20 Japanese Knitwear Patterns 

As a dane it is so inspiring to see new design from other countries. Thank you 😊

MAN I wish I could knit faster…I love almost everything on this list! Thank you for sharing.

Good job giving exposure to these designers. All your choices are now trending Hot Right Now under Japanese designers

THANK YOU for this roundup of Japanese knitwear! I love the whimsical and floral aesthetic, as well as the use of structured stitches to create textural interest.

Please don't dismiss my favorite! Junko Okamoto. Nearly everything she designs is amazing, magical and in the process of knitting it I'm always completely taken by her creative mind!

Such a lovely show… I love the emphasis on Japanese designers. You are correct, as so much attention gets paid to Northern European designers. So this was lovely. It was my first viewing of your channel. I’ll be here for,the long haul! Thanks very much!

Another note about Japanese pattern sizes… I have found that the standards they use is more a reflection of Japanese people so a Medium in their pattern would translate to a Small in an American sizes. So whenever I knit one of their designs I generally upsize to get the fit right. 😊 Great video highlighting some wonderful designers that I had not heard of before.

Thanks for showing these wonderful Japanese designers and patterns! I would love to see some more of them and especially airy lightweight sweaters and tops. I love Japanese design and Yumiko Alexander is one of the designers I really love and admire.

Thanks for highlighting these designers. So nice to see the different style.

Thank you so much, Michelle, for highlighting Japanese designers! It is so refreshing to see knitwear designs that are different from the ones that are often so hyped up here in the West and that everyone is knitting. I have knit three designs by Irene Lin recently. She is Taiwanese, i e. East Asian, and her designs are beautiful also.

Thank you so much for shining some light to Japanese knitwear! It is soooo refreshing to see something else than what everyone is sharing! I have definitely added some to my ravelry queue!

Thank you for introducing me to some designers I have missed; my queue just grew exponentially. The Drawing Sweater was on my "must knit, top priority" list for what seems like ages. When one of my KAL friends said Drawing was her first choice, I was thrilled to lead the KAL for it. I have been knitting for over 40 years, and I haven't been beaten by a pattern in over half that time. Drawing Sweater made me feel like a neophyte knitter with 10 thumbs. Honestly, I know part of the problem was me trying. to compensate for the hugely oversized fit and that the armpit seams are literally at the waistline. But part of the problem was the wording in the instructions, and that the numbering of miltiple charts does not line up. In the end, only one of us continues to knit her Drawing Sweater; the rest of us have surrendered and frogged ours. I know many knitters have successfully completed Drawing Sweater, some people going on to knit it multiple times. I hope to ressurect my Drawing Sweater some day. In the meantime, you have given us so many lovely choices to dream about. Thank you!

Hi Michelle, what wonderful, refreshing pattern suggestions in the Japanese world of sweater designs 👏🤗 please bring more of these to us ❤

Actually, it was MORE size inclusive than I thought it would be. Already purchased several patterns, so I thank you for that. I’m new to your channel but I’m looking forward to seeing more.

I loved this video, thank you Michelle. Some new to me designers that will definitely be going in my favourites. I also love Eri Shimizu and have made her Flores sweater. I think she, along with other Japanese designers, has a wonderful eye for the exquisite. Great to see Yamagara on your list, too. I just finished her Nola cardigan, which I love.

Hello from Poland. Indeed Japanese knitting designs are way diffrent from what we have here. I abslutely love them for the subtle details in patterns or garment structure. Thanks for great inspirations

What an amazing pattern round up! My grandmother is Japanese and I was able to go to Japan for the first time this spring to see the sakura. I also went to a couple of yarn shops and I'm now contemplating what to knit with my Japanese yarn. I think that knitting a Japanese pattern would be an excellent homage to the yarn and to my grandmother.

I looove the Japanese aesthetic. So gorgeous.

i love japanese crochet pattens because you don't need to translate due to the elaborately awesome stitch diagrams...fast forward 10 years, google translate is a game changer for sewing and knitting for me now :D.

I love your round up of patterns. There are several designs that caught my eye for the future projects. Thank you for giving us some inspirations that otherwise could be easily missed among „most popular names”.

