How to knit Fair Isle for beginners [+tips and tricks for neat results]

[@NimbleNeedles]

Patreon post with advanced fair isle tips: www.patreon.com/posts/advanced-fair-65706735 Errata: at 27:30 I accidentally said that I used the white as the dominant color at the bottom when in fact it was the blue yarn. The pictures on my blog are correct! ☕️ Support my work and become a patron: www.patreon.com/nimbleneedlez 🧑‍🎓Free knitting school: nimble-needles.com/learn-to-knit-for-beginners/ 🧶 My knitting tools: nimble-needles.com/wool-and-tools/my-knitting-toolkit-essential-items-i-need-for-every-project/ 👕 My patterns: nimble-needles.com/free-knitting-patterns/ 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/nimbleneedlez/ And feel free to comment any time if you have a question. No need to be shy! :)

[@mtkuparsin4188]

I love how you teach, thanks for explaining well. Greetings from Chile

[@lebanc571]

Charmingly self-made is the best description I could apply to most of my projects.

[@NimbleNeedles]

I'm very sure that is not true. But even if it were, it's a hobby and it's about the joy it brings you ❤

[@ourslerk]

Same 😂

[@lebanc571]

@@NimbleNeedles I do enjoy it. And thanks to your videos I'm learning more about how the stitches work, how to spot mistakes, and how to improve my knitting. I definitely appreciate not only how great the information you share is but also how wholesome amd encouraging your videos are.

[@maryhelenshort8287]

Today a friend found some hats I made for her over 20 years ago! She sent me pictures and I told her, ‘I don’t really knit fun stuff like that anymore!’ I meant the same as charming! My early hats were charmingly self made!

[@-DumbLittle_Doggies-]

I thought that was such a fantastic way to describe it! ❤️

[@marilynsmith5901]

You truly set the Gold Standard for explaining knitting techniques.

[@NimbleNeedles]

oh wow! happy to hear that!

[@yunai14]

My knitting is divided into two eras. BNE (Before Norman Era): messy ribbing, socks make me cry, only one color, s t r e s s f u l. ANE (After Norman Era): neat ribbing, happy socks, know how to read knitting, 🌈COLORFUL🌈, every stitch is joy.

[@NimbleNeedles]

aww...thank you yunai!

[@karual-rashid5328]

Omg.. I love your comment

[@HaveAHollyDayArts]

I agree!

[@icannotbeseen]

I cannot put into words how good this channel is. I look at this and immediately go "yes I get it"

[@NimbleNeedles]

Thank you 🥰

[@kadienolan960]

if it wasn't for your video's and patience with teaching us everything you know, I wouldn't be able to knit. I spent years trying and getting so frustrated because it just didn't make sense and then one day I found your channel and it's be amazing ever since. You always have what I need when I'm ready to move onto the next step and I cannot express how much I love your channel and style of teaching. You're AMAZING

[@gina2797]

I wish I had seen this before knitting a fair isle hat with slick bamboo yarn! I love that your lessons work for beginners and experienced knitters. I watch even when the subject is something I think I know how to do because I always end up learning something. My projects look better than ever.

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are so welcome, Gina! happy to hear my videos are illuminating even for experienced knitters!

[@DreadlockPatriot]

Norman, your videos are by far the most helpful that I’ve come across. Thank you so much 🙏

[@EverybodyLovesMaria]

(my favorite knitting youtuber talks about Fair Isle knitting !!!! ) THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 🤩

[@NimbleNeedles]

*blush* my pleasure, Maria 😊🧶

[@toastym6791]

Aaaah that trick with flipping one of the strands is excellent 👏👏 i've watched a bunch of videos about knitting with both strands in one hand and this is the first one to have this tip even tho it seems so obvious in hindsight!! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@NimbleNeedles]

happy to hear your search has finally come to end end

[@patriciasorrentino4435]

I have not ever seen this method. I am a continental knitter but always knit Fair Isle two handed. I also really don't like floats so I weave my floats. Always interesting to see new methods.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, I feel, even if you don't incorporate something into your own knitting, new techniques will still give u new ideas 😊😊

[@HouseKatArmy]

I also knit my colorwork two handed, It really helps me keep it neat and tidy, and I weave long floats into the back side of stitches if the run is more than 6 stitches long. It really seems to keep it all in order.

