Fair isle is typified by its use of symmetrical geometric motifs, twoply shetland yarn, and muted, sophisticated colors. Heres a letter from the interweave team about how were responding to covid19 and offering support to our community. It was this book that showed me the difference between a confusing mishmash of color on a homemade versus handcrafted fair isle garment. Original designs inspired by nordic and fair isle knitting traditions hilary grant. To knit fair isle this way, you dont need to learn both the continental and english knitting.
Fair isle knitting for beginners easy method to knit with 2 colours. May 26, 2015 to work the fair isle colourwork pattern, all you do is knit a few stitches in one colour, then switch to another colour, and knit a few stitches in that. The very easy guide to fair isle knitting sample pages, always wanted t. It is fun to knit and easy once you get the hang of it. Fair isle or stranded colorwork knitting the spruce. When you come to our site to look for an item, we will only use this information to improve our site and will not store it with information we could use to identify you. Easy fair isle knitting pattern book by martin storey. This was a fun little project, and im so happy to be included in the lovely mary jane mucklestones latest book fair isle style.
In this definitive guide, expert knitting designer and bestselling author monica russel teaches you the essential skills of this traditional colourwork technique and provides all the inspiration you need to create stunning fair isle patterns of your own. One of the rookie mistakes when knitting fair isle for the first few times is to pull the yarn floats the strands between the stitches knit in a given colour tightly across the back of the work, which can compress the gauge of the fairisle section relative to your stockinette stitch gauge. The definitive book to learning fair isle knitting by expert knitter, teacher and founder of the knit knacks, monica russel, featuring 60 pattern swatches and. The worlds largest range of knitting supplies we stock patterns, yarn, needles and books from all of your. In episode 18 of the fruity knitting podcast, were looking at a few knitting challenges. The very easy guide to fair isle knitting sample pages. I suggest you add at least one fair isle sweater, or skivvy, to your fashion repertoire. May 9, 2018 in this board we share the best fair isle knitting for beginners. The term fair isle refers to a special kind of stranded knitting, one in which the colors form one of hundreds of the traditional patterns of the fair. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns. This series of three videos are made to accompany the fair isle cap pattern, available available for purchase and download here.
The knitters pride royale 16 needle set i use in the video can be found. With this system, the knitter can carry both colors over the left index finger, picking the color needed with the right needle tip. The author lays out the basics of this popular technique and makes it easy to understand, even for the most novice of knitters. The graph patterns in the pattern library are good, as are the color drawings. Apr 04, 2019 in this video ill share my favourite knitting tips that i use and love. This allows you to carry the yarn you arent knitting with across the back of the work as you go. Sep 18, 2019 the distinctive patterning of traditional fair isle knitting is a clever way to combine the many odd bits of differentcolored yarn that came originally from the native shetland sheep, which have evolved a variety of natural fleece colors. Mastering color knitting kindle edition by leapman. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice starmore. Like a college course in color theory for fibers and stranded knitting. Stranded knitting, fair isle knitting, twocolor knitting whatever you call it, its pretty.
If you are aching to knit your very own fair isle scarf or sweater, this book is for you. The great news is that it is now back in print see more information here. Fair isle is one of my favorite things to knit, and after lotsa years of knitting and tweaking, these are my faves. The charts show just how many stitches to do in each colour. Read what others have said about alice starmores book of fair isle knitting. If youre looking for the easiest possible patterns to try when getting started with fair isle knitting, this is a fantastic pattern book to consider adding to your knitting library. Fair isle yokes are starting to appear in knitwear collections. Fair isle knitting is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Fair isle is a very specific type of stranded knitting from fair isle, a tiny island in the north of scotland and part of the shetland islands. Starmores richly illustrated guide offers both beginning and advanced knitters a complete workshop in the fair isle style. Some people use the term fair isle to refer to any knitting where two or more colors are used, whereas others use the term stranded colourwork for the generic technique, and reserve the term fair isle for the characteristic patterns of the shetland islands.
The newness comes with working a stitch using your second hand. The sheer number of available colors can be overwhelming. When the fair isle pattern you will be knitting is in the round, how do you swatch. If you dont want to invest the time into a full fair isle yoke knit then try a fair isle cowl. In fair isle knitting, only 2 colors are used per round and yarn is carried for a limited number of stitches across the back of the work. Knitting assistant freddie patmore demonstrates how to get your fair isle looking wonderful in our video. Scotlands fair isle has long been known for its distinctive, strandedcolor knitting. For this captivating collection of 20 beautiful patterns, knit designer mati ventrillon drew her inspiration from the colorful designs that were created by the women of fair isle more than two centuries ago.
Fair isle knitting has a timeless appeal, and is celebrated all over the world for its beautiful patterns and distinctive motifs. Sure these techniques are impressive, but theyre nothing compared to the accomplishments of learning to knit and purl. These knitting patterns are great for dipping your toes into fair isle. Apr 10, 2020 the best knitting books can provide guidance on a project you are tackling. Ideas knitting mittens fingerless fair isles for 2019 some sample patterns and project from lynne wattersons the very easy guide to fair isle knitting. A designer from the region, alice starmore explores the history and techniques of the art and provides instructions for over 15 of her own knitwear designs.
