Fair Isle and Color Stranding . . . The Challenge . . .

Fair Isle is a unique knitting technique using yarn in multiple colors.   Usually you only use two colors per row or round while knitting.    It is named after Fair Isle, a small island in the northern part of Scotland.

This technique is very popular with knitters who create sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, etc.    Usually you follow a pattern to create motif designs in fabric.   There's much out there in the form of books on this technique for knitting, but I have not found anything for crocheters with the exception of a few YouTube videos that touch on the basics of using Fair Isle in crochet.

Fair Isle motif designs done in crochet will never look like those in knit fabrics because of the nature of the stitches, but you can practice and explore different designs in your crochet work to add color to hats, scarves, etc.     Unlike tapestry crochet where you hide the secondary color in the working stitches, in fair isle crochet, you "float" the secondary color in back of the fabric that you're working with.   Below is a picture of what I mean. 

I have been experimenting with the use of color in crochet fabric, mostly making hats.   I'm still learning, working on perfecting this style and adapting it to my crochet.

Below you will see some finished items and some that are still in the works.

Written patterns will be released in the near future.

For some more free patterns, go to my link on Ravelry click here

(this is the inside of the hat with the purple, light blue and yellow yarn being "floated").

The finished project (above)

Another version

As always, I thank you for stopping by and visiting my page.  Stay safe!

The HookDude