Fair Isle or Intarsia?

[Crycket]

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...sle-pouch-bags

I was just wondering...which technique would I use for this pattern?

[MAmaDawn]

I would do Fair Isle, the head has some spots where you will have to carry the yarn but it's not a whole lot.

[Ingrid]

It's knit in the round, so you'd have to strand it (Fair Isle).

[Crycket]

I actually delved into the pattern after I asked and noticed that it was...

Now I am just debating on whether I should do it flat instead of on the round, just because it means running out and buying a new set of needles otherwise! (actually 2 sets)

Next question...

Is there a good rule of thumb for intarsia versus Fair Isle? Is it just a matter of how many colour changes there are??

[Ingrid]

When the colors are carried all the way across the row or round, then stranding is the way to go. If there is a 'chunk' of one color or large blocks of different colors, then it's best to use intarsia.

[Momto G B and H]

Fair isle involves only 2 colors per round too. If you need to use more than 2 colors in a round you wouldn't want to use fair isle or it would make the back of the project too bulky. Plus you'd have to deal with all that yarn getting twisted up. Yuck.