Fair isle style knitting daily, fair isle knitting, baby. Mastering color knitting kindle edition by leapman, melissa. The style was a sophisticated, painterly blending of pattern and background colors. With either easytonavigate colorwork patterns or just a single pair of colors to work with, these easy fair isle patterns are the perfect starting point for you in your stranded knitting journey. The fine art of fair isle knitting hello, im hazel tindall, from shetland, and i am delighted to welcome you to my website where i present a selection of my unique shetland and fair isle knitting patterns, available for immediate download. When you work fair isle with one hand, you knit and purl as you normally do, dropping and picking up the different yarns as you need them. Knitting assistant freddie patmore demonstrates how to get your fair.
For this pattern, you will need to know how to read a chart, but despite all the colors in the design, you. The best knitting books can provide guidance on a project you are tackling. To practice onehanded fair isle knitting, choose two colors of yarn. Fair isle or stranded knitting is a fun and relatively easy way to add color to your projects by working with two different colors of yarn repeatedly in the same row, keeping both strands connected to the work at all times. When i bought my copy it was out of print and very expensive. Tips for fair isle knitting make sure your floats arent carried too tightly across the wrong side of the work, or the fabric will pucker.
Original designs inspired by nordic and fair isle knitting. Lisa shroyer, posted on october 7, 2015 october 8, 2015 over the years, as the editor of various knitting magazines, ive noticed that stranded colorwork patterns are favorited a lot, but not necessarily knitted a lot by our readers. The definitive book to learning fair isle knitting by expert knitter, teacher and founder of the knit knacks, monica russel, featuring 60 pattern swatches and beautiful, practical projects to test your newfound skills. Fair isle sweaters simplified, the original philosophers. Sep 29, 2014 our experts have got for you some top tips, ways to avoid the pitfalls and the 6 best ways to make sure your finished fair isle knitting is smooth and lies flat. See more ideas about fair isle knitting, knitting, fair isle. Aug 04, 2008 all fair isle is stranded knitting, but not all stranded knitting is fair isle, in other words.
With rich and detailoriented knitting projects including hats, socks, mittens, jumpers and cardigans which all use this classic colorswitching knitting technique originated on the. Knitting a pattern where two or more colours repeat continuously across a row uses a method known as fair isle tags. Fair isle knitting patterns lovecrafts, loveknittings new home. While this isnt too much harder than what weve done in this book, it does incorporate knitting and purling with two yarns in the same row a worthwhile skill to practice together before you strike out on your own. This video is a slow walkthrough of a simplified version of knitting fair isle, which is perfect for beginners who really want to make fair isle patterns as soon as possible. This entry was posted in colorwork, fair isle knitting tips with andrea lum, newest by knit picks tutorials.
Cowls are a continuing trend this season, and this one makes a wonderful statement piece to accompany a plain coat or jacket feminine and practical, this is a great. Oct 06, 2018 diving into fair isle knitting can be a little intimidating before getting started, check out these beginner tips and tricks, and also patterns to try. Knowing how to knit fair isle opens up a new continent of knitting. It is colorwork knitting in which the unused color is carried along the back of the work or stranded. We love to pin and share fair isle knitting tips and ideas click follow for lots of inspiration. This technique is also referred to as true fair isle, from the island located between scotland and norway where the intricate fair isle style of knitting with multiple colors originated. Fair isle on the purl side fruity knitting podcast. Many other stranded colorwork patterns use longer color runs, creating the long and potentially troublesome floats. Jan 08, 20 fair isle is a knitting technique named for the island of fair isle in the shetland islands, 200 miles to the north of scotland. See more ideas about knitting, knitting patterns and fair isle knitting. Knitting help my favorite fair isle techniques youtube. In a chain of islands called shetland, our beloved fair isle knitting was born. Fair isle or stranded knitting can look quite modern as it does here. I was asked to write it in 1985 by a us publisher and it took me two years to complete.
The very easy guide to fair isle knitting is a comprehensive tutorial that lays out everything you need to know to go from a knitting beginner to a fair isle expert. Tips for stranded knitting knitting, fair isle knitting. She starts with an overview that covers everything from the best types of yarn suitable for fair isle patterns to beginner knitting techniques. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting we. The subtitle of the book is 20 fresh designs for a classic technique, and the designs live up to that. Dont be intimidated by this section, there are some thrilling knitting techniques in here. Jan 31, 2018 all of my favorite fair isle techniques in one place. Its also important to know if you are creating a stranded project that is knit in flat rows. Fair isle knitting or stranded knitting mollie johanson. If you are confused about how to read a knitting chart, we have a full tutorial here. Knitting advice, tips and how to guides for fashionable knitters. Fair isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork knitting, is a technique for working two or more colors of yarn in the same row. Elizabeth johnston was adviser for the fair isle video, and appears on 50 tips. The traditional technique of knitting fair isle can be used in a range of projects to showcase your vibrant yarn.
