Fair Isle Knitting

Scotland's Fair Isle is celebrated the world over for its distinctive, stranded-color knitting, and Alice Starmore is famous for her expertise in designing and instructing knitters in this appealing regional tradition. This volume is profusely illustrated with color photographs, plus drawings and charts that illustrate the art's history, patterns, and techniques.

Why "fearless"? In the past, knitters have considered Fair Isle knitting, or stranded knitting as it's also known, to be an advanced style that involves the frightening task of taking scissors to your hard-won work. As intimidating as this may seem, the cutting process, or steeking, is actually not something to worry about. In Fearless Fair Isle Knitting, best-selling knitwear designer Kathleen Taylor walks knitters of all levels through the technique. With Taylor's simple patterns and large, easy-to-follow charts, the projects yield delightfully vibrant results. The 30 stunning designs, which represent Taylor's updates on classic Fair Isle motifs, include sweaters, socks, dresses, vests, mittens, hats, and bags. With this book, Fair Isle knitting has become more accessible than ever -- and serious knitters will agree... that's a beautiful thing.

Traditional Fair Isle knitting and design skills were originally handed down from one Shetland generation to the next, with each new generation of knitters experimenting, adapting and extending the repertoire of patterns to develop the Fair Isle knitting we see today. Fair Isle knitting is fascinating - only two colours are used in any single row - yet the patterns and colours chosen combine to create something that is more than the sum of its parts. The distinctive combination of colours and patterns, ranging from the simple to the highly intricate, continues to inspire knitters worldwide. This beautifully illustrated book includes the development of Fair Isle knitting; a collection of Fair Isle patterns and motifs; exercises to develop a sense of colour and apply colour theory to Fair Isle knitting and a detailed step-by-step guide for the techniques used in Fair Isle knitting. Five original designs, with further ideas for their modification and development are included too as well as guidance on adapting and designing Fair Isle projects of your own.

“A great book to ease a knitter new to Fair Isle knitting into the fold” with projects for sweaters, hats, pillows, bags, and more from the top designer (Knitty.com). Fair Isle knitting has a timeless appeal, and is celebrated all over the world for its beautiful patterns and distinctive motifs. Using just two colors 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 bestselling author Monica Russel teaches you the essential skills of this traditional colorwork 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 colorwork There are step-by-step instructions on the key techniques for creating Fair Isle patterns, including choosing colors and using charts, all illustrated with step-by-step photographs and an abundance of colorful 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 colorways To practice your new skills, there are 14 items to knit, ranging from a simple hat to a stunning dress and waistcoat. “The motifs are often modern and bright with the themes such as flowers, cherries, dancing ladies, ducks and alpacas as well as various geometric shapes.” —Slipknot

The comprehensive guide to Fair Isle knitting motifs! The mysteries of Fair Isle are revealed! 200 Fair Isle Motifs offers simple solutions to the seemingly complex technique of stranded colorwork. From simple single row patterns to complex all-over motifs, you'll find colorways that will thrill and inspire your knitting, whether you're a beginner or experienced knitter. By using the easy-to-read charts, columns to illustrate color changes, and clear photographs of each sample swatch, you'll find yourself creating beautiful Fair Isle designs in no time. Organized by row count and stitch count, 200 Fair Isle Motifs makes it easy for you to find the perfect motif for your projects. Confidently infuse colorwork into your knitting with 200 Fair Isle Motifs.

'Fair Isle Knitting Patterns' reproduces the known work of Robert Williamson.

Hailing from a tiny island in the northern most island group of the British Isles, Fair Isle knitting has been produced for nearly 200 years and is still seen on runways today. Discover true Fair Isle knitting and build fantastic colorscapesâ€"from elegant subtle shadings inspired by the natural landscape to exuberant riots of color for its own sake. Fair Isle Style is a book of projects to knit as well as a book about knitting the Fair Isle technique. This book offers a collection of patterns from a variety of established, rising, and new knitwear designers and focuses on fresh, modern uses of color for today's knitters. A Design Notebook rounds out the book, giving readers further ideas to use Fair Isle knitting. Delight in a modern look from a traditional technique with Fair Isle Style.