DIY Network

Introduction to Intarsia Introduction to Intarsia From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-108

Figure A

The word "intarsia" (in-tar-zha) comes from the Italian intarsio, or inlaying. In knitting, the term refers to the integration of isolated blocks of color into a project. In this episode of Knitty Gritty, Vickie Howell is joined by Leigh Radford, the art director for Interweave Knits, who demonstrates the technique on a fun polka-dot drawstring bag that she designed (figure A).

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Before you begin an intarsia project, you must choose a simple image that can be reproduced on a chart. (If you prefer a more detailed design, you must either do a large project or use yarn and needles that will yield a small gauge.) Charts can be done by hand, figuring one block per stitch, or with a computer program such as Stitch Painter (figure B).

Note: If you prefer to make your charts by hand, be sure to use knitters' graph paper: the dimensions are different than those of regular graph paper.

Chinese calligraphic characters (right), the knitting chart (left) and the final knit swatch (top).

Signs of the zodiac, such as this Pisces symbol, make excellent choices for intarsia projects.

Figure B

Knit Bit: It takes about 1,400 yards of yarn to knit up the average man's sweater. That would stretch across an athletic track about four times!

Next: Knitster Illusion Scarf

RESOURCES :

Rowan HandKnit DK Cotton
Suggested retail price: $5.00
Main color: Flame #254
Accent colors: Sugar #303, Celery #309, Rosso #215, Bleached #263
Rowan Yarns
Website: knitrowan.com

Stitch Painter Knitting Software
Cochenille
Website: cochenille.com

Chinese Symbols
Price: $2.50 each (minimum order: 4)
Website: logoi.com/symbols/index.html

Astrological Signs
We apologize no contact information is available.

GUESTS :

Leigh Radford
Art Director, Interweave Knits
Website: interweave.com/