The very easy guide to
Fair Isle Knitting
Step-by-step techniques, easy-to-follow stitch patterns, and projects to get you started Lynne Watterson
38
stitch guide Corrugated ribbing
Select from one of the many Fair Isle patterns featured here, turn to the relevant page number, and start knitting.
Page 41
Page 41
Page 40
Page 40
Page 42
Page 42
Page 43
Page 45
Page 46
Seeding
Page 43
Page 44
Page 47 Fair Isle bands
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
Page 60
Page 61
Page 62
Page 62
Page 63
Page 64
Stitch guide
Page 64
Page 65
Page 66
Page 67
Page 68
Page 69
Page 70
Page 71
Page 72
Page 73
Page 74
Page 75
Page 76
Page 77
Page 78
Fair Isle patterns
Page 79
Page 90
Page 91
Page 92
Page 93
Page 94
Page 95
Page 96
Page 97
Page 98
Page 100
Page 101
Page 102
Page 104
Page 105
Page 106
Page 108
Page 110
Page 112
Page 114
39
44
Lesson 17
lesson seeding
17 seeding pattern 1 This sample shows five pattern repeats. Worked on a multiple of 6 stitches plus 1.
Seeding is the name given to small patterns that are used to cover areas where a large intricate design is not required. Instead, the background color is punctuated with single stitches or small designs in contrasting colors to introduce a change of pace into the design. Areas of seeding are an important design element in a piece of Fair Isle knitting. Used between Fair Isle bands, these small all-over patterns serve an important design purpose by highlighting the area of intricate motifs. They can also be used to create simple patterning over bigger areas of a design or for a complete design, and are often used in places where
shaping would disrupt large patterns. Seeding patterns are created by single stitches or small groups of contrasting stitches repeated at regular intervals. Yarns are stranded or woven across the back of the work in the normal way, depending on the spacing between seeded stitches.
Pattern Row 1 (RS) With A, K to end. Row 2 With A, P to end. Row 3 *K1B, 5A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Row 4 With A, P to end. Row 5 With A, K to end. Row 6 P1A, *2A, 1B, 3A, rep from * to end.
These 6 rows form the patt.
6
5
4
3
2
1
6-st repeat
Yarn colors Size 6 (4mm)
Light worsted weight
=A =B
Seeding
variation Worked in three colors on a multiple of 6 stitches plus 1.
Size 6 (4mm) Light worsted weight
Pattern Row 1 (RS) With A, K to end. Row 2 With A, P to end. Row 3 *K1B, 5A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Row 4 With A, P to end. Row 5 With A, K to end. Row 6 P1A, *2A, 1C, 3A, rep from * to end.
These 6 rows form the patt.
6
5
4
3
2
1
6-st repeat
Yarn colors =A =B =C
45
94
Lesson 19
crosses This sample shows three pattern repeats. Worked on a multiple of 14 stitches plus 1.
Pattern
Size 6 (4mm) Light worsted weight
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Yarn colors =A
=B
14-st repeat
Row 1 (RS) *K1A, 1B, 2A, 1B, (1A, 1B) 3 times, 2A, 1B, rep from * to last st, 1A. Row 2 P1B, *1A, 2B, 3A, 1B, 3A, 2B, 1A, 1B, rep from * to end. Row 3 Rep row 1. Row 4 P1B, *4A, 1B, 3A, 1B, 4A, 1B, rep from * to end. Row 5 *K1B, 5A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 5A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Row 6 P1A, *1B, (5A, 1B) twice, 1A, rep from * to end. Row 7 *K2A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 2A, 1B, 1A, rep from * to last st, 1A. Row 8 P1A, *1B, (1A, 1B) twice, 3A, (1B, 1A) 3 times, rep from * to end. Row 9 *K1B, 3A, 1B, (2A, 1B) twice, 3A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Rows 10 to 14 Rep rows 8 to 4 in this order. These 14 rows form the patt.
Fair Isle patterns
variation Worked on a multiple of 14 stitches plus 1.
Size 6 (4mm) Light worsted weight
1
14
Pattern
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
14-st repeat
Yarn colors =A =B =C
Row 1 (RS) *K1B, 1A, 2B, 1A, (1B, 1A) 3 times, 2B, 1A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Row 2 P1A, *1B, 2A, 1B, (1A, 1B) 3 times, 2A, 1B, 1A, rep from * to end. Row 3 *K1B, 4A, 1B, (1A, 1B) twice, 4A, rep from * to last st, 1B. Row 4 P1A, *5A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 6A, rep from * to end. Row 5 *K1A, 1C, 11A, 1C, rep from * to last st, 1A. Row 6 P1C, *1A, 1C, 2A, 5C, 2A, 1C, 1A, 1C, rep from * to end. Row 7 *(K1A, 1C) 3 times, 3A, 1C, (1A, 1C) twice, rep from * to last st, 1A. Row 8 P1B, *1A, 1B, 2A, 1B, (1A, 1B) twice, 2A, 1B, 1A, 1B, rep from * to end. Rows 9 to 14 Rep rows 7 to 2 in this order. These 14 rows form the patt.
95
80
Project 3
project3: fingerless mitts A pair of cozy mitts knitted in a soft, fluffy yarn is just the thing to keep your hands warm. The mitts are knitted in seed stitch with a narrow Fair Isle band around the top—so simple!
Pattern TO MAKE Using size 5 (3.75mm) needles and A, cast on 39 sts. Rib row 1 (RS) K1, *P1, K1, rep from * to end. Rib row 2 P1, *K1, P1, rep from * to end. Rep these 2 rows for 2in (5cm), ending rib row 2, and inc 1 st at each end of last row. 41 sts. Change to size 7 (4.5mm) needles. Now work in sd st as follows: Sd st row K1, *P1, K1, rep from * to end. This row forms the patt. Cont in patt until work measures 41⁄4in (11cm) from beg, ending with WS facing. Join on B. With B, K 1 row and P 1 row. Joining on and cutting off colors as required and reading odd numbered (RS) rows from right to left and even numbered (WS) rows from left to right, work the 7 rows of Fair Isle patt from chart, so ending with a RS row. With B, P 1 row and K 1 row. Cut off B. Change to size 5 (3.75mm) needles. With A, P 2 rows. Bind off knitwise. Make another mitt in the same way.
YOU WILL NEED • 50g worsted weight yarn in main color (A) • 25g worsted weight yarn in contrast color (B) • 10g worsted weight yarn in contrast color (C) • Size 5 (3.75mm) and size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
SIZE To fit average size hand Around palm 71⁄2in (19cm) Length 61⁄4in (16cm)
GAUGE 22 sts and 34 rows to 4in (10cm) over sd st
TO finish Weave in the ends. With right sides together, pin the seam on each mitt leaving an opening for the thumb. Carefully try on the mitts and adjust the opening if necessary. Join the seam.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
10-st repeat
Yarn colors =A =B =C