This is the book that took an esoteric knitting technique out of scotland and introduced it to the world. Read what others have said about alice starmores book of fair isle knitting. Its exciting to turn your imagination into reality and also satisfying to contribute a unique design to an historical tradition. Fair isle knitting patchwork times by judy laquidara. My own is made up of classic small fair isle patterns, peeries my cousins wife is. Fair isle knitting patterns book by mary macgregor. The instructions are comprehensive and clear, covering the principle as well as the execution, making them easily adaptable to ones own knitting style. Daisy and i want to share one of our favorite books, wanderlust by tanis gray.
Fair isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. For this pattern, you will need to know how to read a chart, but despite all the colors in the design. It is fun to knit and easy once you get the hang of it. I have not as yet knitted anything from that book, but i love to look reread it and look at the illustrations. Intermediate knit in the round, the yuletide yoke jumper uses paintbox yarns chunky pots, a fabulous multi shade chunky, for the fair isle section of the sweater, bringing a fabulously festive feel to this jolly. Fair isle or stranded knitting can look quite modern as it does here.
I created this design to circle around my tulip socks, but fair isle can show up on yokes, cuffs, hats, mittens, anywhere. The fine art of fair isle knitting hello, im hazel tindall, from shetland, and i am delighted to welcome you to my website where i present a selection of my unique shetland and fair isle knitting patterns, available for immediate download. With fun colorful projects and stepbystep instructions, this book is your essential learnto fair isle guidebook. Each motif is designed to inspire, the style of the charts is easy to ready. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice starmore patterns dover needlework series alice starmores book of fair isle knitting viewing as a guest user. Because stranded knitting is easier when working in the round, this pattern uses a technique called a steek, which allows you to cut the round apart. This technique is also referred to as true fair isle, from the island located between scotland and norway where the intricate fair isle style of knitting with multiple colors originated. Babys first fair isle cardigan, a new, circularlyknit, stranded and steeked fair isle knitting design by mary ann stephens. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns. An excellent source book, useful for beginners and more experienced knitters alike. What separates fair isle knitting patterns from those using other forms of colorwork, like intarsia, is that you are carrying both or all of the colors in your work throughout your entire project, so you can pick up and use any color in any stitch. Knit yourself a fair isle scarf with this free pattern from yarn plaza. Sep 18, 2019 the distinctive patterning of traditional fair isle knitting is a clever way to combine the many odd bits of differentcolored yarn that came originally from the native shetland sheep, which have evolved a variety of natural fleece colors. She said she got the pattern out of mary jane mucklestones fair isle style book.
Dec 17, 2009 for the knitter whose primary style of knitting is left handed or european both colors can be carried on the left hand. Books jamieson and smith, real shetland wool, fair isle. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you. For this captivating collection of 20 beautiful patterns, knit designer mati ventrillon drew her inspiration from the colorful designs that were created by the women of fair isle more than two centuries ago. This technique is also referred to as true fair isle, from the island located between scotland and norway where the intricate fair isle style of knitting. Give yourself a treat with easy fairisle knits, martin storeys collection of contemporary, simplified designs for a pullover, hats, socks, scarves, cushions, a throw and more. In this treasury of authentic designs, sarah don introduces readers to the basic techniques. Fair isle pattern i love the orangey yellow in this luxury yarns, and designs for hand knitting by alice starmore and jade starmore see more. Scotlands fair isle has long been known for its distinctive, strandedcolor knitting. With rich and detailoriented knitting projects including hats, socks, mittens, jumpers and cardigans which all use this classic colorswitching knitting. I finished it in 1987 and the book was published in 1988. Includes cast on and bind off techniques, lace, cables, brioche, and more.
Books focusing on colourwork patterns and techniques, including fairisle. When you work fair isle with one hand, you knit and purl as you normally do, dropping and picking up the different yarns as you need them. May 26, 2015 to work the fair isle colourwork pattern, all you do is knit a few stitches in one colour, then switch to another colour, and knit a few stitches in that. Ive admired fair isle to the extent of having bought alice starmores fair isle knitting as one of the first knitting books i bought in the late 1980s. By the 1980s, when alice starmores landmark book of fair isle knitting affiliate link was published taunton, 1988, shetland wool was available in hundreds of colors. The fine art of fair isle knitting hello, im hazel tindall, from shetland, and i am delighted to welcome you to my website where i present a selection of my unique shetland and fair isle knitting patterns, available for immediate download i was privileged to grow up in shetland where i was surrounded by knitters who needed to knit quickly and to a high standard in order to gain an income. Traditional fair isle patterns generally use a limited number of colors five or less and use only two colors in each row. I increasingly find that measuring the passage of time becomes an exercise in disbelief. This book is a must have on any knitting designers shelf, it covers the history of fairisle knitting including some fab social history photos, has a wealth of design patterns and origins and is a great read especially if you have knitting in your bones. Available here as a pdf from mary anns online yarn shop. Fair isle style knitting daily, fair isle knitting, baby. The first chapter is on fair isle basics such as steeks, wet blocking, weaving in the ends, changing to double pointed needles, charts, etc.
