250 Japanese Knitting Stitches: The Original Pattern Bible by Hitomi Shida

"The knitting stitch patterns included in the book are all interesting, beautiful, appealing and totally usable. They'd make lovely wearable projects or home decor items…The swatches are photographed cleanly, and the stitch definition is evident in every swatch… 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches is an incredible value for the money you'll spend on it." — KnittingandCrochet.net "This is mindful, challenging knitting at its best, and this translation opens up a world of Japanese knitting charts to English speakers." — Library Journal "The patterns are full of glorious, toothy texture that flows from cable to twisted stitch to lace and bobble…This book will wake up your knitting imagination like a cymbal crash at the height of a symphony." — Knitty.com "Originally published more than two decades ago and appearing for the first time in English, 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches by Hitomi Shida follows the author's Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible …Gayle Roehm, a knitting instructor who focuses on Japanese patterns, translated the text in both books; the stitch diagrams, however, use symbols only and require no knowledge of Japanese." — Publishers Weekly "Knot stitch is one of those little tweaks that turn a basic project into a one of a kind creation. It is used quite often in the elaborate stitch patterns described in the book 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches by Hitomi Shida." — 10 Rows a Day blog "One of the blessings of taking up needles and yarn is the opportunity to travel vicariously to far-off lands through the stories and stitches of other knitters…Avidly collected in the original Japanese by knitters around the world, 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches is Shida's first collection, a compendium of stitches she used in her Couture Knits designs…Translated and interpreted for the English-speaking world for the first time by Gayle Roehm…sharing Shida's lyrical, intricate stitches with curious knitters anxious to incorporate the work of this intrepid designer, who has plumed the depths of her imagination and far reaches of the medium to create this vocabulary for knitters everywhere." — Vogue Knitting "…filled with exquisite stitches…the book's introduction provides helpful tips and instructions on how to properly read these [Japanese style] charts and provides a symbol guide." — The Knotting Way blog Hitomi Shida is a well-known Japanese designer of thousands of original knitting stitches and knitted garments, cultivating a worldwide following of fans. Her intricate and elegant patterns have made her the most famous knitting guru in Japan. She has been teaching, designing and writing books for over 20 years. Gayle Roehm lived in Japan and studied the language for many years. She has knit from Japanese patterns for most of her knitting career. Gayle frequently teaches at knitting gatherings around the U.S., conducts knitting tours around Japan and publishes her own designs. She is the translator of the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible .