crafts & knitting · new patterns

Fair Isle cuffs

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

Thanks so much for all of the good wishes for Toby. He did indeed pass the Custard Cream test and was back at school for the rest of last week with only a slight snuffle. And for those of you who asked, these are Custard Creams – a very British biscuit with a vanilla custard flavoured cream sandwiched between two shortbread halves and Toby’s number one biscuit of choice.

With Toby busy again I’ve been settling back into term time routines and have started pattern writing again in earnest. A couple of people have asked for a hint about which animal I’m working on and all I’ll say for now is ‘squeak’, but I hope to have some pictures to share on progress next week. I’m also working on a little free pattern accessory for the knitted animals which will be a part of my anniversary give-away later in the month, so more of that soon too.

The Fair Isle cuffs that I was working on in the previous post are now finished. I did smile at some of the comments and the fact that people found it funny I would say knitting Fair Isle is an easier alternative than pattern writing knitting. I think the reason for that is mostly due to the fact that I was making the cuffs for myself and so the pressure was off – if I made any mistakes it didn’t really matter. When I’m working on writing patterns I try really hard to get them error free, which takes lots of concentration on stitch and row counting and checking and it can be quite intense. But, I’ll also let you into a secret – Fair Isle knitting looks far more complicated than it really is. Each row has only 2 colours and these are repeated at rhythmically regular intervals. So if you look at the row you are on and note that you work 1 stitch of the first colour followed by 3 of the second colour then you’re free to day-dream or follow what’s on the TV. If you’d like some tips on knitting Fair Isle neatly, I’ve written a post here with how I like to work and there are loads of good video tutorials on You Tube too. Once you’ve got the basics you’re able to tackle any 2 colour knitting and Fair Isle projects are always nice to impress your friends with.

I’ve written up a chart for these which is now available. I hesitate to call it a pattern as I’ve just included a chart and this is simply a tube-type wrist-warmer with no shaping, but it’s there if you’d like to make a pair.

Right, I’m off to do some more pattern writing while it’s quiet here. I’ll be back with an update  soon x

59 thoughts on “Fair Isle cuffs”

  2. Thank you for the instructions, I am going to have a go at a simpler version to start off with as I haven`t done anything with quite as much details before!!
    Your work is very inspiring and I look forward to your posts.
    I quite agree with Toby on the custard creams and they are at their best when dunked in a sweet cup of tea, yum yum.
    Best wishes
    Jane x

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  6. The cuffs are beautiful (and the custard creams look yummy too). I think one of the most difficult parts of Fair Isle knitting is choosing the colours and your colour combinations really work. I always fail at colour selection as I tend to use leftovers from other projects!

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  11. Found the pattern before you posted! Thank you for the lovely treat. Not sure if I will tackle them but have put them in my file of winter projects. Can hardly wait for squeak! Glad you have Toby back to school so you have time to focus on your work…and hopefully your joy!

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  12. I’m sure that free time to do what you love to feels a lot like Christmas! At least it does for me. 🙂 I’m hoping today will be like that for me too since we’re off to grandmas. I am getting ready to finish cutting and start sewing a couple of messenger bags. Don’t know how far I’ll get, but I am excited! 🙂 Happy pattern writing to you! And thanks for the freebie cuffs- they are beautiful!

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  14. Your cuffs look great and your choice of colours is just perfect. I’m so excited about you working on “squeak” – I’ve been hoping for it for a very long time and I’ll keep hoping for your bear pattern too. I’ve tried so many bear patterns that just don’t work and your bears always look so good. Your knitting is an inspiration.

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  15. Love your Fair Isle cuffs. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern! I want to try fair Isle so this is perfect 🙂 “Squeak” I can’t wait for the pictures of your next little critter!!!

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  17. Oh Julie, so glad to hear Toby passed the custard cream test….. they are on eof my fav biscuits too, and yes I dunk them hehe 🙂 so lovely to see your wrist warmers completed and a pic of you wearing them, they look so soft and cosy, the colours compliment each other perfectly……. I am going to give them a try too …. oh I am so excited about new animal pattern available soon ……..I think it’s a mouse !! Julie will you be doing a pattern at some point with a selection of footwear!!!! your a very talented lady wishing you and your family well , love to all Meg xx

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  18. I love custard creams! I get them whenever I’m in the UK. and your fair isle sleeves are stunning, I’ve already added them to my queue. Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous pattern!

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  21. Toby’s favorite cookies look so tasty! Your Fair Isle wrist warmers are so lovely! Perfect for the season coming.
    So good to hear Toby is settling in and your being very productive!

