Fair [Isle] Delights

You may well remember that about 2 years ago I went on a course to learn Fair Isle knitting, a skill that I was dying to learn but never had the confidence to try it. Luckily for me, my previously derisive 'cack-hand' way of knitting, a technique I had been encouraged to abandon when I was 16, came to the fore, and proved to be a valuable way to knit in 2 strands of yarn at the same time.   Since then I have enthusiastically practised this skill, and am loving some of the knits you can make. 

This lovely jumper was taken from a Bestway pattern dated from 1946. I know this because the pattern was part of a twin set, and it was featured in the January 1946 edition of Woman's Weekly. The cardigan was printed in the next edition, and whilst I was lucky enough to acquire both magazines, I also managed to get hold of the actual Bestway patterns too. I have never knitted the cardigan, but would love to do so, if I ever get the time. You can see I have knitted it in a couple of colour combinations both which I think go very well.

This is an interesting story for this slipover. It is from a 1950's pattern and I have knitted it both with a grey base and with a light beige, with brown, red and green pattern colours. I was very proud of my colour choice for the light beige, and considered it unique - until I was watching the Australian Murder Mystery series 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries' set in the 1920s. Lo and behold a scruffy kid was wearing MY slipover in exactly the SAME colours. Now how coincidental is that!

This waistcoat is actually an amalgamation of a 50's waistcoat and a 30's Fair Isle pattern. My customer wanted a waist coat but had already picked out the pattern, so daringly as it was one of my first Fair Isle attempts, I added the 2 together. My husband models the result very well I think. Another customer wanted a red combination. I knitted this in double knit and I understand it is very warm to wear!

Another commission and I feel that my Fair Isle skills are advancing with this one, although it looks complicated but was in fact very easy to knit up, and very quick too. This time I used 4ply yarn as the customer wanted a small fit. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the recipient in it!

Of course there is a Fair Isle on the needles, so watch this space for an update later in the year.

If anything on this page has taken your fancy please let me know!