etsy shop very frequently, so if the book is out of stock when you first go look, do check back again in a day or two as it will come back in again.

Also to add I've gone and bought Book 2. Dear-oh-dear. I'll show you it when it arrives All The Way From Japan.

And finally, due to popular demand, I will be writing a How-to-decipher post for the crochet diagrams, sometime this week I hope.

xx

 

Comments

[Susan Hardy]

Your so lucky. The book is gorgeous and addictive by the looks of it. Hey, has baby been good and let you have some free time!

[Louisa]

i have the wanties now...

:)

[dm anderson]

This is a Japanese yarn company who has a ton of free patterns. The blue dots are the crochet patterns. Be warned, you will lose yourself here.
http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/461397/713923/

[annri]

Those first few photos look like they could be from Attic24!! Definitely gorgeous! I'm going to hunt down a copy of that book...

I've been working on a few birds to make a mobile. Thank you for the tutorial(s), the birds are super cute!

[Linda Gilbert]

That's it then.Now we are lost in Japan !! Thanks Lucy.
Just love it.
Kindest Regards Linda

[Gail]

What a great looking book :)

They have a second one too :)

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PRETTY-COLOR-CROCHET-and-KNIT-GOODS-2-Japanese-Book_W0QQitemZ200445847101QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Crocheting_Knitting_Patterns?hash=item2eab80e63d

[Sue]

Want. It. Now. I'm going to have to get it to go with the one Gail's mentioned that should be with me in a couple of weeks.

[Jo]

There is always something truly beautiful about all Japanese craft books. I have a couple Zakka sewing books at the moment and I just look through them and drool. Also very simple, but oh so beautiful.

[emily curnow]

ohh could you post how you neatly join the rounds because no matter how i try to tidy up that slip stitch at the end of the round it always pulls and looks messy

[Jane Thorpe]

Gorgeous hexagon!!! Can't wait to see more!

[sheLL]

haha lucy hi :) ive seen quite a few similarities between you and I and the latest being the newest japanese crochet book you've found on etsy! I absolutely love the cover, can only imagine what is inside. ♥

[sheLL]

lol , i was so excited i forgot to mention that i had fav'd that book a while ago, just so i could drool over it. do get it so we can have a peek inside ;)

[KnitPurlGurl]

Ooooo - I LURVE the crochet covered hangers!!! Now I want this book!!

[ruth]

Hello - been reading your lovely blog for a long time now but always stayed in the shadows admiring your crochet but when I saw that photo with the baskets of yarn my heart actually physically ached - I know exactly how you feel (I keep scrolling up as I'm typing this to look at it!!!)

[Mary Brockmeyer]

I've never really been tempted to crochet all those fiddly little bits,(your pattern excluded from that comment) but that afghan - OOOH - I'm ready. Is there a way to share that pattern without infringing on copyright?

[folksmith]

love the book, want to do the hexagon quilt.

[Karin]

Wow!
I cannot find the right words to express what I feel when I look at these stunning pictures.
A feast for the eyes.
~X~ Karin

[Sam]

Oooh, gorgeous. I want to make those coat hangers....... so pretty.

[Simone]

That book looks so inspirational. I can't wait to see what you make from it. I fancy having a go at those crochet covered hangers. I may have to get that book!!! Thank you for letting us have a peep inside! x

[Angie]

I am always blown away by Japanese crochet! Thanks for sharing.

[Robbie]

Well Lucy you have done it again!!! I want the book, I want to make the hangers and the hexies. First I have to get the book! I would absolutely like to know how to read the diagrams...just knowing the symbols would be so helpful. I am going straight to the web sites to order. THANKS, Robbie : )

[M.B]

Oh Yes a georgeos book right in your alley. Same colors and style if you asked mee. Liked the hexieblanket. Lovely.

[emma]

Well done for the find. I must admit I'd never be brave enough to buy a book in a foreign language ... let alone a different alphabet! Japan never struck me as having a crochet culture either! I mean can you crochet a kimono??!!!
Looking forward to seeing yout take on the makes

[amy]

So, I've never really cared for crocheted hangers, but those are so fabulous! I totally want some!

[Christina]

Drooooool.... It looks wonderful and I love your hexagon. If you do find a better way of joining the rounds I would love to know as mine are messy too. :)