If I’m brave enough to make the attempt…does anyone have a recommendation for a good first fair isle pattern to try? Nothing overly tricky, I just want to see if I can actually do it. Either flat or in the round is fine…unless you all think one method is a bit easier to learn with. Any other advice for attempting this feat would be welcomed too!
My recommendation is to start by watching this video and doing the sample project. I started that way and it’s the best thing I did. Now this is the way I do fair isle all the time.
https://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/Twohandedvideo.htm
Thanks, but I don’t have that kind of money to toss around. Sadly it will be at least another year before we have “play” money of any sort…any freebie links out there that you could recommend?
https://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/Twohandedvideo.htm
The link you were given IS free. Watch the video. You don’t need to purchase anything, or worry about the 3rd and 4th stitch.
Money? It’s just a video link about two handed fair isle and a sample project which is free. I’m confused because I never bought anything.
Look for
Why not try the ‘Sampler Purse Pattern’ to practise the technique.
and click it for the free pattern.
Here’s the free sampler pattern that goes with the video
https://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/SamplerPurse.htm
https://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/SamplerPurse.htm says “scraps of yarn.” It’s the sampler project in the beginner video.
Yes, the “show-off display project” is the Coat, but no one here would inflict that on a beginner! 
I don’t do the two-handed thing. What works for me is carrying one yarn over my index finger and the other over the middle. YMMV, of course.
Fair Isle really is not hard (and that’s a cute little purse!)
Becky just made an important point: There is no one right way to do it.
Maybe I clicked on the wrong thing before…but earlier I was brought to a page wanting me to spend $30 for the online tutuorial and whatnot. Found the purse thing though. Looks cute, makes me want to give it a whirl!
The purse was very easy and the free video that goes with it for two-handed fair isle goes step by step and teaches you how to catch the floats which is important for stranding.
Two handed isn’t the only way though, I just find it the easiest. 
You should see the video right away when you click the original links we posted. It doesn’t seem to work on my iPad, but was fine on my computer last time I checked.
I was using my kindle fire the first time…wonder if that’s why the video didn’t seem to be there. Just now checked using computer and it popped up right away. Thanks to all for the help!
Yeah, I bet that’s why. Doesn’t work on my iPad or iPhone either. :doh:
Once you do a simple project you will see how easy it is.
I knit fair isle by doing 1 color at a time. I sometimes get twists in the colors but they are usually easy to fix. in other words I do 1 handed fair isle. That is what is easiest for me.
Well, I’m getting there:woot:
But have come across a wee bit of an issue. How does one keep multiple colors from tangling together when the WIP is in storage for the night? When working with two colors it wasn’t terribly difficult. But since I’ve chosen to praçtice one of these samplers with four colors, it’s been quite a challenge to untangle everything before even starting to knit again.
What’s your secret to keeping the colors organised while in storage? Right now I have it all in a tote with a lid to keep Kitty from making this sampler his latest playtoy!
Dealing with the strands is a problem. Some people solve it by working with small butterflies of yarn and others by keeping long strands which can be pulled through. I usually untangle the strands periodically and right before I finish for the day. Placing the knitting in a box or on the couch on top of the yarn balls usually keeps it fairly tidy for the next day. No curious kitties to deal with here, however.