All of my favorite fair isle techniques in one place. Fair isle knitting is the very particular use of two colors per round. Here are a couple tips you can use to make it a bit easier for you. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting dover knitting, crochet. By the 1980s, when alice starmore s landmark book of fair isle knitting affiliate link was published taunton, 1988, shetland wool was available in hundreds of colors. Matis original interpretations of the traditional craft have appeared on the chanel catwalk. Nothing says the holidays like fair isle cozies just ask posh. Andrea takes you through the process of swatching in the round. Aug 15, 2007 alice starmores book of fair isle knitting this book is the best teaching guide for fair isle knitting. This is a great book for those who are looking to get into knitting, which i myself have been. Once you grasp the basics of how to knit stranded knitting. This training is invaluable in a society that often lacks the generational passing of artisanal wisdom.
Fair isle knitter andrea lum talks about the concept of yarn dominance in fair isle knitting, and shows how to hold your yarns to knit colorwork effectively. Made famous by knitwear from fair isle, one of the islands of scotland, the fair isle technique is one form of stranded colorwork. That makes this a great technique to use for small colorwork patterns on bags, sweaters, socks, and other projects where the back side doesnt. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting this book is the best teaching guide for fair isle knitting. Love knitting fair isle knitting knitting for kids baby knitting knitting patterns knitting ideas knitting sweaters crochet patterns diy laine the fluffy feather sweater when i posted this sweater on my blog i named the headline the softest sweater ever and that softness is. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting virtual yarns. If you are working on fair isle corrugated ribbing where you need to knit and purl on the same row while knitting in the round, it will be very helpful to learn how to purl in two colors. Also published as the fair isle knitting handbook, 1990, blandford books, uk this is the book that took an esoteric knitting technique out of scotland and introduced it to the world. Marie wallin is putting andreas technique to the test. Knitting a pattern where two or more colours repeat continuously across a row uses a method known as fair isle. Traditional fair isle patterns generally use a limited number of colors five or less and use only two colors in each row.
Some of these knitting tips may be familiar to you. It isnt much more complicated than knitting or purling in one color, but. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns, from. Even though five colors are used in this fair isle border, remember that youre using only two colors in any row so the knitting will be the same as it is for a twocolor pattern. Having the best knitting books on your book shelf or in your ereader library, is essential. The colorways that are shown and suggested are very pretty and the pattern charts are plentiful. Reviewers state that the very easy guide to fair isle knitting is perfect for both advanced knitters who are just learning fair isle and newbie knitters who need help getting started. We do not share names, addresses, phone numbers or email addresses with anyone, nor do we sell them. Another cheat is to knit stripes with 2 strands of yarn, blurring the colour changes by knitting with 1 strand of each colour during the transition between 1 colour stripe and the next.
An easy trick is to spread out the stitches on the right needle every time you change colors. Be the first to ask a question about alice starmores book of fair isle knitting. The very easy guide to fair isle knitting lynne watterson. Got a lovely fair isle sweater, but dont feel like weaving in all those ends kerin shows you a clever way to quickly finish off your sweater by braiding your yarn ends. The latest book to come from one of our visionaries is janine bajuss the joy of color. The best yarns for fair isle knitting knitting interweave. Knitting fair isle isnt as difficult as it looks and with this book i will guide you through the techniques so that you can enjoy knitting beautiful fair isle patterns as much as i do. For knitters looking to advance their skills and stitch awesome iconic colour work, look no further than this beautiful collection of fair isle knitting patterns. For this captivating collection of 20 beautiful patterns, knit des. Seeing, holding, or wearing one of janines sweaters feels like being transported into a timeless and profound story. Fair islestranded knitting tutorial the spruce crafts.
She has now made two instructional videos the fine art of fair isle knitting with shetlands hazel tindall and 50 tips from shetland knitters. Posted in colorwork, fair isle knitting, video tutorials, view all. Tips from the knit doctorfair isle knitting blogger. A beautiful detail that some patterns include on cuffs is a fairisle rib. Its easier than you think excerpted from knitscene fallwinter 2005 knitting in fair isle involves working two or more colors on one row of a pattern. Stranded colorwork originating in scandinavia norway, sweden, denmark, and finland is very different from fair isle, though the knitting techniques are similar. The book includes a fascinating history of fair isle knitting, and takes a close look at. Dec 17, 2009 for the knitter whose primary style of knitting is left handed or european both colors can be carried on the left hand. Fair isle is normally done in the round, but marie wallins amaryllis uses fair isle in the flat. My own is made up of classic small fair isle patterns, peeries my cousins wife is. And the islanders knitted with two yarns to create two layers that trap air and create warmth. Nov 22, 2010 one of the characteristics of a true fair isle pattern is that there are rarely long runs of stitches.
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