Intarsia Section Tracker
Track separate color sections.
How Intarsia Section Tracker Works?
The Intarsia Section Tracker works by counting Current Color Block across a row and Active Bobbin for the yarn in use. Intarsia gives each colour area its own bobbin, so the row moves from bobbin to bobbin.
Number the blocks
Number the colour areas across the chart from right to left.
Count the blocks across
Tap the count pad or press Space when you move into the next colour block.
Track the bobbin
Press → to update Active Bobbin as you pick up each new yarn.
Twist at each change
Cross the old yarn over the new yarn at each colour change to close the gap.
Intarsia Section Tracker Formula
The Intarsia Section Tracker formula is bobbins needed = colour areas across the widest row. Each separate area of the same colour still needs its own bobbin.
- Bobbins
B = areas in widest rowCount separate areas, not colours.
- Yarn per bobbin
Yarn = stitches in area × yarn per stitch × 1.2The 1.2 factor adds 20% for twists and tails.
- Colour changes per row
Changes = blocks − 1Each change needs a twist.
Worked example: An area of 300 stitches in worsted yarn at 1 in (2.5 cm) per stitch needs 300 × 1 × 1.2 = 360 in (9.1 m) of yarn on its bobbin.
Intarsia Section Tracker Conversion Table
The Intarsia Section Tracker conversion table estimates bobbin yarn for colour areas of different sizes in 3 yarn weights.
| Stitches in area | DK (0.8 in/st) | Worsted (1 in/st) | Bulky (1.4 in/st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1.3 yd (1.2 m) | 1.7 yd (1.5 m) | 2.3 yd (2.1 m) |
| 100 | 2.7 yd (2.4 m) | 3.3 yd (3 m) | 4.7 yd (4.3 m) |
| 200 | 5.3 yd (4.9 m) | 6.7 yd (6.1 m) | 9.3 yd (8.5 m) |
| 400 | 10.7 yd (9.8 m) | 13.3 yd (12.2 m) | 18.7 yd (17.1 m) |
| 600 | 16 yd (14.6 m) | 20 yd (18.3 m) | 28 yd (25.6 m) |
| 1000 | 26.7 yd (24.4 m) | 33.3 yd (30.5 m) | 46.7 yd (42.7 m) |
Wind small areas on butterflies instead of bobbins to cut tangles.
What is Intarsia Section Tracker?
An Intarsia Section Tracker is a tool that tracks which colour block and bobbin you are working in a row of intarsia knitting. Intarsia makes large picture areas of colour without floats at the back.
Each block has its own yarn, so a row can use 5 or more bobbins. Knowing the current block keeps the right yarn in your hand.
The Stitches Counter tool saves the block and bobbin counts in your browser.
What are the uses of Intarsia Section Tracker?
There are 4 main uses of the Intarsia Section Tracker, including picture sweaters, argyle and blankets.
Picture sweaters
Track blocks on motif sweaters.
Argyle
Follow diamond blocks on argyle socks and vests.
Blankets
Track large colour blocks on intarsia blankets.
Letters
Work names and letters into the fabric.
About the Intarsia Section Tracker
Organize isolated color blocks with individual bobbin trackers so multi-color pictorial knitting proceeds without tangling or holes.
How to Use This Tool Efficiently
- ✓Always twist your yarns together at color transitions to seal the seam between blocks.
- ✓Use butterflies or small bobbins rather than full yarn skeins to prevent snarling.
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