Video Knitting Class
Shop Video Knitting Classes » Fair-Isle Knitting
Knit Fair-Isle Beginner to Advanced
Master Fair-Isle Knitting With a Fun, Felted Bag
Getting your tension right is the hardest part of stranded (Fair-Isle) knitting.
- You might doubt you have the capacity to correctly manage two or more yarns at once
- You might not know how to ensure your floats and stitches stay nice and even
- For larger motifs you'll need advanced techniques to keep your tension perfect AND stretchy
I can really recommend it to anyone who is new to Fair-Isle knitting!
After taking the online video class I can’t wait to start other Fair-Isle projects.
Your video tutorials are wonderful, and I often refer my friends to your web-site for help and/or to learn new techniques and such.
Thanks for all you to do help the knitters (and crocheters) of the world.
I felted it too much but I believe it still turned out good for my first one. My sister loved it for her birthday present.
I’m making another one for my daughter and myself.
Thank you Liat Gat for your Ebooks. I have learned so much. :)
Worth every penny.
Both courses are beautifully structured and easy to follow.
I love the way you coordinate the text and video in the single ebook.
The layout of the ebook is the best I have seen.
Not only do you excel at knitting and teaching knitting, but at ebook design.
Amazing Projects You Can Make With Fair-Isle Knitting
I Learned About Fair-Isle Tension the Hard Way
My first Fair-Isle mittens were so tight they wouldn’t fit a child!
I’m Liat Gat, founder and video instructor at KnitFreedom. Once I got the hang of perfect Fair-Isle tension, I created this 24-video class to teach anyone how to Fair-Isle knit.
In this class I’ll walk you through my beginner Fair-Isle bag pattern, plus extra intermediate and advanced techniques step-by-step, so you can knit any Fair-Isle project with confidence.
The Fabulous Fair-Isle Success Plan
1. Grab 2 Colors of Bulky Yarn
Use 150 yards of any bulky 100% wool yarn in two colors.
2. Cast On For Your Felted Bag
Get started learning and practicing Fair-Isle right away!
3. Master Fair-Isle Knitting
Follow along with our high-def videos to perfect your technique.
Our "We're Here For You" Promise
We're here to answer questions
Email happiness @knitfreedom.com and we'll walk you through anything you need to know.
We're here to answer questions
Email [email protected] and we'll walk you through anything you need to know.
You'll never have to feel stuck
If there's anything in the class you're confused on, we'll make an extra video to help get you clear and confident.
100% money-back guarantee
If after watching our videos, you're not confidently Fair-Isle knitting, we'll give you your money back.
Unsure of How to Knit a Fair-Isle Chart? This Class Will Get You Knitting Confidently.
- Learn step-by-step with top-quality videos
- Learn to Fair-Isle knit from any chart
- Knit American-style, Continental, or both
- Create a fun, felted Fair-Isle bag you love
Projects and Skills You Will Learn in This Course
STEP-BY-STEP: Bulky Felted Fair-Isle Bag
This popular pattern was designed specifically to teach you every aspect of stranded knitting for beginners.
From reading a Fair-Isle chart to perfecting your tension American-style, Continental, or both, you’ll become a Fair-Isle pro in no time.
Plus videos on Fair-Isle for Magic Loop, flat Fair-Isle, and more.
BONUS VIDEOS! Provisional Cast-On and Round Grafting
Knit as a round tube (with all those Fair-Isle floats and ends hidden on the inside), the stitches are invisibly seamed together at the end.
Learn the provisional cast-on and Kitchener Stitch in the round needed to bring these projects to perfection.
BONUS VIDEO! Ladder-Back Jacquard
You’ll want to use the ingenious Ladder-Back Jacquard technique to create a loosely-knit fabric with the unused strands behind your motif.
This technique will ensure your success on Fair-Isle socks and any garment that must stretch perfectly.
Grow Your Skills With 27 In-Depth Fair-Isle Videos
Work along with our Fair-Isle Felted Bag pattern and 20 step-by-step videos to create an easy two-color felted bag while learning every aspect of charted Fair-Isle knitting - American-Style, Continental, or both.
