Tutorials

INSTRUCTIONAL TUTORIAL

STRANDED INTARSIA IN THE ROUND WITH MAGIC LOOP

INTRODUCTION

This tutorial is meant to illustrate how Intarsia and Stranding can be done in the round using the Magic Loop knitting method.

We had an idea for a colorwork design on the top of a sock and set out to find instructions on how to do Intarsia in the round.  Having watched a few videos, we thought we were all set to go but quickly realized that our design required some modifications to the technique.  First, we like to use the Magic Loop knitting method but found no videos specifically designed for Intarsia in the round using Magic Loop.  Second, using a yarn bobbin for each color change in our Intarsia design would be impractical in such a small work space as a sock, so we decided to carry the yarn strands from one section of the design to the next, a technique similar to Fair Isle or Stranding.  Fair Isle color strands are carried together from the beginning to the end of a round--but my design is charted for one side of the foot, the top; this is why Intarsia should be used.  So, we were determined to figure out how to do colorwork socks...where the design is only on one side...in the round...using Magic Loop.  The result is what we call Stranded Intarsia in the round with Magic Loop.

Many knitters might say, "Why bother?"  True, there are other ways to accomplish the task of knitting a design into an in-the-round project without making the efforts I'm about to describe.  Option 1:  Knit the project flat (back and forth with Intarsia) and then seam it together.  Option2:  Use duplicate stitch to incorporate the colorwork.  Personally, I don't enjoy seaming.  Nor do I relish the idea of duplicating row upon row of tiny little sock stitches in a small diameter tube to create a picture.  Besides, duplicate stitches can make the fabric extra thick and less stretchy--not a good idea when the colorwork is on the foot of a sock.  Thus, Option 3 was born, the focus of this tutorial.

THE TECHNIQUES

These instructions include video demonstrations on how to work the chart portion of this sock design using the method described here.  Knowledge of sock-making, colorwork, and Magic Loop knitting is assumed.  The chart is worked across needle 2 when Magic Loop is being used. If you prefer a different needle system, just keep in mind that the colorwork is worked over the top of the foot (not the sole).

The colorwork chart (for both toe-up and cuff-down) is read from right to left on odd number rows (right side, RS) and left to right on even number rows (wrong side, WS).

Technique 1:  Colorwork (Stranded Intarsia) RS and WS

There are two methods of carrying strands while working the different sections of colorwork in our chart.

1. Long strand:  This method is most similar to Intarsia but uses only one color bobbin (CC1) plus the skein of main color (MC) for three sections of color when there would normally be three separate bobbins.  This requires you to carry a long strand of MC 3-7 stitches wide across the back of the design as you progress from one section to the next. Video
2. Two-handed short strand:  This method is much the same as standard Stranding, but worked only on the top side of the sock.  Both colors of yarn are carried at the same time, one in the left hand using Continental style knitting, and the other in the right hand using English style knitting.  This allows you to change colors every few stitches. Video

Technique 2:  RS Wrap and Turn

1. Knit across needle 1 in MC.
2. Knit across needle 2 using the appropriate colorwork method (remember to read the chart from right to left).  Turn and hold work in starting position.
3. Pull out needle 2
4. Wrap the first stitch on needle 1  (end of round, EOR)  Replace needle 2 and pull out needle 1.  
5. Now your yarn is in position to purl the next round of the colorwork design. Video

Technique 3:  Colorwork WS Round Remember to read the chart from left to right.

1. Purl across needle 2 in MC to the first stitch of colorwork.
2. Complete the next row of colorwork on the chart using the appropriate colorwork method to the end of needle 2. (Round continued in Technique 4) Video

Technique 4:  WS Unwrap

1. Purl across needle 1 in MC to the last stitch of WS round (wrapped stitch).  
2. Pick up wrap from right to left with the right needle and place on the left needle (two loops on left needle).
3. Purl both loops together.  Tighten the working yarn (EOR)
4. (optional)We like to "uncross" the wrap and the stitch that were just purled together to create a less bumpy seam--it does not create a totally invisible seam, but is the best method we have found for a flatter piece of work.  In order to do this:  Turn work to RS and with right needle pull the right leg of the lead stitch just below the new stitch on the left needle to gently arrange the loops so that they lie flat against the work. Video

Technique 5:  WS Wrap and Turn

1. Hold the work in starting position.
2. Pull out needle 1
3. Wrap first stitch on needle 2.  Replace needle 1 and pull out needle 2.
4. Now your yarn is in position to knit the next round of the colorwork design. Video

Technique 6:  RS Unwrap

1. Knit across needle 1 in MC.
2. Knit across needle 2 (remember to work the colorwork chart from right to left) to the last stitch of round (wrapped stitch).
3. Pick  up wrap from right to left with right needle and keep the wrap on the right needle.
4. Slip the last stitch from left needle with right needle knit-wise.  Two slipped stitches are now on the right needle.
5. Insert the left needle left to right into both loops on right needle and knit together through the back loop (ssk completed)  Tighten working yarn. (EOR)
6. (optional)With left needle pull the left leg of the lead stitch just below the new stitch on the right needle to gently arrange the loops so that they lie flat against the work. Video

Continue working RS and WS rounds with colorwork, creating a new wrapped stitch before every round, and then unwrapping that stitch at the end of every round.