It is printed on a4 sized thick gloss paper, ideal for frequent use. There are thousands of fair isle designs in the world, but often none of them are exactly what you would make if left to your own devices. You might recognize this style of knitting in icelandic sweaters. In fair isle knitting, only 2 colors are used per round and yarn is carried for a limited number of stitches across the back of the work.
The layout of the book means that, whether are looking for a combination of motifs or just one to use as a focal point of a garment, you will find numerous possibilities. If youre looking to really have fun with your fair isle, this is the pattern you want. The style was a sophisticated, painterly blending of pattern and background colors. Matis original interpretations of the traditional craft have appeared on the chanel catwalk. I cant believe im fair isle knitting6 great designs. With either easytonavigate colorwork patterns or just a single pair of colors to work with, these easy fair isle patterns are the perfect starting point for you in your stranded knitting journey. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting virtual yarns. To summarize, fair isle sweater designs from pattern books in particular are unique one of a kind garments which can never be made twice exactly in the same colors because yarn colors are never a constant. I cant remember the last time i made a pattern from anything other than an electronic copy. Fair isle knitting gained considerable popularity when the prince of wales later edward viii wore fair isle jumpers in public in 1921. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting by alice starmore. This knitting book includes howtos, knitting methods, circular and flat knitting.
Robert williamson 18851954 was by all accounts a master of many crafts and an early entrepreneur. These knitting patterns are great for dipping your toes into fair isle. Fair isle knitting patterns book by mary macgregor bakka. Taunton press april 1990 original hardback edition published in 1988 isbn10. During the course of her research into fair isle patterns, macgregor discovered over 60 different stencil pages. Also published as the fair isle knitting handbook, 1990, blandford books, uk. The patterns are attractive and well written, with explanation and tips where needed. Discover the colorful world of fair isle knitting, intarsia, and colorwork with instructional books to guide you as well as pattern collections for sweaters, accessories, socks and more. If you love fair isle knitting like i do, this is a musthave book for your knitting library. Also available as a pdf through mary anns store on ravelry. And the islanders knitted with two yarns to create two layers that trap air and create warmth. It is the only fair isle knitting book available which orders the patterns in this logical fashion. For knitters looking to advance their skills and stitch awesome iconic colour work, look no further than this beautiful collection of fair isle knitting patterns. For the knitter whose primary style of knitting is left handed or european both colors can be carried on the left hand.
It is thirty years since my fair isle knitting book was first published. Recently published first most favorited first most projects first sort alphabetically. Fair isle is a very specific type of stranded knitting from fair isle, a tiny island in the north of scotland and part of the shetland islands. In a fair isle group on facebook, someone showed a photo of a sweater they had just finished and i fell in love. This book is a superb tutorial for doing fair isle stranded color work for the first time. Our book price match guarantee means youre able to shop til your hearts content, always knowing that you can get the very best price. Hazel tindall authentic fair isle knitting patterns, from. Alice starmores book of fair isle knitting patterns. The great news is that it is now back in print see more information here. A designer from the region, alice starmore explores the history and techniques of the art and provides instructions for over 15 of her own knitwear designs. Fair isle knitting for beginners easy method to knit with 2. Books focusing on colourwork patterns and techniques, including fairisle, stranded and intarsia knitting. Fair isle fral is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Fair isle is a beautiful knitting technique thats used to create some gorgeous garments, but it can be a little daunting for novice knitters.
Fair isle knitting was one of his many interests and he collected patterns and printed them in standard exercise books using stencils. Originating in the shetland islands the fair isle knitting technique sees bold and beautiful colors knit into distinct motifs to produce beautiful and eye catching knitwear thats recognized the world over. Feb 26, 2017 this video is a slow walkthrough of a simplified version of knitting fair isle, which is perfect for beginners who really want to make fair isle patterns as soon as possible. Fair isle knitting patterns dont have to be all stars, snowflakes, and flowers. This allows you to carry the yarn you arent knitting with across the back of the work as you go. The art of fair isle knitting is a wonderful encyclopedia of fair isle techniques, color ideas and theories, and traditional design. Mary jane mucklestones book steps you through how to knit using the stranded color work technique. There are diagrams to lead you through the basics before moving on the nine various patterns. Jun 12, 2015 our hurt book sale is happening now, so give one of these lovelies a good home.
