fair isle decision fatigue

[cimorene]

I've been meaning to get into Fair Isle knitting for absolutely YEARS. I've made a few stranded colorwork projects in that time, and I even made a Fair Isle hat a couple of years ago using bits and bobs that we had around, which was intended to be the first of many projects. However, the hat was disappointing because it came out too large for either of us to wear and the color scheme wasn't all that could be wished. It was easy to go back to making other things, since I have such a long list of single-color sweaters that I need want at any time.

Since I recently became fed up with cables, though, and it became warm enough that I can only wear a few of my lightweight sweaters at work, it seemed like an opportunity to try out something else. I spent a bunch of time trying to pick a better first project, this time. After last attempt, I realized there was a real risk of not liking the colors if I tried to either make do with only colors I had, or make up my own color scheme without a lot of care (the standard method in Fair Isle knitting is to make swatches, but you should start with the yarn skeins in front of you! And I can't actually find any Finnish yarn stores stocking Shetland yarn. I may order some from Germany or the Netherlands in my next project. In the meantime I'm using Finnish and Norwegian wool of a similar type, so the product will not technically be a Fair Isle garment). Since last Thursday I've been in a whirlwind trying to decide what to make next. I was going back and forth between trying to look for a design, and then going through trying to decide which colors to swap out, and then slowly changing my mind and looking for a different design for those colors... and then swapping more of the colors for the new design... it was hours and hours and I filled up my cart at online Finnish yarn stores like six times before I had to take a break last night and start knitting some plain socks instead.

This morning I decided to purchase a pattern with good instructions and follow its yarn colors, so I bought the Starnkeeker vest pattern by the Scottish designer Kate Davies. I've had a lot of her designs in my wish list for years, but I think this might be the first one I actually make. This design only has four colors and I stuck pretty close to her example colors. I have learned today that Ysolda Teague has some good material, online classes on stranded knitting and choosing colors, which I may make use of for my next project (I wasn't completely convinced by the motifs in the design, and I didn't want to fuss with replacing them with different motifs until my second project).

My ultimate Fair Isle goals are The Prince of Wales painting sweater, the Voe vest by Mary Jane Mucklestone (but it would need modification because it's written for DK), Peigi by Alice Starmore, and Chestnut, Magpie, and Yell by Marie Wallin. I mean, those are the ones I want the most. There are more on my list.

Comments

[viggorlijah]

those are all stunning - a Starmore is so ambitious! I have done a couple of pattern bands and found more than 3-4 colours made my fingers tangle and my head explode. But ooooh a Starmore!

[cimorene]

Fair Isle only uses two colors per row, so it shouldn't be too overwhelming. In fact the one I've chosen here is about equally as complex as the other designs mentioned, the stripes are just smaller so it's busier.

[princessofgeeks]

Sounds exciting! Good luck.

[spark]

I assume you are much too sensible to start handspinning, but if madness ever overtakes you let me know and I'll ship you a lifetime supply of raw Shetland wool :D

[cimorene]

I would love to be able to, but I don't think I would have enough time to spin it and then knit it!

[cimorene]

I am pretty jazzed about it! 😁