---
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title: "Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting)"
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---

# Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting)

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Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting) [Starmore, Alice] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting)

Review: A Must for every knitter - This is a valuable text concerning the history of, and development of the iconic color worked knitting known worldwide as Fair Isle knitting. It's also one of the best ever books on technique required for Fair Isle knitting. Fair Isle requires two colors used on each row, carrying the unused yarn behind the work, and by alternating the colors, wonderful designs can be made to appear on the front. Alice Starmore is possibly the best known modern Scottish knitwear designer, and is rightly famous for her colorwork and Celtic inspired designs. This book can take the rank beginner into the mystery of color work magic, and the results are amazing if her instructions are carefully followed. The designs are traditional, with traditional fit, and not at all dated to the decade when the book was written (1980's). Thus, any of the patterns given can be knitted up for good fit, a flexible knitted design, and the sweaters are suitable to labor on a fishing vessel or attending a sporting event. Fair Isle likely began as a practical way of improving the warmth of knitted garments. Carrying the yarn on the back means the garment has an extra layer of insulation. The colors are switched using 3-5 stitch intervals, and virtually no row has a single color in her designs. This means the garment won't have peaks and valleys between bands of pattern stitches. The carried yarn must be handled so that it doesn't pull the stitches visible on the outside of the knitted garment, and at the same time, must also be quickly brought to the active needle for use in the design. Sections of the book are devoted to the history of Fair Isle knitting, the influence of it upon the economy of the various islands surrounding Scotland, and the ebb and flow of popularity of this specialized art form. There is much information about how to best achieve corrugated ribbing, using circular needles versus knitting with double pointed needles, and the layout of patterns in a garment. She discusses color choices, and the application of this color work to hats, tammies, gloves, mittens, and wearable garments. Improvisation is encouraged, as there are many patterns for peeries (Scottish for small) borders, border stitches, OXO pattern borders, Norwegian stars (or North Baltic -- depending on what your Scottish grandmother has to say about it), and how to use rows, panels or a combination of both for best effect. There is also a wealth of information about color selection, and ways color can enhance or mute a design element. Various combinations of bright colors, primary colors, shadings, and source information incorporated into color choices are all discussed. Plus, the solid advice about how to hold yarn, how to achieve a good tension, and ways to make a design your very own is included. Alice Starmore has her own line of yarns now, but most yarns used in this book are, like Starmore's own yarns, traditional in weight, color and fiber composition. These traditional yarns make wonderful knitwear, from socks to tammies, and all in between. Ganseys, which are sweaters most suited to the fishing industry, are made of a rather specific style, and when color work is applied, becomes the basic Fair Isle sweater. There are several designs for these versatile garments included, and with the option of substituting one's own border or using one of the suggested border designs, the knitter need only devise the desired color scheme and get to work. Knitting in the round with two colors is really very easy. All stitches for a stocking stitch Fair Isle sweater is done in knit stitches, so using combined Continental and British knitting, resulting in one yarn in each hand, is so much easier than one might think. Starting out on a small project such as a tammie is a great beginning. Then, by the time you're done, you can easily tackle a sweater with all the wonderful information, complete instructions, guidance and truly informative pictures included in this volume. Fans of Alice Starmore know of her many books. Her books overflow with eye candy in the form of original designs. Her designs are aimed at the average build, so adjust accordingly. With the ample information on adjusting design patterns, maintaining gauge, and selecting for good fit, this is not as difficult as it might at first seem. Fair Isle Knitting is also a great guide to keep at hand when knitting any stranded color work project, no matter the designer. I've used the book often for knitting several Fair Isle sweaters, tammies and vests, especially from Starmore's Celtic designs. This is a wonderful teaching volume for knitters of all skill levels who are interested in color knitting, and Fair Isle in particular. It will save many projects, improve your work, and help to make knitting these iconic items a joy. I encourage all knitters to try this wonderful technique with the expert guidance of Alice Starmore.
Review: The classic book of Fair Isle knitting. IMO - To my mind this is the classic on Fair Isle knitting. I strongly recommend it. I am so glad that Dover publications has published it. It is a book of about 200 pages, and following is a list of the table of contents: A brief history Pattern Color Technique A wardrobe of patterns Creating your own designs Bibliography Index About the author Sources of supply Seems to me that anything one needs to know about Fair Isle knitting can be found in this book. The instructions are clearly explained, and charts/graphs are also clearly illustrated. It has pretty much become my knitting bible, and I will explain why: For the past few months I have been "home schooling" myself in the art of Fair isle knitting. Decades ago I was taught so-called English style knitting, which is the tried? and true? right-handed knitting. After reading this book I realized that Continental knitting, left-hand knitting, would be best to learn because it is faster than the English style. After a few weeks of practice and referring to this book to learn all I could about this style of knitting, I've become very proficient at the Continental style. Now I can use either hand for knitting since I can use both styles at the same time. Next, I decided I needed to learn to use circular needles, which were a bit problematic to use at first. But, again, after a few weeks I am most comfortable using circular needles, and I really love using them. Now, I am in the process of learning Fair Isle, and that means using no more than two colors in any single row. That is THE absolute rule about Fair Isle knitting as any practitioner of the art will tell you. Home schooling myself in this new art is coming along, but it is a slow process, at least for me. The key is that it takes lots of practice. The authentic yarns are almost as fine as fingering yarn, but that is the yarn I now prefer to use, and it is available from sellers in the U.S. Just search the Internet and you will find where it is available. One more thing that may help anyone who is about to learn these new styles and products: This has worked for me: Years ago I was taught that if one wants to learn something new, and learn it well, you must repeat the new process at least 28 times for it to stick in your brain and your muscles. For instance, if you are learning to knit Fair Isle, you must knit 28 swatches in Fair Isle. If you are learning to use circular needles, you must knit at least 28 swatches with the various sizes of circular needles, etc. If you purchase this book, you are about to begin a marvelous trip. Enjoy!!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #64,655 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #115 in Fashion Craft #127 in Knitting (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (663) |
| Dimensions  | 8.46 x 0.59 x 11.02 inches |
| Edition  | Green ed. |
| ISBN-10  | 0486472183 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0486472188 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 208 pages |
| Publication date  | August 21, 2009 |
| Publisher  | Dover Publications |

