Former AKB48 member Yui Yokoyama (33) updated her Instagram on the 11th, revealing a hand-knitted hat she says she “knitted for the first time.” The post quickly drew praise from fans who were surprised by her skill.
Yui Yokoyama Tries Knitting for the First Time
Yokoyama, now active as a TV personality and actor after graduating from AKB48, decided to 挑戦する (chōsen suru)—to try something new—by taking up 編み物 (amimono), knitting.
On Instagram, she 披露した (hirō shita) her finished piece: a bucket-hat-style design made entirely with dark navy yarn, with gray yarn carefully added around the brim as a decorative touch. In Japanese, the verb あしらう (ashirau) is used to describe adding such a subtle design accent.
She posted a side-profile photo of herself wearing the hat and wrote:
「少しづつ形になっていくのが楽しかったです。次は何を作ろうかなー？」 Sukoshi zutsu katachi ni natte iku no ga tanoshikatta desu. Tsugi wa nani o tsukurō kanaa? “It was fun watching it gradually take shape. I wonder what I should make next?”
The casual ending 〜かなー？ (kana?) shows she’s thinking out loud—almost like sharing her inner voice with fans. It also hints that her interest in knitting might continue.
Fans Call Her “Multi-Talented”
The comment section quickly filled with supportive messages:
- “So cute!”
- “Amazing!”
- “You’re so talented!”
- “It’s so good, I can’t believe it’s your first time knitting!”
- “You look adorable wearing the hat you made!”
- “Will you knit baby goods next?”
One word that stood out was 多才 (tasai), meaning “multi-talented.” Fans also wrote:
「初めて編んだとは思えないぐらい上手い」 Hajimete anda to wa omoenai gurai umai “It’s so good that I can’t believe it’s your first time knitting.”
Here, the phrase ぐらい (gurai) means “to the extent that,” emphasizing just how impressed they were.
Why Knitting Feels Personal in Japan
In Japan, handmade crafts like knitting often carry a warm, personal feeling. Making something yourself—especially clothing or accessories—can express care, patience, and creativity. Even a simple hat becomes meaningful when you’ve watched it slowly take shape stitch by stitch.
Yokoyama’s comment about enjoying the process—seeing it “gradually become a shape”—reflects a very Japanese appreciation for steady progress and craftsmanship.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Let’s break down some key words and grammar you can start using right away.
Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 挑戦する | chōsen suru | to challenge oneself; to try something new |
| 披露する | hirō suru | to unveil; to show publicly |
| 編み物 | amimono | knitting |
| あしらう | ashirau | to decorate; to add a design touch |
| のぞかせる | nozokaseru | to show a glimpse of |
| 多才 | tasai | multi-talented |
| ぐらい | gurai | about; to the extent that |
In the article, Yokoyama also のぞかせた (nozokaseta) her growing desire to keep knitting—she “showed a glimpse” of wanting to make something else next.
Grammar Spotlight 1: 〜とは思えない
Meaning: “I can’t believe that…” / “It doesn’t seem like…”
Structure: Plain form + とは思えない
Example from fans: > 初めて編んだとは思えないぐらい上手い。 > Hajimete anda to wa omoenai gurai umai. > “It’s so good that I can’t believe it’s your first time.”
More examples:
本当に33歳とは思えない。 Hontō ni sanjūsan-sai to wa omoenai. “I can’t believe she’s really 33.”
初心者とは思えないですね。 Shoshinsha to wa omoenai desu ne. “It doesn’t seem like you’re a beginner.”
This pattern is perfect when you’re impressed by someone’s ability.
Grammar Spotlight 2: 〜かなー？
Meaning: “I wonder…” (casual, thinking to oneself)
Structure: Question word + plain form + かな
Example from Yokoyama: > 次は何を作ろうかなー？ > Tsugi wa nani o tsukurō kanaa? > “I wonder what I should make next?”
More examples:
今日は何を食べようかな。 Kyō wa nani o tabeyō kana. “I wonder what I should eat today.”
週末はどこに行こうかな？ Shūmatsu wa doko ni ikō kana? “I wonder where I should go this weekend?”
Use this when you’re softly thinking out loud—not directly asking someone else.
Useful Expression
- 少しずつ形になっていく Sukoshi zutsu katachi ni natte iku “Gradually taking shape”
This phrase beautifully describes progress over time—whether it’s knitting, studying Japanese, or working toward a goal.
Continue Learning
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script lesson is a great next step.
Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script
📚 To understand more about entertainment, explore our Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties lesson.
Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
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