I loved this episode! So glad I came across your channel and will watch more. I really appreciate the freshness of the Japanese designers who are new to me. I’d love to see more!

Yumiko Alexander is a designer I’ve been following for a long while. As a plus-sized woman, her patterns don’t work for me, but I think they are just beautiful and stunning designs. If ever I get clever enough to figure out the modifications I’d need to do to make her patterns, I’ll be there in a heart beat.

Really enjoyed this overview of Japanese designers

The Lariat by Yamagara was very engaging to knit and the final product was just delightful! I get compliments every time I wear it. Her patterns are beautiful and never boring

Terrific Collection of inspirational knitting. Thank you

I've heard of Yumiko Alexander before. Several years ago I had one of her crochet books, which had some really interesting designs. I know at that time she was living in Arizona, which would explain her extremely airy garments! Thank you for introducing us to all of these designers. I'm not ambitious enough to take on these kinds of designs, but they are beautiful to look at.

Oooh!!! You’ve curated a really lovely collection of designs. Such a great idea to bring some exposure to Japanese designers. All the whimsical and botanical elements are so fun. That Iris top is stunning!! Thank you!!

Thank you for sharing those most stunning patterns. Bravo to all the genius designers.

Thank you for highlighting designers that are less known. I love seeing designs that are not necessarily already on everyone's list. Personally, I prefer knitting fingering weight sweaters. I find the finer gauge to be easier on my hands, and the finished items are so much more wearable. I can easily layer them in the winter, and I can wear them on their own in Spring and Fall. I am looking forward to your next video!

This is the first time I see one of your videos. I'm five minutes in and I have a sneaking suspicion that I might not like this video because after watching it, I will probably have 10 more things on my to-knit-list 😂😂😂 You are very likeable 😊

Hi, Michele! These patterns are so elegant and beautiful, they are worth the time and effort put in to make them. Rather than being a poor imitation of the Scandanavian patterns others are doing so we see them everywhere, you have shown us these lovely patterns we don't see everywhere and you have first hand insight into the Japanese culture as well. Thank you for widening our horizons❣❣❣

Loved this presentation of Japanese designers! Some of their work was familiar to me, and others were completely new, so thank you! Recently, I have decided to start building up my summer knits and the reason for that is kind of threefold. I don’t have any short sleeve or sleeveless items that I have knit so there is a definite hole in my wardrobe there. Secondly, with the price of yarn having increased so much over the last year or so, I find being able to knit and entire sweater with three skeins, as opposed to six or seven financially enticing. And lastly, most summer knit are done in fingering weight, and as I enjoy the process of knitting this also contributes to getting more knitting time for my investment, so win win! I’m going to check out the ravelry page for the designers you presented, thank you!

This is the second of your podcasts for me. Both have been pattern collections. Your.featured patterns are well chosen. Thank you

I really enjoyed your Japanese pattern round up! I have a few of these patterns in my library and learned about a few new-to-me designers. Thank you for putting this together for us!

Love the tee, it's a gorgeous colour. Really enjoyed your selections and it was interesting for me (being a new knitter) to see what's out there. 😊

I crochet, don't knit. But lately I have been wanting to learn how to knit. I loved all these gorgeous patterns. Now, for sure, I will learn how to knit. Inspiration for the future. Think I'll start with a scarf.😀 Subscribed.❤

These are such astoundingly beautiful patterns! Thank you.

Thank you so much. The patterns you’ve showcased are stunning. Keep it up. Variety is the spice of life.

Awesome round-up! Off to check the bundle and add to my queue 😊 Thanks so much, have a great day 💓

Thank you very much for introducing the Japanese designs. I really liked the video. I always find it nice to discover new things and to be inspired. Thank you for sharing your tips. Really a wonderful pattern-inspiration.

This is exciting knitting. Thank you, I would not have found these fabulous Japanese knitting patterns without your video

Thanks. I love a pattern round-up video. ESPECIALLY when there are a bunch of new to me designers and it's not 10 patterns by 2 people. I've deff added a few to my favroites.

