5 Tips for Fair lsle Knitting

[@priscillawild4219]

I join a new yarn about 12 to 16 sts before the beginning of the round, catching float style. That way, it is there for the first stich in the new round, with no distortion or holes.

[@JessicaJones-me6sp]

So do I, but 10 is as far as I go.

[@daisysdream64]

Thank you! This is a good tip.❤

[@caofdv]

Buen tip,gracias!

[@danettecross8608]

Girl, I have tinked back 32 stiches to get back on track with a simple 1, 1, alternating pattern. at the beginning, did 2 of the same color and well, yeah. Now I have markers even on the simple rows and know what color that series should end on within those markers. Has saved me a lot of time.

[@PurlTogether]

Hang in there!

[@suetupper9162]

You are so fantastic...I love all of your videos...and I just started a fairisle hat kit from my husband for Christmas 🎄....no better gift!....thank you...

[@Stettafire]

I love fair isle, it has to be my favourite knitting technique

[@daisysdream64]

Thank you. I finally discover now why I have a gap by changing the colour. ❤

[@jeanbaxter1197]

I think the really key message here is to swatch and practice to find out what works for you. That’s what I did. It seems like a waste of time/ yarn but it really is the best way to get great results.

[@mellie1617]

Your shawl is so gorgeous. I am obsessed with the pattern and selection of using handspun yarn. Very pretty!

[@christinegivens9048]

11:48 “you’re the boss of your knitting!” 😂 I’m not so sure. 😂😂😂😢😢😢 Getting better tho. ❤

[@fernie5128]

Thanks Jana. My first swatch is done and I am going to do another with one size smaller needles. This was enormously helpful! Yay Maakin for the MRI! Fern in Minnesota

[@heathertucker7056]

I’ve just started learning fair isle so any help is much appreciated x

[@pat_in_va8605]

Thanks, Jana! I finally got enough swatching done to make sure I had the correction gauge. I use Arne's method of holding the yarn for continental. I was doing the same thing with my index finger as you. I would end up with it all the way up and my tension way too loose. I also solved my issue of telling those two "blues" apart on the hat pattern. The one they sent me still did not reflect enough difference when I printed it out. It does show up with an adequate difference in my Adobe Viewer on my laptop so I just took my time and marked the various squares of the "C" color on each pattern that it appeared on. This way I can still use my printed copy of the pattern in my sheet protectors.

[@linerenaud5457]

Excellent explanatory tips! Will come back to learn more. Thanks!

[@PurlTogether]

Glad it was helpful!

[@suzane.7703]

I can‘t use wool because I‘am allergic to wool. Love to knight with cotton ore a blend cotton/bamboo

[@Stettafire]

I'd also recommend trying a cotton-linen blend at some point :)

[@debrademusz6044]

Great video. Taking in my first fairisle project this was very helpful.🧶🧶🧶

[@paularubina3778]

Thank you very much for your advice here ❣️

[@yliberal6355]

Very helpful, thank you. And I like your hairstyle!

[@MsOscara]

Love your shawl!

[@oksanapoberezhnyk2615]

I am going to make my first fair isle - thank you so much for the great tips!

[@kitchentableknits2462]

Great tips! I spy lovely handspun, a beautiful shawl pin, and a wonderful Cozy Winter!

[@cmaur811]

Beautiful pattern . So want to try.

[@lindahaynes9052]

I use shetland 2ply jumper weight.....made some hats ...making a cowl now....

[@JoanneHopkins]

Do you pull from centre of the J & S skein?

[@paulinehulett6415]

I use a crochet hook if I drop a stitch & works well even in fairisle..

[@lena_robina8673]

Hi Jana :) great tips! I’m a continental knitter and I have the exact same problem just with my right hand. I knit fair isle with both hands, but it’s so hard to control the tension with my right 😅

[@carolegdupont1606]

Thanks Jana, always coming back to your videos. Î’m trying fair isle for the first time (socks) ❣️

[@carolilseanne2175]

I did a cardigan in one body piece, all over pattern of snowflakes, dolls and reindeer. I used acrylic because wool makes me itch, and acrylic was cheaper. No problem at all. It was my first Fair Isle project indeed it was my first garment. A little later I made 2 toddler jackets using same yarn and pattern, in the round this time and Steeked' the garment. Again NO problem at all. Perhaps because I wasn't expecting or looking for problems?

