Learn Intarsia/Knit Pullover
by kpedrowright
Arts & Crafts Journey Overview
Follow this step-by-step arts & crafts journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.
Progress Updates (10 total)
Update #1: Learn Intarsia/Knit Pullover
Today I started the Bikini Pullover by Fest Netz. It’s a pattern I’ve been eyeing for a long time. At the beginning of the year I made a goal to learn colorwork techniques and this pattern utilizes intarsia, which I’ve never tried before!
The first step was to knit a gauge swatch and block it. It’s also a chance to practice the technique.
Update #2: Did the math & knit the ribbing
15% completeI measured my gauge swatch, did the math to alter the pattern to my tension, and then started by knitting the ribbing and the first few rows of the body for the front panel
Challenges Overcome: I’ve never done intarsia before so I’m excited I was able to get through the gauge swatch successfully, even if I’d like it to be neater
Obstacles Faced: My gauge is off, maybe because I’m knitting at a looser tension than the pattern designer, so I had to figure out how to adjust ALL the numbers in the pattern which is not ideal but totally doable
Update #3: Knit the bottom of the front panel
20% completeI knit 24cm of stockinette after the ribbing and now I’m ready to start the colorwork
Update #4: Started the intarsia colorwork
35% completeI started the colorwork section - can you see the bikini forming? I’m following a char that I had to alter to my gauge and it’s a lot easier than I expected
Challenges Overcome: It looks pretty good for my first try!
Obstacles Faced: This is my first stab at intarsia and I didn’t quite cross the yarn correctly in my first few rows, causing some small gaps. I’m going to mend them before I block it and keep trucking so I don’t lose momentum
The yarn also gets really tangled! I don’t know how other knitters keep track of it for more complex designs
Looking Back: Crossing the yarn so it’s trapped when changing colors is essential, if it’s not tight enough little gaps form between colors
Update #5: Continued front panel colorwork
45% completeContinued with the colorwork chart on the front panel and it’s coming along much easier than I thought! I only have about 30 or so rows left before I start finishing off the front panel
Update #6: Completed front panel
50% completeI completed the colorwork and the shoulder shaping for the front panel. I cast off stitches in the middle to form the collar and then decreased on each shoulder individually to shape them.
Update #7: Started colorwork on back panel
65% completeI took a short break to start another project and lost some momentum - but once I got the first row cast on it was a lot easier to get reinvested. I started the bikini ties that make up the color work for the back panel!
Obstacles Faced: There’s less colorwork on this panel so it’s harder on my arms and wrists, the motion is more repetitive
Update #8: Finished back panel
85% completeI finished be back panel and shoulders. It’s a pretty good match for the front panel and I can probably block out any discrepancies
Obstacles Faced: Constantly untangling yarn and following a chart with over 100 rows
Update #9: Seamed the shoulders and the sides
95% completeI seamed the shoulders and the sides so now it’s an actual garment! The pattern uses 2 different stitches for the shoulders and sides and I hadn’t done either before
Obstacles Faced: One of the shoulder straps didn’t line up, so I had to do some tacking to make it work, but I don’t think you’d really be able to tell when it’s being worn
Looking Back: I learned an invisible stitch I hadn’t used before - it was easy and worked so well. The join is quite seamless.
Update #10: Finished, blocked & wore to work!
100% completeI finally finished! First I had to add the ribbing to the sleeves and collar. The collar ribbing is knit and the folded over, which gives it a chunkier and more finished look. I weaved in all the ends and wet blocked it. Here’s where it almost went wrong - it wet blocked way bigger than I expected and I thought I ruined the fit. After some research I ended up putting it in the dryer for 2 minute intervals and checking it constantly - after 14 minutes it was the perfect size without ruining the wool!
Challenges Overcome: This is a long, multi step project and I’m excited to have finished it completely - sometimes when there are a lot of steps I have trouble with the follow through
I wore it to work yesterday and people were so surprised I made it, even people who know I knit!
Obstacles Faced: Learning a new skill (intarsia), problem solving the wet block!
Looking Back: I’ve never put my knitwear in the dryer because it’s a delicate process that can easily go wrong - next time I’ll be more confident because I tried it this time!