I learned intarsia by knitting the designs of Kaffe Fassett. For a simpler introduction to the technique, you might want to look for a project with only straight lines - no curves, no diagonals - like my Blocked Pullover. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blocked-pullover
Once you learn the trick of twisting the yarns together at the color changes, intarsia is easy. But it does leave you with a whole lot of ends to weave in.
Fear of steeking is real, and very common. I've written a how-to article for the Fall 2025 issue of Farm & Fiber Knits on needle-felted steels (my favorite way of securing steaks). I'll be sure to post a link when the magazine comes out.
Thank you. I know Kaffe Fassett has a Field Book with Modern Daily Knitting. I will look at your pattern on Ravelry, and I look forward to your upcoming article about steeking.
I have that MDK Field Guide, and all the patterns are either striped or stranded—no intarsia. This is the book that taught me intarsia and led to my being a card-carrying Kaffe fan: https://a.co/d/a5dhgiz
1. Atlas and Waffle are beautiful - the colors are luscious on Atlas!
2. That song - when it was released I was in junior high. It reminds me of baking in the back yard to get a tan, floating in our modest above-ground pool, and sitting in front of the fan in the evening (no A/C). Thanks for sharing it; it's a hot day in Michigan and I think I'll sit in the heat and listen for the full experience.
3. I'm conflicted about learning the brioche technique; I see 2-color patterns that are so stunning, and that makes me want to learn, but then I view a couple of tutorials and decide to put it off for another day. It doesn't look like a satisfying process to me.
Oh! and editing to add that I, too, love stranded knitting. I haven't done it in a while; time to revisit, I think.
I get it about brioche knitting. I think the key is to start with a simple project so you can see how the basic stitches work and become accustomed to the rhythm of the stitch pattern. Two color is easier than one color, and in the round is easier than flat. Save the curvy, swirly patterns with lots of increases and decreases for later. Brioche makes a beautiful fabric with lots of loft and dimension.
I have one technique right off the top f my head- increasing and decreasing brioche. Took several courses, bought and read several books, watched u-tube episodes.
Increasing and decreasing in brioche can be very fiddly, but it does create some spectacular patterns. It requires patience and practice to work your way through those complex manuveurs step by step.
I am not at all a knitter but I find your writing about the knitting process to be relaxing, almost soothing and rhythmic, as I am sure the actual knitting process is. Thank you for sharing.
So much good stuff in your post Sandi, as always! As to learning new techniques, I have usually taken it in small steps like a single band of stranded design in a hat or sweater collar or hem. I allowed myself to 'pick-up' each strand of color as I worked across with the yarns wound on easy to manage bobbins. This was back in the day of using straight needles which meant learning to pearl those rows, too! This was slow, but I wanted to see how not to create gaps when changing the colors and what was happening on the inside of the work! Little by little I learned to carry the yarn in both hands from the skeins for fair island patterns and how to 'hide' the strands while knitting across long stretches with no pattern. I was quite surprised when it came out okay! Knitting stranded pieces is like listening to a different type of music, I have to be in the mood for it. But, It is a type of knitting that does call to me from time to time.
Thanks for that book review and speaking about the issue of people this country relies on while some are trying to label them as undesirable as a whole. I have witnessed how this plays out in my state's agricultural communities, my whole lifetime. As I cared for my aging parents, I saw more examples of using very kind and hardworking immigrants at all levels of both caregiving and the medical fields. Perhaps my heart was most broken by a local greenhouse business that was known to have posted employment ads in countries south of the border implying housing provided, which were little more than dilapidated sheds with poor or no heating and broken plumbing. If that were not bad enough, it was their habit of calling in the feds at the end of the season to collect all of the workers at the local bank parking lot before they could cash their last paycheck, to be sent home or at least out of the country. This went on for years! And sadly this is often part of the Christmas tree industry, as well.
Sad to say Sandi, they (2 politically active brothers) now own a local hardware store, as well as the growing greenhouse operation and so much land with rentals, that they are like little kings. UGH! Our local law enforcement has many officers who are more than willing to stay out of the way or even help Ice. Hard to say what will wake people up. But we must keep talking about such things.
It's the kind of story that a local investigative journalist would have dug into in the days when every town had a local newspaper. Sadly, those days are gone.
So true about the local papers. And of course, the big papers are rather sadly being wrapped in twisted ownerships that compromise their stories. We had a rather well known local paper and editor until about 20 years ago. The son tried to keep it going, but people did not want to hear ‘woke’ stories and so it was sold and is now an ad and obits rag that is likely to close before long. sigh
I feel it is here online that we must keep sharing what we see. And of course, keep knitting too! :-)
I still struggle with stranded work, but I didn't do it with two hands! I tried a Woolly Thistle hat, which is nice (for someone else... my donation basket)... but I really didn't enjoy it. Alas.
The book you read sounds difficult and necessary. Thank you.
