Knit Intarsia Blocks || Tournament of Stitches 2021 Technique

Knit Intarsia Blocks and JAYGO

The knit intarsia blocks technique is given below in a way that the knitter could use this technique to make the TOS 2021 Class Project instead of the intended knit intarsia miter blocks.

Knit Intarsia Blocks Measurements

Finished Measurements: Pillow is 20.5” (52 cm) wide by 20.5” (52 cm) tall 58“ (147.5 cm)  wide by 58“  (148 cm) high 

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4″ in garter stitch. Gauge is not super important as this is a blanket or a pillow. The biggest concern is if you make the blocks too large you might need more yarn. 

Knit Intarsia Blocks Materials

Yarn: Sample was made with Red Heart With Love (100% acrylic; Ball size Solids: 198 g/7 oz, 338 meters/370 yards; Ball size Variegates: 141 g/5 oz, 211 meters/230 yards; Ball size Stripes: 141 g/5 oz, 204 meters/223 yards; CYC 4 – Worsted Weight

If you want to make the throw:

• Color A: 325 grams
• Color B: 325 grams
• Color C: 325 grams
• Color D: 325 grams
• Color E: 450 grams

If you want to make the pillow:

• Color A: 125 grams
• Color B: 125 grams
• Color C: 125 grams
• Color D: 125 grams
• Color E: 400 grams

It is possible to choose any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge. Keep scrolling for a list of suggested yarns.

Color Suggestions: I would choose colors that are not too close together in shade but have all of the colors work together. You could go subtle or loud. Totally your choice.

Needles: size 10 (6 mm) straight or 24″ circular needles. (Also, a 40″ or longer circular would be useful for the edging) Or size needed to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: Chenille or Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, 20 x20 Pillow form

Knit Intarsia Blocks Chart

Pattern creates garter stitch. 

Read chart right to left on RS, left to right on WS. 

Knit Intarsia Blocks Schematic/Layout 

Note: The block sequence/order on this technique is different from the Original Knit TOS Class Project. It is actually the exact same block sequence/order as the Crochet TOS Class Project.

Color Your Own Chart

Knit Intarsia Blocks Notes

1. Change color using the intarsia technique of old color over new color when transitioning from one to the other.  
2. Carry yarn on the wrong side of the work.  Meaning when you switch your colors mid row, make sure to move your working yarn to the wrong side.  If you are knitting the right side, move yarn to the back.  If you are knitting the wrong side, move yarn to the front.
3. If you are struggling with the join as you go method, you can make each square individually and seam together in pattern at the end. 

Knit Intarsia Blocks Video

Knit Intarsia Blocks Pattern

This is the first section of both the afghan and the pillow.

Work the blocks in the color sequence in schematic/layout. Each block has its own color sequence but most blocks are knitted the same way. Pay close attention and make sure you are using the correct colors. 

For all color changes use the intarsia technique when switching from one color to the next. And make sure the floats or links are all on the WS of the blocks. 

If you have any questions, remember I did a thorough video tutorial for this entire section so don’t hesitate to watch it. 

Row 1

Block 1

Row 1 For Afghan (RS): With color E (first color), cast on 1, lay down yarn, with color A (second color) cast on 32 — 33 stitched total. 

Row 1 For Pillow (RS): With color E (first color), cast on 1, lay down yarn, with color A (second color) cast on 12 — 13 stitches total.

Note: Moving forward the number of stitches for the afghan will be listed as first in the parenthesis and the number of stitches for the pillow will be listed as second in the parenthesis. Example: (Afghan number, Pillow number)

Row 2 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to end of row.

Row 4: Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining after a WS row.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit.

Row 66 (26): Bind off, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.  

Block 2

Row 1 (RS): With color D (first color), cast on 1, lay down yarn, with color B (second color) cast on (32, 12), place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 1. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Block 3

Row 1 (RS): With color C (first color), cast on 1, lay down yarn, with color A (second color) cast on (32, 12), place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 1. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Row 2

Block 4

Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, pick up and knit stitches along top edge of Block 1, 1 st in Color D and pick up and knit 32 (12) st in Color B. 

Row 2 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to end of row.

Row 4: Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining after a WS row.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit.

Row 66 (26): Bind off, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.  

Block 5

Row 1 (RS): With color E (first color), pick up and knit 1 stitch, lay down yarn, with color B (second color) pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches on top edge of Block 2, place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 4. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Block 6

Row 1 (RS): With color C (first color), pick up and knit 1 stitch, lay down yarn, with color D (second color) pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches on top edge of Block 3, place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 5. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch.  

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Row 3

Block 7

Row 1 (RS): With RS facing, pick up and knit stitches along top edge of Block 4, 1 st in Color C and pick up 32 (12) st in Color A. 

Row 2 (WS): Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to end of row.

Row 4: Knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining after a WS row.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit.

Row 66 (26): Bind off, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.  

Block 8

Row 1 (RS): With color C (first color), pick up and knit 1 stitch, lay down yarn, with color D (second color) pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches on top edge of Block 5, place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 7. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch.  

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Block 9

Row 1 (RS): With color A (first color), pick up and knit 1 stitch, lay down yarn, with color B (second color) pick up and knit (32, 12) stitches on top edge of Block 6, place marker, pick up and knit (33, 13) stitches along the right edge starting at bottom right corner of Block 8. Cut second color — (66, 26) stitches total, only (33, 13) stitches are used for block, the stitches that were picked up and knit will be used ONLY for a join.

Row 2 (WS): Slip the first (33, 13) stitches as if to purl to the right hand needle, slip marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Row 3: Knit to next color, knit one more stitch with first color. With second color, knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Turn (leave remaining picked up stitches unworked). 

Row 4: Place marker, knit each stitch with the same color as the stitch. 

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there is only 1 stitch of the second color remaining.

Cut first color. Continue with second color. 

Row 65 (25): Knit to one stitch before marker, slip next stitch, remove marker, place slipped stitch back on left hand needle, k2tog (1 stitch from block, 1 stitch from picked up stitches). 

Row 66 (26): Knit 1, pass the last picked up stitch over the stitch just knit (it is now bound off), continue to bind off all the stitches in the row, fasten off second color

Weave in ends.

Like the knit intarsia blocks technique? Want more of the pattern?

Well, you gotta wait 🙂 The remaining pattern blocks using the intarsia blocks technique will be provided at the finish of the Tournament of Stitches 2021. I don’t want to ruin the surprise of the class project.