In a stroke of uncharacteristic good timing (no seriously, people like to call me Queen of Bad Timing because I always have the worst luck on when I find out about things), I found out about a fair isle class going on at my LYS mere days after posting about how my next goal is to learn how to do fair isle correctly. When I posted that, I didn’t think I’d be learning it any time soon. But lo and behold, a class! So I signed up, because I figured it had to be a sign.
The class is making a simple fair isle hat with 5 colors. The pattern is Copper River Hat, and the yarn is Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift. My colors are Lilac, Purple, Buttercup, Nighthawk and Seabright.
The first session of class was last night. It was very helpful to have someone show me how to hold each yarn in a different hand, though the continental-style left hand is going to take a bit of getting used to! It’s so awkward at first! I’m getting a little better, though. I don’t really have much to show from last night.. I cast on slowly and struggled a bit trying to get started with the two-hand method. I have a grand total of 2 rows of corrugated rib so far.
My homework for the week is to finish the ribbing and a few increase rows.. next week for class, we’ll be starting the real colorwork where the snowflake is, including learning how to “tuck” your carried yarn so that you never float a strand more than an inch. I’m excited!
12 COMMENTS
Kathleen
14 years agoYay for good timing! It’s so cool that that class just…fell into your lap when you were wishing to learn Fair Isle. :D I love the colours you’re working the hat in, too, I can’t wait to see it progress.
Vanessa
14 years agoStranded color work is fun! Those colors are great.
caz
14 years agooooo i see some nice colour yarns there :-D
April
14 years agoColorwork is totally addicting. I’m not as accomplished as you though, I’m a dropper and a picker. The colors you’ve chosen are really beautiful.
Chris
14 years agoDo keep in mind that you can strand with both colors in one hand if the Cont hand doesn’t work out. Two handed is considered easier, but if your hand isn’t getting it don’t despair. Two handed Fair Islers are not kicked out of the group!
Hmm, I know I just bought a book and pattern of FI tams, but I need to look into that one too!
katili
14 years ago AUTHORI tried it one handed the first time around and kept tangling my yarn :(
The Byrd's Nest
14 years agoHow awesome to find a class! It will be interesting to hear about the things you learn. Very cool!
rachel
14 years agoI am epically excited to see your fair isle as you progress. I’ve been thinking of starting a fair isle hat for ages, but I keep putting it on the back burner for other things. And taking a class seems like the perfect way to not end up overwhelmed by the prospect of knitting with two hands/carrying floats/general fair isle anxiety. :)
Carole
14 years agoI love the colours you have picked out for the hat. I hope you get your ribbing and increases homework done!
LauraM
14 years agoI really wish I could take this class with you! I can’t wait till I move back to the states and actually have a LSY again. And classes that are in English….not German.
Tami
14 years agoWow, how epic is that! It is like the class exists for you. Totally awesome. I can’t wait to see your snowflake. This part looks great so far. :)
Contessa
14 years agoIt looks fantastic so far!
I’m a total chicken about learning fair isle and I don’t think even having hands-on teaching would help me.
I knit continental and for the life of me I can’t figure out English. I feel your pain (in a vice-versa sort of way). :)