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Fair Isle

7664 views 1 replies Latest reply: August 27, 2019 at 10:08:28 AM

Member since:
Aug 17, 2019
Posts: 1

wjwatts message #1
Fair Isle
August 25, 2019 at 9:12:22 PM

I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is allowed - please delete if it isn't!!
I've just generated a pattern with the generator (so cool!) but I'm struggling with fair isle knitting. I'm trying to make a scarf in 3 colors but I'm getting a lot of bunching and can't get it all to lie flat. I feel like I'm most successful holding two colors continental and the third, less used color, in my right hand, but it's still happening. Hints? Good videos to watch? Help!!!

Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)

Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: Fair Isle
August 27, 2019 at 10:08:28 AM (in response to wjwatts message #1)

Welcome!

Your message is most certainly allowed...this is what we're here for!

Here are a couple of suggestions that may help. For one thing, you need to knit looser for this technique, as pulling too tight can cause bunching as you describe.

Another idea: are you using bobbins of yarn or actual skeins? Bobbins are more portable, so to speak, and are far less unwieldy than trying to use entire skeins, so you can control them better.

Also, yarns shouldn't be carried over too long of a distance...they should only be carried over 3 stitches at most. To keep the floats from being too long, yarns should be crossed over each other at the back of your project about every 2 or 3 stitches or so. This will help to keep extra-long pieces from forming and bunching up your work.

This isn't to say there may not be other factors, but these are the most common possibilities.

Hope that helps!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

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