This post is all about Intarsia Knitting.
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Intarsia knitting is an exquisite colorwork technique that produces smooth color changes, but unlike stranded knitting, there no yarn floats at the back of your work. This particular knitting method has been used for generations to create some of the most sensational colorwork designs that exist in knitting today.
Intarsia Knitting Patterns range from the very simple to the extremely complex and in this post I’ve compiled a list of show stopping designs for your inspiration and enjoyment. Scroll through to enjoy the array of stunning patterns or pick and click your favorite topics from the Table of Contents below.
Thank you for being here. You are beautiful. Enjoy!
Table of Contents:
1. How to Knit Intarsia2. Intarsia Knitting Patterns
3. Intarsia Kits
How to Knit Intarsia
Creativebug
Creativebug is one of the happiest places in the world for crafters! Not only is their website bright, cheerful, and completely inspiring, but its also filled to the brim with hundreds of DIY lessons and classes, all available for LESS than $10 per month!
Let’s check out the intarsia knitting classes they have available!
Intarsia Knitting
with Edie Eckman
Have you always wanted to try your hand at Colorwork Knitting but aren’t sure where to start? Join expert instructor Edie Eckman and learn all about Intarsia Knitting over at Creativebug.
Throughout this class you will learn how to follow a chart, how to work with two different yarns at once, how to weave in your ends and more! Your course includes an HD video lesson you can access online anytime, step-by-step instructions as well as the ability to ask questions and interact with other students. CLICK HERE to join the class now!
Intarsia Color Inspiration
I don’t know about you, but I have always found choosing colors for a project really challenging, which is why I was so excited to discover Intarsia Color Inspiration with Brandon Mably. In this sensational colorwork class, Brandon takes us through his process of choosing a palette using a postcard!
Next, you’ll learn Brandon’s innovative technique, which includes all of the basics as well as how to read a knitting chart. You’ll receive 4 Intarsia Color inspiration HD video lessons you can access online anytime, anywhere.
You’ll also be a part of a like-minded community of knitters who you can chat with throughout the course. Sold? I know i am. CLICK HERE to join Intarsia Color Inspiration today!
Craftsy is another sensational crafting website that will teach you even more about the art of intarsia as well as dozens of other incredible knitting skills!
Keep scrolling to check out even more sensational classes from Craftsy including Intarsia: Basics & Beyond with Sally Melville and Next Steps in Intarsia with Anne Berk:
Colorwork Without the Work
with Beth White
Colorwork Without the Work with Beth White is a phenomenal class from Annie’s Craft Store that teaches us how to create colorwork stripes using helix, mosaic as well as intarsia techniques. This class will also walk you step by step to create 4 exclusive projects including: Stripy Cowl & Slouchy Cap, Stripes-in-the-Making Bag and Upright Stripes Shawlette.
Knitting designer and instructor Beth White will inspire you with her fun approach to color knitting and leave you confident to continue your colorwork journey.
Colorwork Without the Work includes all of the downloadable and printable PDF patterns, access to online classes (anytime, anywhere) as well as the option to access Ask the Instructor and My Notebook features, available exclusively to Annie’s Creative Studio subscribers.
CLICK HERE to access Colorwork Without the Work with Beth White today!
More sensational classes involving colorwork from Annie’s Creative Studio include Mix & Match Knit Sampler and Shaping Up With Short Rows:
Beginner Intarsia Knitting Patterns
Intarsia Boot Toppers
by Cirilia Rose
The Intarsia Boot Toppers by Cirilia Rose are the perfect place to start when you’re just venturing into intarsia knitting. These cozy boot toppers are knit in the round using four colors and simple shapes.
Expert knitter and instructor Cirilia Rose will walk you step by step through the process of knitting a flat swatch, joining your knitting and adding finishing touches such as binding off and weaving in ends.
When you join the Intarsia Boot Toppers class you will receive 7 HD video lessons that you can access anytime, anywhere, a PDF pattern ($8 value) and access to a community of knitters where you can chat, leave comments and ask questions.
I can’t wait to join the Intarsia Boot Toppers Class. Wanna join me?
Make your colorwork knitting journey all the more special with the Intarsia Kit from Knit Picks:
Intarsia Kit
by Knit Picks
The Intarsia Kit from Knit Picks includes bent tip tapestry needles, a chart keeper and an assortment of small, medium and large yarn bobbins. Get yours today and enjoy a tangle free knitting adventure!
Intermediate Intarsia Knitting Patterns
Teeter Totter Shawl Knit Pattern
The Teeter Totter Shawl Knit Pattern from Annie’s Craft Store is a stunning example of the intarsia striping effect. The pattern begins with a garter stitch tab and then is worked in ever widening stripes in the colors of your dreams!
