21 Fair Isle Knitting Patterns

This blog post will show 21 Fair Isle knitting patterns for all makers.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, this collection has something for everyone to enjoy. 

So grab your favorite yarn and needles, and let’s get knitting!

What Is Meant By Fair Isle?

Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique that originated from Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. 

This method is renowned for its use of multiple colors and intricate patterns, typically featuring geometric shapes, such as diamonds, crosses, and stars. 

In Fair Isle knitting, only two colors are used per row, and the unused yarn is carried along the back of the work, creating a stranded effect. 

This technique not only allows for the creation of vibrant and detailed designs but also adds extra warmth and insulation to the fabric.

Fair Isle knitting has a rich history and cultural significance, often associated with the distinctive, colorful sweaters and garments that have become iconic of the Shetland Islands’ knitting heritage.

Types Of Fair Isle knitting

Fair Isle knitting is a specific type of stranded colorwork known for its intricate patterns and vibrant use of color. 

Traditionally, it involves using two colors per row to create geometric motifs that are repeated across the fabric. 

These motifs often include “peeries” (small repeating shapes), “oxo patterns (larger motifs resembling Xs and Os), and various border patterns that complement the main design. 

Although classic Fair Isle typically uses a limited color palette, modern interpretations often incorporate a wider range of colors and more complex patterns, pushing the boundaries of the traditional style.

The use of steeking

Another hallmark of Fair Isle knitting is the use of steeking, a technique where extra stitches are knit and then cut to create openings for sleeves or cardigans, allowing for seamless pattern continuity. 

This style is also popular in garments like yoke sweaters, where intricate designs are knit across the circular yoke of the sweater. 

Fair Isle patterns are not limited to sweaters; they also appear in accessories such as tams and berets, which feature unique shaping to integrate the colorwork into the round construction.

These various applications showcase the versatility and enduring appeal of Fair Isle knitting, from its traditional roots to contemporary adaptations.

To explore the different Fair Isle designs, you can look online and also purchase swatch books.

Where Did The Fair Isle Come From?    

Fair Isle knitting originated from Fair Isle, a small island in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. 

The technique became famous for its intricate, multi-colored patterns that use only two colors per row.

This style of knitting is known for its striking geometric designs, often featuring bands of different patterns repeated across a garment.

The tradition of Fair Isle knitting dates back several centuries, but it gained widespread recognition in the early 20th century when the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) was photographed wearing Fair Isle garments. 

This royal endorsement helped popularize the technique, and it became a significant part of Scottish knitting heritage.

Fair Isle knitting is still celebrated today for its beauty and craftsmanship, often seen in sweaters, vests, and accessories that showcase the vibrant patterns and colors characteristic of this traditional style.

Related Post: Traditional Scottish Knitting Patterns

What is the Shetland style of knitting? 

Shetland knitting, originating from the Shetland Islands in Scotland, is renowned for its intricate patterns and lightweight yet warm garments.

The use of fine Shetland wool and traditional techniques such as Fair Isle and lace knitting characterizes this style. 

Is Fair Isle Knitting Difficult?    

Fair Isle knitting can be challenging for beginners but becomes more manageable with practice. 

The main difficulties lie in maintaining consistent tension and managing multiple strands of yarn without tangling. 

Since Fair Isle involves using two colors per row, knitters must learn to carry the unused yarn across the back of the work and catch floats to avoid long strands that can snag. 

Additionally, reading and following complex charts with intricate patterns can be daunting initially. 

However, with patience and practice, many knitters find Fair Isle knitting to be a rewarding and enjoyable technique, producing beautifully intricate and colorful designs. 

Starting with simpler projects and gradually progressing to more complex patterns can help build the necessary skills and confidence.

How Long Does It Take To Knit A Fair Isle Jumper?

The time it takes to knit a Fair Isle jumper can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the pattern, the skill level of the knitter, the size of the jumper, the thickness of the yarn, and the amount of time the knitter can dedicate to the project each day. 

On average, an experienced knitter working on a Fair Isle jumper with a relatively intricate pattern might take anywhere from several weeks to a few months to complete the project. 

Beginners or those with less time to knit each day may find it takes longer.