Your striped sweater is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.
I am finishing The Bookshop by Evan Friss. It is a history of the American book stores... and what a history it is! It is written like a novel; so engaging. Each chapter is a different store or type of store.. and then there are the interlude chapters like "The guy who doesn't buy anything".. and it referenced Wardensville WV and the gem of a store WordPlay! If any of your readers are guests at Capon Springs and Farms, this is a wonderful outing on a Thursday-Monday. The store has a delightful selection from fiction to mystery to social justice titles. And of course puzzles and WV information.
I have just finished another striped hat. I have found a hat pattern which I love - great for new yarn and "using the stash". It is All Night Stripes by Melissa LaBarre (available on Ravelry).
And also finishing a baby quilt for a friend who is about to be a grandmother :-).
I've just borrowed the audiobook of The Bookshop from Libby—thank you for the recommendation!
And I hear you about the struggle. Whenever I try a new technique, my first thought is "I don't enjoy doing this." But what that really means is, "I'm uncomfortable, I feel awkward, I must not be doing it right." If I force myself to just keep going, I give my hands a chance to find their way, to develop rhythm, and to figure out what really works for me. Only then can I say whether I really like it or not.
As generally competent adults, we have a hard time allowing ourselves to be beginners. We forget that the struggle is part of the learning process.
But it's also OK to say "Struggle is not what I'm here for. I prefer to stay in my comfort zone in this area of my life."
I look forward to hearing your comments on The Bookshop...
You know, based on your comments, I might go back to practicing my continental style knitting. That should help the stranding. So, I have another hat on needles. A good one to practice while I finish the Bookshop... Thank you :-)
I am also learning to crochet... good for the brain. I do like the comfort zone... however, straying purposefully into the "new lane" is a good thing too and I do recognize that.
Yes! It had really great instruction on technique, and those hats were indeed fine and fanciful. Once I lost one on the subway, and was so bummed I decided to make the same one over, but I couldn’t find the exact yarn I’d used the first time, and the new one came out okay but just not quite as good. And then I lost that one too but hoped it had been picked up by someone who would love it more.
I love colour work and I love cables. I want to understand intarsia. I am afraid of steeking.
I learned intarsia by knitting the designs of Kaffe Fassett. For a simpler introduction to the technique, you might want to look for a project with only straight lines - no curves, no diagonals - like my Blocked Pullover. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blocked-pullover
Once you learn the trick of twisting the yarns together at the color changes, intarsia is easy. But it does leave you with a whole lot of ends to weave in.
Fear of steeking is real, and very common. I've written a how-to article for the Fall 2025 issue of Farm & Fiber Knits on needle-felted steels (my favorite way of securing steaks). I'll be sure to post a link when the magazine comes out.
Thank you. I know Kaffe Fassett has a Field Book with Modern Daily Knitting. I will look at your pattern on Ravelry, and I look forward to your upcoming article about steeking.
I have that MDK Field Guide, and all the patterns are either striped or stranded—no intarsia. This is the book that taught me intarsia and led to my being a card-carrying Kaffe fan: https://a.co/d/a5dhgiz
Thank you. I will check for it in Canada.
1. Atlas and Waffle are beautiful - the colors are luscious on Atlas!
2. That song - when it was released I was in junior high. It reminds me of baking in the back yard to get a tan, floating in our modest above-ground pool, and sitting in front of the fan in the evening (no A/C). Thanks for sharing it; it's a hot day in Michigan and I think I'll sit in the heat and listen for the full experience.
3. I'm conflicted about learning the brioche technique; I see 2-color patterns that are so stunning, and that makes me want to learn, but then I view a couple of tutorials and decide to put it off for another day. It doesn't look like a satisfying process to me.
Oh! and editing to add that I, too, love stranded knitting. I haven't done it in a while; time to revisit, I think.
I get it about brioche knitting. I think the key is to start with a simple project so you can see how the basic stitches work and become accustomed to the rhythm of the stitch pattern. Two color is easier than one color, and in the round is easier than flat. Save the curvy, swirly patterns with lots of increases and decreases for later. Brioche makes a beautiful fabric with lots of loft and dimension.
Great tips! Thanks.
I have one technique right off the top f my head- increasing and decreasing brioche. Took several courses, bought and read several books, watched u-tube episodes.
Increasing and decreasing in brioche can be very fiddly, but it does create some spectacular patterns. It requires patience and practice to work your way through those complex manuveurs step by step.
I am not at all a knitter but I find your writing about the knitting process to be relaxing, almost soothing and rhythmic, as I am sure the actual knitting process is. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for your kindness. You’re welcome to pull up a chair anytime.
