Becca J Norman

Are you stuck on a project and just need some quick tips? Do you not even know what you need to know? Book this free consultation to get a little more guidance and see how I can custom-tailor a way to meet your needs.

If you are a total beginner, please contact me prior to scheduling so I can steer you toward the right yarn and knitting needles for your needs. Yesterday's Bookstore is the default location, as the owner generously offers use of the space in the store for meetings and it's a great environment. If the store is unavailable or somewhere else is more convenient for you, we can of course meet at any cafe in the area that has enough space. For beginner children's and pre-teen's lessons, I highly recommend that a parent/guardian learn along with the child. Not only will this enable you to help them at home, but learning alongside your child is a great opportunity to strengthen your bond and build trust in the relationship. If you already know how to knit but need some help with a specific technique or work-in-progress, this is for you too! You can tell me a little about your experience and needs in the booking form, which will help me prepare for your lesson.

In this intermediate-level class, you'll learn the magic of creating fair isle designs with color, and complete a cute pumpkin decoration, just in time for Thanksgiving! Students should already be confident casting on, knitting, and binding off. *What to bring: 2 complimentary colors of DK or Worsted weight yarn, double-pointed or very short circular needles, tapestry needle. Optional: Knitting thimble, stitch markers. Class schedule: Wednesdays, November 12th and 19th at 10:00 Class 1: I'll get you started knitting in the round, walk you through how to follow a chart, and demonstrate holding 2 colors at once and how their positioning affects color dominance. This will be a 2-hour session. Week 1 homework: Keep knitting the pattern and bind off. Class 2: Bibbity Bobbity Boo! Bring your finished rectangle and I'll show you how to turn it into a pumpkin. This will be a 1-hour session. I am available to answer questions between classes as well. *You will get an email with Coupang links for all the recommended supplies after enrolling.

If you’ve ever admired those charming, colorful sweaters with intricate patterns and thought, “I wish I could make that,” then you’re in the right place. Fair Isle knitting is a delightful technique that brings together tradition, creativity, and a bit of patience to create stunning, cozy pieces. I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know to get started, keep going, and maybe even fall in love with this craft. Let’s dive in, shall we? Getting to Know Fair Isle Knitting Basics Before you pick up your needles and yarn, let’s break down what makes Fair Isle knitting so special. Originating from the Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands in Scotland, this technique is all about working with two colors per row to create beautiful, repeating patterns. It’s like painting with yarn, but instead of brushes, you have your trusty needles. Here’s what you need to know to get started: Two colors per row: You’ll carry two yarns along the row, switching between them to form the pattern. Stranding: The unused yarn floats behind your work, creating those lovely little “floats” that give Fair Isle its texture. Circular or flat knitting: You can knit Fair Isle in the round or back and forth, but circular knitting is often easier to manage the color changes. Patterns: Traditional Fair Isle patterns use geometric shapes and motifs, often inspired by nature or local culture. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. It’s not rocket science, but it does require some practice to get your tension just right. Too tight, and your fabric puckers; too loose, and the floats sag. Finding that sweet spot is part of the fun. One of my proudest accomplishments: the Kerti sweater, designed by Orlane Sucche Tools and Materials You’ll Need Now that you’re excited, let’s talk gear. You don’t need a fancy setup to start, but having the right tools makes a world of difference. Needles: Most knitters prefer circular needles for Fair Isle. A 24-inch cable is a good length for smaller projects like hats or mittens. For larger items, longer cables or magic loop techniques work well. Yarn: Choose two contrasting colors in the same weight. Wool is traditional and has great elasticity, but acrylic or blends work too. Avoid super slippery yarns when you’re starting out. Pattern: Start with a simple charted pattern. Many free and paid options are available online. Stitch markers: These help you keep track of pattern repeats. Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends neatly. Pro tip: Pick colors that you love and that make you happy to look at. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these yarns, so make it enjoyable. How difficult is Fair Isle knitting? Let’s get real for a moment. Is Fair Isle knitting hard? The short answer: it depends on your knitting experience and patience level. If you’re comfortable with basic knitting and purling, you’re halfway there. The challenge lies in managing two yarns and keeping your tension even. Here’s what trips people up: Tension control: Holding two yarns and switching between them can cause tight or loose stitches. Floats management: If you don’t catch your floats regularly, they can snag or look messy. Reading charts: Fair Isle patterns are usually charted, which can be a big change if you’re used to written instructions. Personally, I find it easier to have a chart to refer to and keep track of my progress. But here’s the good news: none of this is impossible. With a bit of practice, you’ll develop muscle memory. Start with small projects like a hat or wrist warmers to build confidence. And remember, mistakes are part of learning. Don’t be afraid to frog (rip out) and try again. If you're in the Camp Humphreys area and want a gentle introduction, check out this fair isle knitting workshop to dip your toes in with on-the-spot help and guidance from me. The floats on the inside of my Kerti sweater Tips and Tricks for Smooth Sailing I’ve been around the knitting block enough to know a few hacks that make Fair Isle knitting less of a headache: Hold your yarns consistently: Decide how you'll hold the colors and stick to it. This consistency helps with tension. If you have experience with both English and Continental style knitting, you can hold one color in each hand, but I find it's easier to keep consistent tension by using a knitting thimble to hold both in one hand. Catch your floats: Every 5-6 stitches, gently twist the yarns around each other to secure the floats and prevent snagging. Alternately, if there are large sections with gaps between color changes, you can try the ladderback jacquard technique to manage long floats. Relax your grip: Tension is king here. If you’re gripping too tight, your fabric will pucker. Practice swatches: Before diving into a big project, knit a small swatch to get comfortable with the pattern and tension. Read charts carefully: Each square represents a stitch in a specific color. Mark your place with a sticky note or magnetic board. If the colors you chose are very different from the way the chart looks, you can remake it in Stitch Fiddle with your own colors. Don’t rush: Fair Isle is a mindful craft. Slow down, enjoy the rhythm, and trust the process. Project Ideas to Get You Started Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to put your skills to work. Here are some beginner-friendly projects that showcase Fair Isle’s charm without overwhelming you: Simple hat: A classic starter project. Choose a pattern with a small repeat and knit in the round. Fingerless mitts: Great for practicing color changes on a smaller scale. Cowls: These let you experiment with longer repeats and different color combos. Socks: For the brave, Fair Isle socks are a cozy treat. Sweaters: When you’re ready for a challenge, a Fair Isle sweater is a real showstopper. Remember, the goal is to enjoy the process, not just the finished product. Each stitch is to be savored. Embracing the Mindful Benefits of Knitting Knitting isn’t just about making things. It’s about slowing down, focusing, and finding calm in a busy world. Fair Isle knitting, with its repetitive patterns and rhythmic motions, is especially good for this. When I knit Fair Isle, I feel like I’m telling a story with every color change. It’s a way to connect with tradition and create something uniquely mine. Plus, the sense of accomplishment when you finish a project? Priceless. If you ever feel frustrated, take a deep breath. Remember why you started. This is your time to unwind, create, and maybe even surprise yourself. Keep Going and Keep Creating So, there you have it - a no-nonsense guide to mastering Fair Isle knitting basics. It’s a journey, not a race. With patience, practice, and a bit of humor, you’ll be whipping up colorful, cozy pieces that make you proud. If you want to dive deeper, explore patterns, or just need a little encouragement, don’t hesitate to reach out to communities or resources like Becca J Norman’s fair isle knitting introduction. You’re not alone on this path. Now, grab your needles, pick your colors, and let’s make some magic happen. You’ve got this!

