How Do You Read A Japanese Crochet Pattern?
If you are enchanted by the designs in Japanese crochet books, but you do not read Japanese, do not give up. These patterns use symbols that are easy to interpret. Choose a pattern for a small item like an amigurumi toy or a tawashi dish scrubber. If you are an experienced crocheter, but are not comfortable with crochet charts, a simple pattern is best. Get familiar with the pattern. Japanese patterns use symbols to represent stitches. For example, an oval represents a chain stitch, and an X a single crochet. Translate some of the terms with a Japanese-to-English dictionary. There are several dictionaries available on the Internet that are specific to crochet terms, including the one listed as a reference below. Choose a yarn and hook. These patterns are designed with Japanese yarn that may not be available to you. To substitute a different yarn, you have to translate the thickness or weight of the yarn. The seven yarn weights commonly used in Japan correspond to the standard U.S. yarn
