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:

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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