[@Janstone77]

I loved watching these techniques, so helpful! I gotta ask too, where did you get those ring stitch markers? So simply but so perfect. Thanks!

[@robinmccullough3141]

Yes! Same question...I have plastic one and they sometimes break.

[@IThoughtIKnewHowPodcast]

Great tips, Jana!

[@fionafairechild6272]

Absolutely! You’ve convinced me about wool. Thanks

[@Lisatighe81194]

Jana - Love the color combination you use - what are the different greys?

[@PurlTogether]

Here is the link to my Ravelry project page with all the yarns listed. www.ravelry.com/projects/JanaKnitsalot/harriets-hat

[@lindataylor4397]

Jana, i love your wrap. Do you have the pattern?

[@PurlTogether]

I meant to add that to the video description. It's the Cozy Winter Shawl by Melanie Mielinger. Here is my project page www.ravelry.com/projects/JanaKnitsalot/cozy-winter-2

[@Stephlovesnapping]

Purl Together I knew it looked familiar! That’s about the same color I made for my Mom’s neighbor. She absolutely loves it & has gotten so many complements! Thanks for all you do, you really enable us to elevate our knitting!

[@lizlorraine463]

Can anyone tell me the pattern being knitted here? I‘ve searched. Love your colors in this too. Thanks for any help.

[@PurlTogether]

The pattern is the Harriet's Hat www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harriets-hat

[@beverlyhess611]

I always love your videos and helpful hints! I’m doing a bit of color work on a sock(for my bro-in-law). It isn’t extensive, only 5 rounds, and just 2 colors, but it’s relatively new for me! These tips are fantastic to hear and to see the bits that you demonstrated! Makes color work a bit less intimidating and I’m actually gonna look up that hat pattern knit a long and make some for my fam for Christmas! Btw, are these “unisex” hats or is there another pattern for men? I was thinking I’d do a different color scheme for each of my niece and nephew and their families! Again, thanks for all you share!

[@PurlTogether]

Completely unisex!

[@61bretay]

love your markers

[@agnesadyana7344]

Thank you for the info. It’s help me alot.👍

[@2Delovely]

Nearly every knitting video tells you to use wool, mohair and alpaca. I have not found a knitting video that tells me any substitutions if you are someone who has allergies to wool. Every time I come in contact with wool or alpaca, the sneezing begins. my eyes ducts become congested and certain wool and alpaca as soon as it touches my skin, I get blisters. At worst, my doctor thought it was hay fever. I need a good alternative yarn for wool and alpaca. I love the look of it but I cannot use it.

[@mistyblue5312]

Thanks Jana for a great knitting year... blessings to you n yours in 2020!❤️🤗

[@seaweedeater3104]

I get what you’re saying that it’s a good idea to adjust tension issues etc at the end but Is it best to block before before weaving in or weave in before blocking? Great tips thanks😀

[@PurlTogether]

As with most things knitting, that depends who you ask! I find it helpful to weave in the ends after blocking so that if I need to adjust any tension issues at the beginning of the round, for example, I have the yarn tail available to help with that. If you weave in the ends before blocking, then adjust anything, you may find that the tail pokes out afterwards. Hope that makes sense.

[@crochetqueen6440]

I weave in my ends, but I don't cut the yarn ends. THEN I block, so that any adjustment or pulling in happens in this process, and then I can cut my ends off after blocking, and I know that it's probably going to stay put.

[@janetgroves2220]

Well explained

[@melindahuntley9873]

great tutorial thank you

[@karenbochinski]

Great tips thanks

[@PurlTogether]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FoodLover139]

Awesome video. Was wondering why my fairisle with acrylic looked so bad haha

[@my93agestav]

love the patten

[@macsmiffy2197]

I weave on the next row up!

