How to: Intarsia

Ever wonder how to make argyle sweaters or use patterns that switch yarn colors? Changing colors is easy and it's just a matter of dropping one color string and picking up a new color. Most patterns with multiple colors come with a handy dandy knitting chart to visually show the colors changes. The tricky part is avoiding holes in your work as you change colors. Here is an example of what you don't want:

See the large gaping hole between the red and white stitches? That's exactly what you don't want. But never fear, intarsia is here to help! Intarsia is a way of changing colors in a knitting pattern by interlocking the colors with each other. Some knitting patterns don't explain the interlocking process and will say something like "twist the yarn." Not too helpful.

Below are instructions on how to "twist the yarn" and avoid those holes while changing colors.

If you're purling across, you want to change from the red color you were just working to the new white color:

Place the old color (red) on top of the new color (white), moving the new color (white) to the right:

This allows you to grab the old color (red) in the stitch you make with the new color (white). Pull the new color (white) back over the older color (red) and purl your next stitch with the new color (white):

See how the old color (red) is caught in with the new color (white) stitch? This makes the color changing stitches interlock together and avoids those pesky holes.

If you're knitting a row, you want to change from the red color you were just working with to the new white color:

Again, place the old color (red) on top of the new color (white), moving the new color (white) to the right:

Move the new color (white) up and make your next knit stitch. See how the old color (red) is caught in the stitch with the new color (white):

Think of this as looping the new color around the old color yarn before you make your stitch with the new color. Remember, your goal is to interlock the two different colored stitches together so grab the old yarn with the new yarn before you make a stitch with the new color.

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Pattern: Knotted Rib Toe-Up Socks

Finished Measurements:
Fits men's size 12/13 but is easily adapted to fit any foot size. If you want a smaller width, keep the st count in multiples of 6.

Materials:
Two (2) skeins Patons Kroy Socks in Slate Jacquard
Size 2 double pointed needles
Scrap yarn

Abbreviations:
K - knit
P - purl
Sts - stitches
Inc - increase, knit into the front and back of the stitch
Yo - yarn over
K2tog - knit two sts together
P2tog - purl two sts together
Sl - slip stitch unworked from the left needle to the right
Pyoo yo and K2tog - on the right hand needle just worked, pass the first yo made over the second yo made and the K2tog stitch

Instructions:

Toe Shaping
Cast on 8 sts using the provisional cast on method, instructions available here.

Work back and forth across the same needle:
Row 1: K across
Row 2: P across
Row 3: K across
Row 4: P across
Row 5: K across

Remove 8 live sts from the scrap yarn and place them on a double pointed needle. You will have 16 sts on two needles, 8 sts per needle. Begin knitting in the round.

Round 6: *K2, Inc, K1 (add a needle) K1, Inc, K2.* Repeat from * to * until the end. (20 sts)
Rounds 7-9: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
      Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
      Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
      Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

You should have 32 sts total (8 sts per needle).

Round 10: K across
Round 11: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
      Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
      Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
      Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Repeat Round 10 and Round 11 until you have 60 sts total (15 sts per needle).

Foot
Rounds 12 and 13 make up the repeating Knotted Rib pattern.

Round 12: *P2, K4.* Repeat from * to * until the end.
Round 13: *P2, K1, yo twice, K2tog, pyoo yo and K2tog, K1.* Repeat from * to * until the end. While this round uses increase and decrease stitches, it evens out and you should still have 60 sts total (15 sts per needle).

Repeat Rounds 12 and 13 until sock is the length from the toe to the bend of your ankle at the top of your foot.

Heel Flap
Work needles 1 and 2 ONLY, leave needles 3 and 4 unworked. You will not be working in the round for the heel flap and you will be working across needles 1 and 2 flat, turning your work after each row.

Row 14: *Sl 1, K1.* Repeat from * to * until the end.
Row 15: Sl 1, P across.
Row 16: Sl 1, K1, *K1, Sl 1* Repeat from * to * until the last 2 sts, K2.
Row 17: Sl 1, P across.

Repeat Rows 14-17 five (5) more times (6 times total).

Heel Shaping
Continue working on needles 1 and 2 ONLY.

Row 18: Sl 1, K15, K2tog, K1, turn (leave 11 sts unworked).
Row 19: Sl 1, P3, P2tog, P1, turn (leave 11 sts unworked).
Row 20: Sl 1, K4, K2tog, K1, turn (continue leaving sts unworked).
Row 21: Sl 1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 22: Sl 1, K6, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 23: Sl 1, P7, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 24: Sl 1, K8, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 25: Sl 1, P9, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 26: Sl 1, K10, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 27: Sl 1, P11, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 28: Sl 1, K12, K2tog, K1, turn.
Row 29: Sl 1, P13, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 30: Sl 1, K14, K2tog, turn.
Row 31: Sl 1, P14, P2tog, turn.

You should have 16 sts remaining (8 sts per needle). Continue working in the round.

Round 32: Needle 1 - K across
      Needle 2 - K across, pick up and K 14 sts along the length of the heel flap
      Needle 3 - work across in Knotted Rib pattern
      Needle 4 - work across in Knotted Rib pattern
Pick up and K 14 sts along the length of the other side of the heel flap and add it to Needle 1.

