Welcome or Welcome Back! Today, we’re going to learn how to read a knitting chart, so we can knit with 2 colours. This is an experienced beginner level technique meaning I wouldn’t pick it up as a first project, but once you’re done a few, and you’re better at tension and feel a little more comfortable, go ahead. Once you understand how to read the chart, the most complicated thing about it is how to hold your yarn, so you can knit with both colours! You may have seen patterns or charts on Pinterest for fair isle knitting and this is a basic/beginner version of that, like these on my board. Its called knitting intermediate stitches because some of them are much harder than others, like the one below. I’ve prepared a nice and easy chart below as our nice and simple version. We’re going to stick with just 2 colours for this one, and we can get more complicated later.
Now, you may even look up embroidery charts as they should also show the graph style you’re looking for, to knit with. Just be aware, they will likely be missing information, like your line numbers, or even the bolded lines showing 10 stitches, or where the repeat section is. For this tutorial, I’ve included everything in our chart below.
Reading a Knitting Chart
So, I’ve included the basic instructions below the graph, so its easy to pin and follow along. It helps to see the difference between working in the round, and on straight needles. It is simple enough to modify as well, like we did in the video below, to save from having too many ends to weave in.
Fair Isle Knitting (Knitting with multiple colours)
So, first, we need to add in our second yarn colour. I’m holding the yarn between my index and middle fingers, in the back, see below.
I’ve also dropped the blue yarn, and will now begin knitting with just the white.
For the ease of not having too many ends to weave in, we’re going to knit 2 rows of the white, as our first row, and then 2 rows of blue. Then we’ll get into the actual fair isle section, the diamond section, in the middle of the chart.
Because we’re only doing a small swatch, we’re knitting in stockinette, meaning our reverse (wrong side) row, is worked with purl stitches. If you’re knitting in the round, you won’t need to purl. You will continue reading your chart from the right, if working in the round as well.
Now, for the first row where we’re switching back and forth with our stitches, I like to hold my most used yarn between my index and thumb, and my second yarn in my middle finger and thumb, like in this pic.
Holding my yarn like this allows me to turn my hand over and knit with the white, like I am doing below.
This allows me to have some tension on the yarn I’m using for that stitch and not catch the other colour.
Finally, working back along the wrong side, with our purl stitches, we follow row 2 of our chart, working from left to right, and continue in the same way, twisting my hand to catch the second colour.
Continue working back and forth following the chart for each stitch.
As I mentioned above, when working in the round, you’re going to continue working from the right side of the chart for each row. I recommend placing a stitch marker at the end of the row, so you know when you’re switching to the next row.
Here is the video tutorial that goes with the knitting chart. See below for the baby hat pattern!
Simple Fair Isle Knit Baby Hat Pattern
Hat Size: 14″ circumference.
Materials: 50g of light weight yarn in 2 colours, like our Snuggly Wuggly by Loops & Threads.
4mm knitting needles (double pointed are recommended, but small round needles would work as well)
Abbreviations: CO, cast on; KMC, knit main colour; KAC, knit accent colour; k2tog, knit 2 together.
Notes: You may choose to cast on with your accent colour, and knit the ribbing with it, then switch to main colour, or only do the section from the chart with the accent colour.
I will also use 1 size smaller needles for the ribbing and crown (3.5mm)
Instructions:
CO 72 using Long Tail Cast On (for stretchy edge), place evenly on 3 needles, do not twist.
bring the end to the beginning of the row, place a stitch marker, and start knitting over your cast on row.
Knit 2, purl 2, repeat across your row and around until your bottom section measures 2″(5 cms) from your cast on row. Feel free to try this technique for tighter ribbing.
Body
Begin with 2 rows of knit around with main colour.
Begin following the chart for the body of the hat:
Row 1: Knit around with accent colour.
Row 2: Knit around with main colour.
Row 3: KMC, *KMC, KAC, K2MC* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.
Row 4: KMC, *K3AC, KMC* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.
Row 5: KAC, *KAC, KMC, K2AC* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.
Row 6: Repeat row 4: KMC, *K3AC, KMC* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.
Row 7: Repeat Row 3: KMC, *KMC, KAC, K2MC* Repeat * to * to the end of the row.
Row 8: Knit across with Main colour
Row 9: Knit across with accent colour.
Continue the rest of the hat with main colour.
Knit 13 rows.
Crown Shaping
You will knit all even rows.
Row 1: *k4, k2tog* to end – 60 sts.
Row 3: *k3, k2tog* to end – 48 sts.
Row 5: *k2, k2tog* to end – 36 sts.
Row 7: *k1, k2tog* to end – 24 sts.
Row 9: *k2tog* to end – 12 sts.
Cut tail and thread through remaining loops. Pull tight and tie off. Weave in ends.
That’s it! Thanks so much for learning with me!
Much Love,
