tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post658919393751235604..comments2024-03-20T01:23:20.168-05:00Comments on Fleegle's Blog: American vs Japanese Lace Stylefleeglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348327363198905898noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-48914114676780982772009-02-27T16:55:00.000-05:002009-02-27T16:55:00.000-05:00Ha, I'm so amused by this blog post (stumbled upon...Ha, I'm so amused by this blog post (stumbled upon it through blog browsing). <BR/><BR/>I'm a total newbie to knitting. I'm a stay-in-home bored wife who is getting into crafts. I stumbled upon amigurumi, which led me into a slippery slope of yarn crafting, and now I'm into knitting. I seriously was not interested in knitting because everything I had seen was bulky, unflattering, and had jarring colours. But if it weren't for Japanese craft books, I would not have known that I could make amazing stuff. <BR/><BR/>Take the samples in this Japanese blog: http://amimono.g.hatena.ne.jp/ishi-knit/<BR/><BR/>In a very general way, I have bought two or three American knitting books because of the instructions, but I haven't been interested in knitting any of their projects in them unless it's for practice. I've tried looking through bookstore selections, but I leave empty handed and a bit disappointed because most projects are aesthetically uninteresting.<BR/><BR/>However, I did find Rowan books from England, and they're my other favorite. I just wish the yarn wasn't so expensive!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-22060372895277995432007-04-04T11:40:00.000-05:002007-04-04T11:40:00.000-05:00Wow, those are really beautiful. I always apprecia...Wow, those are really beautiful. I always appreciate a frank review. I'm tempted to buy it, even though I would have to translate AND up-size the patterns. I like a challenge (famous last words!). Knit-along, anyone?Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13201776906303707310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-25329605221928212922007-03-31T18:10:00.000-05:002007-03-31T18:10:00.000-05:00I googled for other sites with pictures from this ...I googled for other sites with pictures from this book and found at least six. None of them were asked to remove their pictures, because they are still there. Or else they just ignored Interweave's dire warning. <BR/><BR/>I would think, for the purposes of a review, that using those photos would fall under fair use. Not being a lawyer, though, I wasn't going to argue. <BR/><BR/>Susan--do finish your Dragone. It's really worth it! Mine is nice and warm...just in time for summer :(fleeglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348327363198905898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-62871781304872241902007-03-31T17:15:00.000-05:002007-03-31T17:15:00.000-05:00I would have thought that use of the images for a ...I would have thought that use of the images for a legit review would be covered under Fair Use. A large company like Interweave should be able to take a bit of negative criticism on the chin. I've read other blogs where similar views to yours have been expressed. <BR/><BR/>I had to buy the Japanese book, and love some of the designs. Now to find the time to actually knit something. <BR/><BR/>My poor Dragone shawl is languishing. Must finish it one day.<BR/><BR/>susansb3-commentsATyahooDOTcomDOTauAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-3541724204289529362007-03-30T18:33:00.000-05:002007-03-30T18:33:00.000-05:00Aaah, the copyright brigade. Oh well, better to ta...Aaah, the copyright brigade. Oh well, better to take it down than to drag it to court.<BR/><BR/>The Japanese lace is absolutely incredible. It makes me appreciate your little pattern interpretation tutorials even more.Battyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892116045581715793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-44914607042076440532007-03-30T16:44:00.000-05:002007-03-30T16:44:00.000-05:00What is wrong with the IK people? The newbies wil...What is wrong with the IK people? The newbies will run out to buy that book anyway and the rest of us wouldn't give it shelf space, regardless of your review.<BR/><BR/>Yeech!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-5373093533697583872007-03-17T23:35:00.000-05:002007-03-17T23:35:00.000-05:00Thank you for the review of this book! I was 'forc...Thank you for the review of this book! I was 'forced' to go and buy it today!! (I was sad to find out that as of last week they no longer have the economy shipping for international orders...book for 980yen, shipping for 3000yen - ouch!) It will be in my hands next week or so!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-31424948762333508662007-03-16T11:04:00.000-05:002007-03-16T11:04:00.000-05:00I agree with you about LS, but while I appreciate ...I agree with you about LS, but while I appreciate the beauty of the Japanese Lace, I just couldn't see myself making any of them. I have a similar shape, but I just don't find the proportions very fashionable or flattering. It's not just the boxiness, but the placement of motifs, the size of the necklines, etc. That's my usual problem with the "Let's Knit" series. I tend to find them dowdy, while still appreciating their craftsmanship. I go shopping in a Japanese book store about once each year, and I have a lot of fun looking, but I usually don't buy too much. Now if someone could combine that skill with a better sense of what looks good on a human body, I'd be breathless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-59653810127032530922007-03-10T17:35:00.000-05:002007-03-10T17:35:00.000-05:00I just got my Lace Style copy today, and I SO agre...I just got my Lace Style copy today, and I SO agree with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-11622586638346594242007-03-08T18:14:00.000-05:002007-03-08T18:14:00.000-05:00wow, those Japanese sweaters are incredible. So m...wow, those Japanese sweaters are incredible. So many American patterns just look "ho made" with poor fit and crappy details. I would almost sit down and figure those patterns out, it would actually be worth it.... anyway, Fleegle, thanks for showing us that there is an outside world!