[@mac8697]

as an absolute total beginner I can confirm that this is actually pretty easy to follow and understand. top video.

[@icecoffee907]

I just found your channel today and I have to say that your videos hold some sort of nostalgic quality to me. funny enough, my mom is from Germany and she immigrated to the US before I was born. but growing up, she taught me how to knit, and watching these videos always reminds me of her.

[@NimbleNeedles]

aawww...very happy to hear that & welcome to my channel

[@icecoffee907]

@@NimbleNeedles :-)

[@dogvetusa]

I know that this is a video medium but thank you for doing everything twice the way you do.

[@Annihapppy]

So glad that you showed how to knit Fair Isle. I'm so thankful.

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome 😊❤🧶

[@krolisek]

Best video on stranded knitting I've watched!

[@stitcht78]

Your instructions give me hope!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

happy to hear that! Though, I *hope* that they also give you the means for sucess :)

[@lindseywhite3371]

Thank you Norman, I'm sure I'll revisit this video many, many times. Take care xx

[@NimbleNeedles]

Your welcome to rewatch as many times...and make sure to ask your questions should any arise 😊❤

[@lindseywhite3371]

@@NimbleNeedles thank you, you're too kind.

[@emilylippert2816]

You have the best tips and tricks! And you always explain everything so well. I struggle with my tension while knitting stranded colorwork and this video is just what I needed. I’m going to put a few of these ideas to use and we’ll see how I do. Thank you for sharing all of your boundless knowledge.

[@kristarust8679]

Thank you for sharing your Fair Isle knowledge, so I can avoid some mistakes now😉Greetings from the Austrian mountains❣

[@valeriehowden471]

I'm an English style knitter who actually likes to purl. Thanks for all of the theory because it makes me think twice before attempting a project. I'm really slow at knitting so if I make too many mistakes or get frustrated on every row, the project will be frogged and wind up in my crochet pile.

[@emilie4715]

Maybe look into Portuguese knitting? I find it a lot faster! The tension comes from the front so it’s just a flick of the thumb to make the stitch

[@shadoh]

“I’m an English style knitter who actually likes to purl.” WITCH!! 😂 I’m also a English knitter and not a fan of purling lol

[@PressedBread]

Norman! Your videos have been instrumental in my knitting. I would not know a quarter of the things I do without your videos. Thank you for the time and dedication you have put into your skills and these videos!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Wow, thank you!

[@veenak4781]

This is the tutorial i needed right now !

[@NimbleNeedles]

Awesome. Glad I can be there for you ❤

[@Susann_S.]

Hallo norman. Vielen Dank, für die ausführliche erklärung. Der tipp, die maschen immer nach rechts zu schieben (streching) ist gold wert. Ich werde nochmal üben gehen. Ich denke auch, so ein fingerhut für die fadentrennung ist eine investition wert. Das sieht für mich (als fair isle anfänger) mit fingerhut einfacher aus. Vielen Dank, für deine Geduld und Mühe. Ein klasse video!!! Liebe Grüße Susann

[@NimbleNeedles]

Ist es ehrlich gesagt auch. Und von Prym gibst die Dinger für 2,50 oder so. Also nicht wirklich eine Investition 😊🤣

[@Leanansidhe23]

Nach zwei Jahren hast Du bestimmt das Dingen schon besorgt. Ich kam mit dem so gar nicht klar. In einem anderen Video geshen: ein Ringfinger Ring passt bei mir supergut auf die Zeigefingerkuppe und hält mit Stein die Fäden schön auseinander, und klemmt sie perfekt gerade so ein bisschen ein, dass minimal, aber nicht gar keine Spannung, da ist. UND ist viel hübscher als das Dingen. 😊 Wenn ich die Maschen einmal über und einmal unter den mitlaufenden Faden stricke, also alle floats catche (no floats), ist das Ergebnis erstaunlich stretchy und vor allem ultraneat und hübsch auf der Rückseite. (bei einer Norweger Jacke sieht man ja öfter die Innenseite) Begeisterung pur!! Bin durch unzählige Videos, aber fand beide Fäden rechts oder einen je Hand. Oder nur rechte Maschen. Hätte mal lieber gleich bei Norman gesucht. Veni, vidi, stricki!!