## Images

![Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81dcEwT3bYL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Must for every knitter
*by F***E on August 1, 2013*

This is a valuable text concerning the history of, and development of the iconic color worked knitting known worldwide as Fair Isle knitting. It's also one of the best ever books on technique required for Fair Isle knitting. Fair Isle requires two colors used on each row, carrying the unused yarn behind the work, and by alternating the colors, wonderful designs can be made to appear on the front. Alice Starmore is possibly the best known modern Scottish knitwear designer, and is rightly famous for her colorwork and Celtic inspired designs. This book can take the rank beginner into the mystery of color work magic, and the results are amazing if her instructions are carefully followed. The designs are traditional, with traditional fit, and not at all dated to the decade when the book was written (1980's). Thus, any of the patterns given can be knitted up for good fit, a flexible knitted design, and the sweaters are suitable to labor on a fishing vessel or attending a sporting event. Fair Isle likely began as a practical way of improving the warmth of knitted garments. Carrying the yarn on the back means the garment has an extra layer of insulation. The colors are switched using 3-5 stitch intervals, and virtually no row has a single color in her designs. This means the garment won't have peaks and valleys between bands of pattern stitches. The carried yarn must be handled so that it doesn't pull the stitches visible on the outside of the knitted garment, and at the same time, must also be quickly brought to the active needle for use in the design. Sections of the book are devoted to the history of Fair Isle knitting, the influence of it upon the economy of the various islands surrounding Scotland, and the ebb and flow of popularity of this specialized art form. There is much information about how to best achieve corrugated ribbing, using circular needles versus knitting with double pointed needles, and the layout of patterns in a garment. She discusses color choices, and the application of this color work to hats, tammies, gloves, mittens, and wearable garments. Improvisation is encouraged, as there are many patterns for peeries (Scottish for small) borders, border stitches, OXO pattern borders, Norwegian stars (or North Baltic -- depending on what your Scottish grandmother has to say about it), and how to use rows, panels or a combination of both for best effect. There is also a wealth of information about color selection, and ways color can enhance or mute a design element. Various combinations of bright colors, primary colors, shadings, and source information incorporated into color choices are all discussed. Plus, the solid advice about how to hold yarn, how to achieve a good tension, and ways to make a design your very own is included. Alice Starmore has her own line of yarns now, but most yarns used in this book are, like Starmore's own yarns, traditional in weight, color and fiber composition. These traditional yarns make wonderful knitwear, from socks to tammies, and all in between. Ganseys, which are sweaters most suited to the fishing industry, are made of a rather specific style, and when color work is applied, becomes the basic Fair Isle sweater. There are several designs for these versatile garments included, and with the option of substituting one's own border or using one of the suggested border designs, the knitter need only devise the desired color scheme and get to work. Knitting in the round with two colors is really very easy. All stitches for a stocking stitch Fair Isle sweater is done in knit stitches, so using combined Continental and British knitting, resulting in one yarn in each hand, is so much easier than one might think. Starting out on a small project such as a tammie is a great beginning. Then, by the time you're done, you can easily tackle a sweater with all the wonderful information, complete instructions, guidance and truly informative pictures included in this volume. Fans of Alice Starmore know of her many books. Her books overflow with eye candy in the form of original designs. Her designs are aimed at the average build, so adjust accordingly. With the ample information on adjusting design patterns, maintaining gauge, and selecting for good fit, this is not as difficult as it might at first seem. Fair Isle Knitting is also a great guide to keep at hand when knitting any stranded color work project, no matter the designer. I've used the book often for knitting several Fair Isle sweaters, tammies and vests, especially from Starmore's Celtic designs. This is a wonderful teaching volume for knitters of all skill levels who are interested in color knitting, and Fair Isle in particular. It will save many projects, improve your work, and help to make knitting these iconic items a joy. I encourage all knitters to try this wonderful technique with the expert guidance of Alice Starmore.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The classic book of Fair Isle knitting. IMO
*by C***R on October 29, 2012*