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-81321392801558568392007-03-07T19:21:00.000-05:002007-03-07T19:21:00.000-05:00Don't you find that American (and British too to a...Don't you find that American (and British too to an extent) knitting fashion is still in minimalist mode? Hence the lack of dressmaker touches, and the plethora of too-racy (skimpy) styles that pass for "fashion" and the afterthoughts, like the uneven hem on the beige jacket you show, or the collars that do not work out no matter what, like on the orange shrug number.<BR/>I have a bunch of my mother's old knitting books from the 1960's. Those Spinnerin books have classy styles in them. Lots of dressmaker touches -shaping, French cuffs (on sweaters knit of sport-weight yarn!), wonderful plackets, half-belts in the back to add shaping, I could go on and on.<BR/><BR/>Dave, there are men's sweater pattern, I have some in my books.Experimental Knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02574777003294802795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-5586179072695457592007-03-07T00:32:00.000-05:002007-03-07T00:32:00.000-05:00Great review and so to the point, thank you! I lea...Great review and so to the point, thank you! I leafed through Lace Style and completely agree with your comments. Only the Kathy Zimmerman cabled sweater looked like something I might wear (granted, I passed 25 a looong time ago).<BR/><BR/>I also find British and French designs more appealing, more wearable, but also more truly in sync with fashion than most American patterns. It is often a matter of color combos and of gauge, too. It's enough to make a knitter want to design her own sweaters.<BR/>Your blog is full of great info,thanks for sharing it all with us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-1046629480646390712007-03-06T15:54:00.000-05:002007-03-06T15:54:00.000-05:00The lace patterns in the Japanese book are exquisi...The lace patterns in the Japanese book are exquisitely integrated into the whole design of the sweater. I do very much like the details on the edges. And I VERY MUCH like that they aren't hiding any details with long hair and the photography is crisp and clear.<BR/>I'm going to have to go to the local Kinokuniya bookstore and see what they have, after all your Japanese book reviews.<BR/><BR/>However, the placement of the lace panels on the 2nd one is unfortunately too nipple-riffic for me. And confirms something you said in another comment: bustlines are generally much smaller in Japan, and patterns reflect this. So while I might admire the Japanese designs, the lack of bust shaping will prevent me from knitting them, until I can figure out how to work in short rows or modify the lace pattern for shaping. <BR/><BR/>And coming only in one size is a bit of a killjoy as well. I'm just physically bigger than most Asian women. It's difficult to modify full-body lace patterns to other sizes. I can add more lace panels and repeats, yes, but depending on the stitch count that might make everything too large.<BR/> <BR/>I'm with Lee Ann on the shaping - they all look a bit boxy. I know how hard it is to add shaping to lace, though. I have not yet seen <B>Lace Style</B>, although I'm interested in thumbing through <B>Fitted Knits</B>. <BR/><BR/>That said, I agree that the complexity of the knitting is on a much higher level than most English books. I wish that English books with a higher proficiency level were more available.Big Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13669587398699403481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-67430358580487324072007-03-05T05:52:00.000-05:002007-03-05T05:52:00.000-05:00Your comparison of the two books is quite the cont...Your comparison of the two books is quite the contrast. I thumbed the Lace Style and left it on its shelf at the store, nothing for me. IK was totally without interest this last issue, unfortunately, I subscribe. Your Japanese book was remarkable for the beautiful finishing, the careful placement of the patterns, and the somewhat finer gauge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-1471063734250172322007-03-04T13:07:00.000-05:002007-03-04T13:07:00.000-05:00Thanks for this post! I love Japanese patterns, b...Thanks for this post! I love Japanese patterns, but can't just blindly order every book on the internet. (I'm in Minnesota.) This one made me click the buy button. I also inspected Lace Style in person last weekend and drew the same conclusions as you.<BR/><BR/>Alison in MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-76449300059645328962007-03-04T12:40:00.000-05:002007-03-04T12:40:00.000-05:00Thanks for the lead! I ordered the book and will a...Thanks for the lead! I ordered the book and will also check out the Japanese bookstores--LA is pretty close to me. Now that I'm unemployed I have time to search, but less money to buy. The eternal catch-22! And I have to say, I like sweaters that are a bit loose, and boxy is form-fitting for me.mehitabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07855340553296575495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-4975462557107756782007-03-04T10:57:00.000-05:002007-03-04T10:57:00.000-05:00Dear anon--I couldn't give you an estimate about t...Dear anon--<BR/>I couldn't give you an estimate about the overlap of 1000 Patterns. However, 25% of the book is crochet patterns. There are some interesting things in there, but the book does weigh a ton, so shipping might be