Mystery Yarn We all have some , whether we inherited it from a grandparent, found it at a garage sale, or it’s been in our stash so long the label fell off and we have no memory of where it came from. So what are you supposed to do with this unlabeled yarn of mystery? Cast on a sweater and pray it turns out? Um… Make 10 different gauge swatches? Lord no. Let it stay in stash purgatory for eternity? How about not. There’s a better way! You can identify the yarn weight even without a label by measuring wraps per inch (henceforth referred to as WPI ) If you’re unfamiliar with yarn weights, check out this old old video about how to identify them based on clues the labels offer. Supplies Mystery yarn Cheat Sheet Ruler That’s it! Get a printable version of the cheat sheet here or by filling out the form above. How to Measure: Carefully begin winding the yarn around the ruler, starting at an inch line. Continue wrapping the yarn around and around, keeping the strands as vertical as you can, and making sure they’re not overlapping or spaced apart from each other. The idea is for them to be just touching. Rubbing shoulders but not hugging. Don’t be intimidated. I promise it’s easy! Once a whole inch is covered, count how many revolutions the yarn made. Or count as you’re wrapping. That’s easier but sometimes I get lost in thought and forget. Repeat this process 2 more times, and average out the results. WPI isn’t really very precise, but this will help you find a more accurate measurement. (WPI + WPI + WPI) ÷ 3 = average WPI in case you weren’t paying attention in math class Consult the chart Find the matching number on the right side of the cheat sheet and see which weight it corresponds with. If it’s somewhere in between two of them, don’t sweat it. At least now you know where it falls on the yarn thickness spectrum and can more easily choose the knitting project that would be a good fit for this yarn. And besides, you know I’m never going to give you permission to skip the gauge swatch anyway. For more tough love, follow me on Instagram . Now What? Now, you take a picture of the yarn and add it to your Ravelry stash with all the known details. I’ve got another oldie for you here , explaining how to do that. It’s how I search through my stash without actually pulling everything out of the bin every time. Better yet, you can make a new label for the yarn and make sure it won’t fall off this time!

