We first saw it in a new way to dye your hair. Then we saw it on fashionistas fingernails. Now it is taking the knitting world by storm. What is it we are talking about? OMBRE, OMBRE, EVERYWHERE! This gradient effect is easily created by pairing like shades that transition smoothly. When picking yarn, stick with those in the same tonal family – pastels, brights, jewel tones, neutrals, etc. Our favorite yarn for creating ombre projects is Cascade 220 Superwash because of the huge variety of colors.

Another great yarn that easily pairs for creating an ombre effect is Blue Sky Alpacas! The solid colorways, soft fiber, and similar tones make this yarn perfect for ombre projects, especially blankets. Ombre Alpaca Blanket by Joelle Hoverson is knit in Sportweight and would be perfect to snuggle up with this time of year. As the designer noted, “This blanket is knit with two strands of two different colors held together. The stitch pattern gives the resulting fabric a lot of depth without being too dense.” Not the best at picking colors for a blanket? Let our Dream in Color Pathways Blanket Kit do the work for you! Dream in Color has expertly picked coordinating colors – no guess work!

Ombre cowls and shawls look fantastic! The multitude of colors make them easy to wear with many different outfits. The super simple Ombre Cowl could be knit up in a day or two and for the more knitterly, there’s the ever-popular Aranami Shawl! If you really want to make the ultimate ombre cowl, Gradient by Shibui Knits is spectacular..mostly because it is knit in Silk Cloud! Talk about a dreamy soft cowl! Shibui describes it perfectly, “Three strands of Silk Cloud are held together, with one strand periodically changing to a new color to create a soft transition from one color to the next, and back again.”

For the crocheters, ombre works beautifully in so many patterns! Set of Ombre Coasters by Marinke Slump work up so quickly and would make a nice gift. The contrast round adds a nice accent and did you notice it is a subtle ombre? All you need to complete this project is a 4 mm hook, darning needle, and any cotton yarn in coordinating colors. Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Cotton in Gardenia, Birch, Pink, and Glacier would be lovely!

The last pattern we will share is Ombre Basket by Elizabeth Trantham as it would make a great project basket. Who wouldn’t want this beautiful basket sitting next to their favorite knitting spot filled with WIPs? Well, hopefully those WIPs become FOs but let’s be real, we all have way to many “I’m-going-to-finish-that projects!” To have an Ombre Basket of your own, all you need is an 8 mm hook and either a worsted weight (Dream in Color Calm in Crying Dove, Tokyo Creme, Blue Sage, Malibu Blue B, and Prince William or Angel, Shy A, Island, and Herbal) held 4 together or a super bulky weight (neutrals from Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky) held 2 together.

Whether you choose to add a little ombre to your life in a knitting project or your hair color, you will not be disappointed! It’s an eye-catching technique and can be created using a variety of color families. You could even choose your favorite variegated yarn and pull the colors used to dye that skein as your ombre. Think Three Irish Girls Mini Skein Bundles. Anyway you choose, from neutrals to rainbow, have fun!