[@aripeyanongo9289]

Thank you, we’re inromative.

[@tammyk.stresslessjoy1524]

Thanks

[@LadyGecko]

Gosh darn it Jana, I don’t need another project! But Lordy, Lordy, Lordy that is a gorgeous hat and I do like working Fair Isle. Needlepoint Joint is out of all the kits until mid-January though. But I suppose I could catch up? LOL

[@PurlTogether]

You know you want to!

[@LadyGecko]

Purl Together - Yes I do...and I probably will. Will have to see how much my Christmas Bonus is since I have a car payment now.

[@LadyGecko]

Purl Together - I ordered the yarn and just printed out the pattern. I’m totally blaming you.

[@PurlTogether]

@@LadyGecko Bwahahaha! I can accept that ;)

[@gerriewalraven3525]

Thank you so much....❤️

[@karenstrybos2038]

Hi Jana can you tell me what a duplicate stitch is? I have been so scarred to try fair isle, I also love your colour combo. Your instructions are so clear! Thanks again from Australia.

[@PurlTogether]

Hi Karen, a duplicate stitch is just where you're tracing over a previously knitted stitch with the yarn you're weaving in. So the new yarn is lying on top of the previously knitted stitch. Does that make sense? I'll be making a specific video for this later in the month. Join us for the Knit Along!

[@Science4fun-l9r]

I'm making a pull over on a snowflake pattern starting from top to bottom (raglan increase) and I'm very confused about the increases how can i increase without ruining the final shape

[@PurlTogether]

What type of increases does the pattern call for?

[@Science4fun-l9r]

@@PurlTogether Raglan increase Four increases every two lines

[@PurlTogether]

@@Science4fun-l9r Does the pattern suggest what type of increase? For example a lifted increase, bar increase or kfb?

[@dougnickerson]

Great

[@ralphdamelio]

Why do I get a headache when I knit I love to crochet and knit but right now both give me a headache should I use a larger needles

[@iamllux]

It never occurred to me that it might be harder to ladder up in fair isle. I've been knitting about a month and decided to just try some color work in my first fo without a plan. I didn't see any difference between the plain color and the patterned part, and I had plenty of mistakes to fix.

[@dorothybyzewski9279]

How do you knit pattern repeats on a stranded colorwork chart that does not show a red box? I am working on a pattern that has a 6 stitch repeat with seven rounds but there is no redbox that shows the repeat .I don't understand what that means. Any help would be appreciated

[@PurlTogether]

What is the name of the pattern? Is it a free one that I can look at?

[@angelinacrafts5385]

Thank you for a great overview. Any good yarn suggestions for someone allergic to both sheep (wool) and goats (angora and cashmere)? So many pretty yarns are out of my reach. Would lama or camel work better the acrilyc and cotton?

[@PurlTogether]

Acrylic will not work well here, just because it tends to be very smooth and slippery. You could certainly try it, but you may become frustrated. Cotton would be a poor choice as it will not hold its shape. It has no "sproing" or memory. I haven't knitted with llama or camel, although I have used alpaca blended with wool several times. Are you allergic to all wool? Or just wool that has been commercially processed? I'm asking because sometimes people that believe they are allergic to wool, do just fine with hand processed, hand spun wool that hasn't been treated with anything. Finding some natural handspun wool that hasn't been commercially processed might be worth a try?

[@angelinacrafts5385]

I have not had a chance to feel homespun yarn as of yet. And I am willing to risk the hives if I have the opertunity down the road. For now I just examine yarns at my lys by picking them up via the lables till I can read the yarns makeup. Still end up a itchy mess by the time I leave unless I drag my hubby along to do the touching.

[@vidajohn2199]

"You are the boss of your knitting."

