Hitomekagome
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.
Woven bamboo baskets have inspired patterns since ancient times, not only for sashiko.
The "hitome" in the pattern's name is used in reference to the category "hitome sashiko," which consists of various repetitive, often geometric patterns.
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"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 Source in Japanese
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
Stitching directions for the sashiko pattern hitomekagome
Just like the related sashiko pattern kagome 籠目, the hitomekagome pattern consists of straight lines. That means it is not really hard to stitch, but I've found it somewhat difficult to draw. The normal kagome pattern is definitely easier for beginners. If you are unsure about the right stitch length, a pre-printed pattern is great to get used to sashiko stitches.
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.