Fair isle sweaters simplified, the original philosophers. Fair isle is typified by its use of symmetrical geometric motifs, twoply shetland yarn, and muted, sophisticated colors. 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. For this captivating collection of 20 beautiful patterns, knit des. She starts with an overview that covers everything from the best types of yarn suitable for fair isle patterns to beginner knitting techniques.
This training is invaluable in a society that often lacks the generational passing of artisanal wisdom. Fair isle style knitting daily, fair isle knitting, baby. All of my favorite fair isle techniques in one place. Dont be intimidated by this section, there are some thrilling knitting techniques in here. Many other stranded colorwork patterns use longer color runs, creating the long and potentially troublesome floats. In episode 18 of the fruity knitting podcast, were looking at a few knitting challenges. Easy fair isle knitting pattern book by martin storey. Fair isle yokes are starting to appear in knitwear collections.
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. If you are aching to knit your very own fair isle scarf or sweater, this book is for you. 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. Jan 31, 2018 all of my favorite fair isle techniques in one place. When i bought my copy it was out of print and very expensive. Read what others have said about alice starmores book of fair isle knitting. I suggest you add at least one fair isle sweater, or skivvy, to your fashion repertoire. Scotlands fair isle has long been known for its distinctive, strandedcolor knitting. 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. A beautiful detail that some patterns include on cuffs is a fairisle rib. See more ideas about knitting, knitting patterns and fair isle knitting.
It is colorwork knitting in which the unused color is carried along the back of the work or stranded. The newness comes with working a stitch using your second hand. 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. 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. Its also important to know if you are creating a stranded project that is knit in flat rows. 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. Starmores richly illustrated guide offers both beginning and advanced knitters a complete workshop in the fair isle style. Stranded colorwork originating in scandinavia norway, sweden, denmark, and finland is very different from fair isle, though the knitting techniques are similar.
For this pattern, you will need to know how to read a chart, but despite all the colors in the design, you. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting we. 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. This entry was posted in colorwork, fair isle knitting tips with andrea lum, newest by knit picks tutorials. Fair isle knitting is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Ideas knitting mittens fingerless fair isles for 2019 some sample patterns and project from lynne wattersons the very easy guide to fair isle knitting. Like a college course in color theory for fibers and stranded knitting. The book includes a fascinating history of fair isle knitting, and takes a close look at. Original designs inspired by nordic and fair isle knitting. Sure these techniques are impressive, but theyre nothing compared to the accomplishments of learning to knit and purl. If you are confused about how to read a knitting chart, we have a full tutorial here.
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. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting dover knitting, crochet. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice starmore. Aug 04, 2008 all fair isle is stranded knitting, but not all stranded knitting is fair isle, in other words. 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. Knitting advice, tips and how to guides for fashionable knitters. With rich and detailoriented knitting projects including hats, socks, mittens, jumpers and cardigans which all use this classic colorswitching knitting technique originated on the. 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. May 9, 2018 in this board we share the best fair isle knitting for beginners. Original designs inspired by nordic and fair isle knitting traditions hilary grant. Knitting assistant freddie patmore demonstrates how to get your fair. 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. A bit more tricky complete hardish how to tkn video 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.
Fair isle knitting has a timeless appeal, and is celebrated all over the world for its beautiful patterns and distinctive motifs. Once you grasp the basics of how to knit stranded knitting. Some of these knitting tips may be familiar to you. 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 i was privileged to grow up in shetland where i was surrounded by knitters who needed to knit quickly and to a high standard in order to gain an income. Fair isle or stranded colorwork knitting the spruce.
In this video i demonstrate a couple of ways to carry floats in fair isle knitting. Elizabeth johnston was adviser for the fair isle video, and appears on 50 tips. She has now made two instructional videos the fine art of fair isle knitting with shetlands hazel tindall and 50 tips from shetland knitters. Stranded knitting, fair isle knitting, twocolor knitting whatever you call it, its pretty. This was a fun little project, and im so happy to be included in the lovely mary jane mucklestones latest book fair isle style. Fair isle knitting patterns lovecrafts, loveknittings new home. 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. In a chain of islands called shetland, our beloved fair isle knitting was born. To practice onehanded fair isle knitting, choose two colors of yarn. With this system, the knitter can carry both colors over the left index finger, picking the color needed with the right needle tip.
Knitting help my favorite fair isle techniques youtube. 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. Posted in colorwork, fair isle knitting, video tutorials, view all. This series of three videos are made to accompany the fair isle cap pattern, available available for purchase and download here. Apr 04, 2019 in this video ill share my favourite knitting tips that i use and love. It is fun to knit and easy once you get the hang of it.
