Intarsia is a knitting method where separate blocks of colour are knitted directly into the fabric, so the design is part of the jumper and not printed or stitched on afterwards.
How does intarsia work?
Each area of colour is knitted with its own yarn. When the knitter reaches a new block, they switch to the yarn for that shape. The colours meet at the edges and lock together, which is why intarsia gives clean, crisp shapes and logos.
How is it different from print or embroidery?
A print sits on top of the fabric. Embroidery is stitched on afterwards. Intarsia has no top layer: the colour is the fabric. That is why it usually feels like one piece and does not peel or crack the way a print can.
Why does it suit logos and bold shapes?
Blocks of colour hold their edges well, so letters, hearts and simple symbols look sharp. It is a good fit for graphic knitwear.
What should you look for when buying?
- Clean edges where colours meet
- Even tension, with no puckering around the shape
- A back that looks tidy, not loose or messy
- A design that sits where you want it
Did we try it?
Yes. We have been working on a knit capsule built around Nyame Dua, and we sampled intarsia for it. You can read what the symbol means in what is Nyame Dua.
How do you look after intarsia?
Treat it like any good knit. Wash cool or by hand, dry flat, and fold it away. Our guide to caring for knitwear covers it.
Is it the same as jacquard?
They are cousins, not twins. We explain the difference in intarsia vs jacquard. The technique is also a nice reminder of how much work goes into a good knit. Each shape has to be planned, the yarns have to be changed at the right moment and the tension has to stay even from start to finish. When it is done well, you hardly notice any of it. You just see a clean shape that looks like it belongs on the jumper, and that is the whole point. It also helps to ask what you will wear it with most. If the answer is a bold jumper and plain trousers, a clean intarsia graphic will fit right in.
Curious about the brand behind the idea? Read the story of the Ma. wordmark.
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