Pattern Walk-Through
Knit The Base Of The Bag
Join Color B To Start Making Stripes
Knit The Striped Bag Bottom
Pick Up And Knit Around The Base
Begin Knitting In The Round
Learn To Read A Chart
Begin Fair-Isle Knitting
Fix Mistakes When Following Chart
Maintain An Even Tension
Pulling Your Floats Too Tight
Fix Mistakes Far Down
Switch Colors Consistently
Twists Yarns to Prevent Long Floats
"Corners" on Magic Loop and DPNs
Garter Stitch in the Round
Final Rounds
Weave Ends
Make I-Cord Handles and Loops
Assemble The Bag
Pattern Walk-Through
Knit The Base Of The Bag
Join Color B To Start Making Stripes
Knit The Striped Bag Bottom
Pick Up And Knit Around The Base
Begin Knitting In The Round
Learn To Read A Chart
Begin Fair-Isle Knitting
Fix Mistakes When Following Chart
Maintain An Even Tension
Pulling Your Floats Too Tight
Fix Mistakes Far Down
Switch Colors Consistently
Twists Yarns to Prevent Long Floats
"Corners" on Magic Loop and DPNs
Garter Stitch in the Round
Final Rounds
Weave Ends
Make I-Cord Handles and Loops
Assemble The Bag
Three additional intermediate + advanced videos ensure you can knit any Fair-Isle project with confidence.
Fair-Isle On Flat Projects
Knitting With 3 Colors in One Row
Fair-Isle Ribbing
Fair-Isle On Flat Projects
Knitting With 3 Colors in One Row
Fair-Isle Ribbing
JUST ADDED! Four new additional BONUS videos take your Fair-Isle skills to the next level.
Provisional Cast-On
How to Do Kitchener Stitch in the Round
Ladder-Back Jacquard
Fair-Isle Charts - 30-Min Summary
Provisional Cast-On
How to Do Kitchener Stitch in the Round
Ladder-Back Jacquard
Fair-Isle Charts - 30-Min Summary
You'll Master Any Fair-Isle Project by Knitting Along With This Felted Bag and Bonus Video Class
This class gets you:
- 27 Premium Step-by-Step Knitting Videos
- Downloadable Videos and Class PDF for Offline Learning
- Charted Pattern for Bulky Fair-Isle Felted Bag
- Personal Answers to Your Knitting Questions
- 60-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee
What Is Fair-Isle Knitting?
Fair-Isle or stranded knitting is the art of knitting with more than one color in a row to make knitted color designs in your projects.
Fair-Isle knitting is a useful intermediate color-knitting technique that is not only steeped in history but also looks beautiful in today’s designs.
What Kinds of Projects Can You Knit With the Fair-Isle Technique?
Anything that you can knit can be worked in a Fair-Isle motif. Most popular Fair-Isle projects are knitted in the round, which not only works well with the technique but also hides the wrong-side floats. Round projects include infinity scarves, hats, mittens and gloves, socks, bags, and sweaters.
You can also knit flat Fair-Isle projects like throw pillows, where you do not see the back side of the work. If you want to knit flat projects that look good from both sides, you’ll want to use double knitting.
How You Are Going to Learn Fair-Isle Knitting in This Class
Our hands-on guide teaches you everything you need to know about how to do Fair-Isle knitting, step-by-step.
In addition, everything about Fair-Isle knitting that confuses a new knitter or frustrates an experienced one is covered in this class.
First I’ll teach you how to easily read charts (a key skill for color-knitting projects and one that often scares away newer knitters).
Then I’ll show you ways to hold the yarn comfortably whether you’re an American-style knitter, a Continental-style knitter, or want to try a combination of the two.
We’ll start by learning Fair-Isle knitting in the round, and I’ll cover all the tips and tricks that go with that style. We’ll cover Magic Loop, DPNs, reading charts in the round, and tensioning tricks.
I’ll then teach you how to knit Fair-Isle on a flat project, which you’ll be able to use to knit patterned throw pillow covers, for example.
Along with these main skills, I’ll teach you tons of supplementary knitting techniques to help make your Fair-Isle projects a success, like I-cords, picking up stitches, and tricks for garter stitch in the round without purling.
I’ll cover in-depth every aspect of the biggest bugaboo of Fair-Isle knitting: getting your tension right. From floats to twists to consistency to tangling yarn, I’ll give you examples of how it can go wrong, and I’ll teach you how to do it right.
