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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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How to Estimate & Manage Yarn Tails in Intarsia Knitting

September 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

This tutorial is part of our Read Along Knit Along series & is brought to you by LoveKnitting, Eucalan & Knitter’s Pride. Learn about our sponsors and enter to win the RALKAL prize pack here. 

Learn how to estimate lengths of color for intarsia knitting, as well as how to make intarsia bobbins and intarsia butterflies to manage your ends as you knit. (Intarsia bobbins tutorial, estimate intarsia tails tutorial)
When you’re working an intarsia knitting pattern, there’s going to be a point where you need to estimate how much yarn you’ll need to work a specific section of your pattern. That is, a specific, contiguous section of one yarn color to achieve the visual design of the pattern. Once you’ve got that sorted, the next step is to decide how you’ll wrangle your tails once they’re part of your knitting. It might sound like a lot, but I’ve got two straightforward video tutorials for you today that should help bring everything into focus.

If you’re looking for basic intarsia instructions, this 101-level tutorial should help you out. 

Intarsia 101: What is intarsia knitting, how it's different from stranded colorwork, and how to knit intarsia, featuring an in-depth video tutorial to demonstrate the technique for absolute beginners. Click through for this awesome tutorial.

For example, if you were knitting this intarsia swatch, you might want to estimate how much yarn you’ll need to work just the cream-colored square.

Intarsia 101: How to Estimate Yarn Tails

In this video, you’ll learn how to estimate the amount of yarn you’ll need to work a section of intarsia colorwork in knitting. An easy trick is demonstrated, along with tips to help you avoid common tail estimation pitfalls.

Intarsia 101: How to Manage Yarn Tails 3 Ways

Once you’ve estimated your intarsia yarn tail length, you’ve got a few options for how to manage it. Whether you prefer fast and loose (literally), bobbins, or a yarn butterfly, this video will show you a few things. One, how to work each method. Two, why you might want to use each method. And three, the pros and cons of each.

Any questions?

As always, if there’s anything confusing for you in either of these videos, go ahead and give us a shout in the comments. I’m happy to help!

Learn how to estimate lengths of color for intarsia knitting, as well as how to make intarsia bobbins and intarsia butterflies to manage your ends as you knit. (Intarsia bobbins tutorial, estimate intarsia tails tutorial)

This tutorial is part of our Read Along Knit Along series & is brought to you by LoveKnitting, Eucalan & Knitter’s Pride. Learn about our sponsors and enter to win the RALKAL prize pack here. 

Filed Under: Knit Along, Knitting Tagged With: how to knit intarsia, intarsia, intarsia 101, intarsia bobbins, intarsia butterflies, intarsia mountain, intarsia tails, ralkal, read along knit along, video tutorial

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
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June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
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#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
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