Something New Saturdays: Discovering Sashiko Stitching

There’s something special about beginning a new creative tradition, so today I’m starting a small series here on the blog called Something New Saturdays.

The idea is simple. Each Saturday I’ll share something new I’m exploring in the creative world — sometimes it will be knitting related, and sometimes it will be a neighboring craft that inspires the way we work with fiber and textiles.

As knitters and makers, so much of what we do is connected. Techniques, textures, patterns, and traditions often echo across different crafts, and I’ve always loved noticing those little moments of overlap. This series is simply a place to follow that curiosity wherever it leads.

This week’s “something new” arrived in the mail just a few days ago: The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe.

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese stitching technique that was originally used to reinforce and repair fabric. Over time it evolved into a decorative textile art filled with beautifully balanced geometric patterns. The designs are rhythmic and repeating, and when I first flipped through the book I was immediately struck by how similar that rhythm feels to knitting.

There’s something about the quiet repetition of a simple stitch that is deeply calming, whether it’s knit stitches flowing across a row or small running stitches building a pattern across fabric.

The book itself is lovely to explore. It’s filled with traditional sashiko patterns ranging from simple grids and waves to more intricate geometric motifs. Many of them have a very meditative quality, the kind of designs you could imagine stitching slowly over a few evenings while listening to music or enjoying a quiet cup of tea.

If you’re curious about sashiko as well, this is the book I’ll be starting with:

The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe

For my first experiment, I’m leaning toward trying one of the classic repeating patterns from the book. The symmetry and steady rhythm of the stitches feel very familiar in the same way that knitting patterns often do — a small set of movements repeated over and over until the pattern begins to emerge.

I haven’t started stitching yet, but I’m looking forward to gathering a few supplies and giving it a try soon. Part of the joy of exploring a new craft is simply slowing down and letting yourself be a beginner again.

And who knows — sometimes these little creative explorations end up influencing our knitting in unexpected ways.

I’ll share more about the process once I’ve had a chance to try my first sashiko pattern. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you:

Have you ever tried sashiko or another textile craft alongside knitting?