The difference between crochet fair isle and stranded is significant. Simply put, it typically uses only two colours in a row. Below, you see my example, and there are only two colours in play in any given line. Yes, I can change the colours in sections.
When a yarn is not the stitch and is being carried forward, the unused strand can float behind the work or get trapped inside the stitches. The tutorial below shows you how to bury the yarn so it doesn't float.
Burying the Yarn Tip
For me, when I float the yarn behind the work, I lose control of the project's tension. By burying it as I go, I can maintain more even stitchwork and tension, as you see here.
Stranding means more than two colours are used in a single row, and there are buried or floating yarns behind the project. It's more tedious to change over the yarns instead of just two, but the results are often excellent, too.
Slow to Start... but There's Hope
In the beginning, you are working from the start, and the pattern is starting to materialize before your very own eyes. As the pattern grows, you will see its symmetrical nature more clearly, in case you are questioning something or making a mistake. The more I get into the project, the faster I will go as I will have grown in confidence.
Tutorial
This tutorial is designed to be generic about reading diagrams, showing how the crochet waistcoat stitch, also called split single crochet, is worked.
More Fair Isle
Patterns
Mix and match of different fair isle patterns we have.
Once you understand the construction and get the helpful tips, you will be able to do this concept much faster, and you may get hooked on it... just like I did.
Have you completed this project. Show me!