What is the difference between Fair Isle and intarsia?
Well, first, let’s note the similarities. Both intarsia and Fair Isle knitting deal with color. But the way color is used is entirely different. In Fair Isle knitting, usually not more than two colors are ever used at once in a row. The two yarns are carried all the way across the row, using whichever color is appropriate at the time, with the other color carried loosely behind the worked stitches, creating a float or strand. This is also called stranding. Usually, one tries to limit carrying the non-worked yarn over long distances, usually no more than 5 stitches. Otherwise, the stranded yarn must be woven in. Fair Isle is usually worked in the round, with steeks (see above) at the armholes, and possibly the neckline.
Well, first, let’s note the similarities. Both intarsia and fair isle knitting deal with color. But the way color is used is entirely different. In Fair Isle knitting, usually not more than two colors are ever used at once in a row. The two yarns are carried all the way across the row, using which ever color is appropriate at the time, with the other color carried loosely behind the worked stitches, creating a float or strand. This is also called stranding. Usually, one tries to limit carrying the non-worked yarn over long distances, usually no more than 5 stitches. Otherwise, the stranded yarn must be woven in. Fair Isle is usually worked in the round, with steeks (see above) at the armholes, and possibly the neckline. In intarsia knitting, the colors are worked in solid blocks. Usually, because of the nature of the pattern, one cannot easily strand the non-working yarn. In this case, each yarn is worked only in the area that it is needed, and kept in bobbins. When one color is “aband
