Book Review: Easy Knitted Fingerless Gloves

Japanese knitting patterns are popular with knitters all over the world for the simplicity of their presentation. You don’t really have to know how to read the language because the patterns are presented in chart form.

If you’ve been wanting to give Japanese knitting patterns a try but were intimidated by the concept (or you’ve just heard of them and want to give knitting one a go), Easy Knitted Fingerless Gloves by Nihon Vogue is a great place to start.

The 21 patterns cover a range of knitting techniques, including stranded knitting, lace, cables and beaded knitting. Some projects are worked flat and seamed while others are worked in the round. Some just have a hole for the thumb (or are mitts that don’t go over the thumb) while others have thumb gussets.

Because this is a knitting book aimed at the English-speaking market that may not have experience with Japanese knitting patterns, there are plenty of instructions on the techniques, how to read patterns and more detailed notes than you are likely to find on typical Japanese patterns.

While the chart style is a little intimidating at first, it’s really not that hard to understand with the help of the notes and the additional charts for the colorwork. Like learning anything new, if you just take your time and make sure you understand what the pattern is asking you do, it shouldn’t be a problem.

These patterns are a great way to gain confidence in your knitting skills because you are trusted to understand what you need to do, and that can be a big confidence boost when you find you can complete the project successfully.

Some of my favorite patterns include the Weave and Lace pattern pictured on the cover and designed by Tomo Sugiyama; the Aran Motif gloves, which have both a long and a short version by Mariko Oka; and the Slouchy Spiral Mitts by Makiko Okamoto, which use a knit a purl spiral pattern and are worked almost the length of sleeves.

The patterns are not on Ravelry so I did a quick Instagram video to show you the interior of the book. You can view it here (and give me a follow while you’re over there if you like!).

About the book: 84 pages, paperback, 21 patterns. Published by Tuttle Publishing, 2019, suggested retail price $12.99.

Next Pattern:

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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