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  23. There gorgeous, I haven’t done any fair ilse for a vey long time and have been thinking of how I might challenge myself next as I have been working on some simple projects for quite a time now, these may be the answer.

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  24. Thank you, they are soooo beautiful.
    Hope I can manage it as it will be my very first Fair Isle Project.
    Very best regards and greetings from Germany

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  25. So glad to hear Toby passed the Custard Cream test. ;o) Those look yummy. Shortbread is soooo good. I’m with Toby, sounds like they’d be a favorite of mine as well. Well…that is… unless I was offered chocolate in some form instead. Ha!
    Delightful wristwarmers. I LOVE them! Very kind and generous of you to share the chart. Thank you so much!!!!

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  29. Your wrist warmers look so pretty Julie, your choice of colours work really well. Thank you for the pattern, I am definately going to knit some as I think my daughter would love them.
    I am so glad Toby is feeling better.Looking forward to your next pattern.

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  31. Ohhhhh, me thinks that Toby and I would get along quite nicely tucked away on the trampoline munching those biscuits! I do love those buttery sorts.
    I’ve done Fair Isle knitting and I’m not buying your easy story. 😀 Your work is just plain gorgeous! You’ve done a wonderful job with the colors as well. I think sometimes, that is half the battle. Choosing colors that complement and look nicely together.
    I’m glad that Toby is back in school and doing well. Happy pattern making!! Crossing fingers it goes easy on you and isn’t too stressful. You’re so generous to offer your patterns!! Not surprising though…. coming from you!! Lots of love!! xxxx

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  32. The wrist warmers are absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for providing the chart. I love all your work and maybe one day I will be lucky enough to purchase a rabbit.

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  33. I am very glad to read that Toby is well again and back to school. Your wrist warmers are really nice, I love the pattern and the colours. I have read your post about knitting Fair Isle neatly, and I really want to try, as I thought that catching the unused colour had to be done every other stitch!(that made my knitting very stiff). Thank you for telling your secrets… Anne

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  34. You have such a talent for putting those colours together, your fair isle is absolutely stunning…..and such a generous free download.
    Many thanks indeed!

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  40. Those cuffs are beautiful. I’ve downloaded the project and will try to find your colors. I’m in the USA and I am not finding jamiesons yarn in the colors you used but, I’ll do my best to approximate. Thank you so much for taking the time to make that pattern for us!!! I’ve just started reading your blog and am excited to read what you are going to be doing. Best of luck with the sick child. I know it’s hard to do much else when a loverly babe is sick.

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  43. Hello, Imfollow your blog, and thought it may be nice to introduce myself, my name is Teresa and I am from Spain. I just wanted to tall you that your blog is one of the most beautiful, human and geneous…Thanks

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  44. Wow Julie those look amazing. I now feel much more confident at Fair Isle after making so many of your lovely bunny dresses and trees so have put these on my to do list as I wear a lot of wrist warmers in winter as well.
    Thank you so much for the chart and glad that Toby is feeling better.
    Love Alison x

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  45. Hi Julie my name is Stefania I live in London but I am A Italian Woman. Your Blog it’s fantastic. Yesterday I bought a pattern bunny girl and thank to you I met some musicians who did not know. Do you have do be a nice person. A hug Stefania

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  46. Hi Julie,
    Your wrist warmers look just amazing! I got a friend to make me the Peerie Flooers Mittens you featured a long while ago and there was quite a lot of wool left over. I always intended to make some wrist warmers with it and yours have given me ideas again! I’m just not very good at fair isle knitting…
    I’ve just made a couple of little bunnies for a friend, using your egg cosy pattern, with added bodies –
    http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Tinaspice/bunny-egg-cosy
    Hope she’ll like them…
    Thanks for the lovely blog and lovely patterns and ideas.
    Tina

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  49. I agree with Gill, you have a great eye for color! I will never be knitting Fair Isle but I certainly enjoy seeing others’ projects. Glad your son is feeling better now.

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  51. You are such an artist. Your creations are so beautiful.
    Nabisco, a huge cookie maker here i the US used to make a cookie called the “Social Tea”. Just a little plain shortbread-like cookie great with…you guessed it….tea! They haven’t made them in years. My grandmother and I used to eat them whenever we sat down to share tea and a conversation. I miss her and the cookies.

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  54. Beautiful Fair Isle pattern Julie – thanks so much for sharing it with us. As for the photo of the custard creams – I hadn’t realised how much I like them until I looked at it! You sure know how to put temptation my way.

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