[@o0oMysticdragono0o]

In this knitting do you notice the jogs at the beginning and end of rows

[@ummsalamah7711]

PLEASE TELL ME HOW U KEEP TRACK ON YOUR CHART. DO U USE A HIGHLIGHTER BAR? TAPE? OR A PIECE OF PAPER. IT'S SO INTIMIDATING AND I KNOW HOW TO KNIT I JUST WOULD LOVE TO LEARN HOW THE RIGHT WAY.💓💓

[@PurlTogether]

If I'm using a printed pattern that is inside a plastic sleeve protector, I usually use a piece of painter's tape, since it can be moved and reapplied many times. I always place the tape above the row I'm knitting so that I can see the rows that I've already knitted and make sure that the colors are placed correctly as I'm knitting and moving up the chart. (Please do not type in all caps. It's generally considered to be like shouting.)

[@Stephlovesnapping]

My gauge swatch cuff for the hat is too small. I don’t have 3mm Chiagoo needles so I went with 2.75mm (don’t ask me what I was thinking)! Here’s my quandary... I have a 22” head. If I go up to 3.25mm will it be big enough or should I try a larger needle? I will rip out this swatch to reuse the yarn if you thing I should knit another one with larger needles. I’m just not sure what size. I don’t want to have to swatch 3 times lol. Any suggestions? (Just for reference, on the 2.75mm I got 26 stitches to 4” instead of 30.)

[@PurlTogether]

Unfortunately I can't give you an exact needle size for the circumference of your head since it all depends on your individual tension when you're knitting. I ended up changing up my needle a couple of times in order to get gauge. It's worth the effort though, since you'll be spending quite a bit of time knitting an awesome hat!

[@Stephlovesnapping]

Purl Together I know, you’re right, it’ll all be worth it in the end lol. Thanks for answering 🤗♥️

[@TheKaydie]

Fair Isle is beautiful. My problem is wool yarn is very itchy. Do you find the yarn your suggesting itchy? A Cowl or Headband, Hat would be uncomfortable. Thank you

[@PurlTogether]

I don't notice that Jamieson & Smith is particularly itchy after it's been soaked and blocked properly. But then again, I'm not particularly sensitive. Shetland wool isn't as soft as merino, but it has the other characteristics that make it ideal for fair isle knitting. You might try some merino from Morehouse Farm www.morehousefarm.com/

[@lillib1385]

May be a silly question but why do you cut yarn instead of carrying it up?

[@PurlTogether]

If it's only one (or maybe two) rows, I might carry up the color, but I worry about messing up the tension vertically by doing that. You'd have to be sure to leave enough slack so as not to cause puckering or make anything too tight.

[@lillib1385]

@@PurlTogether thanks Jana. That helps

[@lafrileuse4459]

@@PurlTogether, I've been doing stranded knitting for over 40 years and I've always carried my yarn up. In my experience, it causes a lot less puckering and holes than cutting and starting again. I just twist it with the other yarn on every other row. It works like a charm! 😊

[@lh7827]

If you can catch your long floats horizontally, you can also catch floats vertically. Just catch the yarn every three rows, and one ot two stitches before you pick that color up again.

[@lucillegoudreau441]

Much appreciated

[@ameliapeluso2407]

Hello there, do you gave a video how to add a new color in farisle knitting. I know you need to weave it in but I like to know how to start that. There is no video at all about this which is unbelievable. Thanks

[@PurlTogether]

You may find this one helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4TdoICwf8x3eck

[@ameliapeluso2407]

@@PurlTogether Thank you so much. I find that your are expert on your knitting and your instructions. I've checked others and I find I don't understand how they're teaching. Thank you and I will look up your website to support you. Much appreciated.

[@bluebinstein]

after watching all these fair isle tips, not one has mention to work on the wrong side. keeps all the ladders at the right tension automatically. this also gives you more freedom in yarn choice. hate wool. i use alpaca and acrylic.

[@charlenerichardson2623]

I have a marker every pattern repeay

[@kathisews9425]

And if you can't have wool on your skin???

[@PurlTogether]

You can certainly knit Fair Isle patterns with alternative fibers. The yarn will just behave differently and may not feel as "grippy."

[@kathisews9425]

@@PurlTogether ok thank you! I'll give it a try...

[@jolynnwhite7946]

🏳️‍🌈👌🏾🤓😍🧕🏿😇🌷🦹🏾‍♂️💕