Which Way Do I Go? Working with Specially Dyed Yarns

Gradient-dyed yarns are a wonderful way to make a simple piece exciting.

The yarn skein/cake has a definite progression of color from one end to the other. By changing which end you start with, you can create a piece with very different character.

This is my Scenic Drive Shawl worked in Knit Circus Trampoline using the Impressionist Gradient “Country Roads.”  These two pieces are the same yarn and the same pattern – but have a completely different look.  On the top is the piece I called “Meadow & Stream” and on the bottom is the one called “Mountain & Trees.”

The typical way to use a gradient set is to show the progression from light-to-dark (or vice versa). But, it can also be “broken” and used out of order.

My Sunny Honey Infinity uses Sweet Paprika Designs Crescendo Mini Skein Set in “Sunrise.”

Instead of using the colors as packaged (1-2-3-4-5-6), I “broke” the gradient and used them 1-4-2-5-3-6.

These are both fun examples of unusual ways that you can use these yarns. Let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you!

ABOUT THE Author: MARGO BAUMAN

Artistic crafts have always been a huge part of Margo’s life. As a young child, she learned to crochet from her Grandmother. She has also spent time doing embroidery, needlepoint, sewing, craft painting, candle making, braiding, card making, origami, photography, and book folding.

While she spent some time working on crochet projects while growing up and in college while studying Engineering, she didn’t devote much time to it until the 2000s. Since then, she has crocheted MILES of yarn. She has won a considerable number of awards for her exceptional crochet work.

Margo (aka flyingflower on Ravelry) started writing crochet patterns in 2015. Her very first pattern was a Crochet Awards (aka the Flamies) Judges Nominee.

She is a member of New View Fiber Works – Home of the Fuzzy Farmers (a women’s cooperative of fiber enthusiasts in Southern Maryland), and the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA).

Margo was also part of the national juried Artists in Action 2020 at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center in Solomons, MD, utilizing their studio space to create new artwork, network with other artists, and share the creative process with visitors.

Margo spends most days living the philosophy: Eat. Sleep. Crochet. Repeat.