Generally, a Fair Isle jumper is a more time-consuming project due to the detailed colorwork and the need to follow a chart, but the result is a beautifully patterned and richly textured garment. 

What Is The Best Yarn For Fair Isle Knitting?

The best yarn for Fair Isle knitting is typically a fingering or sport weight yarn made from wool. 

Wool is an ideal fiber for Fair Isle because it has a natural elasticity that helps maintain even tension and stitch definition, essential for intricate colorwork patterns.

Additionally, wool fibers tend to stick together, reducing the risk of long floats snagging and ensuring a cohesive fabric. 

Traditional Shetland wool is particularly prized for Fair Isle knitting due to its slight “stickiness” and range of vibrant, natural colors. 

You could try Shetland Spindrift, Aristo-Bare, Bare Alla Prima, Bare Andes del Campo, Bare Bubbly Bouclé, Bare Cadena, Bare eco superwash alpaca sock, Bare gloss dk, Bare Cotlin, Aristo – Bare, Bare gloss fingering and Bare Capretta Superwash.

However, other high-quality wools, such as Merino or Bluefaced Leicester, can also work well, providing softness and warmth while supporting the intricate designs characteristic of Fair Isle patterns.

• Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide {+ Conversion Chart}
• Learn everything about yarn fibers here – Yarn Types Explained: A Guide To Different Fibers 
• Learn how to read a yarn label here – How To Read A Yarn Label (Step By Step)

How To Keep Your Fair Isle Knitting From Puckering

When working on Fair Isle knitting, it’s essential to maintain even tension to ensure a smooth fabric without puckering. 

Hold one color in each hand (one on the left for Continental style and one on the right for English style) to keep yarns from tangling. 

Carry the unused yarn loosely behind the work and catch floats longer than five stitches to avoid snagging. 

Practice consistent stitch size by regularly spreading stitches on the right needle and taking breaks to prevent fatigue. 

Finally, charts can be used to track color changes easily, and knitting in the round should be considered to minimize purling.

When working with colorwork, it’s important to take a small break if you are feeling overwhelmed to avoid mistakes.

What Are The Characteristics Of A Fair Isle Sweater?  

A Fair Isle sweater is characterized by its intricate, multicolored patterns that are typically created using stranded colorwork. 

These patterns often feature geometric motifs, such as diamonds, crosses, or zigzags, and are usually repeated in horizontal bands across the garment. 

Traditional Fair Isle sweaters use a limited palette of colors, with only two colors per row, and the color changes create a striking contrast that highlights the detailed designs. 

The sweaters are typically knit in the round, which helps maintain the continuity of the patterns and reduces the need for seams. 

Fair Isle sweaters are also known for their warmth and durability, thanks to the double layer of yarn created by the stranded technique. 

This combination of complex, beautiful patterns, vivid colors, and functional warmth makes Fair Isle sweaters both a fashion statement and a practical choice for cold weather.

What Is Another Name For The Fair Isle?    

Another name for Fair Isle knitting is “stranded colorwork.” 

This term refers to the technique of carrying two or more colors of yarn across a row to create intricate patterns, with the unused yarn strands “stranded” across the back of the work.

While Fair Isle specifically refers to the traditional knitting style originating from the Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands, the term “stranded colorwork” is a broader term used to describe similar techniques that might not strictly adhere to the traditional Fair Isle patterns or motifs.

What Can You Knit With The Fair Isle Pattern? 

Fair Isle patterns can be used to knit a wide range of garments and accessories, bringing their distinctive, colorful designs to various projects. 

Sweaters and cardigans are among the most popular items, showcasing the intricate motifs and vibrant colorwork that define Fair Isle knitting. 

Additionally, smaller accessories such as hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves can beautifully display these patterns and are great projects for knitters looking to practice their Fair Isle technique without committing to a larger garment. 

Home decor items like cushions, blankets, and even Christmas stockings can also be adorned with Fair Isle patterns, adding a cozy and traditional touch to any space. Whether for clothing or home decor, 

Fair Isle knitting brings warmth, texture, and a touch of heritage to each piece.

Fair Isle VS Other Styles Of Knitting

What is the difference between Fair Isle and Norwegian knitting? 

