Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Get the Goods on Gradient Yarns

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gradient knits book review

The winner is Linda.

Last week I shared a review of a brand-new book from Tanis Gray all about gradient yarns and ombre mini skeins. Gradient Knits not only provides great lessons in using these colorful skeins, it also offers 10 lessons in knitting skills, particularly as they pertain to colorwork knitting.

If you’d like a chance to get a copy of this book for yourself, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, Oct. 8.

I’d love to know if you’ve used any gradient yarns or multicolored mini skeins in a project before. I have some of these yarns, and I had an idea I wanted to try with one of them, but I’ve since forgotten what it was so I haven’t broken it out just yet. Typical.

Thanks for visiting and commenting, and good luck!

Comments

  1. I would love to learn how to use gradient yarn properly. I used a multi colored yarn for a project a while back and I didn’t really like the look of it. So winning this book would be so awesome!

  3. I have two sets of mini skeins, neither is a gradient set. One was a hat kit, and the 5 colors work together, wonderfully. The other was a “grab bag” and while they might be forced to work together, they certainly weren’t picked with that in mind.

    I haven’t tried any modern gradient yarns, but as far back as the 70s I made the gradient effect by holding two or three strands together, trading out colors (or shades of the same color) every so often. For instance 3 of A, then 2A and 1B, then 1A and 2B, 3B, 2B and 1C, and so on for as many colors as you like. Of course, it works best with finer yarns. I still see this method pop up every now and then. It cracks me up when designers act as if they’d invented it, because that’s what I felt like the first time I did it. Thanks for the giveaway.

  4. I have made a shawl with a gradient yarn and I love the way one color blends ino the next . This would be an awesome book to learn more about gradient yarns. Thank you for the chance to win.

  5. I have some gradient yarns just waiting for the perfect project. This book looks to be full of useful ideas!

  6. gradient & avoiding pooling – my math just isn’t up to them yet, despite my prolific reading & math attempts!

  7. I haven’t knit with a gradient set. I won a gradient set as a door prize at a knitting retreat this past summer and have been trying to decide on the best use for it. This book would sure help me pick the perfect project!

  8. Hi – I haven’t really used any gradient yarn yet. I’ve done many projects with Noro yarn and love the color-changing effects of their yarns. I’m excited to learn more about the projects in this book. Thanks for another great giveaway!

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.