Intarsia
Intarsia is a colorwork technique where each color block is knitted with its own bobbin without floats, suited to large, isolated color areas or motifs.
Explanation
Intarsia is used when you want large, distinct blocks of color or shapes, such as a logo or picture, rather than a repeating small-scale pattern. Unlike Fair Isle, intarsia uses a separate bobbin or ball of yarn for each color area, and the strands are twisted around each other where colors meet to avoid holes. Because there are no floats on the wrong side, the fabric stays thinner and more elastic than Fair Isle, but the technique is traditionally worked flat rather than in the round, since you need to see and manage all the separate yarn balls.
Also known as: Intarsia knitting
Color blocks without floats
In intarsia you use a separate ball for each color block in the row, and no strands are carried across the back. Where two colors meet, the strands are twisted around each other so the blocks link without leaving a hole.
The result is a single-layer fabric with the same thickness and elasticity as stockinette — unlike stranded knitting, which comes out twice as thick.
When to choose it
Intarsia suits large, continuous motifs: a picture on a sweater, a geometric block, a letter. For small repeating patterns, stranded knitting is far more practical.
It is normally worked flat rather than in the round, because the yarn has to end up where the next row begins.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to twist the strands at the color change, which leaves a hole.
- Attempting intarsia in the round, where the yarn ends up at the wrong end.
Keywords
- intarsia
- intarsia knitting
- color blocks
Frequently asked questions
Can I knit intarsia in the round?
Not straightforwardly. The yarn ends at the wrong end of the block. Workarounds exist, but intarsia is normally worked flat.
Why are there holes between my colors?
Because the strands were not twisted at the change. Always bring the new color up under the old before continuing.