Intarsia knitting is a knitting technique that is very similar to that of Fair Isle, except you don’t strand the colors you aren’t using at the back of your work.
The distinctive difference is found in the color movement- Fair Isle has colors that run across while Intarsia knitting has a more blocked off strategy. It’s similar to Fair Isle in the sense that it’s also a knitting technique that involves blocks of colors. You can also read our newly published article: Singer Heavy Duty 4452 Review Guide – Features Worth The Price Tag?
This Technique Is Not For Beginners
With Intarsia knitting, each color is its own element and you have to twist the strands together when changing colors to combine the pieces. It’s for this exact reason that Intarsia knitting may seem complicated to some, especially to beginners.
Tips For Having Multiple Strands
It can seem overwhelming to use various colors in your work, resulting in multiple strands hanging. However, the simplest strategy is to just let these strands dangle from your piece as long as it doesn’t exceed 3 to 4 yards.
What To Do When Changing Colors
As mentioned above, when it comes to changing colors with the Intarsia knitting technique, you have to drop one strand of yarn and leaving it hanging until you use it again for the following row.
Every time a change of colors occurs, you have to do it the same way every time, regardless whether you’re using the wrong or right side of the piece.
A Dangled Strand Strategy
A strategy when dealing with the dangled strands of color would be to bundle each one to a butterfly by tying it around two fingers and then tying the end around the center. Another alternative would be to place the dangled thread around or on top of a separate object to help ease your burden.
Changing & Knotting Strands
In changing strands, you have to bring the new color from underneath the old strand. Doing this intertwines both strands and prevents holes. When it comes to knotting, you don’t have to make the effort of doing this just to secure the knitted fabric; the ends of the fabric would later on be woven in.
The Finishing Steps
When it comes to the finishing of your intarsia, all ends have to be put together on the wrong side of your piece using a tapestry needle.
Carefully check first on the front of your work for any holes or any damages so that you could correct them with your yarn tails.
Preserving the Elasticity
If you want to preserve the elasticity of your knitting, put together the tails with duplicate stitch on the wrong side of your work. All you have to do is follow the pattern from the wrong side using your threaded tapestry needle.
As much as possible, put the yarn tail into the back of the part of the same color. Doing this will restrain the weaving from showing the good side of your work.
In the end, Intarsia knitting technique is just like every other knitting technique. It’s actually fairly easy, however, you really have to start with the basics to get the hang of it. Once you do get the hang of it, you’ll find that to love this colorful knitting technique.