Wow. That was fabulous. So interesting. Thank you. Loved hearing the correct pronunciations too. ❤

New subscriber. ❤ I just found your channel and instantly fell in love. It’s very refreshing to see patterns and possibly lesser known designers that deserve to be featured. I’m not one that follows trends or follows the masses, so this is right up my alley! Thank you for the inspiration! 😊

Thanks a lot for the discovery, I think I'll knit the Iris sweater, it's si beautiful!

Thank you Michele for such great review of Japanese patterns and designers. I’m a huge fan . I knitted the link sweater in red earlier this year (pictures on ravelry). Glad to discover other designers. I love the way you present it, paused, without rushing and without too many details. Perfect format ! Looking forward to your next vlog.

You are personally responsible for adding many knits to my favorites page today.😂 Beautiful!

I enjoy your round-up videos. To me, you provide the right smount of detail, and i appreciate you showcasing lesser known designers.

Such a beautiful and well considered round up. Thank you so much for putting this together. Of course I want to knit everything! Do you think the Japanese approach to pattern writing is different to the American? It would be good to know if there are any considerations before buying.

Love Japanese knitting! I love to knit lace weight yarn. I have always loved knitting lace and lightweight yarns! My standard needle size is 2.75mm! Love this site. ❤thank you again!

Thank you for highlighting these lovely knitters. I really love the Japanese aesthetic in sweaters, all the botanicals and design structures are so refreshing! I also live in a mild-ish climate, very hot summers, so I love seeing the lighter weight yarns in different designs. Glad to start following you!

I really love the Link Sweater. I think I’m going to get the pattern. I have so much beautiful yarn I need to use and I love the different variations of it. Thank you for spotlighting these designers from Japan and helping me dust my needles off. ❤

I have crocheted all my life and I have wanted to get into knitting. Thank you for this roundup, these are all gorgeous knitwear. New to your channel and I think I will stay.

I love, love, love Yumiko Alexander's Agave Sweater. So many pretty choices shown. TY

Thank you for another wonderful collection of designers. I knew some of them, but certainly not all. It's great to see other designer's works. I'll certainly be making a few of these sweaters 😊

Love this video. I would really be interested in seeing more of these patterns. I will go to the links you provided, however, hearing your perspective and the meaning of the patterns names adds a new level. Thank you so much.

Expanding my horizons😊 thanks.

Always cool to see something different! I loooove the sweater with all the books, so cute.

Thank you so much for this video! Like you, my feed is inundated with European-style knitwear. It was starting to feel a lot more one-tone to me when I found your video. Please keep sharing if you find more patterns!

Very interesting; thank you! Love so many of these unique & beautiful designs. I’ve added White Lizard to my favorites.❤

Wonderful video! I am totally drawn to the Japanese designers for all the reasons you noted. Their patterns always have an interesting twist that makes them so fun to knit. Thank you for giving me some new patterns to explore.

I love this type of textured lightweight pattern, good for my climate. I have several Japanese patterns in my library but have not done them yet. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thank you, love this roundup. I have long been an admirer of Japanese crochet & knit patterns. I've purchased a few magazines from a bookstore in NYC and finally tried a crochet pattern using the chart only. I went to a local Japanese grocery store for some help with yarn weight and then tracked down a Group learning English at our local library Port Washington NY, as we have a significant Asian population. The sweater took a lot of attention to the chart but came out great...ready to do another since the patterns are so interesting. Thanks!

Intrigued by the idea of seeing Japanese designers that are new to me, I tuned in. Found the pictures and visuals mostly you and your room with some pretty endless talking. Decided to pursue my interests another way.

This was so good i watched it twice. You motivated me to get every boring Scandinavian sweater off my q and i added a lot of the patterns you reviewed. thank you for the inspiration!!

Hi Michelle. Thank you for this wonderful collection of designers. Have saved your bundle! Interestingly I already have the Agave in my favourites, but now I have so much more.

Well done, I just bought a Japanese pattern book( translated) i was always just scared in the complex nature! i am going to dive in. And thank you for highlighting the lesser known designers! they are wonderful!

Thank you so much for such an interesting and informative video - I loved so many of the designs you highlighted and had only heard of the Agave before.

This was great! Thank you for introducing us to these designs. Lots to think about!

