Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Book Review – Amazing Japanese Crochet Stitches

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If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of Japanese crochet patterns on Pinterest, you’ll know they’re in a league of their own—delicate, intricate, and downright addictive. Keiko Okamoto’s Amazing Japanese Crochet Stitches brings that magic straight to your hook with a collection that feels like opening a treasure chest for crocheters.

This book isn’t just about giving you patterns—it’s about teaching you a whole new crochet language. Inside, you’ll find 125 stitch patterns ranging from lacey motifs and geometric textures to playful borders and floral designs. Each stitch is charted with clear Japanese symbol diagrams, making it an ideal book if you’ve ever wanted to crack the code of international crochet. Don’t worry if charts make you nervous—the book also includes step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for working through them.

What I love most about this book is its versatility. These stitches aren’t just swatches to admire; they’re building blocks. You can turn them into scarves, blankets, garments, or even add them as trims to your existing projects. Whether you’re designing your own crochet piece or just looking to learn a new stitch every week, this book keeps your creativity buzzing.

The photography is crisp and inspiring—every stitch looks like a little piece of art. And because it’s Keiko Okamoto, you know you’re in good hands. Her designs always balance elegance with approachability, so even adventurous beginners who are comfortable with the basics can start exploring.

Who it’s for:

  • Crocheters who want to expand their stitch dictionary. 
  • Makers curious about Japanese crochet charts and techniques. 
  • Anyone who loves lace, texture, and adding unique flair to handmade projects. 

In short, Amazing Japanese Crochet Stitches lives up to its name. It’s not just a stitch guide—it’s an invitation to play, experiment, and take your crochet projects to the next level.

You can grab your copy at KnitPicks, and I promise it will become one of those books you reach for again and again whenever you’re itching for inspiration.

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.