Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle knitting has a timeless appeal, and is celebrated all over the world for its beautiful patterns and distinctive motifs. Using just two colours in each row you can create a myriad of different patterns that are deceptively easy to achieve. In this definitive guide, expert knitting designer and best-selling author Monica Russel teaches you the essential skills of this traditional colourwork technique and provides all the inspiration you need to create stunning Fair Isle patterns of your own.

• The book includes a fascinating history of Fair Isle knitting, and takes a close look at the yarns, needles and other tools you need to get started in colourwork
• There are step-by-step instructions on the key techniques for creating Fair Isle patterns, including choosing colours and using charts, all illustrated with step-by-step photographs and an abundance of colourful examples
• A stunning collection of pattern swatches provides inspiration and instruction for over 45 borders, patterns and motifs, all accompanied by a written pattern, chart and examples in various colourways
• To practise your new skills, there are 14 items to knit, ranging from a simple hat to a stunning dress and waistcoat.

Book Contents

Introduction
History of Fair Isle
Yarns
Materials & equipment
Colour

TECHNIQUES
How to hold the yarn
Tension
Starting a new ball of wool
Fair Isle knitting basics
Reading the charts
Knitting abbreviations
Finishing
Embellishing

FAIR ISLE DESIGNS
Border gallery
Projects with borders
- Simple Snowflake Hat
- Crowned Snowflake Hat
- Campion Yoked Sweater
- Skroo Socks
- Croft Child’s Dress
- Jake's Sweater
- Pattern gallery
- Projects with patterns
- Retro Cushion Cover
- Dogtooth Bag
- Lerwick Waistcoat
- Rose Shawl
- Shetland Dress
Animal motif gallery
Animal motif projects
- Duck Nursery Blanket
- Sheep cushion
- Ptarmigan Child’s Cardigan with Hat

Index 144