STITCHES Midwest was a fun-filled day! Spending the day with the knitting and crochet community, discovering different fiber companies,and yarn galore. Who could ask for more? Well, I was lucky enough to take one of the many classes offered at STITCHES. At 8am, I sat down for 3 hours of knitting educational fun in Basic Intarsia Techniques. When I’m not editing AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns, I actually knit. I learned how to knit about 5 years ago, but was always hesitant when it came to learning intarsia. Sarah Peasely, the course teacher, changed all of that.
Sarah Peasely has been teaching knitting courses for
a few years and she designs beautiful patterns which are featured in various publications. Her patience and cheerful disposition immediately put the class at ease. And her basic, but thorough, explanations provided me with a better understanding as to what intarsia actually is and how fun it can be!
“So, what is intarsia?” you might be asking. Or if you know, you might be cringing. Intarsia is color work done in knitting. You create an image (or images) within your piece using different colors of yarn. The catch is that you are using multiple balls of yarn at once. Rather than knitting colors straight across, you knit with one color and then pick up mid-row with the next. Some people confuse this with fair isle, which involves carrying the strands across the entire length of your work to create a double fabric.
Sarah had us start with a simple pattern of 25 stitches across and 5 colors. It was just a few blocks, but as a newbie to intarsia, this was definitely different than knitting with just one strand of yarn. As you can see, there’s a mess of yarn hanging off the back of the piece I was working on. If you’re a neat freak, it takes some time to get used to this; however, after a few rows of knitting, it felt fairly normal to me. The key is to keep long tails (for sewing in later) and to switch your working yarn by laying it over the old one. This creates sturdy interlock and prevents holes from forming.
When starting intarsia, some of the things you’ll want to consider include:
Keep the weight of all of your yarn similar to create a smooth and even piece.
Be consistent to prevent holes. You can give your ends a light tug to tighten things up.
You’ll probably need to read a chart, so start with a simple pattern. (Knit rows are read right to left. Purl rows are read left to right.)
Long tails! All of those tails will have to be woven in at the end of your project. You don’t want to fight with nubs.
For more about Sarah Peasley and her courses, check out her STITCHES profile. You can also visit her site!
And swing on by AllFreeKnitting for some free knitting patterns involving intarsia.
Swag Bag Giveaway!
You didn’t think we’d go to Stitches Midwest 2012 and not bring back something for all of our lovely readers did you? We collected all the swag we could into a large Stitches Swag Bag Giveaway! We picked up some awesome prizes from Lion Brand, Red Heart Yarn, Tootsie P Yarn, and much more! So don’t hesitate; enter today by answering the question below in the comments section.
Giveaway Rules:
- Contest open to US and Canada residents 18+
- One comment/entry per person per blog post.
- Contest closes Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 11:59p CST.
- Please comment on any of the Stitches Midwest 2012 blog posts to enter.
- Winners will be posted on StitchandUnwind.com and notified by email.
What knitting technique would you boldly learn?
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I am looking forward to learning Intarsia.
I would love to learn to knit. I have always crocheted, but love the knitted stirches
Love the look of knitted items. Am just a beginner, but as they say practice makes perfect.
I have been attempting to learn how to knit. I really needed to pay more attention years ago when my gma was trying to teach me. would love to learn & win the swag bag!! thanks
Don’t think I’ll try intarsia knitting; my knitting skills aren’t that great…I prefer crochet. That being said, afghan stitch graphed pattern afghans work color the same way as intarsia. You always pick up the next color from under the one you were just using so that the colors interlock and won’t pull apart. One afghan I made had around 70 small balls of yarn hanging from the back (It was a company name with a lot of letters in it on a multi-colored background). It can be confusing at times, but the end product is REALLY worth it.
Intarsia always looks so complicated. I crochet and am just getting into knitting so maybe I will hold off trying for a little while. =)
How to knit using the circular needles.
I would like to learn how to make intricate cables so I could make really cool Fishermens’ Sweaters!
Would love to try intarsia knitting!
I would absolutely love to learn intarsia! I’ve been knitting for a few years now and want to be able to use colors more.
I want to learn Entrelac. Love the look of it.
I don’t knit much (because I have to pay attention when I knit intricate patterns…but in most cases, I can crochet without watching). But I might have to give this a try!
