The traditional Japanese pattern hitomekagome means "hitome basket eyes." It is a potent protective pattern.
The traditional Japanese pattern hitomekagome 一目籠目 means “hitome basket eyes.” The “basket” in this name refers to a woven bamboo basket.
“Eyes” means the holes in a woven bamboo basket's pattern.
The hitome part in the pattern's name is used in reference to the category “hitome sashiko,” which consists of various repetitive, often geometric patterns.
“Hitome” means “one eye” and refers to the holes or simply units in any woven pattern. Sometimes they are called “one-stitch patterns” in English. Often, hitome is left untranslated.
一目刺しは、一定の間隔で同じ方向に刺していき、幾何学模様で布地を埋め尽くす。
Hitomezashi has fixed intervals stitched in the same direction, geometric patterns to fill in all of the fabric.
Ambiru Ayako 安蒜綾子
The kagome pattern is common in bamboo weaving. Woven bamboo baskets have inspired patterns like this one since ancient times, not only when it comes to sashiko.
The oldest known bamboo basket is more than 2.200 years old. It was found in China. That's how long these baskets have been inspiring patterns in East Asia for!
This pattern is also simply referred to as 籠目 kagome or 籠目刺し kagomesashi.
Meaning of the sashiko pattern hitomekagome
With its many “eyes”, hitomekagome is said to watch out for you and keep all evil at bay.
In old Japan, people would hang woven bamboo baskets outside the entrance of their house to make use of this effect. Sometimes, hitomekagome, or a variation of the pattern, would be printed on cards to reap its evil-repelling benefit.
The pattern is also said to bring balance to opposing powers like light & dark, yin & yang. Source in Japanese
Sashiko patterns related to hitomekagome
The related sashiko pattern kagome 籠目 is actually the same kind of pattern, just drawn on a different grid.
This pattern is drafted on a 斜眼 shagan, an isometric grid, the other kagome pattern is drafted on a 方眼 hōgan, a grid consisting of lines that cross at a 90 degree angle.
Both this pattern and the other kagome pattern are hitomezashi patterns. There is a moyōsashi version of this pattern, too, but I haven't written about it on my blog yet.
Stitching directions for the sashiko pattern hitomekagome
The hitomekagome sashiko pattern consists of straight lines. That means it is not really hard to stitch, but I find it somewhat difficult to draw.
The other kagome pattern is definitely easier to draft. I explain how to do it here.
If you are unsure about the right stitch length, a pre-printed pattern is great to get used to sashiko stitches.
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Pre-printed fabric by Daruma
If you want to do sashiko, but you don't want the hassle of drawing the pattern yourself, Daruma offers fabric that has the pattern printed on it, but the lines wash out when you've finished stitching. Super easy!
Leave a comment if you are interested in detailed instructions and I will upload more information as soon as possible.
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