You’ll also learn how to recognize and fix mistakes in Fair-Isle knitting, so you can feel confident trying projects even if they look hard.
The Project You’ll Be Knitting
The project that we’re going to make together as we learn all of these skills is a felted bag.
Not only does it require you to learn and practice all the major skills involved in Fair-Isle knitting, it is ideal because it’s quick and forgiving.
Because it’s made with bulky yarn, you’ll knit it fast, and the felting obscures any problems you may have as you work on perfecting your tension.
To help you keep practicing and improving on your own, I’ve put together a list of patterns for you try as well as recommendations for books and stitch-motif collections that you may want to add to your library.
What Will I Learn In Addition to the Fair-Isle Basics Mentioned Above?
We have included three advanced videos and four new bonus videos to cover every possible aspect of Fair-Isle knitting you may encounter.
Our advanced videos teach Fair-Isle ribbing, flat Fair-Isle, and knitting with three colors in one row.
Because of the popularity of Fair-Isle infinity scarves and cowls (seamless tubes the hide all the wrong-side floats), we’ve included bonus videos teaching you the crucial techniques for infinity cowls: the provisional cast-on and Kitchener Stitch in the round.
For wider motifs or garments that must be perfectly stretchy, like Fair-Isle socks, we’ve included an in-depth tutorial on the Ladder-Back Jacquard technique. This is a way of creating a loosely knitted fabric with the unused yarn behind the main knitted piece, ensuring that you have no long floats and the fabric stretches perfectly.
Finally, if you want to learn all the ins and outs of Fair-Isle knitting without practicing on a full-size project, we’ve included a 30-minute summary video on how to knit Fair-Isle charts. It includes demonstrations in Continental, American-style, and both, plus lessons on tension.
What Materials Will I Need to Knit the Fair-Isle Bag?
Needles: We’ll be knitting this bag in the round, so you’ll need a set of circular needles.
Needle length: You have a few choices here, depending on your budget, your knitting style, and what needles you already have. I will be demonstrating the project on a 24-inch-long circular needle, and teaching regular circular knitting on this project.
If you don’t know how to knit in the round, follow along with me and use a 24-inch circular needle.
You can buy one at your local yarn store (LYS) or online. If you feel comfortable knitting in the round on Magic Loop, you can knit the entire project using a 40- or 47-inch-long circular needle.
Although I teach most of the bag on 24-inch needles, I will show you tips for doing Magic Loop on this bag as well. If you don’t know what the heck Magic Loop is and you’re curious, you can learn more here.
Needle size: Use either US size 11 (8mm) or US size 13 (9mm) needles. It doesn’t really matter which size you choose – it’s a bag: your gauge (the size of your stitches) is not critical.
If you knit tight, I’d recommend the larger size, and vice versa.
Optional needles: If you have them or want to buy them, you could use straight needles for the bottom of the bag, which is knit flat, and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the i-cord handles.
Or you can use the same circular needle you are using for the body of the bag. I’ll demonstrate both techniques.
Yarn: Choose a bulky, 100%-wool yarn in two contrasting colors – you’ll need 150 yards of each color.
Some suggestions are: 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Nature Spun Chunky, 4 skeins of Malabrigo Chunky (which is what I use in the videos), or 4 skeins of Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky.
Other materials: You’ll need a stitch marker, a pair of scissors, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and sewing on the handles.
You’ll also need purse hardware: rectangle rings and purse feet.
If you don’t like the look of felted i-cord handles, you can buy leather, metal, or vintage resin handles online (here’s one option) or at your LYS, thrift store, or yard sale.
What Are the Bag Dimensions?
After felting, the bag will be approximately 9 inches (23 cm) long by 7 inches (18 cm) wide by 10 inches (25 cm) tall.
After felting, the bag can be stretched to fit over a box to give it your preferred shape.
What Techniques Will I Learn in This Class?