To my mind this is the classic on Fair Isle knitting. I strongly recommend it. I am so glad that Dover publications has published it. It is a book of about 200 pages, and following is a list of the table of contents: A brief history Pattern Color Technique A wardrobe of patterns Creating your own designs Bibliography Index About the author Sources of supply Seems to me that anything one needs to know about Fair Isle knitting can be found in this book. The instructions are clearly explained, and charts/graphs are also clearly illustrated. It has pretty much become my knitting bible, and I will explain why: For the past few months I have been "home schooling" myself in the art of Fair isle knitting. Decades ago I was taught so-called English style knitting, which is the tried? and true? right-handed knitting. After reading this book I realized that Continental knitting, left-hand knitting, would be best to learn because it is faster than the English style. After a few weeks of practice and referring to this book to learn all I could about this style of knitting, I've become very proficient at the Continental style. Now I can use either hand for knitting since I can use both styles at the same time. Next, I decided I needed to learn to use circular needles, which were a bit problematic to use at first. But, again, after a few weeks I am most comfortable using circular needles, and I really love using them. Now, I am in the process of learning Fair Isle, and that means using no more than two colors in any single row. That is THE absolute rule about Fair Isle knitting as any practitioner of the art will tell you. Home schooling myself in this new art is coming along, but it is a slow process, at least for me. The key is that it takes lots of practice. The authentic yarns are almost as fine as fingering yarn, but that is the yarn I now prefer to use, and it is available from sellers in the U.S. Just search the Internet and you will find where it is available. One more thing that may help anyone who is about to learn these new styles and products: This has worked for me: Years ago I was taught that if one wants to learn something new, and learn it well, you must repeat the new process at least 28 times for it to stick in your brain and your muscles. For instance, if you are learning to knit Fair Isle, you must knit 28 swatches in Fair Isle. If you are learning to use circular needles, you must knit at least 28 swatches with the various sizes of circular needles, etc. If you purchase this book, you are about to begin a marvelous trip. Enjoy!!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review
*by B***A on May 14, 2022*

La parte relativa al racconto storico è veramente interessante. Le immagini sono stupende e ci sono tantissimi schemi da cui prendere spunto. Lo stile dei modelli forse è un po' datato, ma con le spiegazioni della tecnica Fair Isle, per altro molto accurata, è possibile creare una infinità di stili seguendo il gusto personale. Consigliatissimo!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting (Dover Crafts: Knitting)
- Alice Starmore's Charts for Color Knitting: New and Expanded Edition (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
- Aran Knitting, Expanded Edition

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*Last updated: 2026-02-19*