Sirdar knitting pattern book crofter highland romance fair. Our book fair isle sweaters simplified and our instructional video the original philosophers twohanded fair isle and other stories approx. See more ideas about fair isle knitting, knitting and knitting patterns. Designs include sweaters and accessories for the whole family with skill levels ranging from beginner to experienced. Fair isle sweaters simplified, the original philosophers. Boasting intricate geometric patterns and rich, natural colors, the knits of fair isle have roots in the fashions of viking invaders, norwegian immigrants, and spanish sailors. Fair isle knitting looks complicated but it neednt be. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Daisy is pretty sure i need the mittens or fair isle infinity cowl from this book. Bakka is pleased to offer for sale mary macgregors book fair isle knitting patterns reproducing the known work of robert williamson shetland t imes ltd. This was a fun little project, and im so happy to be included in the lovely mary jane mucklestones latest book fair isle style. The charts show just how many stitches to do in each colour.
Even though five colors are used in this fair isle border, remember that youre using only two colors in any row so the knitting will be the same as it is for a twocolor pattern. Fair isle knitting patterns by mary ann stephens as downloadable pdfs. If you are confused about how to read a knitting chart, we have a full tutorial here. Clothes that would be dressy enough for work, yet also practical enough for shelving. It contains thirty patterns of sweaters, socks, and mittens. Knittingscottish and fair islepatterns, knitting, books. The knitters guide to making yarn faux fair isle raglans. Fair isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork knitting, is a technique for working two or more colors of yarn in the same row. Tapestry crochet patterns fair isle knitting patterns fair isle pattern knitting charts intarsia patterns knitting stitches graph crochet crochet cross filet crochet diane crater knitting ideas woollyrhinocrafts. Aug 15, 2007 alice starmores book of fair isle knitting this book is the best teaching guide for fair isle knitting.
These designs work quickly with only two colours used per row. With rich and detailoriented knitting projects including hats, socks, mittens, jumpers and cardigans which all use this classic colorswitching knitting technique originated on the. This unique knit cowl pattern from patons features a design of arrows, akin to traffic signs, but somehow its ridiculously cute. Free free fair isle sweater knitting pattern patterns.
In these last thirty years over twohundred thousand copies of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting have made their way into the hands of knitters worldwide and the technique of strandedcolour knitting in the round with knitted steeks known and practised only by certain scottish islanders until i taught my first classes in dallas texas in 1985 is now firmly established in the repertoire of handknitters globally. It is named after fair isle, one of the shetland islands. Knitting books from wellloved reference guides to exciting new pattern collections, we curate an inspiring roster of titles to choose from. The design uses four shades of fingering weight yarn. Sirdar crofter a highland romance original knitting pattern book number 365 pattern book to make 11 items for the family in fair isle effect dk the photos show a range of items to make used in good condition having been carefully stored away. The spiral binding keeps the book open at the right page. This is a great pattern if youre looking to practice some fair isle. Another wonderful and simple fair isle pattern is the baby girl fair isle cardigan. Free dragon age heraldry colorwork charts antivan crows, circle of magi, dalish and inquisition. The pattern uses just 2 balls of rowan fine tweed in a m. Books jamieson and smith, real shetland wool, fair isle knitting, shetland wool, knitting patterns, yarn.
More fish theme patterns to knit free grandmothers. An exclusive dover interview alice starmore has a fascinating tale to tell. The bright and unusual patterns worked into the traditional knitting of fair isle first attracted attention in 1856, when they were described by miss eliza edmondston, a member of a distinguished shetland family, in her book sketches and tales of the shetland islands. This 1998, 2009 edition, of alice starmores book of fair isle knitting has a soft cover. Fair isle knitting patterns by mary macgregor explore over 60 different stencil pages of robert willliamsons fair isle patterns from the 1920s in this excellent source book, useful for beginners and experienced knitters alike. I was asked to write it in 1985 by a us publisher and it took me two years to complete. Fair isle knitting patterns lovecrafts, loveknittings. The subtitle of the book is 20 fresh designs for a classic technique, and the designs live up to that.
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