[@jeanneb6320]

Just started my first fair isle project. I knit English style, and I'm not confident in holding both strands at once yet, but even with dropping the yarn, I have great tension thanks to this video

[@Richard_Szobi]

Most complex tuturial on stranded colour work. Many thanks a thank you especially for catching floats on purl site. Great work. Many thaks. R

[@NimbleNeedles]

Don't know whether that is true but I really tried to put my everything into this tutorial as so many have asked for it!

[@EvieO1950]

Your timing is perfect. I just found a hat pattern that said it was good for your first fair isle project and picked my yarn. Thank you Norman!! 🧶💕🧶

[@NimbleNeedles]

Hope this video will help you knitting it 😊😊🧶

[@HaveAHollyDayArts]

Your tutorials are always so helpful and thorough. I know if I need to learn I come here! Thank you for your hard work!

[@menchiealcid3915]

You’re really a good teacher.

[@GucciBuns]

As usual, Norman, your tutorials are so easy to comprehend. I love your style! I learn so much each time I watch. Thank you!

[@musicelfka]

I love the way you say "super"😊

[@littlestbroccoli]

In terms of visual design, color dominance also refers to which colors will pop when you look at the design. So if a muted palette sweater has a pop of bright yellow in it, that may be one of the dominant colors because it's so noticeable and can't "hide" in the rest of the design. I think these are two different things, so that's just from the visual perspective. Thank you for the valuable info about floats, I am driving deep on fair isle lately and love the even tension you're able to achieve. Lovely!

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, that's certainly another aspect to consider. thank you for mentioning it.

[@JacqueDooley]

Terrific video and demonstration. Thank you so much. I have a little yarn thimble. I didn’t know what it was for. Thank for that demonstration too.

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome. These thimbles can be used for quite a lot of things, actually. And this is one of them 😊🧶

[@nancylbn7854]

I am not afraid to do a fair isle sweater anymore, but before watching some of your videos, I did not have the confidence I needed to get started. Thank you for helping me know I can do anything I put my mind to. My Norwegian grandma taught me to knit, but she was not as good at explaining things as you are. It will take a long time for me to watch all the videos you have available, but I am addicted and am really enjoying learning new techniques and enforcing some that I already do.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Of course you can. But be patient with yourself and maybe practice a bit on a little swatch 😊

[@cindyBS72]

Great and clear and sharp. You're funny too. I always come back to your teachings. Thank you for your excellent teaching and super sharp videoing. So well done!

[@rosemorrison7075]

Hi Norman. All the best for 2025. Thank you so much for this super video. You explain the techniques and tips so patiently and well, and I want to try out fair isle as I have some beautiful patterns I would like to do.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy new year!

[@eileennahan7830]

These tips are invaluable. Thank you. I am a visual learner so these institutions are perfect.

[@cassiesugito]

I always thought I had to pull the unused yarn when changing from one needle to another when knitting colourwork on dpns. Your explanation on keeping the floats loose instead makes so much sense. Pythagoras theorem!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Glad u understood that. Was unsure if it's a bit too mathematical. 🙈

[@EatingDance]

brilliant! you always have the solution to any of my knitting problems! I knit exactly like you, with my three fingers on the left needle - I couldn't figure out what to do with the loose yarn when i had rows of uneven colour stitches, till i came back to your video. thank you so much :)

[@aileenmiles1693]

Thanks for the tutorial and tips! Working on my first Fair Isle project now.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Happy to hear I could be of help ❤️

[@sandran.3395]

Wow, this was mind blowing. This is definitely the best video about this knitting technique ... Thank you so much! ❤

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome, sandra. Thank you for the kind words ❤🧶

[@SquirrelWhisperer53]

I love that you hold your yarn crochet-style like me! I avoid purling by switching hands. 👐

[@Thekidfromcalifornia2.0]