Wow Intarsia looks great but, complicated. I think I will learn this technique. I am always up to a challenge.
i’ve been knitting for 66 years and have worked just about everything now and cannot think of anything i’ve come across in the web that i’ve not done sometime or another. and i’m thankful for the web; a few years ago i came across two at a time toe up sox made on one circ. i’ve made a bushel basket of sox and loved every minute of working them.
I would love to learn to Intarsia Knit, I am ok at knitting and an expert at crochet but I would like to bolster my skills in knitting.
I have not tried this technique. I can imagine the beautiful patterns that you can do with it.
Any… i don’t know how to knit. 🙂
I have always wanted to learn to knit. My mother always wanted to teach me and now that she has dementia she CAN’T teach me anymore. I would love to learn and make something nice for her.
This looks very nice. I would love to try it. And I would love to win the giveaway. 🙂
I want to learn double knitting.
I saw a knitted sweater that had the opening on the side and it was bunched up on the side opening. I think it is called ruching. It really looked nice and I was impressed. I would like to learn how to do that.
I would like to try entrelac!
I just learned entrelac, and I would love to learn *any* technique I don’t already know. Intarsia is one I haven’t learned yet, so sure, I’d love to learn it next! 🙂
I would like to try some of the more intricate lace knitting –
I only know the basics. I would love to learn the lacy looking stitches.
I want to learn to knit with more than one color. I’ve seen it done on tv and videos where they carry the second color and I’ve tried but am having trouble doing it.
I would like to learn continental knitting and intarsia.
I love easy knitting and I want to learn to knit sweaters, tops and other clothing items. I can do hats and scarves and would love to learn to use multiple color yarns to knit an item.
I enjoy intarsia knitting. It always amazes me how great it looks. Would love to win the swag bag.
I learned to crochet on my own, then I learned to knit. A few years ago I started designing my own patterns. Colorwork has always been a challenge but I am Boldly going to learn, and design in color! I am Double knitting now but Intarsia is my choice for Bolding trying!
I would love to learn lace. It looks so complicated
I would love to learn intarsia and entrelac!!
I would like to learn to knit lace.
I would really like to try double knitting!
I want to make a sweater or top for myself.
Intarsia is on my knitting bucket list! One of these days….
I would love to learn how to knit making Pictures or sayings in the middle with different thread colors
I think I still may be too scared.. but it LOOKS so cool!
color work is still a scary thing for me but come this winter I am going to try it
One of my goals for the next year is to learn to knit! I am an avid crocheter!
I would absolutely love to learn Fair Isle knitting.
I would love to try intarsia knitting! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome stuff!
I’d like to learn Fair Isle techniques. I love the patterns and colors.
I would like to try knitting and/or crocheting with beads. I have done intrasia crochet and the result was well worth the frustration of following a small graph and having a bunch of bobbins hanging from my work. The trick to not letting intrasia get away from you and become a tangled mess is to weave in your ends early and often.
I am searching far and wide for the yarn I have in my head to use with Entrelac! I have been knitting for a long time and think this is my newest challenge. But first the yarn.
I haven’t challenged myself to do entralac yet. I keep looking at patterns and think why not??? I guess this year is the time.
My goal is to learn complex cable/Aran stitches. I love the way that they look.
Might have a new grand baby, so this would be great to learn
I would love to learn entrelac!
I have done intarsia like 25 years ago, and still wear the sweater. Would like to see what new ways they have come out with for doing it.
I’d love to learn Fair Isle or intarsia.
I would learn entrelac (sp?)
I’d like to try entralac again, maybe I”d get it this time around.
Entrelac! Looked at it often, have to put it on my to do list to learn!
I want to get more practice at fire isle knitting. I have to get my fingers to work right so I can move faster!
I would love to learn intarsia knitting!
I’m not afraid to try new techniques…it’s easy to pull it out and try again. I’ve done a small amount of color work that involved fair isle, but would like to try a larger piece with intarsia.
I learned to knit when I was really young and one thing I have always wanted to learn is entrelac. With a multi yarn, those projects are always beautiful!
I’d love to learn Intarsia, it looks tricky but worthwhile, oh and cables, they’re so pretty!
I want to learn intarsia so very badly and the older I get the more afraid I am to try it on my own.
enterlac? not sure how it is spelled but jeepers it looks hard but looks so pretty
Would live to just improve my skills. I am a beginner and need as much practice as I can get.
I can honestly say I have tried almost every type of hand knit, machine knit, and crochet stitches. The one I would like to really improve on is lace knitting.
