Fair Isle Knitting: A Practical & Inspirational Guide

by Monica Russel

“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 colorworkThere 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 examplesA 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 colorwaysTo 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

Genres: Knitting, Crafts

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Lee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair Isle Knitting - Monica Russel

An interesting book that not only teaches Fair Isle but also explains a few things you might need to get familiar with before starting to learn or build on your colour work journey.

I love the little colourful charts (and samples) used for the colour work they remind me of the days I used to cross stitch. lol ... Note to self - The charts are worked differently.

I will certainly be using the charts but not for the projects in the book, there’s only one project in the book I like but it’s a lot of work for me to begin with. I have a few ideas of projects I’d like to try I have my bobbins already loaded to get going ❤️🐘 🐇 🌺 🐿️ 🦙 ♥️ 🐕 🐈 🌺 🐑 🐓

[Gail G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is geared more to someone new to fair isle as it says in the description. I borrowed it from kindle unlimited and it has some nice patterns but it has a lot of extra chapters about how to do fair isle, the tools needed, and what kind of yarn to use. I wanted more patterns so it was not as useful to me.

[Tresure Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information

Like the fact that she gives
different choices for colors and yarns. Easy to understand charts. The patterns are very doable

[Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice intro for FIK. I hope to learn stranded colorwork this year. Hopefully!