Discover the beautiful world of intarsia crochet, a captivating colorwork technique that allows you to create stunning patterns with multiple yarn colors.
Learn how to work with more yarns, uncover helpful tips and tricks, explore the differences between intarsia crochet and tapestry crochet, and find answers to frequently asked questions.
Don’t miss our step-by-step photo and VIDEO tutorial for a visual guide!
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Unleashing Creativity with Intarsia Crochet
Are you ready to dive into the world of crochet colorwork? Intarsia crochet is here to captivate your imagination!
Intarsia crochet, a technique synonymous with elegance and complexity, allows you to weave together multiple colors into their creations. In a single row or throughout your crochet pattern, you can deftly switch between colors, rendering your work vivid and mesmerizing.
To kickstart your journey into this enchanting realm of colorwork, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of Intarsia Crochet that I’ll walk you through.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, intarsia crochet offers endless possibilities to unleash your creativity. Let’s get started!
How to Intarsia Crochet- Step by Step:
Step 1: Choose Your Colors – Begin by selecting your color palette. For a striking contrast, opt for light and dark shades.
Step 2: Create a Colorwork Chart – Plan your project and create a colorwork chart or graph to guide your way. This is essential to maintain the rhythm of your pattern.
Step 3: Start Your Project – Begin with your chosen colors and make sure to maintain proper tension. Keep a tight grip for even, uniform stitches.
Step 4: Transitioning Colors – When changing colors, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Complete the stitch with the new color.
Step 5: Catch Floats – Catch the float (the carried yarn on the backside) with your working yarn every few stitches to avoid long floats that might snag.
Step 6: Weave In Ends – As you progress, weave in your loose ends as you go to ensure a neat finish.
Step 7: Maintain Consistent Tension – Consistency in tension is key for creating a polished and professional-looking Intarsia Crochet project.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Picking the Right Yarn – To achieve that perfect Intarsia Crochet look, opt for yarns that have a similar thickness and texture.
Tip 2: Keep It Simple at First – If you’re new to Intarsia crochet, start with simple patterns and gradually work your way up to more intricate designs.
Tip 3: Block Your Work – To ensure your stitches and colors remain crisp and vibrant, consider blocking your finished project.
Intarsia Crochet vs. Tapestry Crochet
While both intarsia crochet and tapestry crochet involve colorwork, they have distinct characteristics:
Intarsia Crochet vs. Tapestry Crochet: In Intarsia crochet, each color block has its separate yarn strand, resulting in cleaner color transitions. In contrast, tapestry crochet involves carrying multiple colors of yarn across the row, which can lead to a denser fabric with textured patterns on the back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can beginners try intarsia crochet?
A: Absolutely! Intarsia crochet is suitable for beginners, especially if you’re familiar with basic crochet stitches. Start with simple designs and practice color changes to build your confidence.
Q2: How do I work with more yarns in intarsia crochet?
A: Using bobbins or small balls of yarn is the key to working with multiple colors in intarsia crochet. It keeps your yarn organized and ensures smooth color transitions.
Q3: Are there step-by-step tutorials available?
A: Yes! We’ve got you covered. Check out our photo step-by-step tutorial included in this post to visually guide you through the process of intarsia crochet.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial and Access the Diagram
The video tutorial provides a visual walkthrough of the Intarsia crochet technique, making it easier for you to grasp the process.
Additionally, you can access a downloadable PDF with a helpful diagram to have as a reference while working on your projects.
TIP: To view this intarsia crochet video tutorial properly, please disable any ad-blocker you have running.
Get hooked on intarsia crochet and let your imagination soar!
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 2.
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.
Stunning. I’m definately going to try this. Maybe for the front panel of a handbag
Great job on the tutorial!
Thank you so much!
Hai thank you for making this tutorial intarsia crochet. Its very easy to follow.
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.
Thank you! I was so confused.
Thank you for the pictorial tutorials. I am finding it much easier to follow then videos. In this period of extended isolation, I am enjoying learning new skills. Thanks
Thank you so much. I have been trying to do a Fair Isle crocheted blanket. I have searched the internet trying to find out how I do it in rows and the only information I can, before now, is in rounds.
This has really helped.
Michelle