KnitWit 170: Fair Isle

Filed under: General — Autumn Breeze at 9:01 pm on Sunday, August 30, 2009

First an apology.  Sorry to have been gone for so long.  Between life, fun, and illness, I just haven’t had the motivation I needed to do a show.  You know I love doing the podcast.  Just haven’t felt well enough to get behind the mic.

Today’s topic is Fair Isle or stranded knitting.  I couldn’t find much information on the history of the technique.

Fair Isle is a color technique that uses 2 colors on each row.  The colors are chosen from 3 palettes of color.  The color that is not worked is stranded across the back. If the strand is too long then you will want to catch the yarn. This video, which is just a random video I found, shows the technique.

Video Link

The garments are made in the round and the knitting is cut for the arm holes and for making a cardigan.This is referred to as steeking.

I use a tubular method of picking up stitches so that the cut stitches are enclosed.

Best way to try this technique of knitting is to start small. I recommend a hat or a baby sweater.

I know this was a bit jumbled. I hope it makes some sense and you feel encouraged to try something new.

website: autumnbreezedesigns.com

email: carry.autumnbreeze@gmail.com

plurk: AutumnBreeze

ravelry: autumnbreeze

ravelry forum: KnitWit:Rantings of a Rabid Knitter Forum

Thanks. Carry

approx 21 minutes.

 
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1 Comment »

Comment by madonnaearth

September 8, 2009 @ 11:58 am

Man, I have given up on the DIY method of learning fair isle. I have a certain way of winding yarn around my hand for tension, so it’s really hard for me to change colors. So I asked on rav for somebody who could teach me. She owns a yarn shop and taught classes, so I should be okay!

I’m glad you’re feeling a little better; good hearing from you!

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