Book excerpt: Embrace the Japanese concept of ma (negative space) with these delicate lace stitches. 280 Japanese Lace Stitches is a fun and informative resource for experienced knitters. This book is filled with a wonderful variety of beautiful, openwork stitch patterns, including leaf patterns, diamonds, circles and waves--perennial favorites that can be applied to every type of project, from sweaters to blankets. With full-color photos and expert explanations of the symbols and patterns, knitters can expand their knowledge of this elegant and classic style. 11 basic projects give you a chance to try some of these patterns right away. These gentle introductions include such accessories as: A stripe-textured shawl A short cowl Handwarmers with a circle pattern A versatile winter hat And more! Japanese knitting guru Gayle Roehm introduces the patterns and explains the ins and outs of Japanese knitting. A handy index allows you to search for patterns by number of steps and stitches required, so you can shop from the intricacy side of the menu. A section on how to knit the symbols takes you step-by-step through the stitches used in this book.