Wow I am not sure why I am here I am glad to be your videos are clear and simple and very easy understand. I think it’s time I pick up my needles again

[@NimbleNeedles]

I can't tell you either but I can tell you that knitting is a wonderful hobby that deserves a second chance :)

[@jayvee1387]

In the beginning I thought you were an actual wizard. Then you pulled out 2 more needles!?!!? 🤯 God tier! 😅 Im learning to knit from crochet and its hard to retrain your hands. Thank you for the very detailed tutorials. Very nicely done! Many blessings 💜✌🏽🖖🏽

[@NimbleNeedles]

haha. Eventually you'll get there. Sometimes i feel the same when I see advanced crocheters doing advanced stitches so casually and fast and i'm like "how can they hit the working yarn with such precision and speed!"

[@cleokoch2764]

I am so glad you made this video. I have always steered clear of Fair Isle because I was too intimidated. I think I can try it now.

[@NimbleNeedles]

I sure hope you will, Cleo!

[@sallybrown9194]

Seriously? I have been SO afraid of Fair Isle. Not any more! Thank you

[@nikkigbsd]

I'm a slow continental knitter, but a fast english knitter. 25:22 made my eyes pop out with the possibilities. Thank you soooooooo much!

[@NimbleNeedles]

My pleasure nikki. And yes, there are soooooo many ways to knit this and you just gotta find out what works for you

[@ZackRekeSkjell]

Thank you, Norman! I’ve just finished my first successful stranded colourwork project and I am so excited for my next. Previously I’ve only tried mittens as I thought a small project was a good idea, but double pointed needles was definitely not a good idea. I ended up with one mitten that was too small and one that was gigantic. But now I implemented a lot of your tips and made a gorgeous jumper for a four year old in my family. I can’t wait for her to wear it.

[@maryfrank2175]

Norman, you are simply amazing! I so love ALL your tutorials. You're so awesome at explaining the good and bad of various techniques and resolutions where possible. Your tutorials have hoped me become a self-taught knitter, and to improve with each one I watch. I just wanted to say Thank You for encouraging the rest of us. Have a wonderful day!

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome 🙏

[@dianetaillon9875]

Oh my word you did it I made the request for you to do a Fair Isle tutorial thank you so much 😊 💖

[@NimbleNeedles]

My pleasure, diane! 🥰🧶

[@logger1176]

ive done the similar technique in crochet, and a very small amount in a hat, but im hoping to make a vest with color work so im here to review! very helpful

[@McAlvie]

Great video. Have already saved it to my list of knitting tutorials. Very clear, and and useful. Thank you.

[@dhender746]

Just found your site and I must say your knitting is beautiful thank you for all your tutorials.

[@zapzap]

Thank you for this video! I'm trying fare isle knitting for couple of years and I already found by myself many tricks you talked about. But not all! Why I didn't find your video before? I'm happy for those knitters who would find it in the beginning of their way. And definitely: it needs A LOT of practise to master this!

[@anstoi-va5250]

Love your tutorials. You explain very neat. Thank you.

[@smb826]

I'm starting my first big-ish fair-isle project (a cowl) and I am so grateful you posted this video when you did 😅. I made a little practice fair-isle project a few weeks ago, which was a little coffee mug cozy, and it came out pretty cute but you can definitely tell it was made by a beginner lol. This video helped a lot and taught me a lot of things that will hopefully improve the outcome of my new project. Thank you!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

I sure hope it did. Have fun knitting your cowl! 😊🧶

[@fayewilliams-smith7815]

I absolutely love all of your videos. I have been bing watching for the past couple of days. I think it might be time to learn how to knit in reverse so that I can work some practice fair isle flat. I see a sweater being born . Thank you for all of your videos Norman. Yes! I have subscribed.

[@NimbleNeedles]

welcome to my channel and have fun knitting your sweater

[@fayewilliams-smith7815]

@@NimbleNeedles thank you so much. I have spent hours upon hours watching your videos. I am an experienced knitter according to the test you have online with some attributes from the advanced level. I am not able at the moment but would love to support you on patreon. When the opportunity presents I will definitely do so. Thank you again.