On our main felted bag project, you’ll learn how to:- Knit stripes
- Pick up and knit
- Knit in the round on a short circular needle
- Read a Fair-Isle chart
- Hold your yarn for Fair-Isle knitting (four options for holding your yarn)
- Fix mistakes when…
- You didn’t follow the chart correctly
- You are pulling floats too tight
- You discover a mistake far down in your knitting
- You get “corners” on Magic Loop and DPNs
- Achieve all-important correct stitch tension for Fair-Isle Knitting
- Consistently switch colors for even tension
- Twist strands to prevent long floats
- Knit Garter stitch in the round without purling (wrap and turn)
- Weave in ends on Fair-Isle knitting
- Knit an I-cord handle
- Felt a knitted project in a top-loading or front-loading washer or by hand
- Assemble the felted bag
- Knit Fair-Isle back-and-forth (it’s a little harder)
- Knit with three colors in one row
- Create beautiful Fair-Isle ribbing
- Cast on for an infinity scarf with the Provisional Cast-On
- Seam up an infinitey scarf with Kitchener Stitch in the round
- Work large or stretchy motifs with the Ladder-Back Jacquard technique
- Knit from a Fair-Isle chart with perfect tension in under 30 minutes
What If I’m New to Knitting in the Round?
This is the perfect project on which to learn! Knitting in the round on a 24-inch circular needle is very easy, even for the new knitter. There are very few pitfalls and our videos show you exactly how it should be done.Knitters new to knitting in the round will love our up-close, step-by-step videos that show you every single detail. After this class, you’ll be very comfortable knitting in the round on a short circular needle.
What If I’m New to Felting?
To create the felted bag, you’ll knit your project with 100% wool yarn that has not been treated in any way to allow for machine-washing. You’ll knit this bag on larger needles than you normally would – in this case, using bulky yarn with US Size 11-13 needles, to make the stitches extra-roomy.Then, you’ll wash the bag in hot water with regular detergent in either a top-loading or front-loading washing machine or by hand if you don’t have access to a washing machine.
Detailed instructions in the class walk you through each step so that even if you are new to felting, you can learn how to do it on this project successfully and easily. You won’t be new to felting after this!
60-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee
You are protected by our 60-day no-questions-asked 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Try any of our courses out for 60 days. If you don’t love everything you learn and tell all your friends, we’ll give you your money back.While we money-back guarantee your satisfaction with KnitFreedom, downloading videos acknowledges that you are happy with the product and are no longer eligible to receive a refund. Please review the videos in your online class first if you think you might need a refund.
We have stood behind this guarantee since we started KnitFreedom more than 10 years ago, and we receive almost no refund requests. Our students love learning with KnitFreedom, and we invite you to try it too, 100% risk-free.
All Techniques Demonstrated American (English) and Continental Style
If you’re the kind of knitter that needs to see exactly what all stitches and techniques are supposed to look like, you’re in luck! We demonstrate every technique with the yarn held in both the left and right hands so that no matter which way you knit, you’ll see clearly what you need to see.Personal Answers to Your Knitting Questions
We know self-taught knitters have questions, and we never want you to feel alone. As a KnitFreedom student you have access to personal knitting coaching via email at any time. Just email [email protected] Knitting expert and video teacher Liat Gat will answer your questions about this project. You can even send in a photo of your knitting if you aren’t sure how to explain what’s happened.Downloadable Videos for Offline Viewing
If you go on vacation and want to take your knitting videos with you, or you live in an area with unreliable/slow Internet, you can download all our class videos to your computer at any time, and transfer them to your mobile devices as well.Ready for Your Knitting Transformation?
- Doubting you could ever take on a Fair-Isle project
- Getting your tension wrong and ending up with too-tight projects that don't fit
- Knitting with smaller and smaller needles working too-tight stitches
- Doubting you could manage knitting with 2, 3, or even 4 colors at once
- Successfully knitting any Fair-Isle chart
- Knitting Fair-Isle American-style, Continental, or a combination of the two
- Getting your Fair-Isle tension perfect right from the start
- Knitting an awesome + fun felted bag
- Mastering knitting techniques like Magic Loop, pick up and knit, I-cords, and more.
When You Watch Videos Designed for Your Success, Learning is Inevitable and Fun
KnitFreedom videos start you off learning straight away and fill in the extra details as you go.
KnitFreedom videos are so close-up and in-focus that you can see each stitch and are left with no doubt as to what you need to do.
