How to Fade Yarn in a Knitting Project

One great way to use a bunch of different colors of yarn in a knitting project is to do a fade, which is a special way of working with different colors of yarn so that they appear to blend or “fade” into each other.

I’m pretty lazy so the way I usually do this is by working with two strands held together. I change one yarn out at a time whenever I run out of yarn, so it naturally fades as I go without having to do any extra work. I knit a whole tunic-length sweater using this method, and I think it’s a great way to make different kinds of yarn look harmonious.

There are lots of ways to make a fade working with a single color of yarn, too. It’s typically done by working a couple of rows of one color, then mixing in the next color gradually over a few rows before working exclusively with the new color.

This video from Fuzzy Peach Fibers shows a common way to do it, with two rows of the new color, four rows of the old, two of the new and two of the old before carrying on with the new. This works great in garter stitch because you get a ridge of the new, then two of the old, one of the new and one of the old.

In stockinette stitch, you might want to carry on your fade for longer or use a different formula, like this one from Patchwork Times. It sounds a little complicated in the sense of keeping track of which round you’re on, but of course it doesn’t have to be precise (though if you’re knitting a pair of socks or sleeves you might like it to be).

I typically don’t put a lot of thought into my fades because I’m using leftovers, but this post from Eat Sleep Knit has great tips and things to consider if you’re planning a fade or even shopping for yarn to do a faded project.

Have you ever done a fade? I’d love to hear if you have tips for making it look great!

[Photo: Patchwork Times.]

Next Pattern:

It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born.

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?