[@NimbleNeedles]

@@fayewilliams-smith7815

[@lilianemann1441]

I always learn something new from you, Norman! Thank you!

[@NimbleNeedles]

You are very welcome 😊🧶

[@AshleyMonz]

Timestamps for myself !! Background color on top , contrast/dominant on left/bottom when knitting When purling background color bottom, dominant top BUT dominant twisting under the background one Knit: Catch dominant color 7:58 Catch background color 9:18 Purl: background 15:50 contrast 16:40

[@NimbleNeedles]

?

[@AshleyMonz]

@@NimbleNeedles please absolutely ignore my comment this is just timestamps for myself 😂

[@nalanala9725]

Let's do this one more time... Love it! I'm going to assume that you're German and that that's part of the reason that you're teaching this just so perfectly.

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, I was born in Germany :)

[@newmoonjlp]

Excellent info! I've done quite a bit of fair isle but I picked up some new tricks, thanks!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, this is more geared towards beginners. I wanted to add more tips and tricks but then I noticed the video was already long enough 🙈🙈

[@annawerner1]

Thank you! This is super helpful! I always have trouble controlling tension working on fair isle projects.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, it's the biggest issue for most. So, don't fret about it. All it takes is a bit of practice 😊🧶

[@marlenecheladyn6450]

I love all your videos and watch whenever I can (and rewatch too). One method i would like to see you do is fair isle using Portugese style knitting.

[@NimbleNeedles]

i don't think I am the one to teach portugese knitting.

[@fatakita4187]

Wow, you made Fair Isle knitting so easy, thank you so much!! I always thought it was such a difficult task until I watched this video. Thank you so much Norman!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Awesome. It really is much easier than it may sound. So, dive right into it! 😎

[@-DumbLittle_Doggies-]

I want to add some simple stranded colorwork to a shawl I am making in order to transition from 1 color to another. These tips were very helpful, I am glad I watched this first!

[@NimbleNeedles]

have fun knitting your colorful shawl!

[@raysunshine830]

Another excellent tutorial! I have been cautious about knitting Norwegian mittens because of my tension issues. You have given us more than three methods to be consistent with tension.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Thank you, rebecca ❤🧶

[@deborahddenmark]

Excellent tutorial, as usual! Now I just need to find time between gardening and the rest of life to actually make use of your instructions.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Haha..well, we had snow today, so, that's a good excuse to skip gardening 😅

[@deborahddenmark]

@@NimbleNeedles hope you enjoy it. I am over the winter weather, so ready for full on spring. The older I get the more I prefer warm weather.

[@LindaBikesKnits]

Wow... I always found my tension wonky with Fair Isle because I do a two-handed method so there is uneven tension. grrr... I was not sure how to hold two colors in one hand and now I saw how it can be done. I will give this a try! Thank you Norman!

[@geefriedmann8091]

Love your instructions, they’re clear, easy to follón and charming. My first “Fair Isle” (more intarsia with lots of Long flotas to tuck on their way though) project that will not look so much “charmingly self-made” 🙂 i remember will my first steps in knitting intarsia back in early high school days and that is more than 35 years ago (damn, I’m getting old!). Those were “Keith Haring” figures dancing around the lower end of a pullover and as it was back in the 1980s, the pullover had to be black and the figures were neon. LOL 😆

[@TaylorFarrell-t9j]

Love your videos, they are always so detailed and thorough. What yarn do you use in your tutorial videos? I love it the way it works up.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Catania grande

[@mbbillington3459]

I really appreciate this information. I understood color work techniques well when I was knitting English style, but now that I knit Continental, a lot is new again. I still understand the basics, but the nuances of using the Continental method, I'm still learning. So, thank you for such good tutorials. I really appreciate it.

[@susansouthard]

I’m an English knitter, so when I started learning stranded color work netting, I kept one color in my right hand to throw, and I picked the other color with my left hand. I had to be careful with my tension, and make sure that I kept the stitches stretched out for the floats, but I found this technique to work very well with working with two colors in strand color work/fair isle. Also keep one ball to the right and one ball to the left so that your yarn don’t get twisted.