I would learn Fair Isle or two sided knitting!! There are so many awesome patterns that I would LOVE to tackle!!!
Would love to learn to knit socks.
I’d like to learn the knit to flatter techniques so that my sweaters will fit me better
Theres so much I’d like to learn, lace, intarsia (I’ve done it on small scale) & cable (again small foxes sweater).
I am a fearless knitter and I jump into everything with my eyes open and my needles ready. I have always told myself you can do anything with some yarn ans two needles. Becuase of my attuide there is little I have`t done with my knitting. I have never been stopped by a pattern. So I figure there is nothing I can`t knit. I jump into all knitting with the attuide that I can and will have fun with all I do
I am currently working on a lace pattern in a shawl. I have jumped with but needles and can’t wait to try intarsia. I have see a felted purse I would love to try!! If it is crafting, I am in!!!
I would love to learn how to knit with the circular needles.
I would love to learn fair aisle knitting.
My goal is to undertake a double knitted project.
To cable knit!
i would love to learn cable knitting, since im a beginner knitter i working on learning different stitches,but cable looks so cool! thats the one im looking forward too!
What knitting technique would you boldly learn?
I would have to say that I would love to learn the Intarsia technique as well as the Tilting ladders stitch. they both elude me to frustration. However I just keep working on it and I will get it down…Happy Knitting to All!
I would love to learn intersa
I would love to do intarsia its always scared me!
Its such a beautiful effect and adds so much to any pattern!
Guess its time to just jump in and try!
Gosh, i’ve tried a little bit of everything……but i have seen some very intricate pieces that involve a little of everting…….some intarsia, some cables, some lace, some crochet! I need to do THAT! Maybe a sweate that will show off a little of everything!! So fun!!!
I am boldly learning to purl!! It is hard right now, but I’ve got knit down 🙂
Lace. I want to learn to knit lace.
Trying & trying to learn double point knitting. And circular needles.
I’d love to learn Fair Isle — the possibilities are endless!
I think double knitting would be fun.
I want to learn steeking!
I would love to make a graph ghan. It is very close to the top of my list of things to do. I already have the picture, graph and the yarn, just have to finish some WIPs!
I love to tackle new techniques, so I’ve done double knitting, intarsia, cable, and socks on dpns. Next up I want to try entrelac and toe up two at a time.
I like to do entrelac, and 4 needle mittens etc. Have tried to learn reversible knitting, but it appears I haven’t tried hard enough.
Tackled entrlac and once learned was pretty simple…on to intarsia and fair isle!!
I would love to learn Intarsia, I’ve tried fair isle and carrying the yarn in back always gets messy (at least for me:) ).
I would actually love to learn intarsia. I knit a lot of stuffed animals, but have avoided some beautifil patterns because of the colour changes.
I would learn to knit with DPN.
I think they are very intimidating!
But I would really love to knit a pair
of socks on them!
I too would love to learn how to use the Intarsia stitch.need to be challenged 🙂
I would love love love to boldly learn cables. One of these days I’ll tackle it!
I want to try knitting via chart.
Looks so intricate. I wonder if I can finish. I want to try…its beautiful.
I learn something new everyday. Thanks!
I would love to learn INtarsia. And knitting…you do gorgeous work
Intarsia seems complicated but I bet if I learned I would always thing “why did I wait so long”! Lovely color mixing.
You hit it right on the head – intarsia! I’ve done all other forms of knitting but have shied away from intarsia patters… I HAVE to take a deep breath and just do it!
I would love to learn a lace knit technique and cabling. I love how both look in pictures of finished works
I would like to learn entarsia
Am trying yo learn to knit
Oh wow! I love the look of Intarsia knitting – I must try it! Thanks for the inspiration and the contest!
I really like cables.
I actually started to learn crochet at the same time my friend taught me the basic stitches. I crochet hats right now but I would love to learn how to knit cables. I also tunisian crochet scarves because it looks so much like knit. If I could do both I would but sadly there aren’t enough hours in the day. 🙁
I would boldly try intarsia. It would be interesting to learn.
I would love to learn how to do cables.
I’m moving and discovered I have a book called “Domino Knitting” – it appears to be like double knitting. When we’re settled in, I’m sitting down with that book.
I would like to learn intarsia (always afraid of it, but I think I am up for a challenge!) or how to knit socks
I think I would like to boldly learn intarsia or fair isle.