Thanks Michelle. ImagiKnit in San Francisco and Oakland frequently features designs by Yumiko Alexander and they are beautiful

Aww 🥰 very cool! I’ve been gathering many of the same and learned some new ones! I’m born in Tokyo raised USA. Family still in Saitama

Such a beautiful selection of pieces. I want to make a few of them... and one day I will! I don't know if my skills are at the level for the ones I want to make. (Goals!) Thank you for sharing these 😊

You just got yourself a new subscriber! This is a lovely collection of patterns. I love many of the designers you mentioned, and you've brought a few new ones onto my radar! Just a note - I believe Yamagara is Singaporean, not Japanese. Her name is Bernice Lim. Still a wonderful designer nevertheless!

Thanks so much for shining a spotlight on these designers. I had only come across one of them before.

Love your choices, what a fun video. Arigatō.

You’ve easily influenced me!! I love the majority of these patterns and half of them are in my queue already. I live in Australia so the lighter weight yarn used by these designers is what I prefer to use. 💚 your reviews 💚

Thanks for the round-up, I'm really stuck on inspiration for my next knitting project after I finish something for my daughter, and some of these speak to me!! The crochet/knit sweater especially looks so interesting

Great Idea show-casing Japanese designers! I'm already planning on purchasing the Read a Book Sweater -- so cute!

Thank you for sharing this roundup

New to your channel and I loved this episode showing these not so famous designers, I live in Australia and love their beautiful intricate warmer weather knit fabric and stunning styles 💕❤️.

This was a very lovely pattern round up. Japanese knitting patterns are such an untapped resource here in the states due to lack of access. I'm fortunate enough to live in San Francisco within walking distance of Japantown. The craft section at our Japanese book store is LEGENDARY. Luckily, almost everything is in the patterns is charted, and the pattern format is standardized by law, so they are easier to read than one might think. I hope you do more videos on Japanese designers.

Thank you so much, I loved the exposure to new and exciting Japanese designs and designers. I will definitely be putting forth a search on ravelry as well.

Wow!! I don't know how to knit. Wish I did. These designs are amazing! What an interesting video. Congratulations & much admiration & respect to all of you knitters.

First time here - drawn by more exposure to Japanese design and now here for whatever is on your list! New sub.

I loved Japanese knitting patterns they are whimsical and beautiful ❤ thank you 🙏🏻 for this video

What a wonderful podcast! I love your voice and the pace of the show! Since I live in Texas where the climate is warmer, the patterns you bundled together will suit me! I love the patterns you highlighted. Some I have seen before in my searches on Ravelry. Some are new to me. I’d love to see more. Coincidentally I just decided to knit the sweater you are wearing in a hand dyed silk yarn I’ve had in stash for about five years! 😊

Thanks so much for sharing these awesome patterns and show casing these designers - refreshing to see something from the East!

wow thank you sooo much i would love to see more videos like this in the future!

Thank you for sharing all those gorgeous patterns with us - they are all so nice 😍 and I'm very inspired to knit some of them

I love these designers. I am so drawn to them.

Thank you for introducing so many beautiful designs, very inspiring 🌸

Thank you these Japanese patterns are all beautiful. Very happy to have found your channel ❤

A lovely theme for a podcast. Some beautiful knits. 🎉

Wow!!! I’m going to have to step up my game! My goals have changed in one video!! ❤❤❤

Loved this. Please make a crochet version! 😁

Great video! Saved several patterns to my favorites!

Such an interesting collection of lovely patterns that I didn't even know existed! I love how you mentioned the certain aesthetic that the most popular Scandi designers tend to have - I'm also Nordic (in Finland) and I don't really personally enjoy the whole minimalistic, oversized thing all that much. So even though my rational mind _knows_ that I am allowed do my own thing and I don't have to knit the same trends as "everyone else", videos like this are a great reminder that the aforementioned "everyone else" is just a small segment of people in the very limited social media bubble of a fairly niche hobby haha.

Thank you for compiling these wonderful and unique designs, already added few to my saved projects. Keep bringing the uniqueness ❤

All so beautiful!! Looking forward to seeing your knits ❣

Most of these patterns are so beautiful.