How’s your week been? You are probably wondering why I am not in Japan yet… Things went a little wrong and I had to postpone my holiday Will talk about this next week. Sorry if I haven’t replied to you yet. It’s been super chaotic in the world of C & C, but I will definitely get back to you before the weekend ends.

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But today, I would like to feel fresh and let you know about this wonderful Japanese-inspired book called Haiku Knits by Tanya Alpert. She is an owner of Knitting by the Beach (great things there BTW!) and has two wonderful blogs, The Knitting Sommerlier and Tanya Alpert. The book is forwarded by Erica Knights (you know it’s good, right?).

As a Japanese person who knits, I felt it was my duty to review this book. As soon as I received this book, opened and looked through, I was impressed about the following three points: 1) structure of the book, 2) designs and 3) fibres used.

STRUCTURE

In this book, there is no jargon, no gibberish, no too much wording. It is not pretentious. It is honest, clear and helpful. It’s excellent. I like a book like this.

The contents are SO CLEARLY laid out. The general structure of the content is: a) main design image b) introduction and material information with clear diagrams, c) patterns.

This means that when you see a project that you want to knit, you can quickly “assess” knittability (whether it is a quick-knit or the one you need to spend time). There is absolutely no risk that you get lost in this book.

At the end of the book, there are about 16 pages of information about essential knitting techniques and information with pictures. Again, it is clear and I find it so user-friendly.

DESIGNS

Every design is gorgeous and cleverly constructed yet simple. Many don’t have the usual structure of the garment so you know that the garment will hang on you very artistically ♥

Often in a standard craft books there are probably 1 or 2 projects that you would like to make (hence you would buy the book). In Haiku Knits, you would more likely to find at least 5 designs that you would knit – that, I can guarantee.

By looking through the images, I think these garments are the kind of knitwear that you emphasize when you wear it to tell people “look! I made this, doesn’t it look great?”.

FIBRE

Tanya is not afraid of using VARIOUS FIBRES. The kind of yarn used varies from standard merino to Habu linen paper. It is a great book for you to try out different kinds of yarns if you haven’t yet done so.

If you have read my previous yarn review you know this, but characteristics and the beauty of the yarn does not simply limit to it’s softness. Tanya’s designs really draws out the goodness of individual yarn.

This is the book that would leads to a bigger world of knitting.

There are so many more images I would like to show you, but there isn’t enough space!

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So onto the draw detail: THE DRAW IS NOW CLOSED.

PRIZE:

This amazing Haiku Knits – Hardback(I love it so much that I had to give an alternative!)

OR

Japanese craft book: Winter Knit Catalogue

TO ENTER THE DRAW:

WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVOURITE JAPANESE DESIGN?

(It can be a fashion, furniture, architecture.. any designs.)

It would be great if you could Re-Tweed this post

Enter your email address:

DRAW RULE:

1. Deadline is 12th February. I will announce the winner on 13th Feb by random selection.

2. To save you coming back to check every so often, it would be easier if you subscribe to this blog (the form is above or the top right corner).

3. If you are a winner (fingers and toes crossed), please contact me and let me know which book you would like to be sent with your  shipping address. Please get back to me within 2 weeks of the announcement. Optional donation to shipping will be appreciated but there is absolutely no obligation.

4. I won’t be able to reply for this post but I always read them and enjoy your comments ;D

Good luck, and have a wonderful weekend!