I often like to have a mindless knitting project that I can just tote with me. I also like to have a project that is challenging and a learning opportunity. This blogger has great instructions and links to learn Fair Isle. http://fairisleknitting.blogspot.com/ Be sure to check out this link as there is an absolute wealth of information for any type of knitting. Not sure why but I am not able to create shortcut hyperlinks in Blogger lately. Any solutions?
I was knitting Fair Isle as a teenager. I wish I still had some of those knitted projects to compare my approach.
Notice the chart above. I have a sticky note with the row I am working on just below the edge of the note. This allows me so see the row below and quickly tell if I am making an error on the row I am working on. In other words, I am looking at two rows at a time. It allows for quicker knitting.
Fair Isle has a double layer of yarn as you are carrying the various colors across the row. Intarsia involves blocks of color in a single layer.
The rule of thumb for "floats" (how many stitches to carry a color not currently knitting with) is five stitches. It is to avoid toes (or fingers, if a mitten) from catching as you slide it on your foot. When working with wool, the scales of the yarn (stitches) have a tendency to nest themselves and mildly adhere to the other color. This happens with only wool. It works out very well.
The Ilga Sock pattern is from this sock book. I love the selection of patterns. I used by 40% off coupon at JoAnn's which made it very affordable.
Happy Knitting!
I knitted fair isle as a teenager too!
ReplyDeleteI love your work! I have to many interruptions in this house to even begin to think about knitting fair isle, but your post it is a good tip!
ReplyDeleteMy, those are beautiful !!! I love fair isle and have promised myself to do more of it beginning this year. Thank you for the link also !!!
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