Kogin is the counted version of sashiko, from Aomori Prefecture in the far north of Japan's main island, Honshu. Stitches are sewn back and forth across the fabric to build up the pattern, counting over uneven numbers of stitches. Kogin's close relative, Nanbu Hishizashi, is stitched over even numbers of threads, creating wide diamond shapes. Beware - just like sashiko, it is addictive!