The term ‘in the round’ is actually misleading, since for intarsia in the round methods the work is done in rows: one right- side knit row across all stitches is followed by a wrong-side purl row across all stitches. Since always all stitches are worked, the term ‘rounds’ is used nevertheless.

The intarsia rounds are connected by a certain step at the end of the round to make the piece seamless. In this pattern a yarn over stitch is worked at the beginning of the round which at the end of the round is worked together with the last stitch. The stitch count remains the same, since the yarn over (increase) is decreased again with the joining stitch (ssk or p2tog).

The intarsia rounds do not start and end at the beginning of the round, but the turning point is always the step in contrast colour: in RS rows turn after the last stitch in this contrast colour; in WS rows turn before the patch in this contrast colour; but closing the rounds as described below.

The beginning of the round marker stays in place, but all intarsia rounds are worked across this marker; simply slip the marker when you come to it.

The first round is a RS round that starts at the original beg of rnd. It is a partial round, i.e. stitches stay unworked at the end of the round.

With MC, knit to position of the first step, join CC, knit 4 sts for the first step and end the round here. The remaining stitches between the stitches just worked and the end of the round stay unworked.

When looking at the work from the right side, at the end of a RS rnd, both strands of yarn are situated to the left of their colour segment, ready to work a WS round.

The next round is a WS round and the colours are used in reversed order.

Turn the work so that WS is facing and with CC make a yarn over by bringing the yarn from the front to the back over you right hand needle, then purl all stitches in CC.

At the colour change, pick up the new colour, (MC), from below the old colour, (CC),

then purl to the last stitch in MC.

Picking up the new colour from below the old one is essential to ‘lock’ the two strands to avoid holes.

At the end of the round, purl the last stitch in MC together with the yarn over stitch in CC made at the beginning of the round.

When looking at the work from the right side, at the end of this round, both strands of yarn are situated to the right of their colour segment.

The next rnd is a RS round and the colours are used in the original order.

Turn work so that RS is facing and with MC make a yarn over by bringing the yarn from the front to the back over you right hand needle, knit across all sts in MC.

Pick up CC from below MC and knit to last st in CC. Slip this stitch knitwise, slip the yarn over created in MC1 at the beginning of the round knitwise, return both stitches to the left hand needle and knit the stitches together through the back loop.

Continue as established for four more rounds; ending with a RS round.

To add the next step, knit four more stitches in CC.

Turn work so that WS is facing and with CC make a yarn, then purl all stitches in CC, pick up MC yarn and with CC knit four additional stitches, catching and securing the MC yarn with the third stitch worked, i.e. work the third stitch inserting the needle into the stitch form below the strand in MC.

Continue as established, expanding the staircase by four stitches to each side on every sixth round.