Book Review: Japanese Wonder Crochet

This month I'm reviewing Nihon Vogue's Japanese Wonder Crochet. While this book is quite different from any crochet book I've seen before, my first thought is what makes it Japanese? The model clearly isn't Japanese and the stitch patterns aren't, Bavarian and Turkish Lif for instance. The designers, the yarn, and the original publishers are however. Perhaps it's also reflected in the understated photographic styling and the nature inspired colourways. But the most prominent element is the instructions, which are almost entirely in diagrams and charts.

If you've never seen the book or any other Japanese crochet publication I can imagine that you are a little confused right now, so let me explain! 
Each of the stitch designs comes with a swatch sized symbol chart, and many of these are accompanied by step-by-step photos and written instructions. This allows you to try out and practise the stitches before committing yourself. It also helps to get you familiarised with the way the symbol charts are written. Besides, of course, checking your gauge!
At the back of the book there's an excellent section explaining all the stitches, nothing is left to chance. You're never given some vague instructions, like "double crochet along the edge", or "seam together", without being shown how it is to be done.
Now we come to the actual patterns. You will find all the usual information about materials, hook size, gauge and finished size. The important bit, the 'Points', are the actual instructions which are no more than a paragraph long. They basically explain the order of work. There may be a schematic showing all the dimensions and how everything is joined together. And then there are the symbol charts. Around the charts and schematics are lots of extra notations. Although the book uses American terminology, this isn't a problem for UK readers as stitch symbols are universal.

It seemed to me the only way I could really review this book was to try out some of the projects. So I chose to start with the Mini-Pouch in waffle stitch, by Yoko Imamura, as it was small!! (As I am currently stash busting my oddments I am using all the wrong yarn!) I managed to pick one of the stitch patterns that does not have a photo tutorial and I did not read the instructions in enough detail before starting. Here's what I learnt!!

The symbol charts are drawn as if you are looking at them from the front. So the diagram shows some of the post stitches as back post stitches, even though you work them as front post stitches when you are on a wrong side row! The confusion that ensued was all mine as the information was right there in front of me. I felt that the chart could have been drawn much larger which would have been of benefit to these poor eyes.

But on the up side, when it came to stitching the sides I knew exactly where to put my stitches and I love the 'whip stitch weave' used to join the two sides.

Next I decided to try the scale stitch Cowl, by Ha-Na. This time there is a photo tutorial, which teaches you how to work in a continuous round, changing colour as you go and carrying the yarn. I actually had some trouble with that seam and in the end I drew myself a little colour coded chart. Because I'd worked a swatch I was able to get to grips with this issue before beginning the project, proper. (And once again I'm using the wrong yarns.)

 Just like the pattern I used different types of yarn, one fluffy and two smooth, but mine are more like Aran weight instead of the super bulky used in the pattern. That means I needed to add more rows, and I decided to make the width much narrower. Besides that though I kept to the colour sequence and colour proportions.

What I've ended up with is a snugly, comforting cowl which stands up on it's own. You can hide your face in this.

I wanted to know if all the information really could be included with so few words. Time to try something a little more complex. I went for the Maple Leaf Granny Bag. It should be made using an Aran weight cotton/linen ribbon. I didn't!

The swatch is for three colours. The stitch pattern appears to be quite complex at first glance. While I wouldn't recommend it for beginners, all the information for the stitches is shown in the 'Technique Guide' and the chart makes the stitch positions clear. I was quickly able to pick up the rhythm. My only unanswered question was whether to 'carry' my yarn between rows or fasten off. In the end I did a bit of both!

I messed about with the colouring of the handles and chose to do the top stitching in a contrasting colour. I'll leave it up to you to decide whether I made a good decision!  

I've always liked cable patterns, but I have convinced myself I'm not very good at them. What better excuse is there, than to challenge myself with a cable tea cosy?

The pattern calls for an Alpaca DK weight, so for my swatch I tried the Sirdar Just Soya that has been taking up space in my stash. After blocking the viscose yarn relaxed so completely it was clearly unsuitable for the job. But it did teach me the true benefit of swatching AND blocking!

Instead I decided to play yarn chicken with an ancient cotton/linen/viscose blend. I've probably gone to the opposite extreme. My tea cosy might have benefited from a softer yarn. The cosy is also sized for serious tea drinkers at a full 20"/50cm in diameter. For my one-woman pot I might have got away with a sport or even sock weight yarn. The cosy is also intended to have a bobble on top. It definitely needs something to finish it off. I picked up a handy hint from Fay Dashper-Hughes, about sewing a button to the base of your bobble so that it can be removed before washing.

 

If you're ever thinking of buying a pattern book without seeing it first, it's always a good idea to have a look for it on Ravelry. In the case of this book, Ravelry shows 18 patterns, although there are in fact 25 patterns in the book. If you want to know more details about the projects I have attempted, you will find them all included on my Ravelry 'Projects' page.

My final thoughts are these:

There are 12 bag, purse or pouch patterns in this book, so if you're a bag maker, then this is probably the book for you.

9 of the patterns use Bulky or Super Bulky yarn. So if you're a non wool user like me, then your choices are probably limited to acrylic yarns. 
You might also benefit from having some kind of magnifier to hand.
Personally, I think it was a good buy!

Keep staying safe,

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