Click SHOW MORE for a detailed index into this video. The index also works as a written summary of the lesson for review after viewing it. By the way, this is only one video in this playlist with other videos on intarsia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9TybNoczeMZyr4533z7NVa_XZOnC8IhP
When I work a charted intarsia design, I first color-code it to show where I need to start each new strand and how many stitches are in each color section. With that knowledge and a little advanced preparation, I am able to calculate the length of yarn to cut for each section. This is all covered in the video.
Index
00:00 Introduction
00:42 How to orient the chart for top-down knitting
1:39 First look at a color coded chart
1:50 Planning a color-mapping so it is still possible to tell what color yarn to use for each section even though the colors are all different after coding
2:49 PART 1: How a color-coded chart is worked
2:50 The beginning-of-round (BOR) moves the up the edge of the right-most color change in the chart.
3:23 Start the first row of the chart at the BOR of the first row in the chart.
3:38 Position the image on the sweater by selecting where to place the BOR on that first row.
3:53 An important tip (how to change from knitting in the round to working the first purled row of the chart): Work a short-row turn at the selected stitch to begin the first row at that stitch.
4:56 Why to start a new strand of white, even though we are already working with white.
5:43 Work each section of color with a single strand of the specified color of yarn.
6:21 As you start each new section, count the number of stitches in that section, calculate the length of yarn required for that number of stitches (as described later) and cut a new strand of yarn to work those stitches.
7:01 PART 2: How to color-code a chart.
7:13 Introducing a sample chart to be color-coded.
7:27 Choose the location of the BOR. (It is marked in the video with a line, but that is not really necessary.)
8:02 Pretend you are working the chart as you mark each stitch, beginning at the BOR on Row 1 and gradually working your way visually up the chart, row by row.
9:02 Marking the first color change (purling Row 1).
10:25 Two ways to handle a wide jump in color, avoiding a long strand across the back of the intarsia.
12:45 Continue up the chart.
13:29 A new strand of white is required...
13:50 ...and a new strand of black is added.
14:59 Use that second strand of white to work back to where the strand strand was last dropped.
16:17 Another important tip (how to change back to knitting in the round after you complete the chart): If the chart ends on a purl row, turn the work around and slip all the stitches of the chart to the right needle until you get to the place where the original strand of white was last dropped, and knit in the round from that point on. If the chart ends on a knit row, after the final color change, simply continue knitting in the round.
17:34 Summarizing what we have done to color-code the chart.
18:02 PART 3: How to calculate a length and cut the yarn required for a new section of color.
18:32 (an aside) My thoughts on the use of bobbins and butterflies and how that works for me. (Perhaps you would like to try it.)
19:34 How to calculate the length of yarn when you start a new a color section.
19:42 Step 1: Count the number of stitches in that section of the color-coded chart.
19:55 Step 2: Multiply that number by the length of yarn required for each stitch (which we will see later).
20:13 Step 3: Add 12 inches to that length so you will have two 6-inch tails to weave in.
20:27 How to find out the length of yarn required for a single stitch.
21:11 Demonstration of measuring the yarn required for 10 stitches...
22:44 ...and then calculating the length for 1 stitch by adding a bit to make the measurement generous and then dividing by 10.
23:35 Using the length we determine in our demonstration, the calculation is reviewed as an example.
24:19 It's easier to do than it is to describe, so give it a try.
24:57 Closing comments.