A Beginner's Guide to Intarsia Knitting

INTRODUCTION 5

INTARSIA BASICS 6
- What is intarsia knitting? 7
- Useful materials 8
- Choosing yarn 10
- Abbreviations 11
- Preparing yarn 12
- Making a yarn butterfl y 13
- Joining in a new colour 14
- Changing colour on a straight line 15
- Changing colour on a diagonal line 16
- Stranding across a knit row 17
- Stranding across a purl row 18
- Understanding tension (gauge) 19
- Working from charts 20
- Swiss darning 21
- Finishing 22
- Pressing and blocking 23

PROJECTS
- Fox pillow 46
- Draught excluder 50
- Tea cosy 54
- Diamond pillow 58
- Door stop 62
- Chevron scarf 66
- Child’s hat 70
- Child’s mittens 74
- Star blanket 78
- Child’s motif sweater 82
- Flamingo motif sweater 90

About Quail Studio

Quail Studio is a group of knitting, crochet and sewing designers, well known for their contemporary style and eye for trends. It is a family-owned company, and their shared love of handmade fashion and interior design coupled with their keen knowledge of the industry has resulted in a design team skilled in creating beautiful items for people who are passionate about crafting the world over.

The Studio’s reputation for sleek, up-to-the-minute style has led to frequent collaborations with major craft publishers and big knitting names, such as Vogue and Rowan, to produce stunning, modern patterns that capture their devotion to wearable, fashion-forward designs.

For more information about Quail Studio, please visit their website: www.quailstudio.co.uk | Instagram: @quail_studio | Facebook: @quailstudiodesigns

Customer review

A great introduction to intarsia knitting. Simple step-by-step instructions and some lovely patterns. I can't wait to get my needles and yarn out.

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Customer review

A very straightforward book with lots of illustration, ideas, and helpful information and tips. Some interesting patterns and lots to inspire a beginner at intarsia to have a go. I can see that some of the techniques used in the book would be transferable to my knitting machine too, although the book has no claim to be for machine knitters. The scarf is at the top of my list and the flamingos are a must too! 

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Customer review

Brilliant book, great for beginners, loved all the projects and cant wait to start on one. 

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Customer review

I am a seasoned knitter and have done Scandi patterns and similar, but only very limited experience with intarsia as I generally find it a bit confusing to work with several different threads. This book, however, makes it all very clear and easy to follow. It has a step by step guide to all the basics and gives great hints and tips. I also love it that the patterns are written in "full hand" as I originally learned to knit in Germany and - although I CAN do it - still find it somewhat difficult and tedious to follow patterns in English abbreviations.

There is a nice collection of pattern charts included, anything from children's items to accessories and home decor. The patterns can be mixed and matched or used as a template for own patterns. All in all it is a very enjoyable and inspiring book and I am already halfway through my first project!

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Customer review

I am an experienced knitter and have knitted intarsia garments over the years - but have done so on instinct - with no guidance. This book is invaluable - covering any questions which may arise in a clear and concise way. The patterns are lovely and the charts clear and easy to understand. My only complaint is that this book wasn't published years ago! 

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Customer review

I have been knitting for a while but am fairly new to intarsia. This book gives a good explanation of how to do it correctly with good tips (before I never really knew what to do with the yarn at the back when I picked up another colour as part of the pattern). I particularly love the flamingo jumper and the fox cushion cover in this book but intend to use the alphabet to make a baby blanket. I would recommend this book to beginners as well as more experienced knitters. 

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Customer review

This book is very easy to follow if this is your first time at Intarsia Knitting. Great projects with easy to follow instructions and charts to follow. Highly recommended as a beginner's book for this type of knitting. 

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The Knitter (Issue 136)

If you've yet to try intarsia colourwork, this book offers all the tips and tricks you'll need to know to achieve neat results. The technical advice is clear and concise, and the 11 projects will help you practise your skills. These include fun cushions, including a fox design, a chevron scarf, a baby blanket sprinkled with stars, and a sweater for women decorated with two flamingo motifs, and sized to fit busts of 32-46in.