Stitch patterns grouped by shape (leaf, diamond), usage (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and major elements (flowers, checks, pyramids, etc)
300 Knitting Patterns
This is the book showm as 300B in Laurie's book photos. Show 20 color
swatches on cover. ISBN4-529-04172- 7.

Contains a large variety stitch patterns from simple to complex, with large
swatches shown in wonderful colors on good glossy paper. The charts appear
next to each swatch. Charts are not filled in every square, making it much
easier on the eyes. At the bottom of each chart, blank squares are
identified as either knit or purl background. Number of stitches and rows
per repeat is given. Special complex stitches may be indicated by a black
dot, which is then detailed graphically under the chart. An example is a
bobble, which will be a black dot. Below the chart, it will be defined as
either increased and decreased knitting, or [surprise!] crocheted into the
knit stitch. There are pages in the back of the book which show actual
'how-to' for most of the stitches depicted by symbols.

The book contains stitches of many kinds: twist stitches, traveling
stitches, bobbles, many different cables [plain and in combination with
other stitches], pullovers [like the hook stitch discussed earlier], pull-up
stitches [from the rows below], slipped stitches, cross stitches, and
stitches of multiple increases later decreased.

Themes are frequently leaves, flowers, buds, hearts, but there are also
dressed up geometrics; i.e. If you want more than alternating squares of
knit and purl, you can have them with a diagonal cable or diamonds with
fillers of seed stitch, bobbles, twisted rib, crossed stitches. Some are
also dressed with eyelets and decreases in unusual ways. Many of these
stitches have what I call 'movement.' Some are dense, some are quite lacy.

At first glance, I thought this book was ordinary. I was very wrong. I now
have many stickies marking my favorites. Each time I go through it, I find
more stitches with that unusual touch, making me want to come back. There
are probably some that are repeats of or similar to other stitch
dictionaries, but for the most part, these designs seem fresh and new to me.

Japanese only; no English. Do not need to know Japanese to use this book.
Beginners to advanced.

Cost of the 112-page book from Amazon was 2000 yen/$16.64. Dividing the
shipping cost by 3 books made s/h for this book about $10. Excellent value.