Your sts should be distributed as follows:
      Needle 1 - 22 sts
      Needle 2 - 22 sts
      Needle 3 - 15 sts (keep these as the same Knotted Rib pattern sts held aside during the heel flap and heel shaping sections)
      Needle 4 - 15 sts (keep these as the same Knotted Rib pattern sts held aside during the heel flap and heel shaping sections)

Gusset Shaping
Round 33: Needle 1 - K1, SSK, K across until end of needle
      Needle 2 - K across until last 3 sts of needle, SSK, K1
      Needle 3 - work in Knotted Rib pattern
      Needle 4 - work in Knotted Rib pattern


Round 34: Needle 1 - K across
      Needle 2 - K across
      Needle 3 - work in Knotted Rib pattern
      Needle 4 - work in Knotted Rib pattern


Repeat Rounds 33 and 34 until there are 60 sts total (15 sts per needle).

Leg
Work Knotted Rib pattern on all needles until you reach 1 inch less than the desired length.

Finish with 10 rows of K2, P2 ribbing.

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Skyp Stitch Socks

This Skyp sock pattern makes for a thick and comfortable sock that is easily adjustable to any foot size because the pattern repeats in relatively small stitch intervals.

Materials:
1 skein SRK On Your Toes 4 Ply Sock Yarn with Aloe Vera in Camouflage Print
       75% superwash, 25% nylon
       100 grams, 390 yards
Size 2 double pointed needles

Finished Measurements:
Fits women's size 8 foot but is easily adjusted to any foot size.

Instructions:
Pattern available here. No pattern alterations this time, I followed it exactly as described for the size X-Small. The only thing that was initially confusing is the .pdf is meant to be folded in half, creating a packet. Super convenient, once you realize that the left side of the first page of the .pdf is actually the last page of the pattern (see page numbers on the bottom for clarification).

In hindsight, I should have used this camo yarn to make socks for my husband, but the stripes still came out great in the pattern.

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Circle Socks

This is by far my favorite sock pattern. The ankle is very textured and feels like a thick and warm sock.

Materials:
2 skeins Patons Kroy Sock Yarn
Size 2 double pointed needles

Finished Measurements:
Fits comfortably on a woman's size 8 (US)

Instructions:
Pattern available here. The pattern is well written and easy to follow.

I casted on 56 sts (14 sts per needle), slightly less than the pattern called for. Pattern alternations below:

For the "Turn Heel," I started with this row:
Sl 1, K15, K2tog, sl1, turn (leave rem)
Then I followed the pattern.

For the "Gusset," I picked up and knit 12 sts along the side of the heel.

Enjoy! I will definitely be making these socks in many more colors.

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Crochet Club 2014

Its that time of year yet again when we reveal the design theme for the Crochet Club.

After 3 amazing years we have decided that the crochet club deserves a bit of a make over, and so, like proud expectant parents, we are delighted to announce the imminent arrival of a new and improved crochet experience for you all in 2014

The crochet club has been a phenomenal success since it’s launch in 2011 and we hope to build on this achievement in 2014 and going forward by making changes that will offer you the choice of a few different options so that you can choose how you want the crochet along experience to work for you.

The design for the 2014 crochet club project is based on 60s/70s retro floral and geometric patterns and the yarns used are from the Rowan Cotton Glace range alongside 5 bead shades from the Debbie Abrahams range. The project will measure approximately 90cm x 150cm and can be used as a wall hanging, bed panel or lap blanket.

The project includes lots of techniques, including beading and colour work and it could be used as a great learning tool because it is supported by an exclusive blog, which includes step by step tips and also by a range of technique download pdfs which aim to give as much help as possible.

Between now and the end of February 2014 you can choose either of the following two membership options:

option one:
 this option is in line with the way the crochet club has always worked

this option includes all the yarn and beads needed to complete the project, postage, 6 x monthly email patterns, all technique downloads, access to the exclusive blog and a 10% discount on sales through the JANIE CROW web site between 1.1.14 & 31.12 14

price: see membership rates on the web site here

option two:
 this option is aimed at those of you who want to use your own materials to complete the project and choose your own colour palette - we will not be giving yarn alternatives or colour palette options, so this is your chance to be creative!

this option includes 6 x email monthly patterns, all technique downloads, access to the exclusive blog and a 10% discount on sales through the JANIE CROW web site between 1.1.14 & 31.12 14

price: £49.50

please note – option one and option two will no longer be available after the end of february 2014

A materials kit, which includes the yarn and beads needed to complete the project may be available to purchase from our web site at RRP should you decide later on to purchase the yarn and beads - choosing option one prior to the beginning of the club will work out significantly cheaper than choosing option two at this stage and subsequently purchasing the materials kit

The image above is of the completed 2013 crochet club project.

Want to see the project before you start?

We are aware that whilst the idea of a mystery project appeals to many people, there are also a large number of people who are concerned about committing to an expensive project without knowing quite what to expect 
we are also aware that lots of crocheters quite simply ‘miss the boat’ and don’t get their application for membership in fast enough, or fail to see our advertisements for the club in the right time scale

If you like the idea of following a ‘crochet along’ project, but want to see the design of the project first then you can choose to purchase the project kit and complete the project within your own time scale
the 2014 project kit will be available from the JANIE CROW web site from September 2014 at a price of £195 + P&P

This option is for patterns and yarns only – there is no ‘membership’ or access to any of the benefits listed under option one or option two

For more information and to see prices and images take a look at the web site

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