"At last, we have a book in English from Kotomi Hayashi! 55 Fantastic Knitting Stitches brings us (yes) 55 stitch patterns that will be fun to use in designing and personal knitting. Some are challenging, some are variations on a theme, and all are new and interesting." --Gayle Roehm, knitting teacher, author and translator for the knitting best-sellers Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible and 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches

The perfect book for needlework enthusiasts who want to try the unique Japanese style of knitting!

Popular and prolific author and knitwear designer Kotomi Hayashi presents 55 innovative stitch designs--specifically for those who have never tried Japanese-style knitting before. These include re-imagined modern variations on traditional stitches as well as Hayashi's own innovative inventions, which incorporate influences from her travels all around the world.

These beautiful stitch patterns, influenced by knitting styles from around the world, include:

• Delightful reversible patterns--you get two garments in one!
• Patterns with motifs in relief that add dimension and texture to your knitwear
• Surprising variations on classics such as cables, basketweaves, bobbles and popcorn stitches, among others
• Patterns and stitches with unusual color combinations, offering endless opportunities for creativity

Knitting enthusiasts will find endless inspiration in these pages. Among many others, you'll find innovative criss-cross, rick-rack, openwork, cable, waffle and many other types of stitching, resulting in beautiful textures and strikingly modern uses of color.

In addition to the charts typical of Japanese knitting books, step-by-step instructions and diagrams for each stitch are also included. Hayashi shows you how to use these stitch patterns in one or more of the 25 projects she includes in the book, so you can try them out on gloves, cowls, shawls and more.

55 Fantastic Japanese Knitting Stitches is the perfect book for experienced knitters who love knitting the Japanese way, or those who want to give this style of knitting a try for the first time--opening the door to new horizons and the work of creative Japanese knitwear designers.