Trusting your gut can be hard. Especially when a Fair Isle project is on the line…

This week, Season 2 Star Alexa Ludeman of Tin Can Knits brings you a foolproof tip for making sure your colors have enough contrast to pop!

The best way to get good at Fair Isle knitting?

Just jump in!

We suggest you start with “Virgil,” a universally flattering top, designed by Season 4 Star Caitlin Hunter to celebrate and highlight the beauty of all women and all body types. Knit from the top-down this tee is deceptively simple and suitable for all levels of knitters. There are no short rows, seaming or complicated construction elements required.

We’ve put together two “Virgil” palette options for you. Shown left: Magpie Swanky Sock “Adella is the Greatest,” “Castaway” and “Iconic Orange Lady.” Right: Loops Luxe Royal Light in “Birthday Suit,” “Needle in a Haystack,” “Stacy’s Mom.”

Shop the yarns here!

“Migee” wrap by Ambah O’Brien would be a perfect Sunday morning project. The easy garter stitch combined with the simple eyelet stripes make this wrap great for getting into a mindless rhythm! 

This piece will fly off your needles and you’ll find yourself reaching for it all spring and summer, to add the perfect creative pop to your sleeveless tops, sundresses or under a denim jacket with a t-shirt and your favorite white jeans.

We’ve created 2 colorway options for you. Or mix and match your own!

Our model kit “Harpoon” contains 1 skein each of Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock in colorways “Harpoon,” “Adella is the Greatest,” and “Iconic Orange Lady.”

Or go even more colorful with our “High Line” kit: 1 skein each of “High Line,” “Castaway,” and “Iconic Orange Lady.”

Buy your kit here.

“Fortune’s Shawlette” was inspired by the diagonal box stitch, but elevated. Tamara Kelly designed this crocheted shawlette to have a lacier, more open, summer-forward stitch that you will be able to wear all summer long. 

And you only need one skein of Magpie Swanky Sock! So it’s the perfect, fun weekend or vacay project! The repetitive nature of the stitches and the single color will immediately put you in vacation mode.

For this light summer shawl, we recommend Swanky Sock in either “Iconic Orange Lady” or “Castaway” – depending on whether you’re more understated or want to go all in with a big orange statement!

Check out the colors here.