pricey.fleeglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348327363198905898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-75888880579773439712007-03-04T10:55:00.000-05:002007-03-04T10:55:00.000-05:00Dear Lee-ann;I don't think those designs are any b...Dear Lee-ann;<BR/><BR/>I don't think those designs are any boxier than standard American sweaters. However, you may be reacting to the fact that Japanese ladies generally have smaller bustlines than American ladies, so the sweaters themselves may look less shapely to you.fleeglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348327363198905898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-59646323406218493962007-03-03T23:42:00.000-05:002007-03-03T23:42:00.000-05:00Fleegle, I have been very interested in all the in...Fleegle, I have been very interested in all the information about Japanese knitting patterns and publications you have been posting (and I thank you for alerting us to them on knittyboard). A few weeks ago, inspired by your accounts, I went to my local Japanese book store to see if they had any of them. They didn't, but there was a whole shelf of knitting pubs to examine, and out of all of them, Elegance Style is the one I came away with, as much for the stitch pattern ideas as the garments (in W. Los Angeles, Asahiya Express on Sawtelle near Olympic; $14, but I got to examine everything to see what I liked). I was going to get around to posting something about this beautiful book, so it is a gratifying to see that you've noticed this book too. <BR/><BR/>Question on the 1000 Stitch Pattern book you described previously -- how much of that book overlaps with the stitch dictionaries that are common in N. America? Is the whole thing full of things that would be new to me, or is it just certain classes of stitches, or ?? Thanks.....<BR/><BR/>Lethe a t knittyboardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-33031608970245628052007-03-03T21:52:00.000-05:002007-03-03T21:52:00.000-05:00If the Japanese tendency toward complexity in lace...If the Japanese tendency toward complexity in lace knitting would meet up with a bit of shaping, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat, but I have to say that I find the Japanese patterns in that book very boxy. I don't have Lace Style yet, but I'll be getting it for a review (and believe me, I have a reputation for not pulling punches, so if I hate it, I'll say I hate it and I'll elaborate on why...). I do love the flow of the lace designs in the Japanese book, but I ain't wearin' no squares, dainty or not. You're completely right about the necklines, though. Gorgeous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-62852773355223763242007-03-03T20:42:00.000-05:002007-03-03T20:42:00.000-05:00Yup. I'm with you. I have both the Interweave an...Yup. I'm with you. I have both the Interweave and the Japanese book and I agree 100%. I don't understand if the US publishers think American knitters don't want to get challenged or it is really true that most American knitters are scared of a complex knit. The Japanese patterns are certainly not concerned about the timid knitter. Having tried a few of those patterns, I can tell you that you have to think while you knit:) There isn't one design I feel compelled to knit from the new Interweave book, so sorry to say...They were may favorite US magazine and I counted on them to keep me learning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-71546416843679093812007-03-03T20:12:00.000-05:002007-03-03T20:12:00.000-05:00hi fleegle -thanks so much for the review! I didn'...hi fleegle -<BR/><BR/>thanks so much for the review! I didn't care much for LS either. I have a couple Japanese knitting books and love them -try the 250 Patterns Sts. ISBN 4-529-04176-X - beautiful patterns and am about to get another one thanks to your pics!Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14049079456607512934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-27032118328037887572007-03-03T18:12:00.000-05:002007-03-03T18:12:00.000-05:00Er, actually I was just kidding about sending you ...Er, actually I was just kidding about sending you shopping. I travel 49 states & folks are forever wanting me to "save them shipping." Like we have room in a tractor, what with me, the 6'6" co-driver, & my yarn & book stash. Sorry you thought otherwise. And congrats on the center panel finish! Can't wait to see some bouncing baby spiders.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-55733443280048368362007-03-03T17:39:00.000-05:002007-03-03T17:39:00.000-05:00Well said, Fleegle! I do agree with you about man...Well said, Fleegle! I do agree with you about many of the knitting books/magazines published lately. The latest IK, for example. And how many reviews do you read that actually make realistic comments about the book? I don't have the privilege of seeing before I buy so I need to rely on reviews or comments I find on-line - and I have been disappointed with some of my purchases in the past because of this. <BR/><BR/>So thank you for your comments on these publications! I am really drawn to Elegance Knit, it looks superb! Having already bought New Style of Heirloom Knitting I know that I will not be disappointed if I decide to purchase it.KathyRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232371230455661210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4463307798012270911.post-84894472759637885622007-03-03T16:40:00.000-05:002007-03-03T16:40:00.000-05:00Thank you! A wonderful comparison of the two books...Thank you! A wonderful comparison of the two books, and I'm glad to see someone criticize Lace Style - I'd seen nothing but good things, but found myself unimpressed enough to part with the money... The challenge of knitting "in a foreign language" is I something I simultaneously daunting and exciting; I think this one is calling my name!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214085624017840666noreply@blogger.com