How to Knit Your First Fair Isle Pattern (Fleur-De-Lys)
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to knit The Fleur-De-Lys stitch, a gorgeous yet easy pattern; a classic of the knitting world, even though it’s French 🙂
I think it’s a perfect introduction to the Fair Isle (also known as stranded colorwork or Jacquard), a technique used to create repetitive, continuous, big or small designs using two or more colors.
Furthermore, the real Fair Isle technique, named in honor of a Scottish island (part of the Shetland Islands), consists of working with up to five colors, using two of them on each round.
However, the Fair Isle technique must not be confused with Intarsia; another technique, used to knit solid and isolated elements on a different color background, such as rectangles, diamonds, hearts, squares, circles, etc.
Finally, I’d like to share a couple of tips with you:
First, try to use wool yarn, because it’s easier to work with, it’s more forgiving, flexible, and has a nice grip, (not slippery).
If you want to use one of its blends, I recommend a fiber that contains at least 70% of wool.
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Second, both colors should be of the same thickness, and quality, which will help you with the tension.
Third, the strands (floats) behind the work, should be loose; otherwise, they can make your fabric shrink. (In another tutorial, once you’ve some practice, I’ll show you how to wrap a float (how to cross those strands to make them shorter).
Last but not least, don’t forget to block your work once it’s finished!
Ok, it’s time to knit a gorgeous swatch. Grab your needles and your favorite two colors, and let’s get busy 🙂
N.B.:
The odd rows are knit rows and form the right side of the work.
The even rows are purl rows.
The darker color (grey) is for the background (Color D).
The lighter color (yellow) is for the flowers (Color L).
Abbreviations
CO: Cast on
RS: Right side of the work
st: Stitch
KL: Knit with the color of the flowers, the light color; for example, K3L means knit three stitches with the color L
KD: Knit with the color of the background, the dark color; for example, K1D means knit one stitch with the color D
PL: Purl with the color of the flowers, the light color; for example, P1L means purl three stitches with the color L
PD: Purl with the color of the background, the dark color; for example, P1D means purl one stitch with the color D
BO: Bind off
How to Knit the Flour-de-Lis Stitch
With color B, CO multiples of 6 + 3; i.e.: 6 * 3 = 18 + 3 = 21 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K3D, *K1L, K5D*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 2: P1L, *P3D, P3L*. Repeat from * to *, ending with P2D
Row 3: K3D, *K1L, K5D*. Repeat from * to *, ending with K1D
Row 4: P2D, *P1L, P5D*. Repeat from * to *, ending with P1L
Row 5: K2L, *K3D, K3L*. Repeat from * to *, ending with K1D
Row 6: P2D, *P1L, P5D*. Repeat from * to *, ending with P1L.
These six rows create the pattern. Repeat them until the desired length is reached.
When finished, BO knitwise with color B after row 6 (RS).
This is the other side of the work:
Do you prefer to follow a chart? Then, please read this first:
Each square represents a stitch.
The color given in each square is the color you need to work that stitch with.
The first row of the chart shows the first right-side row and is worked from right to left.
The second row of the chart shows the second and wrong-side row and is worked from left to right.
Omit the squares highlighted in black, they don’t exist for you in that row.
Enjoy the video tutorial:
How to Knit Your First Fair Isle Stitch: (Fleur-De-Lys)
Thank you for watching!
Hugs, and happy knitting 🙂
Carolina – So Woolly
