Thursday 27 September 2007

Understanding Leaves

This white top is one of the patterns from Let's Knit Series #3.

The book is still available and it is listed on the right side of the KAL main page.
























Let's see our understanding of the Leaf knitting symbols, in the chart bellow.

- Purl all the blank squares. (This is stated at the bottom of the chart)

- A blank region on the chart means just this : a blank region. No stitches there. Just ignore it.

Row 1: The Swimming Fish symbol is a twisted stitch. Knit through the back of the stitch.
Row 2: The same, if you work in the round. Otherwise purl through the back of the stitch.
Row 3: 2-st Left Cross
Row 4: Purl through the back
Row 5: K, Yo, K, YO, K
Row 7: Drop one stitch on a cable needle at the back, knit 5 stitches, purl the stitch from the cable needle
Row 9: K, Centered decrease, K
Row 11: Centered decrease
Row 13 : Drop one stitch at the back on a cable needle, K, Purl the stitch from the cable needle.


Centered decrease- slip two stitches together as if to knit, K next stitch, pass slipped stitches over that knit stitch.
















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And here is the result:

Wednesday 26 September 2007

Understanding Swimming Fishes

Basically a 'Swimming Fish' stitch is a twisted stitch - knitted through the back.

Here are combinations of several 2-stitches cables, in which the foreground stitch is twisted - creating a leaning 'Swimming Fish' stitch.






Tuesday 25 September 2007

Let's Knit #12, patt. #18, cable deciphering needed!

hi all -





















This is the cable framed by skinny ones on each side, shaded in gray.
Any help translating how to do this cable would be much appreciated. It looks deceptively simple, but I believe it requires a fair amount of manipulation. I believe the center sts. are always held in front, but am not sure how the other sts. are crossed.





Many thanks!

Judith

Monday 24 September 2007

More Japanese Knitting and Crochet Patterns Books

Japanese Knitting And Crochet Patterns Books

Knitting Patterns Book 250



Knitting Patterns 250 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 300



Knitting Patterns Book 300 in YesAsia

Knitting Patterns Book 300



Knitting Pattern Book 300 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 500



Knitting Patterns 500 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 1000



Knitting Patterns 1000 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 100 - Aran Patterns



Knitting Patterns 100 in YesAsia.com

Knitting Patterns Book 250



Knitting Patterns 250 in YesAsia.com

Crochet Patterns 300



Crochet Patterns 300 in YesAsia.com

Crochet Patterns 200



Not available in YesAsia.com

Friday 14 September 2007

Let's Knit #11 - No. 3 Shawl

I started knitting the shawl last night while watching (listening is more what I was doing)a baseball game on T.V.

I am using JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk Yarn, colour: Iris. I have completed the first chart (row 1 - 26). It went smoothly without a hitch. The only complaint I have is that the print (chart) is too small.

I asked DH to copy & enlarge the charts for me. I will take a photo of my progress and add it to the post later tonight.




















This was taken after Row 50.
Now that I have started, I am eagaer to continue.

Japananese Knitting - Reading the charts


Common Japanese knitting symbols in patterns



Common decrease/increase notation

A x-y-z sequence means: knit another x rows - decrease/increase y stitches - do this z times.
So the above decrease should be done like this:

1. Decrease 7 stitches
2. Knit 2 rows, bind off 2 stitches, do this twice
3. Knit 2 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 5 times
4. Knit 4 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 3 times
5. Knit 6 rows, bind off 1 stitch, do this 4 times

Let's do the math now: 7 + 2x2 + 1x5 + 1x3 + 1x4 = 23 stitches.

Other very useful resources on Japanese Knitting

Japanese Knitting Basics

Japanese Basic Stitches

Japanese - English Knitting Dictionary

How to read Japanese Knitting Charts




Thursday 13 September 2007

Let's Knit Series #12

New issue out and available in YesAsia.
Check the links on the right side for a preview.


Wednesday 12 September 2007

A Website to View Porjects in Books

As I was reading through patterns, I noticed at the bottom of the book says: "Handknits is supported by tezukuritown portal site." (tezukuri means handmade). So I went to the site and had a look.

I found that there's a page for the books (Ladies & Let's Knit series books) and by clicking on each cover of the books, you will be able to see the detailed info on the books.

If you click on the book, it will take you to another page. On the right side where you could see ISBN and such, click on the button immediately below the size (257 x 210mm) of the book, it will show a virtual tour of the projects.

The link is here.

Tuesday 11 September 2007

Book 11 Shawl #3

Silvia pointed out Nina's cry for help and asked if I could help her out, since I'm working on this shawl. (Which I still wish had, you know, a name. Or at least, a name I could interpret.)

Well, first, I don't read Japanese at all, so I've solely been working from the charts. Which means that, while it's possible the text says differently, I literally started by casting on 7 stitches and then just starting with Row 1 on the chart . . . knit, knit, YO, knit, YO, knit center stitch, YO, knit, YO, knit, knit.

The first chart is pretty self-explanatory . . . just knit straight across each row. The blank squares are stitches that don't exist yet (each row grows by four stitches).

The second chart is actually used 5 times, with one extra repeat section each time. (Currently, I'm on the third repeat.) Then, charts three and four are used one time, each.

Did this help? It's my first Japanese pattern, too, but I find it to be pretty much the same as any other triangular shawl lace chart I've done. There might be something I'm missing out of the text-instructions that I can't read, but . . . everything seems to be going smoothly.

You know, even if I haven't worked on it in a couple of weeks now, poor thing.

--Deb
www.chappysmom.com

New Member

Hi, another new member here. Very happy to be part of this talented group.

I was born and grew up in Taiwan where just about all of the knitters learned to knit the Japanese way. In fact, it took me a long time to learn how to read written instructions when we moved to Ontario, Canada way back.

I do read, speak & write Japanese fairly well and would be more than happy to help if there's any questions regarding patterns, etc.

Just received #11 last Friday, and would like to start the shawl as soon as I could find time between my new home & new project at work, hopefully soon. :)

Monday 10 September 2007

New Member

Hello all. I am glad to be a member of this group. I live in Pacifica, California overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We need shawls all year, fortunately! I am hoping someone can help me find a translation of the shawl on the back cover of Let's Knit 11. I see that Queen Mudd has knit it and her version is lovely. I have a cone of sage green Zephyr waiting. Is there a written translation of the instructions someone can share? I can figure out the symbols on the chart with the help of Fleegelsblog but the rest of the instructions are a mystery. Thanks in advance!
Nina, Pacifica, CA

Let's Knit Series Book

This is another beautiful book I just received. It is still available in Amazon Japan. I could not figure out the title, but I am posting a few images bellow.
I will swatch the pattern for the cover sweater tonight - I think I've got the right yarn for it as well.

My favourite one.