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Thursday, October 02, 2008

Japanese Crochet Purse Book

The Japanese crochet book I posted about has just about everyone flipping out to get it. And you really should, because it's awesome!

Since it's a Japanese book (ISBN 9784579111138), published in Japan, you have to get it from a Japanese distributor.  I got mine at the Japanese bookstore Kinokunika in New York.  You could also order it from a Japanese website, like Amazon jp.

Many people, like my friend Kuky, have used Amazon Japan to get craft books.  I haven't worked up the gumption to try it yet.  I always think new things are 300% harder than they really are, though.  But it *is* Amazon, for crying out loud, and they added English to their site since I looked last, so maybe I'll overcome my gumption deficit soon ...

The book on Amazon.jp (if there is a link that says "In English" in the top right or "To translate this page in English, Click here" is above the yellow buy button ... click it!)

This book is in Japanese.  The only English are words in the book are "Page" and "Endpaper", but don't let that deter you.  The illustrations and charts are amazing and clear.  With even a beginner's knowledge of crochet, you'll be able to figure things out.

There is a ton of information about Japanese craft books on Crafting Japanese. See the links under the heading "WHERE TO GET 'EM" for lots of great information.
16 Comments leave a comment


iHanna said ...
I've wanted Japanese books for ever but haven't got around to order any yet, mostly because I think they are expensive... But yeah, the astetic and colors are different from anything European and I love what I've seen online. Oh, and adore your animal collection below - the owl, oh my gosh! :-)
10/3/2008 3:53 AM

jannypie said ...
those are cute bags! i wish the japanese craft books were more accessible to english-speakers. i'd love to get my hands on some of their felt animals.
10/3/2008 10:31 AM

Susan said ...
Alice,

Thanks for the additional info on the book! I'll have to get up the nerve to order it!
10/3/2008 10:36 AM

Mia said ...
Alice, I also wanted to add just a little more information about that book.

I'd bought it at a Kinokuniya out here by me, but a friend in Montana wanted it after she saw mine and I was able to find it on yesasia.com. I just checked again and the listing is here- http://www.yesasia.com/us/fun-crochet/1004506479-0-0-0-en/info.html

The thing is, there you can't search using the 13 digit ISBN, you have to use the 10 digit ISBN which is 4579111133. It's actually probably easier (or at least it is for me) to order things from them since you can do almost everything there in English. There are a couple of books that they don't carry and amazon.co.jp does but I'm scared of trying it out too!

Anyway, I hope that helps!

10/3/2008 11:13 AM

Maranda said ...
So cute:)
10/3/2008 11:44 AM

Basirat said ...
wow I am so depressed :( my friend sent me this book with her bro and seems to be still stuck in Turkey, I can't wait for it to arrive.
2/25/2010 11:00 AM

christina said ...
where can i buy the english pattern i got amazon to translate the page but the book itself looks japanese too
2/27/2010 10:55 PM

futuregirl replied ...
christina ... The book *is* in Japanese, but the patterns are in graphic (picture) form, so they are easy to follow. For more information on Japanese crafting, where to get the books, etc, visit http://www.craftlog.org/craftingjapanese/
3/7/2010 5:55 AM

Basirat said ...
Hi, how much does this book costs in the US futurgirl? I am planning to order it online.
Please also tell me do all the websites have the same shipping charges or do they have different ones?
thank you

3/28/2010 7:17 AM

Basirat said ...
Hi could you please give me the address of the bookstore? My brother is in New York for a month and so he says he will buy it.
Thank you.
4/1/2010 2:11 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Basirat ... Yay! Kinokuniya is located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas (Bet 40th & 41st St) (212) 869-1700
4/4/2010 4:18 AM

Basirat said ...
Thank you Alice. I will definitely share the pics if it is possible.
4/4/2010 9:27 AM

Tina said ...
Hi Alice,
Great information..I will be in NY next week and will go to this bookstore...I hope I can follow it! but, I'm excited..I have wanted to make this bag..
Wish me luck!
Tina
1/21/2011 6:42 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Tina ... It's not too hard. :) You'll be able to do it - cake!
1/21/2011 4:40 PM

Tina said ...
Hi Alice,
I'm very excited..they are holding the book for me at Kinokuniya and I am picking up today. I have been "studying" the project page on Ravelry. Can I assume that the centers of the flowers are a lighter weight yarn like Lily Sugar and Cream and the outer petals are bulkier like Vanna's yarn. Anything you can suggest is helpful.
Thanks!
Tina
1/28/2011 4:47 AM
 
futuregirl replied ...
Tina ... I used Sugar and Cream for the whole thing. I think the petals just look bulkier. Vanna's would work well, too, and you'd have great colors to pick from. There's also Lion Cotton, which has great jewel-toned colors.
1/28/2011 9:56 AM

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