Fair Isle and Norwegian knitting are both traditional colorwork techniques but differ in their patterns, history, and methods.

Fair Isle knitting originates from the Shetland Islands, characterized by its use of multiple colors—typically up to five in one garment, but only two per row.

It features repetitive, symmetrical patterns with small, intricate motifs such as stars, crosses, and geometric shapes. 

Norwegian knitting, on the other hand, is rooted in Norway’s cultural heritage and is known for its larger, more straightforward motifs like snowflakes, hearts, and animals. 

Unlike Fair Isle’s stranded knitting, which carries the unused yarns across the back of the work, Norwegian knitting often incorporates fewer colors, usually two, and employs techniques such as the Norwegian purl and a different tension for the distinctive textured look. 

Both styles create visually stunning and warm garments but reflect distinct regional aesthetics and knitting traditions.

Related Post: Norwegian Knitting Patterns

What is the difference between Fair Isle and stranded knitting?

Fair Isle knitting is a specific subset of stranded knitting, characterized by its origin and distinct patterns. 

Stranded knitting, in general, refers to any technique where two or more colors are used across a row, with the unused yarns carried along the back of the work. 

While Fair Isle is a type of stranded knitting, the term “stranded knitting” encompasses other regional styles, such as Norwegian, Icelandic, and Latvian, which may have different motifs, color schemes, and methods. 

Thus, all Fair Isle knitting is stranded, but not all stranded knitting is Fair Isle.

What is the difference between mosaic and Fair Isle knitting?  

Mosaic and Fair Isle knitting are both colorwork techniques, but they differ in their approach and visual effects. 

Fair Isle knitting involves working with two colors per row, carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work to create intricate, repeating patterns, often with geometric motifs.

This technique requires careful management of the yarn to maintain even tension and prevent the floats from becoming too tight. 

In contrast, mosaic knitting uses only one color per row, with patterns formed by slipping stitches of the contrasting color while knitting with the main color. 

This creates bold graphic designs without the need to manage multiple strands of yarn at once. 

Mosaic knitting is often considered easier for beginners because it avoids the complexity of carrying yarn across the back of the work while still producing striking colorwork patterns.

Is Intarsia or Fair Isle easier?    

Whether intarsia or Fair Isle is easier largely depends on the knitter’s experience and the specific project, but generally, Fair Isle is considered easier for many knitters.

Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle knitting involves working with two colors per row, carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work (stranding) to create patterns. 

Since only two colors are used per row and the color changes are frequent, it’s easier to manage the yarn without creating a lot of tension issues. 

The technique is repetitive, and the stranded yarn helps maintain an even fabric, which many knitters find more straightforward.

Intarsia Knitting

Intarsia knitting, on the other hand, involves working with blocks of color, each with its own separate strand of yarn. 

Unlike Fair Isle, intarsia doesn’t involve carrying the yarn across the back of the work; instead, you drop one color and pick up another, leading to multiple strands hanging from your work. 

Managing these separate strands and avoiding gaps between color changes can be more challenging, especially in projects with many color blocks or intricate designs.

Knitting Lessons

If you are new to knitting and need help with the basics, check out these posts here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.

This includes how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic stitches, how to knit the knit stitches, how to knit the purl stitches, and how to knit the rib stitch pattern.  

Also included is a list of knitting abbreviations (UK + US terms), a knitting needle size guide, and more.

And if you need more video tutorials to help you practice your basic knitting skills, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.  

You can also check out the Handylittleme Facebook group where you can connect with other makers and ask for help!

You can also find us on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter,  Etsy, and Ravelry. 

Free Knitting Patterns

For more pattern recommendations, including some new patterns, check out the knitting projects below…

• Double Moss Stitch (Free Knitting Pattern For Beginners)
• How To Knit The Purl Stitch (For Beginners + A Video Tutorial)
• How To Knit The Basket Weave Stitch – Easy Tutorial
• Broken Rib Stitch Knitting Pattern For Beginners 
• Slip Stitch Knitting (How To Slip Knit Stitches) 
• How To Knit A Mitered Square (Free Knitting Pattern)
• Irish Moss Stitch Dishcloth Knitting Pattern
• How To Knit Stockinette Stitch (For Beginners)