Fair isle or stranded knitting can look quite modern as it does here. Traditional fair isle patterns generally use a limited number of colors five or less and use only two colors in each row. The very easy guide to fair isle knitting sample pages, always wanted t. See more ideas about fair isle knitting, knitting, fair isle. Mastering color knitting kindle edition by leapman. The worlds largest range of knitting supplies we stock patterns, yarn, needles and books from all of your. Fair isle is normally done in the round, but marie wallins amaryllis uses fair isle in the flat. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns.
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. Nov 22, 2010 one of the characteristics of a true fair isle pattern is that there are rarely long runs of stitches. It was this book that showed me the difference between a confusing mishmash of color on a homemade versus handcrafted fair isle garment. Marie wallin is putting andreas technique to the test. 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. The graph patterns in the pattern library are good, as are the color drawings. 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. Fair isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork knitting, is a technique for working two or more colors of yarn in the same row. The author lays out the basics of this popular technique and makes it easy to understand, even for the most novice of knitters. The subtitle of the book is 20 fresh designs for a classic technique, and the designs live up to that. We love to pin and share fair isle knitting tips and ideas click follow for lots of inspiration.
Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting this book is the best teaching guide for fair isle knitting. 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 definitive book to learning fair isle knitting by expert knitter, teacher and founder of the knit knacks, monica russel, featuring 60 pattern swatches and. 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.
This is a great book for those who are looking to get into knitting, which i myself have been. Seeing, holding, or wearing one of janines sweaters feels like being transported into a timeless and profound story. Fair isle is one of my favorite things to knit, and after lotsa years of knitting and tweaking, these are my faves. Knitting assistant freddie patmore demonstrates how to get your fair isle looking wonderful in our video. 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. Knowing how to knit fair isle opens up a new continent of knitting. The colorways that are shown and suggested are very pretty and the pattern charts are plentiful.
Knitting a pattern where two or more colours repeat continuously across a row uses a method known as fair isle. 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. When the fair isle pattern you will be knitting is in the round, how do you swatch. This allows you to carry the yarn you arent knitting with across the back of the work as you go. Andrea takes you through the process of swatching in the round. The charts show just how many stitches to do in each colour. 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. The best yarns for fair isle knitting knitting interweave. The style was a sophisticated, painterly blending of pattern and background colors. The definitive book to learning fair isle knitting by expert knitter. The sheer number of available colors can be overwhelming. The traditional technique of knitting fair isle can be used in a range of projects to showcase your vibrant yarn. Knittingscottish and fair islepatterns, knitting, books. 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.
Fair islestranded knitting tutorial the spruce crafts. The best knitting books can provide guidance on a project you are tackling. These knitting patterns are great for dipping your toes into fair isle. 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. 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. If you dont want to invest the time into a full fair isle yoke knit then try a fair isle cowl. Nothing says the holidays like fair isle cozies just ask posh. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting virtual yarns. Be the first to ask a question about alice starmores book of 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. The great news is that it is now back in print see more information here. 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.
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. And the islanders knitted with two yarns to create two layers that trap air and create warmth. 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. The very easy guide to fair isle knitting sample pages.
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. 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. It isnt much more complicated than knitting or purling in one color, but. 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. We do not share names, addresses, phone numbers or email addresses with anyone, nor do we sell them. Here are a couple tips you can use to make it a bit easier for you. The knitters pride royale 16 needle set i use in the video can be found. Mastering color knitting kindle edition by leapman, melissa.
Heres a letter from the interweave team about how were responding to covid19 and offering support to our community. 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. Fair isle knitting is the very particular use of two colors per round. 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. 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. Apr 10, 2020 the best knitting books can provide guidance on a project you are tackling. Fair isle on the purl side fruity knitting podcast. Matis original interpretations of the traditional craft have appeared on the chanel catwalk. Made famous by knitwear from fair isle, one of the islands of scotland, the fair isle technique is one form of stranded colorwork. The fair isle section offers clear instruction on the basics of fair isle knitting for techniques for tanglefree multistrand knitting and steeks. The latest book to come from one of our visionaries is janine bajuss the joy of color. 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 very easy guide to fair isle knitting lynne watterson.
My own is made up of classic small fair isle patterns, peeries my cousins wife is. Having the best knitting books on your book shelf or in your ereader library, is essential. Fair isle knitting or stranded knitting mollie johanson. 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. 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. That makes this a great technique to use for small colorwork patterns on bags, sweaters, socks, and other projects where the back side doesnt. 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.
145 919 1193 637 634 1487 1351 564 1221 777 1448 217 1418 186 1151 1121 1275 779 395 697 227 1483 499 54 941 992 342 674 391 992 719 1252 715 932