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?
Scrummy.
The most beautiful, beautiful crocheted clothes hangers.....
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....
Love it.
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.
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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
Love your blog and unfortunately you probably made the book so popular that it is sold out :-( Enjoy your beautiful day :-)
Posted by: Manon | April 02, 2010 at 09:44 PM
Lucky you Lucy! Both books you mention are sold out!! :o( Got the pouty face going......lol
So sorry about Elspeth. I tried to leave a condolence and it wouldn't let me..on Elspeth's blog. I had written a very long one...a lot of it having to do with depression. I wanted to try and ease her Mr. a little, as much as I could. And poor Mary....I feel so bad for her.
Hugs to you Lucy...xxxxx
Posted by: Kathy Prickett | March 30, 2010 at 08:32 PM
I have a magazine from 1987 that has a very similar hex throw. You would love it. It's called" Great American Granny Squares." Thank you for being so inspirational for me . I've learned so much from your tutorials. I am very grateful. I live in NYC and we have a Japanese Book Store , so I hunted around a bit. The instructions are much better than most I have come across.
Posted by: Randee Sue Phillips | March 26, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Ohhh...I want to make the coat hangers for Christmas gifts!!!
Posted by: Wendi | March 25, 2010 at 07:16 PM
What a gorgeous book you have there. Love those hangers, adorable!
Posted by: Angie (Redhange) | March 25, 2010 at 04:32 PM
and i think these hexagons are the same ones i've started last Sunday (alpaca for me) from the book i received last week...
Posted by: Valerie | March 24, 2010 at 02:49 AM
this one looks pretty good ! thanks for sharing.
i've been crocheting from japanese books right from the beginning (not so long ago though) and i've just one featured on my blog today...
be careful you're going to get... hooked ! ;)
Posted by: Valerie | March 24, 2010 at 02:46 AM
I love the hexagon pattern for the blanket. I have been working on it all weekend but I've just been crocheting for a couple of weeks and I need to help. I can't figure out how to make my centre ring look like yours. When you post instructions, can you include a few pictures to help with starting the pattern? Thanks and keep the patterns coming. This one is great!
Posted by: Sarah H | March 23, 2010 at 04:43 PM
It is a loving bok. I want to know where can i buy this yarns?it is posible ta buy by internet?thanks!!!!!
Posted by: Larraitz | March 23, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Hi Lucy. Thank you so much for posting ont your newly purchased Japanese book. I am so happy to hear you liked the book, because I like it, too. If you have any questions about the Japanese instructions please let me know. (~~*)
Posted by: Seiko | March 22, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Lucy, I love your use of color, among other things and have been wishing you would post a little lesson in how you choose and combine colors. When you put things together, they look lovely. When I try, the results aren't always as good. How about a color tutorial?
Linda Nichols
Posted by: Linda Nichols | March 22, 2010 at 07:14 PM
Hi Lucy, I was busy so had not had the chance to look at your blog for a few days. Today I'm trying to catch up.... since I was missing it. I think this book is Sooooo you, it's increadible. It could have been written by you!! I love your instructions for the wreath also. I will try to create one for Xmas with Xmashy colours if I find a bit of free time (so rare these days). I'm still crocheting my first baby blanket... Thanks again for sharing it all with us. I will be going to the Country Living Magazine this week - inspired by you. xxxxxx
Posted by: Pati | March 22, 2010 at 04:59 PM
Thank you for posting this - all your own stuff is so lovely and this looks like you could have designed it.
Love, love, love the hangers. Am DESOLATED to discover the book has sold out. My DD's best friend is going to Japan, so may have to coerce her into buying it there if she can.
Meanwhile, if you wanted to have a go at making those gorgeous hangers and then just... you know... write about what you did to make them...obviously no copyright infringement intended...
Posted by: Jane Greppi | March 22, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Amazing books...
I was a tad lost over on etsy for a while...
Just so many lovely pics!!!
Too many to choice from...But I did favorite a few...lol
Posted by: michelle | March 22, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Just lovely! A "got to get" book. Thank you for inspering me...again. :-)
Kind regards from snowy and sunny Sweden
Posted by: Linea | March 22, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Thank you for a really inspiring blog. Do you have any suggestions for the best "learn to crochet" book for a beginner? Or suggestions of other web links.... Anything at all would be welcomed.
Posted by: Nichola | March 22, 2010 at 10:16 AM
i´ll try it out. i´m looking for a new project. lucy, have you ever looked at "littlebabycompany.com"? i just came across it and immediately thought of you! xo, jo
Posted by: lykkejoe | March 22, 2010 at 06:54 AM
thank you so much for sharing your colours with us! i've just bumped into your blog and my world changed. thank youuu!
Posted by: raqz | March 22, 2010 at 01:40 AM
Can't wait for the tutorial!!
Posted by: Charisse | March 22, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Hi Lucy! How are you?
I hope that you , your baby and your family are well. Not repair my english, sorry my bad english rsrsrssr
Você se lembra de mim? You remember me? Angélica de BH- Brasil rsrss I thought: I need to visit Lucy in attic today, of course on your blog.rsrs
I loved the bag with pom pom and the hangers.Beautiful! Eu estudei japonês por um ano e meio , e eles são muito inteligentes, simpáticos, corretos e criativos. Lucy, tenho certeza que vc faz esta bolsa e cabide "numa boa", quero dizer, com facilidade. Dou you understand?
I'll try to see if I can do.God bless you and you family. Bye, bye. Angélica.
Posted by: Angélica | March 22, 2010 at 12:06 AM
what a find! looks like an amazing book!
i read your blog all the time, but haven't ever commented (well, not that i can remember)...anyways, i enjoy your posts and all of your lovely creations...i would totally be interested in a post about how to read the crochet diagrams.
Posted by: Casey | March 22, 2010 at 12:04 AM
And now I have my yarns in a basket too!! Truly a beautiful book and one too good to hide in a bookshelf. Thanks for the inspiration Lucy.
Posted by: Sarah | March 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM
I'm sooooooo excited LUCY!!!! I went back yesterday and she had another one there.... yippy for me! Now I can follow along with you :) I also bought the chair cushion book....it's lovely as well. Can't wait to get them....singing>> lalala
Posted by: Ellen | March 21, 2010 at 09:53 PM
Dear Lucy,
i't will be great to have a post that explain about the
diagram,i am abit terrified by them.
Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Dikla | March 21, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Hi Lucy, I would really appreciate it if you'd do a post about understanding crochet symbols. I've been drooling over those books on ebay for a while now (I think it's your etsy friend selling them there too), but held off getting them because I assumed they'd be in Japanese ... how cool that we get to understand the patterns too! I do think Japan has it wrapped with cute crochet design. Thanks, as ever, for sharing! Joy x
Posted by: Joy | March 21, 2010 at 02:49 PM