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My First Fair Isle

smalltownknitguy's picture
Tue, 2011-11-08 09:37 — smalltownknitguy

After attending a Sally Melville class 2 weeks ago, I decided to try my hand at a Fair Isle cap pattern I have had for years. I finished it last night. I love it and hope to do another color work project really soon. Enjoy the picture!

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Comments

Tue, 2011-11-15 11:39 — raydio
raydio's picture

To me, Fair Isle knitting is

To me, Fair Isle knitting is probably the most satisfying knitting I have done. Sometimes I just look at it, enjoying the wonder of the process and the result.

I would encourage you to do an authentic Fair Isle with 2-ply "jumper weight" Shetland wool from Jamieson and Smith or Jamieson's. You can order from Jamieson's direct over the internet but will have to purchase J&S from a shop. Even with the shipping, it cost me less to buy the Jamieson's direct some years ago.

The two yarns are different, but both are wonderful to work with. The J&S has a softer hand and has a nap that softens the appearance of the colorwork. Jamieson's will show the sts more clearly. Both will allow you to steek with confidence if you prefer the traditional construction of knitting entirely in the round. I love the method.

Congratulations on your first project.

R.

Thu, 2011-11-10 12:15 — pjmma
pjmma's picture

I like doing a good Fair Isle

I like doing a good Fair Isle project once in a while. Yours really came out excellent!

Thu, 2011-11-10 08:12 — chipsir
chipsir's picture

This is really nice and I

This is really nice and I have to agree, stranding can become addictive, I am not really sure which is tops for me ....lace work or stranded, I believe Fair Isle is having only two colours per row where stranding will have more, but I am not really sure. I just know I love working the two handed fair ilse with two colours at a time. Well done, I am looking forward to more of your work.

Wed, 2011-11-09 07:53 — BrentGC
BrentGC's picture

Rusty...love it!!! I'm

Rusty...love it!!! I'm looking forward to taking your Fair Isle class at the SEMKR this weekend!!!!

Brent

Wed, 2011-11-09 04:04 — smalltownknitguy
smalltownknitguy's picture

Thanks for all the positive

Thanks for all the positive comments! I often second guess my work but am becoming more and more confident with what I love to do.

Wed, 2011-11-09 01:10 — WoolyMatt

very nice work. You took your

very nice work. You took your knitting to a new level! love the color work.

Tue, 2011-11-08 23:34 — kiwiknitter
kiwiknitter's picture

Congratulations on a great

Congratulations on a great job! A stranded hat today - a Fair Isle jumper tomorrow... Beware, multi-colour knitting is addictive! Thanks for sharing your first project.

Tue, 2011-11-08 20:08 — Tom Hart
Tom Hart's picture

WOW! What a great job. And

WOW! What a great job. And your first!! You've got a gift for color work. That's beautiful!

Tue, 2011-11-08 17:31 — twistknit
twistknit's picture

Great Job! I love FairIsle

Great Job! I love FairIsle but not so much Intarsia.

Tue, 2011-11-08 17:28 — scottly
scottly's picture

Not a Fair Isle fan but as Q

Not a Fair Isle fan but as Q said, beautifully done - you should be proud.

Tue, 2011-11-08 15:06 — Joe-in Wyoming
Joe-in Wyoming's picture

Very nice knitting, Rusty. I

Very nice knitting, Rusty. I don't do colorwork very often but appreciate it when well done. Enjoy.

Tue, 2011-11-08 14:52 — Kerry
Kerry's picture

What an achievement, good for

What an achievement, good for you.

Tue, 2011-11-08 12:05 — TheKnittingMill
TheKnittingMill's picture

It looks great Rusty! Your

It looks great Rusty! Your stitches look very even.

Tue, 2011-11-08 10:25 — AKQGuy
AKQGuy's picture

Beautiful. I appreciate other

Beautiful. I appreciate other people's color work. I myself don't care for the actual knitting of it but when done well it is so beautiful and you Sir, have done it very well indeed.