Japanese Inspired Knits the Marianne Isager Collection is a book of twelve sweaters that was sent to me by the publisher Interweave Knits. The book contains a sweater a month, and each sweater expresses how the designer feels about the seasons and celebrations in Japan. There is some fairly complicated shaping technique in the book that will delight the accomplished or advanced knitter. The designs showcase shaping that is very flattering to all sizes and show fashion in knitting has moved away from the boxy look completely.

The twelve designs are fresh and interesting and the book layout is very clear. Each pattern is shown with a picture, and drawings showing the shaping. In addition, my favorite part of the book is a very nice notes section that accompanies each pattern. It is always a good idea to read through the pattern before starting to see what is coming and to make notes of simultaneous instructions or tricky bits. In this book Ms. Isager takes it a step further to provide an overview of the sweater and how it all starts, continues and finishes up. In addition, the notes explain the shaping of the sweater and note if the drawing is not to scale to illustrate the instructions in the notes. If something is particularly complicated the note section for each sweater explains the process in advance so as to not trip up the unsuspecting knitter.

If there is a specific technique, such as intarsia, stranded knitting, entrelac, or double knitting there is an additional special section showing how that technique is done. The technique is shown with pictures and instructions to help the knitter along.

Between the lovely pictures, the special notes sections, the notes included with each pattern and the clear instructions these patterns are very well done. (As a caveat there are two pages with corrections on the publisher site. Make sure to download those before starting a project.)

I’m not sure this is a book for the beginner, but heck a person can dream can’t they.