Intarsia crochet is an incredible techniques which allows us to use two (or more) different colors in each row. If you haven`t try this techniques yet, you definitely should. It is actually a lot less complicated than it looks. The only stitch you should know is single crochet (US terms) and I will show you how to work with two yarns at the same time in photo tutorial below.
This is a step by step tutorial for beginner and lets start with something simple. We will crochet an easy square and here is a chart:
Notes:
- The most important thing: 1 square is 1 sc!
- When you work the right side of your project all tails should be on the wrong side of your work.
- When you work the wrong side of your project all tails should be on the wrong side of your work, in front of you.
- When you work the right side of your project you should read the chart from right to left.
- When you work the wrong side of your project you should read the chart from left to right.
Yarn A is mustard and Yarn B is ecru.
TUTORIAL
- Using yarn A make ch23 + 1 for turning. Work sc in each st(s) across to work 2 first rows.
- As you can see on chart, Row 3 starts with one mustard block and the next one is ecru. So after the first mustard block you have to change color. To join the new color do not complete the first sc. Leave two loops on your hook , wrap the Yarn B over the hook and pull it throught the remaining two loops on the hook. Please remember to keep all your tails on the wrong side of your work.
- According to the chart you should work only one ecru block and then change color in the same way.
- After completing the stitch on picture above „the wrong side” of your work will look something like this
- Now follow the chart and continue your work until the end of the row 21.
End of row 3:
Row 4
Row 5
Row 8
Row 11
Row 21
Back of your work should look something like this below:
You can also follow written instruction :
Make ch 24 with Yarn A.
Row 1: with Yarn A sc in second st from the hook and in each ch across . Turn.
Row 2: with Yarn A ch 1 (doesn`t count as sc here and throughout), sc in each hdc across, turn,
Row 3: ch 1and sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 6 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 3 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 6 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B and sc 1 with Yarn A.Turn.
Row 4: ch 1 and sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 4 with Yarn A, sc 4 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 4 with Yarn B, sc 4 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B. Turn.
Row 5: ch 1 and sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 5 with Yarn A, sc 4 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 4 with Yarn B, sc 5 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A. Turn,
Row 6: ch 1 and sc 7 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 7 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 7: ch 1 and sc 4 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 4 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 8: ch 1 and sc 3 with Yarn A, sc 5 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 5 with Yarn B, sc 3 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 9: ch 1 and sc 3 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 2 with Yarn A, sc 1 with Yarn B, sc 2 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 3 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 10: ch 1 and sc 4 with Yarn A, sc 5 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 3 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 5 with Yarn B, sc 4 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 11: ch 1 and sc9 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 1 with Yarn A, sc 2 with Yarn B, sc 9 with Yarn A. Turn.
Row 12: Repeat Row 10.
Row 13: Repeat Row 9.
Row 14: Repeat Row 8.
Row 15: Repeat Row 7.
Row 16: Repeat Row 6.
Row 17: Repeat Row 5.
Row 18: Repeat Row 4.
Row 19: Repeat Row 3.
Row 20: Repeat Row 2.
Row 21: Repeat Row 1.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at mycrochetory@gmail.com
Using this technique I made a beautiful and very stylish cushion. You can find the free pattern here.
Thank you for using photos instead of a video. I have internet issues and cannot watch videos online very often. This tutorial is very easy to follow. I plan to make the pillow covering for the guest room bed. This reminds me so much of things my grandparents had in their homes. I love vintage and this will fit in perfectly.
I’m glad you find this tutorial helpful.
Great job on the tutorial!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful pillow and great tutorial. I will surely try making it 🙂
Thank you!
Very nice tutorial, but strictly speaking this is stranded or Fair Isle crochet rather than Intarsia crochet. Intarsia is work with a separate ball of yarn or each area of color and unused colors are not floated across the back.