Add more flair to your stranded colorwork with these 3 tips

One of the biggest reasons I love colourwork sweaters is that they can make me feel like a painter. And that happens when I'm using gradient (aka Ombre) yarns.

When it comes to gradient yarns, it was love at first sight. Gradient yarns are self-striping yarns, with sections in one colour long enough to knit noticeable portions of that colour. As the name proposes, the colour changes are gradual. This means you see one colour bleed into the next versus blocks of colour. 

This yarn differs from variegated, where the sections in one colour are very short, usually enough to work only 3-5 stitches. To my taste, these always look better in skeins than when knitted up-but that could simply suggest I need to figure out how to make the best of variegated yarn.

If you're looking for a unique challenge, this yarn will keep you fixated as it takes you on an unpredictable journey to discover how the colours present. You will knit more to see more, and that's the thrill of it all! 

Here are three ways to try this, from simplest to most involved:

1. Buy ready-made gradient yarns.

My absolute favourite in this category is Spincycle yarns. Their colourways are beautiful, their colour sections are long, and the tones are so unique you can create the most striking sweaters! 

More affordable options include Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball, and Dundaga Wool from Pāces Vilnas Fabrika if you fancy a rustic feel of 100% Latvian wool. 

2. Create gradient yarn from your left-overs

I have yet to try this myself, but I know a few knitters who have created the most unique sweaters from their stash by getting a pile of leftovers that go together well and can be arranged in a gradient. If you want to try this, I recommend choosing yarns in a similar weight or held together to create uniform weight throughout. Then all that's left to do is wind up a big ball and start knitting! 

Not only will you be able to clear out your stash, but you'll also get to reminisce on all the fantastic projects you've worked on.

3. Spin your own gradient yarn

This is my favourite way, as I thoroughly enjoy transforming a hand-dyed wool top into a single-ply and then 2-ply or 3-ply yarn. It's so intriguing how it changes. I'm still a newbie spinner and can't visualise the end result when looking at the wool top or rowing; it's always a surprise. 

I bought my first wheel after a half-day spinning class at a local yarn store. For me, spinning is a form of active meditation. I often turn to it when my knitting world gets too hectic with deadlines and I need a break from it all. 

I'm very lucky to have had so many testers who share my love for gradient yarns and also chose that as the contrast colour for the Yoke Meditation Series No.1. Here are some of my favourite looks, in no particular order:

LittleLuBelle - mYak Tibetan Cloud in colourway Callicarpa & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Idle Nights

alishaledmiston - Jill Draper Makes Stuff Mohonk in colourway Dark Roast & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Deep Bump

Knutmegs - De Rerum Natura Ulysse in colourway Granit & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Sunset Strip

elenavetter - Valley Yarns Huntington in colourway 4161 Light Blue & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Levitate

Margotchien - Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Salty Dog & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Big Sky

bluedogsknits - Knit Picks High Desert Sport in colourway Riverbend & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Deep Bump

RDFunder - Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia Organic Merino in colourway 103 Anthracite & Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool in colourway Idle Nights

Brendar1974 - Primrose Yarn Co. Roan DK in colourway Static & Primrose Yarn Co. Homestead Sport in colourway Nirvana

Croallwhanau - Countrywide Yarns Mandala 8 ply in colourway 809 Green Red

Are you as inspired as I am looking through these marvels and want to jump right in and cast on a Yoke Meditation Series No1 sweater today?