Fair Isle is one of those wonders in life where the finished result looks more complicated than the process that created it actually is. Although Fair Isle patterns can contain a multitude of colours, there's never usually more than two in any one row. This comprehensive guide walks you through the stages of knitting Fair Isle patterns and offers ideas for creating bespoke designs. The book is clearly laid out, providing a comprehensive reference guide, and it's attractive to leaf through when looking for inspiration. It has a skills section that demystifies techniques, and chapters on colour theory and design principles to help you choose the most appealing colour and pattern combinations. The directory of 200 designs shows each pattern with a photograph and both colour and black and white charts. The pattern repeat tells you the number of rows and stitches, making it easier for you to plan designs. Combined with the 'mix and match' panels, creating your own Fair Isle combinations is made easy.-Simply Knitting When I think of knitting Fair Isle, I tend to think of sweaters and get overwhelmed. This book has freed my mind from that thinking. It delivers Fair Isle in such digestible bites that I want to try to knit something of my own design. It is mostly a very well-thought-out motif dictionary - with large knitted swatches, charts showing a motif singly and repeated, and a chart showing an alternate colorway. The information at the front of the book is invaluable. Given in small chunks, there are the basics - from choosing yarn, to stranded knitting, to cutting steeks. And suggestions for the most advanced Fair Isle thinking - choosing a project, choosing coloways and designing your own project. Explanations are given clearly and succinctly. Wonderful.-Knitty.com Nothing can compare to the book I have just finished by Mary Jane Mucklestone - 200 Fair Isle Designs. You may know Mary Jane from Ravelry or Twist Collective where you can find her beautiful designs. The book is mainly a directory of Fair Isle designs but it gives an interesting account of some of the history and the different techniques used as well as exploring how to put colours together in your own Fair Isle. How many times have you wanted to re-colour a design but not known where to start or had the confidence to play with colour? Mary Jane takes you through harmonious colour choices and helps you to understand how colours balance each other. For me what really sets this book apart is the directory itself. Each design is shown both as a chart (in colour with different colourways, or black and white) and as a knitted sample. The latter isn't just a few stitches to "give you an idea' but is a glorious, wide strip so you can really get a sense of how the pattern and colours work. Mary Jane has so inspired me that I can't wait to design a new hat for my husband or put together some of these patterns in a cowl. As you can see I have already started playing.-julietbernard.blogspot.co.uk A must for fashionable knitters, this guide features 200 beautiful Fair Isle designs. From simple one row "peerie" patterns to complex allover repeats, this book will thrill and inspire the knitter, experienced and beginners alike. Organised by row and stitch count, each of the patterns is accompanied by an -easy-to-follow chart indicating both the patterns stitches and and the colours used, and each sample is shown in an alternative colourway. A "mix and match" feature lets you combine patterns with confidence. This book also includes guidance on yarn choices and special techniques unique to Fair Isle knitting.-Craft Focus A lot of knitters put off trying Fair Isle knitting because they think it looks too hard to master. Think again! It's actually far easier to work than it looks, but you'll need to know a few basics first, all of which are contained in these pages. Learn how to read the colour charts and then use them to create your own colourful knits. This book is very well ordered, the instructions are easy to follow and it's a delight to flick through when you're looking for inspiration.-Knit Today
