What to make with gradient yarn sets

You know you’re a knitter when you hear the word “ombre” and don’t automatically think hair. Indie dyers, including a few here on Indie Untangled, have been producing some incredible gradient sets. They rarely fail to make me swoon, but I always feel like I need some guidance to figure out what to knit with them.

Fortunately, a couple of dyers have recently come out with kits to help provide inspiration. The photo above is of a new shawl pattern by designer Renee Callahan. Antiprism, with its unique gradient triangles, is available exclusively as part of a kit with an ombre set of BFL Twist yarns from Kettle Yarn Co.

Stephanie of Dirty Water DyeWorks recently started selling a kit for Carina Spencer’s new Brush Creek Shawl. There are three different ombre color combos — purple, blue and green — on Mavis, a superwash Merino/silk blend.

Krista at Pigeonroof Studios sells popular mini-skein sock yarn gradient sets, and she also designed a free Gradient Mitts pattern to go with them.

Then, there are patterns that you wouldn’t necessarily consider for a gradient kit.

When I saw Cassy/knitthehellout’s Whispers using a Pebble Sock gradient kit from Black Trillium Fibres, I was immediately smitten. I’m a big fan of Veera Välimäki’s designs, and I loved Cassy’s take on this simple top.

I also can’t wait to see my friend Mollie/molliebatmit’s ObLaDi with the Fiber Optics Yarns Paintbox Gradient that she picked up at Rhinebeck last year. She inspired me to buy one of the sets, which I am likely turning into a gradient striped shell, though now I might have to reconsider…

Here are several other pattern possibilities, including a bunch of my favorite FOs on Ravelry. Some of the patterns are meant for gradient yarns, while others are designs that Ravelers decided to give an ombre twist:

Sweaters

Jenn/jfnyland’s Paper Birch with Cephalopod Yarns Beastie (I love Laura Aylor’s designs, especially this cowl-neck sweater, and the gradient really works.)

Kate/katepricey’s Le Facteur in ColorShift Earth and Sky Design Set

Shawls

Paula/PrairiePiper’s Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl with Fiber Optics Yarns Kashmir (Paula designed the pattern and also runs the Knitting Pipeline podcast.)

Janet/Daisieknit’s Now in a minute with The Unique Sheep Luxe

Nicole/bioartist’s Aranami Shawl in Canon Hand Dyes Charles Sock Yarn Note: This pattern might require more yardage than some gradient kits provide.

Also, Kara/KaraMcKinley’s Aranami Shawl in Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering

Cowls

Melanie/PinkLemon’s Song of the Sea with SpaceCadet Creations Ester (This is a great pattern — I’ve made two of them already — and using a gradient is such a brilliant idea!)

Jean/jerdlngr’s September Circle With Miss Babs Yummy Toes — Sock

Spectral by Debbi Stone

Hats

Jean/sadie21jean’s Fade in a Black Trillium Fibres Pebble Sock gradient kit (also check out her matching Gradiente Scarf)

Terri/holity’s Wurm in Knitcircus Cabaret

Varia by Alexandra Tinsley

Please comment with your gradient pattern suggestions and projects, and don’t forget to check out the Pinterest board for this post.

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Lisa