I super want to try entrelac!! It looks so awesome.
I would love to learn knitting with beads. And intarsia. Both things seem very fun.
I have looked at cables, but have not tried to do it yet-would love to learn how. I am a self-taught knitter, and have had loads of fun making hats and I even knitted a poncho!
I would boldly learn entrelac knitting! I’ve never seen such beautiful work!
I’d like to learn some of the lacy techniques
I have been knitting for over 50 years and have tried just about every stitch that I have come across. I would like to make a lace cardigan for my daughter.
I forced myself to try Fairisle Knitting and loved it. I made a Knitwhits hat and have to say it came out pretty good. I’m still struggling with the crowhn shapping decreases and getting them to be pretty like they should be. I have some Intarsia patterns so I guess I’ll get to work on this. I too, am a newer knitter and just don’t have a lot of knitting confidence.
There are so many things I would like to learn I don’t know if I can limit it to one! I guess if I had to say one, it would be how to incorporate colors in my knitting.
Knitting with colors scares me, so I would boldly learn both intarsia and faire isle if given the chance!
Currently I am teaching myself fair isle and next entrelac. I’ll try anything!
I would boldly try to learn ALL of it. I love knitting!
I would love to try and learn Intarsia
I am a crocheter and new to knitting.
Sadly I would have to say to learn to purl!! I never learned which has limited the things I’m able to create! I do crochet very well though!!
I love knitting. Just learning to crochet finally. Working on christmas gifts!!
Love the colors!!!
I would love to learn lace knitting.
I would love to learn to knit socks and sweaters.
I want to learn the “magic” needle method. I can do dp’s but I’d love to try magic!
I would love to knit a cable/Aran knit. I have the piece in my head and all, but need the skills and guts to do it!
I would love to vreate some lace peices. i love the look of shawls ans long scarves made out of the lightweight yarns. they looks So delicate. Some day, I will do that !!!!!
I taught myself to knit when I was about 14 with a “Learn How to Knit” book. I’ve been knitting ever since — and I can’t believe how many years that is. Let’s just say it’s “over 50”. I’ve tackled just about everything — feeling that if I just “do it” that I can and I just keep on going. Would love to win.
I would probably be considered an intermediate knitter but I cannot do an Icord right for the life of me!!!
I want to learn Intarsia. I have looked at many patterns and wondered if I would be able to keep all my balls from getting tangled.
Would love to learn this technique. I can’t spell but maybe I can do this. Thanks for sharing this and best wishes to all the entrants.
I love knitting and am willing to learn new skills. I like hands on. Learning rather than from a book or video.
I am trying to learn how to knit two socks at once on a set of circular needles. They tell me it is easy, “once I get the hang of it.”
I guess I know intarsia fairly well as I love to knit on the Shetland Fairisle tradition. Beautiful and keeping An old treasure alive!
I would like to learn lace knitting.
I want to learn intarsia on my knitting machine!
I would boldly try to learn how to knit with double pointed needles. There always seems to be a “mesh” between the needles when I attempt patterns using them.
I have been knitting and crocheting for many years now. There are still some stitches I can’t get right and would love to learn them. Knitting with different colors is one of the things that I would love to know how to change colors without making it really tight and bulky in the back.
Would really love to put this to good use
I want to learn how to knit lace shawls for myself. I have some patterns but I’m afraid to try. Might sign up for a communty ed class this fall and jump in!!! 🙂
I would love to learn entrelac.
I would like to further my knitting skills learning
Entrelic knitting.:)
I have only been knitting for a year, but I would love to learn how to do cables. Just bought a book. Gotta finish my scarf, then I am off.
Steeking… now that I love fair isle.
I would boldly learn knitting backwards. That way I wouldn’t have to turn my work on straight needles!
As a beginner, this is my first time hearing of intarsia. After looking at the pics, this is definitely something I would boldly try!
I would love to learn entrelac. 🙂
I can knit and purl and make basic things but I am dying to learn how to incorporate other colours and even designs. When my children were small, their babysitter, a wonderful German woman, would knit and knit sweaters for them with no pattern, just pictures in her mind. They were incredible and she could do it anywhere, standing watching them in the yard, sitting with them on her lap, she was amazing. Thank you Eva !!!!!! You got me interested in knitting !!!
