Crocheting Japanese

Anyone else totally obsessed with Japanese crochet books? Or is it just me? I first got hooked on amigurumi (cute little animals), and then discovered more "conventional" crochet books. I've posted a couple of them in my books list, but the covers didn't come through. You can find them on Amazon.co.jp searching for the ISBN. The one called "Crochet Accessories" is fabulous and mean just what it says. The projects are all jewelry - from necklaces to even rings! Not crochet with beads - actual pieces created entirely of crochet. And the models are almost all women of a "certain age", and they look stunning and like they are having the time of their lives. O.K., I'll stop the raving now. But check it out if you have a chance.

I'm also totally enamoured with Japanese crochet (and general crafts) books. They're so beautiful! And I love the challenge of making sense out of the instructions with no language to help.

Me, too. I posted several to my library, too. I posted some pictures in my flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/neefer/tags/amigurumi/ of stuff that I've made from the books, the books' covers, and the book's picture of the project.

Hi fellow crocheters!

I must say I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about until I wandered into Kinokuniya and Bookoff in New York. I am still wrestling with a pattern for crochet slippers though!

love the photos by the way

i love u to. Read mr poppers penguins
very good book!!!

Any new Japanese crochet books that you all are reading?

Does anyone know of a way to translate the Japanese crochet patterns available on the internet? I love the Japanese apparel designs but can't for the life of me figure out how to translate the patterns to make any sense to me at all!

@ penguinben1850: I LOVE that book, and I was a Popper in a Mr Popper's Penguins play we did in elementary school. I think I was ten years old, still have the photo of the play somewhere. lol Thanks for making me remember something nice.