[@jennapickhardt5243]

Thank you so much for the tips for using the knitting thimble. I got one after watching your double knitting videos but I was nervous to try it because I wasn't sure which color to use on which side or how to tension and now you've explained so well that I am going to try it! Love your videos!!

[@NimbleNeedles]

awesome. happy knitting!

[@bettybho2168]

Awesome tutorial and very helpful for newbies like me. It would be interesting to see a video on how to catch floats on the purl side in continental knitting.

[@NimbleNeedles]

well, I do show how to work the wrong side as well?

[@bettybho2168]

@@NimbleNeedles Yes thank you Norman I had a proper look and I have found it, once again it's a super helpful tutorial, not many on KZbin like this☺

[@johnmyers8633]

This is just what I needed to see! Just bought the yarn and pattern for my first fair isle Icelandic sweater. Although, I might give holding one colour in each hand a go at least on a swatch minimum. I primarily knit English, but I'm proficient enough at Continental to be comfortable enough and my tension in the latter is only a little tighter than my tension when I knit English.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Of course, try it all and see what works best for you! That's why I listed all the alternatives 😊 tho, if you hold then in both hands, you need a slightly different technique for catching floats

[@Coccinelf]

I wanted to thank you for this video. I'm about to knit my first cardigan and while I've knit fair isle before I've never done it flat so I feel so lucky that I found your video just before I started my second swatch!

[@patriciasorrentino4435]

Thanks!

[@NimbleNeedles]

thank you so much for support my work, Particia!

[@wallyjansen898]

That's an idea to knit fair isle twohanded. I am proficient in continental knitting but have always knitted fair isle in the english style because I found it quicker than changing the yarn continental style. So twohanded will speed up the knitting. Thanks for the instruction.

[@amandah4834]

Your fair isle work is immaculate Norman you make it look so easy and iv never seen one of those thimbles before very interesting thank you 😊Amanda xx💖

[@NimbleNeedles]

Well, I guess that's because at its core it *is* simple 😊😅🧶

[@brendafuller1806]

Fascinating 😮 9:53 thank you 10:01

[@MonaLisa-wd6bs]

Danke!

[@NimbleNeedles]

thank you so much for your veeeerry generous support. Wow. happy to hear that I was able to help you so very well.

[@barbheggen7434]

Wow thank you soooo much . Finely I have a tutorial I like. Thank you thank you

[@NimbleNeedles]

My pleasure, Barb ❤🧶

[@lgmakes9412]

Thank you so much for this informative tutorial! I just purchased yarn for my first fair isle project and it was as if you were sensing my fear. The calm and kind way that you explain everything has made me confident and ready to cast on. Thank you.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Very happy to hear that ❤🧶

[@danielalaatz57]

As a tipp that works for me for the tension problem: I learned knitting controlling the tension by wrapping it around my arm, not my fingers. For Fair Isle I will do that with one thread and the other round the pinky.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Interesting. I gotta try that right now. never heard of that but i can well see how that works!

[@GaminGawdess]

You are a talented blessing!!! I have been knitting for years and have not had anyone explain fair isle as simply as you! I use a knitting thimble and you have inspired me to make one of my my own. 🤗

[@NimbleNeedles]

Glad it worked for you. Pondered quite long and hard how to pace this 😊🧶

[@keturahspencer]

I remember reading to knit circular fair isle with the floats on the outside to help with tension. I love your videos though. You add wisdom from knitting experience that left out of books.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yes, that definitely works. However, will make it quite a bit more difficult to read your knitting as well.

[@keturahspencer]

@@NimbleNeedles I mean knitting with the knit stitch and the purls on the outside. In this case your work is on the back side of the circle and the part of the round you aren't working on is facing you. I'm not sure if I'm describing it right. I've done enough fair isle to agree with you about purling fair isle.

[@NimbleNeedles]

@@keturahspencer yes, I understood you! Again, it really works and helps

[@keturahspencer]

@@NimbleNeedles my apologies in that case.

[@deborahddenmark]

rewatching this, catching a float while using the thimble, nothing short of brilliant, maybe others might know how but to me, totally amazing.

