Please explain intarsia vs. tapestry crochet

[everkutz]

Would someone please explain what intarsia is, as well as what tapestry crochet is? Also, what makes tapestry crochet different from intarsia? Thanks!

[Aggie May]

Tapestry is when you make a plain item and stitch the pattern colours on.

Intarsia is when you change colours through the row.

Have fun.

Colleen.

[happy stitcher]

I'm just learning tapestry crochet, but what I've seen so far contradicts Aggie May's answer. The patterns are stitched in by changing colors and carrying the other color(s) in tapestry. I've never heard of intarsia, so I can't say anything about that. There's a CAL getting ready to start up to make a small tapestry item if you're interested in learning. Just go to the Crochet-along section to read about it. I think we're waiting for the leader to get back to us.

 

Here's a great link about tapestry crochet: http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/

 

Have fun!

Judy

 

Edited to give you this site I just found: http://www.knitting-and.com/crochet/tunisian-intarsia.htm

It shows how to do intarsia crochet. Obviously since I've never heard of it I've never tried it, but I'll bet somebody here does it!

[thel]

Hi Kelley,

 

I found this explanation of intarsia on wikipedia. They are describing intarsia knitting. They describe a method that appears to change colors, however the thread isn't carried into sections of another color. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intarsia_(knitting)

 

I haven't tried this method- sounds interesting though.

[Aggie May]

Intarsia is where the blocks of colours are separate and look the same on both sides of your knitting or crochet. Threads are not carried behind the work.

Fairisle is when colours are carried across and used as they are needed.

Tapestry is like when you do a Tapestry on cloth, the colours are added to a plain, generally SC background. Generally done in Cross stitch.

Hope this is a little clearer.

Have fun.

Colleen:hug

[Hello Again]

I'm sorry I've used Tapestry Crochet for when you carry the unusued colors under the stitches, bringing them out as needed. My book on rugmaking calls this technique "crochet tapestry."

[Chrome Kitty]

The main difference is that tapestry crochet is done in sc and intarsia is done in tunisian. Tapestry is done with sc, working over unused colors and changing colors as needed in the row to make a pattern or design (see here or here for examples). Intarsia is done in tunisan stitch and colors are also changed as needed in the row but are not worked over (see here for example or here for instructions). Entrelac, which is also done in tunisian, is similar looking to intarsia but is done differently and color changes are made every row rather than within the row (see here for example or here for instructions).

[everkutz]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to explain. I was under the impression that intarsia was graphing out a design and then working that design into your crochet or knit item. Not so. A brief definition I found for intarsia says:

1. A knitted design resembling a mosaic that is visible on both sides of a fabric.

I guess that definition is partly true.

 

Thanks again!

[jpr54_]

this is a timely topic

I am now working on my first graphghan using tunisian crochet and enjoyed the discussion.

[ReniC]

Oh boy! Lots of opinions on this subject and none are wrong.

This video  pretty much explains about Tapestry, Intarsia and Fair Isle crochet. Worth viewing if you have the time.