Liat’s voice is calm and encouraging, with simple instructions, a fun approach to making and fixing mistakes, and no extra chit-chat.
–Clear, concise explanations
–Exquisite close-up photography
–Bite-sized sequences that optimize learning . . .
all provided in an easy, encouraging style.
Way to go!
Knit Crazy
Invest in just this course or... Become a Knitting Superstar with the world's best knitting video membership
Get this class plus 29 more amazing classes and 580 videos designed to help you Knit Like a Superstar!™
I Want Just This Course
One-Time Payment-
27 super-clear step-by-step videos
-
Download Videos to Watch offline
-
Expert support if you have questions
-
Knit Any Fair-Isle project with confidence
-
60-Day 100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee
KnitFreedom Membership
Starting At-
Access To This and all 29 other Knitting Courses and Libraries
-
580 premium knitting videos
-
Get All New Courses and videos As they come out
-
personal knitting help via email
-
Personal knitting help in private facebook group
-
monthly members Q&A Call with Liat
-
60-day 100% money back satisfaction guarantee
Beginner Courses We Offer
- Basic Hat
- Fearless Knitter
- Felted Slippers
- Fix Mistakes
- Dictionary
- Glossary
- Learn to Crochet
- Learn to Knit
- Knitting Supplies
- Mosaic Knitting
- Portuguese Knitting
My First Hat on Magic Loop
Knitting your first hat can be challenging, especially if you're using double-pointed needles. We teach you the easiest way to knit in the round on Magic Loop so you can knit a beginner bulky hat with confidence.
Read MoreFearless Knitter
Don't get stuck knitting just scarves. We teach you every beginner foundational technique so you are ready to knit hats, mittens, and socks in no time. You'll learn and practice on scarves, dishcloths, washcloths, pillows, and a patchwork blanket.
Read MoreEasy Norwegian Felted Slippers
Felting and seaming are two techniques most beginning knitters avoid because they seem scary. Learn how easy they both are on an adorable, instant-gratification project you'll love.
Read MoreHow to Fix the Top 10 Knitting Mistakes
If you can't fix mistakes in your knitting, you won't take risks. These videos show you how to catch and correct the 10 top knitting mistakes so that no misstep can slow you down.
Read MoreKnitting Terms at Your Fingertips
Baffled by an abbreviation in your pattern? Demos of 30+ abbreviations help you knit any pattern correctly.
Glossary of Knitting Terms with Photos
Knitting lingo can be confusing. We define and illustrate over 80 knitting and yarn terms so that you can keep up with any pattern or discussion.
Beginning Crochet
Crochet is a fast, fun hobby that's just as addictive as knitting, but learning the abbreviations and understanding how crochet works is tough on your own. We teach you the complete fundamentals of crochet so that you can approach any project with confidence.Read More
Learn to Knit
New knitters can pick up bad habits that hold them back later. Build a solid knitting foundation while making a gorgeous fringed scarf for under $20. You will then be able to quickly approach harder projects without getting tripped up.Ultimate New-Knitters Toolkit
When you're just starting out it's hard to know what supplies are essential and which are nice-to-have. Our list of supplies with links will help you choose yarn, needles, project bags, and notions for beginners at every budget.
Read MoreMosaic Knitting
Mosaic knitting is a colorwork technique even beginners can do. But the instructions can be confusing. Learn to master Mosaic and slip-stitch techniques to make stunning color projects.
Read MoreLearn Portuguese Knitting
Hand pain and arthritis limit the amount of time you can knit each day. The Portuguese method of knitting is a stress-free way of knitting that frees up your hands to enjoy knitting and removes tension.Read More
Intermediate Courses We Offer
- Cables
- Charts
- Continental
- Dog Sweater
- Easy Lace
- Magic Loop
- Knitting Superstar
- Knit Faster
- Toe-Up Socks
- Top-Down Socks
Cable With Confidence
Cables create beautiful, flowing motifs, but using a cable needle can be cumbersome. We teach you with and without a cable needle so you can knit any cabled project FAST. Learn and practice on a gorgeous pair of bulky cabled legwarmers.