The Teeter Totter Shawl Knit Pattern above is knit from fingering-weight Berroco® Ultra® Alpaca Fine on a size US3/3.25mm needle. It’s finished size is 84″ (at the widest point) and 21″ deep.
Unfortunately Berroco® Ultra® Alpaca Fine has been discontinued. I love Rowan Moordale and Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarns as potential substitutes:
2 fabulous intarsia knitting patterns available on Knit Picks include Mix-It-Up Christmas Intarsia Stocking Pattern by Terry Morris and Boardwalk Hexie Blanket by Chrisandra Skipper:
Safe at Home blanket
I think it’s safe to say that the Safe at Home Blanket by KnitWit Designs is an intarsia blanket design like no other. This colorful blanket is designed to celebrate homes and families.
The Safe at Home Blanket is knit in garter stitch strips that are then sewn together. The border is added at the end of your project by picking up stitches along the edge of your blanket.
The Safe at Home Blanket is the ideal pattern for stash busting or you can CLICK HERE to shop the Safe at Home Blanket Kit from Jimmy Beans Wool . It includes all of the yarn you need to knit this incredible project!
More gorgeous intarsia blanket patterns from Annie’s Craft Store include Stained Glass Afghan Knit Pattern and Jan’s Garden Afghan Knit Pattern:
Hanna Tote Bag
Hanna Tote Bag by Paintbox Yarns – LoveCrafts
I LOVE the Hanna Tote Bag by Paintbox Yarns. It presents the perfect opportunity to practise your intarsia knitting skills while making something fun and fabulous at the same time!
The Hanna Tote Bag is worked flat and then seamed at the end and it’s finished size measures 16 inches (41cm) x 13.5 inches (34cm). It is knit in Paintbox Yarns Recycled Cotton in colors Peachy, Jam and String:
More fabulously FREE Intarsia Knitting Patterns from Paintbox Yarns include the Moon & Sun Sweater and the Heaps of Heart Cardigan:
Vest with Intarsia Motifs in Schachenmayr Highland Alpaca
I just adore the FREE Vest with Intarsia Motifs pattern, knit in Schachenmayr Highland Alpaca. This trendy vest pattern features both knit and crochet stitches is available as a downloadable PDF pattern in several languages and this project would be oh so much fun to choose colors for!
Unfortunately, as of this post the Schachenmayr Highland Alpaca yarn has been discontinued. A great substitute yarn may be Blue Sky Fibers Bulky or LB Collection® Fifty Fifty Yarn in a stunning 50% lustrous alpaca with 50% soft wool blend:
Two more sensational Intarsia Sweater Patterns available on LoveCrafts include Circles Intarsia Jumper by Sian Brown and Bridget Intarsia Jumper by MillaMia:
Intarsia Kits
Rowan Shaded Diamonds Sweater Kit
My heart almost stopped when I saw the Rowan Shaded Diamonds Sweater Kit for the first time, but I think anything designed by Kaffe Fassett can have that effect on people. The 16 shades of Felted Tweed are blended carefully across this show stopping sweater to form a series of diamonds.
The Rowan Shaded Diamonds Sweater Kit is available at Jimmy Beans Wool and is knit using the intarsia method. The sweater is knit flat from the bottom up and the sleeves are set in to finish off this glorious garment.
CLICK HERE and grab your kit TODAY!
Even MORE sensational Intarsia Knitting Kits include the Rowan Malin Scarf Kit and Freia Polychroma Scarf Kit, both currently available at Jimmy Beans Wool:
Rowan Overlapping Patches Wrap Kit
I had to end on a high note and the Rowan Overlapping Patches Wrap Kit, currently available from Jimmy Beans Wool, is one of my favorite patterns of this post. This exquisite pattern was originally published the Winter 2020 issue of Vogue Knitting and again, the magic and mastery of Kaffee Fassett has struck a chord with knitters everywhere!
The colorful blocks of stockinette stitch use a combination of both stranded and intarsia knitting and the pattern recommends winding small bobbins of yarn in advance to make your knitting time (and your life!) all the easier.
I especially LOVE this Intarsia Kit from Knit Picks to keep both me and my colorwork projects organized!
When you purchase the Rowan Overlapping Patches Wrap Kit you will receive all of the yarn you need and you can download the pattern from the Vogue Knitting website. The finished measurements of this wrap are approximately 26.75″ (68cm) x 61″ (155cm). CLICK HERE to get your kit today!
This post featured 19+ seriously sensational Intarsia Knitting Patterns. Leave a comment below letting us know whether you’ve completed one of the patterns above and what your experience was.
Do you have another INGENIOUS Colorwork Knitting Pattern that you’d recommend? Mention it (or link it below) and we will be sure to check it out!
Here are even MORE Articles to inspire your knitting: