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This is a bit of a deviation from my typical lace work, which is often done in one color and features lots of holes! Recently I’ve been working on some of the more complicated colorwork techniques of Fair Isle and intarsia knitting for a special project.
True Fair Isle knitting involves using two strands of yarn on each row or round (one strand at at time) to create designs, or motifs. As the color not in use is carried across the back of the work, It also creates fabrics that are warmer and more durable than single-color knitting.
The intarsia technique makes it possible to create large fields of color (as in the argyle sock you see below), using bobbins wound with the various colors that are held behind your work. This is typically worked flat.
Other examples of colorwork in knitting include double knitting and slip-stitch color.
Fair Isle Wristlet
A good basic reference for Fair Isle knitting is available online:
“Fair Isle Knitting.” VogueKnitting.com. Beyond the Basics. http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/beyond_the_basics/fair_isle_knitting
A good reference book is available as well if you’d like a guide that takes you through the whole process from selecting colors to casting on to working a variety of motifs:
Watterson, Lynne. The Very Easy Guide to Fair Isle Knitting. Kent, UK: Search Press Ltd, 2014.
Argyle Sock
If you’re interested in learning more about intarsia, try this online reference:
“Intarsia.” VogueKnitting.com. Beyond the Basics. 26 September 2016 http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/beyond_the_basics/intarsia
If you’d like to see a video on how it’s done, try this:
Knit Purl Hunter. “Intarsia.” YouTube.com. 23 April 2011. 27 September 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeH4IrN-oOE&spfreload=1
Happy Knitting!
MikeH