[@nicolakerrison]

Thank you, the beginner knitalong group on Ravelry is doing stranded colourwork mittens this month and I'm very glad for the advice. Trying to deal with two different yarns at the same time feels very much like being a complete beginner at knitting all over again.

[@Katalah]

Ich versuche das grade zu lernen und es treibt mich in den Wahnsinn. Ich bin es seit 40 Jahren gewohnt, den Faden mehrfach um den Zeigefinger zu schlingen und meine Faden Spannung nur darüber zu steuern. Egal welche Handhaltung ich gerade teste, es macht mich verrückt den Faden locker über den Zeigefinger oder durch eine Strickhilfe gleiten zu lassen. Es fühlt sich an als habe ich zum 1. Mal Stricknadeln in der Hand. Aber ich nehme trotzdem einiges aus dem Video mit, danke.

[@NimbleNeedles]

hm...ja das gefühl kennt glaube jeder strickende der die fadenhaltung verändern möchte. Es fühlt sich falsch und immer zu locker oder zu fest an. Mein tip...strick ein zwei topflappen. danach wird das ganze viel besser, aber du musst eisern bleiben!

[@thunderbirdvg4797]

You are such a good teacher!

[@NimbleNeedles]

thank you

[@HouseKatArmy]

I am an english style knitter, but when I do fair isle I knit with one color in the left and one in the right, so basically throwing and picking in the same row. I found it was the fastest way to knit colorwork for me.

[@NimbleNeedles]

yes, that definitely work as well.

[@adrahtaylor7993]

Thank you so much I have been trying to knit fair Isle for a while now going to try your hint thank you for your advice.

[@aggierowe9574]

Wow, love these tips esp. catching floats w thimble! Another valuable video.

[@angelaclements1244]

Never tried that way . I usually have one color in left and one in right. I shall try

[@gma2one]

Thanks for great tips! I don’t knit continental, but am a true left handed knitter so it was very clear for me.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Glad to hear that, modonna! 🥰

[@Manuelh667]

Wow! I see this fair isle method the first time ...I am a not professional but at least i think an advanced knitter but on fair isle knitting i am an absolute beginner! And it's really interesting and absolutely beautiful! I think my new project is a fair isle one!!! Thank you that you give me a new idea to think about knitting! And i really should say that your tutorials are very good to follow and to understand!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Glad you think so!

[@Manuelh667]

It would be so perfect if you could share a knitalong for a fair isle project....linke a hat or a scarf or something like that !

[@NimbleNeedles]

@@Manuelh667 i am not sure what you mean. you want me to host a knitalong or share links to planned knitalongs from other designers?

[@Manuelh667]

Sorry I meant hosting a knitalong 😅

[@christinevoss6993]

I appreciate all the different ways that you explain how things can be done. I am trying to find what works for me and you have given me a lot of ideas to try. Thanks so much.

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, that was the plan..showing alternatives. Glad it worked 😊😊🧶

[@patriciasorrentino4435]

This was the only good colorwork video with purl stitches for continental knitters. I tried the thimble and must say I love knitting with both yarns in the left hand but the purl stitches were giving me so many problems. Thank you soo much!!!

[@Golybis]

I read the title, looked at the pic again and was be like, "no way Norman knit all those swatches with cotton". And you did! Okay, I know, you have a lot of experience, but I am still amazed, knowing how finicky cotton yarn can be. I am one of those who combine english and continental knitting when doing Fair Iste. My left hand becomes stiff very soon when I try to hold two strands of yarn, and somehow my movement gets awkward. Changing the strands took more time than learing to knit English style with acceptable results. Knitting Fair Isle with three colours was a long awaiting project for me, but after watching your video, maybe I'll stick to the old practice, and just embroider the third colour in the end 😂 Thank you for this video! I enjoyed it very much!

[@NimbleNeedles]

Yeah, I actually got some proper yarn for this video but I tried recording and it just didn't seem to work well. So, I went back to cotton even tho it was quite a nightmare to make it look passable 😅 As for 3-colored. I just feel that a lot of people falsely think fair isle was the method to knit pictures..which it is not. And yeah, a little embroidery might be the better idea.

[@donnadowning-corddry957]

Thank you! Great tips. I see that it will take a lot of practice for me 😅