How to Knit Intarsia

Intarsia is a knitting style that involves incorporating multiple different yarn colours in the same rows, without leaving "floats" of yarn between each block of colour. Instead, this method uses twists to swap yarn. This type of knitting is more commonly found as a chart rather than a pattern.

Step 1:

First, knit to where you need to change yarn colour. For this tutorial, we will only be using two different colours ("Yarn 1" and "Yarn 2").

Step 2:

Insert your right needle as usual, but before wrapping yarn 2 around that needle to knit it in, put yarn 1 over the top of yarn 2 to secure the two together once you wrap it around your needle.

Step 3:

Now you can knit in yarn 2 and continue your row.

Step 4:

If you need to change your colour back, simply repeat the process again, insert your needle, then cross yarn 2 over yarn 1 before knitting it in.

Step 5

Repeat steps 1 to 4 where applicable.

Intarsia is a good alternative to colour strand for those who are creating a knitted work that will have both sides visible, such as blankets and scarves. This technique is less thick than the strand, however, it can leave you with more yarns hanging off as you work, so be careful not to get tangled up.

What will you make with this new skill? Intarsia can be confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can create amazing things.

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