intarsia knitting Intarsia is the technique used to create 30 29 28 COLOUR CHART knitted designs that feature separate and 27 3026 independent blocks of colour. These might 2529 2824 2327 be single large motifs, bold geometric 2622 2125 patterns or so-called ‘picture knitting 2024 1923 2218 1721 2016 nlike Fair Isle knitting in which colours are carried across the back 1519 18 of the work to create small repeat patterns, intarsia involves the 14 1317 use of a separate ball of yarn for each block of colour. The result 1612 U 1115 is a lighter weight, single-thickness knitted fabric. 1014 913 128 Designs are generally worked in stocking stitch from a chart. When each 711 new colour comes into play, the yarns are twisted around one another 106 59 on the wrong side to prevent holes appearing in the work – these twists 84 will only be visible from the wrong (purl) side of the work. A separate 37 62 small ball of yarn is required for each colour block, and these must be 15 4 prepared before starting to knit an intarsia design. 3 2 FOLLOWING AN INTARSIA CHART 1 An intarsia pattern is given as a chart with a squared grid. Each square A has a colour or symbol that corresponds to a yarn colour indicated in B the key. Each square represents one stitch and each row of squares SYMBOL CHART indicates a row of knitting. 30 29 The design is worked from bottom to top as with any knitting pattern, 28 27 thus rows are numbered from bottom to top of the chart. Working in 3026 stocking stitch, the fi rst row, and every following odd number, is a knit 2529 2824 (right side) row and the chart for these rows is read from right to left; 2327 the right side row numbers are shown on the right of the chart. The 2622 2125 second row, and each following even number, is a purl (wrong side) row, 2024 and the chart for these rows is read from left to right; the wrong side 1923 2218 numbers are shown on the left of the chart. 1721 2016 1519 1814 1317 1612 expert’s tip 1115 1014 913 Intarsia motifs and patterns can be embellished 128 711 with eye-catching embroidery. Pick out details 106 59 with cross stitch or French knots, emphasise 84 outlines with running, chain or back stitches, 37 62 15 blanket stitch the edge of a large flower design 4 3 or heart motif. Use knitting yarn or tapestry wool 2 A and choose colours that show up well against the B 1 design for maximum impact. WORKING A SIMPLE CHEQUERED INTARSIA PREPARING THE PATTERN YARNS To practise the intarsia technique, work a chequered design following the charts overleaf. The To knit an intarsia design, you need a pattern is worked in two colours; you will need five balls of colour A and four of colour B. separate length of yarn for each colour block. To estimate the yarn needed, count the stitches in a block. Allow 1cm per stitch, add an extra 30cm for starting and finishing tails and cut the yarn. For small areas of just a few stitches, simply use an unwound length of yarn. WINDING BALLS AND BOBBINS Cast on 30 stitches with A. Work the first Knit 10 stitches in colour B. Then take a (right side) row: knit 10 stitches in colour A. new ball of colour A, join it in as before 1 Drop colour A and insert the right needle 2 and knit 10 stitches in colour A. into the next stitch. Keeping a 10cm tail, pass yarn B round the right needle and take the tail over the new working yarn. Hold the tail taut to knit the first stitch tightly. • To make a small no-tangle ball hold the end of the cut yarn in the palm of your left hand and wind the yarn round the thumb and forefinger several times in a figure-of-eight. Turn and work row 2 (the first purl or Turn and work row 3 (a knit row). To wrong side row). Purl 10 stitches with change colour on a knit row, drop one • Fold the figure-of-eight in half and hold 3 A. To change colour in a purl row, cross 4 colour, pick up the new colour and cross between thumb and forefinger securing yarn B under yarn A and purl the first B stitch the yarns at the back of the work. Knit the first the start end under the thumb. Wind the firmly. Purl 10 stitches with B then change to A new stitch tightly to prevent a hole. yarn to form a ball, changing directions in the same way. as it grows. Tuck the winding end in and gently pull the start end out from the middle to work with. • Bobbins come in various shapes but they Continue with these three balls until When an intarsia design is complete, all work in the same way. Wind the length you have worked 10 rows. The pattern carefully pull the yarn ends on the of wool around the bobbin and secure the 5 changes in the next row. Add in new balls 6 wrong side to adjust any loose stitches, end in the slot. Release the end to use the of yarn as before and work the next ten rows. then use a tapestry needle to weave them into yarn and tuck it back into the slot when not For the last ten rows add in the remaining three the loops on the edges of colour blocks. Trim in use to prevent it unwinding. balls of yarn. Cast off in colour A. off the ends..