Knitting Level 5: Two-Handed Fair Isle

In this class you will be introduced to Fair Isle knitting (two-colour stranded colourwork). The instructor will cover basic techniques and support you in working through a simple colourwork cowl.

Students are required to purchase their own yarn, needles, pattern, and notions. Students get a 15% discount on materials purchased for their class.

Run time

4 sessions x 1.5 hours.

Project

Beginner Colourwork Cowl by Beehive Wool Shop.See our sample on Ravelry.

Skills Taught

• Knitting with both hands: pickers learn to throw, throwers learn to pick
• Colour theory and colour dominance
• Carrying floats
• Following charts
• Ladder Back Jacquard

Skills Required

• Cast on and bind off
• Knit and purl
• Working in the round
• Maintaining even tension
• Following a pattern
• Picking up a dropped stitch

Materials Provided

• Beginner Colourwork Cowl pattern by Beehive Wool Shop.
• Resource Sheet

Supplies to Purchase

• 2 colours of worsted weight yarn for practice
• 4 mm (US 6) or an appropriate size needle for swatching
• Worsted weight yarn. Approx. 200 m in main colour and 100 m in contrast colour.Browse suggested yarns. 
• 4 mm (US 6), 60 cm (24”) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge in colourwork)
• 3.5 mm (US 4), 60 cm (24”) circular needle (or 0.5mm smaller than colourwork needle) for ribbing.
• Tapestry needle
• 12 stitch markers,oneshould beunique
• Measuring tape

Lesson Plan

Class 1

• Learn how to hold yarn in opposite hand
• Learn how hold one colour in each hand
• Practice 2x2 colourwork
• Discuss colour dominance – which colour to hold in which hand 
• Learn how to make a swatch in the round
• Homework: Swatch to meet gauge. Start cowl and complete ribbing.

Class 2

• Start colourwork section
• How to catch floats
• Tips for keeping tension even and floats loose
• Homework:Work on project

Class 3

• Review skills taught in previous sessions
• Continue project
• Introduce Ladder Back Jacquard technique
• Homework:Work on project

Class 4

• Review Ladder Back Jacquard technique
• Finish project
• Review blocking and how to even out stitches