Inspired by all those amazing intarsia patterns, but intimidated by the technique? Jump in with an approachable pattern that will have you breezing through intarsia quickly. Beginners should consider the Tanager Scarf and the Warp Vest patterns as an approachable, easy introduction. A wonderful intermediate pattern to try is the Mooncrush Pullover. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, the Scout Mini Shawl and the Heirloom Quilt Cardigan both mix intarsia with stranded colorwork for incredible detailed motifs. 

3 two hour sessions 

Pick your project based on your skill level: 

Beginner: Tanager Scarf

Skills needed: 

• Casting on & binding off
• Knit stitch

Materials:  

• 545 yards of bulky weight yarn in 5 colors (~100 yards each). Great options include Manos Del Uruguay Cardo, De Rerum Natura Cyrano, Jill Draper Empire, and Spincycle Plump. 
• US 10 needles 
• A copy of the Tanager pattern by Quinn Reverendo
• Tapestry Needle

Beginner: Warp Vest

Skills needed: 

• Knitting & purling
• Some experience with increasing and decreasing
• Having knit a garment previously is helpful, but not essential

Materials:

Sizes in inches: 32.25-36.25-40.25-(44-48-52)-56-59.75-63.75” 

• Yarn requirements
• Yarn A: 245-275-306-(337-367-398)-429-490-551 yd
• Yarn B: 245-275-306-(337-367-398)-429-490-551 yd 
• Yarn C: 184-214-245-(275-306-337)-367-429-490 yd
• Yarn D: 184-214-245-(275-306-337)-367-429-490 yd
• We recommend Knitting for Olive Merino fingering, Knitting for Olive Pure Silk, Blue Sky Woolstock Light, or Jamieson’s Spindrift
• US 7 circular or straight needles
• US 6 circular needles for the ribbing
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• A copy of Warp Vest by Sara Ottoson

Preparation:

Students should work a 4”-5” stockinette swatch in the yarn you intend to use for the project. Please wash and block the swatch before measuring. If the gauge does not match the pattern gauge, adjust the needle size and re-swatch until the correct gauge is achieved. Once you meet gauge, please cast on and complete Section 1.1 of the pattern in your size. 

Intermediate: Mooncrush Pullover

Skills needed: 

• Knitting & purling
• Some experience with increasing and decreasing

Materials:

Sizes in inches: (36, 40, 44) [48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68} 

YARN REQUIREMENTS: 

• 3-Color crop: 
• YARN A: (495, 535, 565) [605, 645, 690] {730, 770, 835} yards
• YARN B: (450, 490, 520) [565, 605, 650] {690, 730, 795} yards
• YARN C: (170, 190, 210) [225, 245, 265] {285, 305, 320} yards
• 3-Color full length: 
• YARN A: (595, 640, 675) [730, 770, 825] {875, 925, 995} yards
• YARN B: (505, 555, 595) [650, 695, 745] {800, 845, 920} yards
• YARN C: (325, 360, 395) [430, 465, 500] {535, 575, 610} yards
• 2-Color crop: 
• YARNS 1 and 2 (same amount for each): (555, 605, 650) [700, 750, 805] {855, 905, 975} yards
• 2-Color full length: 
• YARNS 1 and 2 (same amount for each): (710, 775, 835) [905, 965, 1035] {1105, 1175, 1265} yards
• We recommend Kelbourne Woolens Cricket, WoolDreamers Cautiva, Julie Asselin Leizu, or Little Fox True Wash Fingering.
• US 4 (3.5mm) 32” circular needles for the body and US 2.5 (3.0) 32” circular needles for the ribbing
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• A copy of Mooncrush by Jacqueline Cieslak

Preparation:

Students should work a 4”-5” stockinette swatch in the yarn you intend to use for the project. Please wash and block the swatch before measuring, especially if you plan to use cotton or linen yarn. If the gauge does not match the pattern gauge, please adjust the needle size and re-swatch until the correct gauge is achieved. 

Advanced: Scout Mini Shawl

Skills needed: 

• Knitting & purling
• Increasing and decreasing
• Previous experience with stranded colorwork

Materials:  

• 420 yards of fingering weight yarn in 5 colors 
• C1 – 195 yds 
• C2 – 110 yds 
• C3 – 135 yds 
• C4 – 165 yds
• C5 – 80 yds
• Jamieson’s Spindrift, Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Light, WoolDreamers Cautiva and Pascuali Baby Merino are all great choices.
• US 4 (3.5 mm) 24” or 32” circular needle 
• A copy of the Scout Mini Shawl pattern
• Tapestry needle

Advanced: Heirloom Quilt Cardigan

Skills needed: 

• Knitting & purling
• Increasing and decreasing
• Experience with stranded colorwork
• Having knit a garment previously is helpful, but not essential

Materials:  

Sizes in inches: 50” (70”) and 78 3/4”

• If using a fingering weight yarn held double, you’ll need 2,400 (3,000) 3,600 yards. If using a single strand of DK weight yarn, you’ll need 1,200 (1,500) 1,800 yards. Please see the pattern for the breakdown of yardage by color. 
• US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the body,  US 6 (4.0 mm) needles for the sleeves, and US 4 (3.5 mm) for the ribbing. 
• A copy of the Heirloom Quilt Cardigan pattern
• Tapestry needle