Crop Rotation Intarsia Knit Square

Part of Year of Color 2026, a free make-along

Intarsia sounds like a big leap, but this square keeps it simple: never more than two colors in a row, and only one color change, right at the center. You work blocks of color side by side, twist the strands where they meet, and the knitting itself stays plain stockinette.

The design is a small color experiment. In the center section, Italian Plum and Golden Yellow sit right next to each other, and both look brighter for it. Above and below, each one sits against Christmas Green instead, and the same two colors settle down. Same yarn, different neighbors, different result.

Crop Rotation is part of Year of Color, sponsored by Cascade Yarns. Each set of squares, one knit and one crochet, comes with emails exploring color theory, history, and craft. Squares are free forever.

Materials

• Yarn: Cascade Heritage Fingering in 5656 Christmas Green (A), 5633 Italian Plum (B), and 5752 Golden Yellow (C)
• Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Gauge: 24 sts and 31 rows = 4″ in St st, blocked
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, crochet hook for the cast on
• Finished size: 8.5″ × 8.5″ blocked

Stitch Guide

Stockinette: Knit on RS, purl on WS

Intarsia color change: At the color change, pick up the new color from under the old one so the strands twist and no hole forms.

Notes

• The square is worked in stockinette intarsia, 50 sts by 66 rows.
• Each row uses no more than 2 colors, with a single color change at the center (between st 25 and st 26).
• Row 1 is a RS row.
• Chart: RS rows read right to left, WS rows left to right. Stitch 1 is at the right edge.
• Edge treatment: Slip the first st of every row purlwise.

Pattern

With A , CO 50 sts using the crochet cast on.

Bottom band

Rows 1 to 4: With A, work 4 rows in St st (knit RS rows, purl WS rows).

Cut A. (It ends at the right edge, and the next A section starts at the center.)

Bottom section

Row 5 (RS): Join B , k25; join a new strand of A, k25.

Row 6 (WS): With A, p25; with B, p25.

Rows 7 to 18: Rep Rows 5 and 6 six more times.

Cut both A and B.

Lower band

Rows 19 to 22: Join A at the start of the RS row and work 4 rows in St st.

Cut A.

Center section

Row 23 (RS): Join C , k25; join B, k25.

Row 24 (WS): With B, p25; with C, p25.

Rows 25 to 44: Rep Rows 23 and 24 ten more times.

Cut B and C.

Upper band

Rows 45 to 48: Join A at the start of the RS row and work 4 rows in St st. Do not cut A.

Top section

Row 49 (RS): With A, k25; join C, k25.

Row 50 (WS): With C, p25; with A, p25.

Rows 51 to 62: Rep Rows 49 and 50 six more times.

Cut C.

Top band

Rows 63 to 66: With A, work 4 rows in St st.

BO using the standard bind-off.

Finishing

Weave in each end along a color boundary, into fabric of the same color.

Block to 8.5″ square. Given it’s stockinette at a loose gauge, the square will easily stretch out while wet. It comes off the needles slightly narrower than it is tall, so gently coax the width out to 8.5″ as you pin. It’s a subtle stretch and easy to do.

Once it’s dry, it will be a lot more stable.

You’re done!

About Year of Color

This square is part of Year of Color 2026, a free program that teaches colorwork techniques through square patterns in both knit and crochet. Each set of squares comes with a curated color palette, technique tutorials, and color inspiration articles. Start anywhere, work at your own pace, and build new skills one square at a time.

I’m Jody Richards, the math-geeky, web-dev-turned-fiber-arts-obsessive behind Knotions. Crafting runs deep in my family: my mom was an avid embroiderer and sewist, and she sparked a lifelong love of making things. I’ve been combining that love with a very analytical brain ever since.

I have degrees in Math and Computer Science and spent 30 years in web technology before making Knotions my full-time focus. You might know me as Ravelry member #85, or from patterns like the Natalya Mitts and Chevvy Socks.