Read MoreCharts Demystified
Charts allow you to knit complex patterns easily, but their symbols and rules can be confusing. We teach you knit-and-purl, lace, cable, Fair-Isle, Intarsia, double knitting, duplicate stitch, and Mosaic charts so that you can approach any charted pattern, and any of the above projects, with confidence.
Read MoreContinental Knitting
Holding the yarn in your left hand to knit can feel awkward. We help you get comfy knitting Continental so you can knit faster and with better posture.
Read MoreDog Sweaters
Most dog sweaters are knit from pieces you seam up, which can be a total headache. Knit a great-looking dog sweater without seaming on Magic Loop.
Read MoreBeginning Lace
Lace knitting is intimidating because it's so hard to recognize and fix mistakes on lace. Learn and practice on an elegant feather-and-fan summer scarf so you can feel confident approaching harder lace projects.
Read MoreMagic Loop
Knitting tubes (round knitting) using double-pointed needles is slow, difficult, and frustrating. Learn Magic Loop so you can knit socks, sweaters, and hats easily and even do them two-at-a-time! Practice on a perfect slouchy hat.
Read MoreKnitting Superstar
The original KnitFreedom course that taught thousands of knitters to knit with confidence and enthusiasm. Includes 10 Magic Loop sock patterns. Full of bonuses like top ten lists, recommended books, how to read patterns, and speed-knitting tips.
Read MoreKnit Faster
Many knitters knit slower than they need to due to errors in their tension and technique. It can make knitting laborious and even painful. We teach you to correct those errors so your knitting is smooth and rhythmic and you feel proud of your stitches and tension.
Read MoreToe-Up Socks
Most sock patterns are very hard for beginners, especially if they are written for double-pointed needles. Our classes teach you the easiest techniques using Magic Loop. You will knit a simple pair of worsted-weight toe-up socks that fit great.
Read MoreTop-Down Socks
Top-down socks have several complex parts. Learn to knit a pair of top-down fingering-weight socks with our simple Magic Loop pattern so that you can knit even advanced socks without getting confused.
Read MoreAdvanced Courses We Offer
- Bind-Offs
- Brioche
- Cast-Ons
- Charted Lace
- Double Knitting
- Fair-Isle Knitting
- Mittens
- Moebius Bowls
45 Perfect Bind-Offs
Does your finished project not look quite right? Learn the perfect bind-off for each knit fabric and project. Five stars from About.com Knitting.
Read MoreBrioche Knitting
One-and-two-color Brioche knitting is beautiful but can be intimidating. We teach you every tip and trick so that knitting Brioche feels like second nature. Practice on a gorgeous scarf and hat.
Read MoreOver 40 Must-Know Cast-Ons
Using just one or two cast-ons makes your projects look home-made, not professional. Learn 40 unique ways to start your knitted projects, with stretchy cast-ons, invisible cast-ons, center-start cast-ons, and more.
Read MoreCharted Lace
Knitting lace from charts can make your head swim if you don't have a plan. Learn to strategize each stitch and row so you never get lost or confused. You'll practice on three complex lace patterns, including a lace hat in the round.
Read MoreDouble Knitting
Two-sided knitting involves specific new knitting techniques. Master double knitting from a chart so that even complex projects, like the above, are simple. You'll learn by making a chunky heart or checkerboard scarf.
Read MoreFair-Isle Knitting
Grab 2, 3, or more colors of yarn because you're ready to knit Fair-Isle. Fair-Isle tension can be tricky, so we walk you through it, American, Continental-style, or both, on a fun and easy felted bag project.
Read MorePerfect Magic Loop Mittens
Thumb construction makes first-time mittens fiddly. Learn the world's best mitten thumb plus the two-at-a-time on Magic Loop technique to create a pair of perfect-fitting bulky mittens that you can knit in one day.
Read MoreFelted 5-Twist Moebius Bowls
Moebius cast-ons can be confusing and getting the right number of twists is a challenge. In this class you’ll master the moebius with this perfect felted 5-twist bowl where you can keep precious items.
Read MoreYour Knitting Superstar Transformation Awaits
Discouraged by the cost of private lessons or lack of local help; isolated, alone, and unsatisfied
A special member of our knitting community; supported, reassured, pampered, taken care of, ready to learn!
Stop making these common mistakes and knit with confidence
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Tackle New Projects
- Knit With Confidence