Book Review: Japanese Paper Yarn by Andra F. Stanton

Japanese Paper Yarn: Using Washi and Kami-ito to Knit, Crochet, Weave, and More
by Andra F. Stanton
Schiffer Craft
$26.99, Hardcover, 96 pages
Published: November 28, 2024
Buy now at Bookshop.org
Reviewed by Meagan Condon

If there is one truth I’ve learned through the years, it is that the people who love yarn and the people who love stationary/pens … are actually the same people. There is something about these two mediums that speak to the same primal, creative impulses in us. But what happens when we consider where these mediums overlap one another?

Released in November 2024, just before the holiday season, Japanese Paper Yarn: Using Washi and Kami-ito to Knit, Crochet, Weave, and More by Andra F. Stanton is a engaging read for papermakers and handspinners alike.

Kami-ito is the Japanese art of turning washi paper into thread or yarn. If you think, as I did coming into this read, that paper is a weak material, think again! Japanese washi paper is made from the inner bark of kozo mulberry, which contains long, strong fibers that are preserved through the papermaking process. The finished paper is turned into strips and is then twisted to form a fine thread.

Stanton first introduces the reader to the history of Japanese paper and paper yarn, including how paper yarn was used to create clothing. She explains in suitable detail the process of making washi paper from kozo and how to prepare that washi for spinning. Because many of the materials used in the projects can be difficult to find in Western countries, Stanton clearly names these materials and includes several sources where materials can be purchased, including already spun kami-ito.

The book continues with 12 projects that range from novice to intermediate difficulty. Not only do the projects range in skill, they also incorporate a variety of inspirations and partner crafts, like knitting, weaving, crochet, bead-making, and knotwork. Stanton does a great job showing the range of what can be done with paper yarn!

By far, the best part of this book may be the beautiful, full-color photographs of original paper yarn creations by dozens of contemporary artists. The art featured in the book coordinates with the projects and showcases the skills taught in each project. It had me flipping back and forth comparing the art to the projects and “ooh”ing over how this or that art piece used this or that skill.

This may be the technical spinner and process crafter in me, but if there is one piece I craved more of in this book, it is details on the process of spinning paper yarn. Chapter 4 covers making both washi and kami-ito. It gives a beautiful description of how to prepare the washi for spinning but expects the reader to come to the text with a basic understanding of how to spin. I would have loved to get some trouble-shooting tips on the spinning process!

While there are more detailed texts available that speak to the history and practice of making paper yarn (such as Kigami and Kami-ito by Hiroko Karuno), Stanton’s book may be one of the most accessible for Western audiences. It gives the reader enough information to whet their appetite and stretches the imagination on what can be done with paper. If you crave texture in spinning, kami-ito may be the next big stepping stone in your spinning journey.