Don't skip it! Back in the old days, when I would finish knitting something, I would go straight to wearing it without pausing to block it. If I could go back in time, I would slap my hand and say “Stop it!” Why does it matter so much? Think of it kind of like ironing, without the iron, and more passive. Maybe that’s a bad example. I almost never iron, even though I know it makes clothes look so much better. Anyway, much like how ironing smooths out wrinkles and gives a nice crispness to the fabric, blocking your knits makes the stitches look more even, filled in, and just makes it feel better. Before blocking This is my Clarke Pullover before I blocked it. It’s a nice sweater but see how it just looks kinda… lumpy? The underarms are weird, the sleeves are a little short, and the fit at the waist and hips is all wrong. (The hip thing is partly due to me adding hip increases that weren’t called for in the pattern and not spacing them out enough. But watch to see what happens there…) The blocking method I’m teaching you today is “wet blocking” It’s not the only method, but it’s pretty basic and works well for most yarns. We’ll get into the other methods another time. For today, I want you to know that the yarn I used for the sweater I’m showing you is a wool blend and I measured my gauge swatch before and after blocking ( as per pattern instructions ) so I knew what to expect as far as how much it would grow lengthwise. Another thing to remember is that a whole sweater will be heavier than a little gauge swatch, especially when wet, so expect a little more growth in the length. Put that baby in a tub. Fill a (clean) sink, bucket, or bathtub with lukewarm water and place your finished knitted object into it, gently pressing it under the surface of the water. Let it soak for about 15 minutes. You can add a wool soak if you want, but to be honest, I just used plain old water here. after 15 minutes of soaking Squeeze Drain the sink or whatever you’re using, and gently squeeze the excess water out of the fabric. Don’t twist or wring! Easy peasy sweater squeezy Towel burrito Next, you’ll roll it up in a clean dry towel like a burrito or sushi and squeeze it again. Press out as much water as you can, and if the towel feels really wet, do it again with another fresh towel. It's probably more like sushi than a burrito... Or should I say gimbap? Spread it out Carefully lay it out flat on foam blocking mats or yet another clean towel. I like blocking mats because they don’t absorb the moisture, which allows the sweater to dry faster, and you can move it around without messing anything up. You can also pin into it if you’re blocking something with a precise shape or needs to be held in place. I got these mats from KnitPicks. Gently smooth out wrinkles with your hands and smooth the edges. Shape it Shape it into the desired shape and size, gently. For this one, I knew I needed the sleeves and body to be a little longer, and that the gauge swatch did grow lengthwise so I didn’t need to force anything. I did a little work on the hips, shaping them more like the shape of my body and coaxing out the lump I accidentally created when I graded up to a larger size below the waist. (This is the beauty of making your own clothes. You get to make the garment work for you instead of feeling like it’s your body that’s wrong.) The hardest part is waiting for it to dry. Pat it to get all the ripples out and make sure the side seams aren't crooked. If you have a small fan, place it nearby overnight. Once it’s completely dry, it’s done! Now you can wear it proudly. Don't I look proud? It feels so good. External links to things mentioned in this post: Clarke Pullover knitting pattern Foam blocking mats* My Ravelry project page for this sweater *affiliate link. When you use my affiliate links, you help support me so I can keep creating free content for you!

Discover the benefits of knitting with Becca J Norman. Learn techniques, reduce stress, and create cherished items. Simple living and a lot of knitting Make quality items that will be loved for generations, while enjoying all the benefits that knitting can offer. Reduce your screen time by keeping your hands engaged, and nurture meaningful relationships with the people you love. Check out these recent Blog posts Knitting Patterns Quick View Pattern PDF Felix and Felici Fox Price $5.00 Quick View Pattern PDF Master of Scarves Price $3.00 Quick View Pattern PDF Santiago Serape Price $5.00 Quick View Pattern PDF Football plushie Price $2.00

Schedule a private knitting lesson with Becca J Norman near Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Available in Pyeongtaek or Asan. In-Person Lessons In-person lessons with a teacher are the best way to start knitting. I offer lessons in the Camp Humphreys area (Pyeongtaek and Asan, South Korea). If you're not local, try my online course as an alternative. For group class requests or if my schedule doesn't suit you, please contact me via the form below, and I'll do my best to accommodate! Introduction to Fair Isle Knitting Ended 60 US dollars $60 View Course Private Knitting Lesson 1 hr 30 US dollars $30 Request to Book Contact me * First name Last name Phone * Email Write a message Submit

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