I would love to learn the Intarsia stitch. I am just picking up Knitting again after laying it down 8 years ago. But with all the new yarn and patterns I am getting excited about starting another project.
I would love to learn Fair Aisle.
I really want to do colorwork. Intarsia and fair isle are so appealing to look at, and really pep up even small objects like hats and gloves.
Fair isle absolutely, its so gorgeous, but I think to attempt to boldly learn is a good way to approach it. To truly challenge yourself and be persistent.
I learned intarsia by making a vest I designed, using a superbulky (2.5 st. per inch) yarn. At one point I had 27 active strands of yarn going.That was quite and adventure, and I felt I’d had enough intarsia to last me a lifetime!
As for Boldly Learning, I can knit right or left handed, English or Continental style, straight, circ or dpns. I design most of my own patterns and I’ve done lace, cables, entrelac, intarsia, double-knitting, and almost everything else that comes to mind. Not that I’ve done them all well, just that I’ve done them. I think about the only skills left for me to boldy learn are K1B and to improve my Brioche stitch.
I have never done Intarsia, entrelac or Fair Isle. One of these days I will pick one and have a go at it.
I would love to learn to knit socks on the circular needles.
I would learn lace. I’ve been afraid that it might be addictive!
I’ve done some fair isle, but haven’t attempted intarsia yet. Would also like to try entrelac and brioche projects, along with mastering kitchener stitch!
I would like to learn as many knitty techniques as I can.
Oooh, the intarsia looks like the kind of challege I would love!
I am trying to master magic loop and sock knitting – two at a time toe up.
I would love to learn intarsia! I’ve mostly stayed away from color work but now it seems like it’s what I’m always drawn to when looking through patterns. It would be a great winter project – but something small to start out with maybe!
I have always been a little intimidated by, but would love to learn, entrelac!
Oh, I’m about to learn bead knitting at Stitches East in October, but I’d truly love to learn pattern drafting. Double knitting is out there, too. As much as I’ve been knitting for 58 years, there’s always something new that catches my eye to have as a technique.
I love it! Always enjoy seeing new ways to create.
I love intarsia knitting.Entrelac is something I would love to try
Intarsia is next on my skills learning lists. I can’t wait to try this!
I am getting into the colors–would love to learn intarsia. I am open to anything fiber! love to knit, crochet, and weave!
I would love to learn intarsia. Looks challenging
i would love to learn how to change colors easily, and also lace knitting.
i envy people who do all sorts of knitting like its nothing.
I would love to learn to knit with circular needles…I’m a beginner and have only worked with straight needles up to this point. My main focus in needlecrafting is crochet. My grandmother taught me both crafts. I was nine when she taught me how to knit, but I never really did anything with it and forgot how to do it. I was much older when she taught me to crochet and I have not been able to get enough or do enough in that discipline. I have only recently picked knitting back up and have made a few items, but would love to learn more and do more things, but I am currently limited to using only straight needles and most of the patterns I’ve been coming across require circular needles. I think it’s time I learned how to use circular needles so that I may expand my horizons as it were. 🙂
I would love to learn how to design my own patterns.
Learning to knit with Sashay yarn. I will try intarsia next.
I am fascinated by entrelac and would love to learn this technique. I love challenges:)
I would love to learn the intarsia knitting demo’d here on this post.
Also the entrelac sounds interesting.
Love this giveaway and would love to win,
Entralac! I thinkit is so beautiful.
I get confussed with tier two.
I would love to learn enterac
I have been knitting Fairisle/Intarsia patterns for over 20 years. Love it!
I would love to learn entrelac. It looks so difficult but so gorgeous when done right.
I would like to learn intarsia, fair isle, and brioche knitting . I’m ticking them off my list as I learn more techniques.
Wow, looks like a nice package to win. I would like to try intarsia knitting. I know how to knit the basic knit an purl stitch. I am ready to expand my knowledge.
I love the stitching pictures shown. The Colo rs are great together
Shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
I find knitting very relaxing, I only know the basics, but would love to learn fair isle, cables and this intarsia. Thanks
Would love to try entrelac or mitered knitting. Years ago I knit a wool sweater with a horse head on the back, I found that winding all the little balls so they pulled from the center helped keep the spagetti mess from tangling as bad.
I would love to know how to do double knitting much better than I do. I get mixed up, with which way the stitches are going and keeping the stitches nice and even.
would love to learn intarsia. Right now i am trying to learn cables.