How to Knit the Very Bottom of a Heart Intarsia-Style

The intarsia technique allows the knitter to add pictures, simple or detailed, to a piece by using different colors to showcase the picture. A graph is helpful when working in intarsia in order to properly place the image on the knitting. When working from a pattern, a graph can also help you add an image to the knitting when it is not already specified to do so. The technique uses a method of twisting yarn and joining new yarn. Take your time to properly use this method.

Things You'll Need

• Knitter's graph paper (optional)
• 2 colors of yarn
• Knitting needles

Instructions

1. Graph the heart onto the knitter's graph paper, if desired. Each square on the graph paper equals one stitch. Start the bottom of the heart with one stitch. Add in one stitch on each side on every row after the first until the heart is the desired width.

2. Work the knitting in the main color until you are ready to start the heart.

3. Join in the new color of yarn. Twist the new color of yarn together at the back of the work with the main color of yarn. Knit the next stitch in the new color.

4. Work the next stitch in the main color of yarn by joining in a new ball of the main color. Twist the main color and the heart color together at the back of the work. Work to the end of the row in the main color.

5. Work to one stitch before the base stitch of the heart. Twist the main color and the heart color together and work the next three stitches in the heart color.

6. Twist the second ball of the main color yarn and the heart color together and work to the end of the row in the main color.

7. Continue in this manner, increasing one heart stitch on each side until the bottom of the heart is the desired width.

References

• "Stitch N Bitch The Knitter's Handbook"; Debbie Stoller; 2003
• "Knitting Workshop"; Elizabeth Zimmermann; 1981

Resources

• Knitting Help: Learn to Knit