Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

JAPANESE CROCHET HELPERS

by

pg01

What crocheter hasn’t been tempted by those books of beautiful Japanese crochet?  The Japanese are certainly prolific needleartists and designers.  However, most of us find the patterns unaccessible because, aside from the diagrams, we are unable to understand the patterns.

Sample of a Japanese Crochet Book

But, there are some tools online to assist us in making the designs in these books more accessible.  Here are some sites for you to check out.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4614412_choosing-japanese-crochet-patterns.html

http://community.livejournal.com/weloveamigurumi/434126.html

http://purlyshells.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-read-japanese-crochet-pattern.html

With these articles, I’m hopeful that more of us will be able to use the wonderful Japanese crochet designs in books and online.

Comments

  3. I think the Japanese crochet patterns are easier to follow than the English onces. The english patterns are very confusing because American and British call the same thing different names.

  4. I have been crocheting since 10 yesrs old, now I am 68. In the 60s I came across a japanese craft store, they sold japanese crochet book. I bought about 6 or 8 books and since then, have been my favorite books. I love to crochet with size 10 thread and love to make table cloths and bedspread. Can you provide me with patterns for these? Round or square table cloths. Filet works too are some of my favorite.

  5. For the patterns you seek, check out http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com . There are many great patterns there for free. Other free pattern sites include those of all the yarn/thread manufactureres and garnstudio.com. Note that some sites might require you to ‘convert’ UK to US crochet terminology.

    jd

  6. For all the people who just love Japanese Crochet Patterns, here are few sites that are going to knock your socks off.

    http://giftjap.info/
    Once the site is open click onto english on the top tab and finally click on download free books and there are many Japanese crochet books for free here.

    Another gem I have found is Japanese Yarn Company called Pierrot
    http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/461397/
    Once you get to this page allow for your computer to translate from Japanese to English. As you scroll towards the bottom of the page and list of numbers as you click onto them you will find patterns here which are downloadable.
    http://www.hamanaka.co.jp/make/index.html
    Once the page is open allow for it to be translated and you will find a small selection of patterns.
    http://www.selectyarn.com/index.html
    This is a fantastic site which has a translation tab and will walk you through on how to understand the symbols.

    Good luck everybody enjoy hooking

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.