Such delightful WIPs. I loved the self talk bit about stranded color work. :)
It's kind of shameful how often I have to tell myself to "Get over yourself!" 😂
🤭 same here
So much good stuff in your post Sandi, as always! As to learning new techniques, I have usually taken it in small steps like a single band of stranded design in a hat or sweater collar or hem. I allowed myself to 'pick-up' each strand of color as I worked across with the yarns wound on easy to manage bobbins. This was back in the day of using straight needles which meant learning to pearl those rows, too! This was slow, but I wanted to see how not to create gaps when changing the colors and what was happening on the inside of the work! Little by little I learned to carry the yarn in both hands from the skeins for fair island patterns and how to 'hide' the strands while knitting across long stretches with no pattern. I was quite surprised when it came out okay! Knitting stranded pieces is like listening to a different type of music, I have to be in the mood for it. But, It is a type of knitting that does call to me from time to time.
Thanks for that book review and speaking about the issue of people this country relies on while some are trying to label them as undesirable as a whole. I have witnessed how this plays out in my state's agricultural communities, my whole lifetime. As I cared for my aging parents, I saw more examples of using very kind and hardworking immigrants at all levels of both caregiving and the medical fields. Perhaps my heart was most broken by a local greenhouse business that was known to have posted employment ads in countries south of the border implying housing provided, which were little more than dilapidated sheds with poor or no heating and broken plumbing. If that were not bad enough, it was their habit of calling in the feds at the end of the season to collect all of the workers at the local bank parking lot before they could cash their last paycheck, to be sent home or at least out of the country. This went on for years! And sadly this is often part of the Christmas tree industry, as well.
Holy cow, that is a horrifying story. To exploit people in this way is so immoral. I hope that business was exposed.
Sad to say Sandi, they (2 politically active brothers) now own a local hardware store, as well as the growing greenhouse operation and so much land with rentals, that they are like little kings. UGH! Our local law enforcement has many officers who are more than willing to stay out of the way or even help Ice. Hard to say what will wake people up. But we must keep talking about such things.
It's the kind of story that a local investigative journalist would have dug into in the days when every town had a local newspaper. Sadly, those days are gone.
So true about the local papers. And of course, the big papers are rather sadly being wrapped in twisted ownerships that compromise their stories. We had a rather well known local paper and editor until about 20 years ago. The son tried to keep it going, but people did not want to hear ‘woke’ stories and so it was sold and is now an ad and obits rag that is likely to close before long. sigh
I feel it is here online that we must keep sharing what we see. And of course, keep knitting too! :-)
Hi Sandi,
I still struggle with stranded work, but I didn't do it with two hands! I tried a Woolly Thistle hat, which is nice (for someone else... my donation basket)... but I really didn't enjoy it. Alas.
The book you read sounds difficult and necessary. Thank you.
Your striped sweater is beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing.
I am finishing The Bookshop by Evan Friss. It is a history of the American book stores... and what a history it is! It is written like a novel; so engaging. Each chapter is a different store or type of store.. and then there are the interlude chapters like "The guy who doesn't buy anything".. and it referenced Wardensville WV and the gem of a store WordPlay! If any of your readers are guests at Capon Springs and Farms, this is a wonderful outing on a Thursday-Monday. The store has a delightful selection from fiction to mystery to social justice titles. And of course puzzles and WV information.
I have just finished another striped hat. I have found a hat pattern which I love - great for new yarn and "using the stash". It is All Night Stripes by Melissa LaBarre (available on Ravelry).
And also finishing a baby quilt for a friend who is about to be a grandmother :-).
Enjoy Lancaster...
I've just borrowed the audiobook of The Bookshop from Libby—thank you for the recommendation!
And I hear you about the struggle. Whenever I try a new technique, my first thought is "I don't enjoy doing this." But what that really means is, "I'm uncomfortable, I feel awkward, I must not be doing it right." If I force myself to just keep going, I give my hands a chance to find their way, to develop rhythm, and to figure out what really works for me. Only then can I say whether I really like it or not.
As generally competent adults, we have a hard time allowing ourselves to be beginners. We forget that the struggle is part of the learning process.
But it's also OK to say "Struggle is not what I'm here for. I prefer to stay in my comfort zone in this area of my life."
I look forward to hearing your comments on The Bookshop...
You know, based on your comments, I might go back to practicing my continental style knitting. That should help the stranding. So, I have another hat on needles. A good one to practice while I finish the Bookshop... Thank you :-)
I am also learning to crochet... good for the brain. I do like the comfort zone... however, straying purposefully into the "new lane" is a good thing too and I do recognize that.
Excellent recommendations — thanks! I love colorwork, too.
You're welcome!
45 Fine and Fanciful Hats to Knit was my introduction to stranded colorwork too!
That book should have been labeled a gateway drug!
Yes! It had really great instruction on technique, and those hats were indeed fine and fanciful. Once I lost one on the subway, and was so bummed I decided to make the same one over, but I couldn’t find the exact yarn I’d used the first time, and the new one came out okay but just not quite as good. And then I lost that one too but hoped it had been picked up by someone who would love it more.