While perusing a recent issue of Vogue Knitting magazine, I came across an article describing the fade technique. This technique involves blending various colors of yarn together by simply striping them in to one another. It’s a great “stash busting” technique for all of those random yarns acquired without a project in mind, which I realized was a good portion of my own stash. I was sold! I quickly consulted my stash and got to work on the shawl.
Fantastic Fade is a very simple triangle shawl worked from one long end to the other. If you can do the garter stitch and some simple increases and decreases, you can make this shawl! I chose garter stitch in order to keep things simple and really let the colors of the yarn shine through. Speaking of colors, I used five different colors of fingering weight yarn.
Each of the yarns in my shawl were collected from different places over time. They each have their own memory, which made for a fun and reflective knitting process.
- The solid blue and light blue multi-colored yarns on the left end are by Undercover Otter. I purchased them while on my honeymoon because priorities (sorry hubs, LOL). They are from a destination yarn shop in Amsterdam called Stephen and Penelope, which is partially owned by famous funky knit designer, Stephen West!
- The mint green yarn in the center was purchased from an alpaca farm called Aragon Alpacas. My husband and I stumbled upon this farm in Eugene, Oregon during a road trip. We got to say hello to the alpacas and purchase yarn made directly from their wool. This yarn was extra fuzzy, which added some fun texture to the shawl.
- The pink multi-colored yarn is by Junkyarn. This dyer makes colors inspired by women in hopes of empowering all makers. I found this yarn at a booth at Vogue Knitting Live in San Francisco. I was immediately drawn to the peachy pinks and pops of vibrant turquoise. Absolutely STUNNING!
- The lavender color on the far right end is by Earl Grey Fiber Company and was purchased from a local yarn store during the Sonoma County Yarn Hop. Sonoma County has several fabulous yarn shops and I visited all of them in one day!
So many great memories knitted in to one project! This shawl will forever be near and dear to my heart.
Okay, that was a long intro. Let’s cut the sentiments get to the pattern! Note that skills required are to be able to knit the garter stitch, knit front and back in one stitch to increase, knit two stitches together to decrease, and change yarn colors.
Materials
- Size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles – mine were 24 inches long
- 5 colors of fingering weight yarn – see more details on the yarns I used in description above. I used approximately 150-175 yards from each skein.
- Color A – Lavender
- Color B – Pink mult-colored
- Color C – Mint green
- Color D – Light blue multi-colored
- Color E – Solid blue
Abbreviations
- K = Knit
- St = Stitch(es)
- Sl1 = Slip one stitch
- KFB = Knit front and back in one stitch (to increase)
- K2tog = Knit two stitches together (to decrease)
Instructions
Begin Increase
Cast on 3 st with Color A
Row 1: K across (3)
Row 2: Sl1, KFB, K1 (4)
Row 3: K across (4)
Row 4: Sl1, K across (4)
Row 5: K across (4)
Row 6: Sl1, K until 2 st remain, KFB, K1 (5)
Row 7: K across (5)
Row 8: Sl1, K across (5)
Row 9: K across (5)
Repeat rows 6-9 until you have 37 st on the needles, ending with row 9.
Fade from Color A to B
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 once (38)
Switch to color A
Repeat rows 6-9 three times (41)
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 two times (43)
Switch to color A
Repeat rows 6-9 two times (45)
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 three times (48)
Switch A
Repeat rows 6-9 once (49)
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 until you have 70 st on the needles, ending with row 9.
Fade from Color B to C
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 6-9 once (71)
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 three times (74)
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 6-9 two times (76)
Switch to color B
Repeat rows 6-9 two times (78)
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 6-9 three times (81)
Switch B
Repeat rows 6-9 once (82)
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 6-9 until you have 89 st on the needles, ending with row 9.
Begin Decrease
Row 1: (continuing with Color C) S1, K until 3 st remain, K2tog, K1 (88)
Row 2: K across (88)
Row 3: Sl1, K across (88)
Row 4: K across (88)
Repeat rows 1-4 until 83 st remain on the needles, ending with row 4.
Fade from Color C to D
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 once (82)
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 1-4 three times (79)
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 two times (77)
Switch to color C
Repeat rows 1-4 two times (75)
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 three times (72)
Switch C
Repeat rows 1-4 once (71)
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 until you have 51 st on the needles, ending with row 4.
Fade from Color D to E
Switch to color E
Repeat rows 1-4 once (50)
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 three times (47)
Switch to color E
Repeat rows 1-4 two times (45)
Switch to color D
Repeat rows 1-4 two times (43)
Switch to color E
Repeat rows 1-4 three times (40)
Switch D
Repeat rows 1-4 once (39)
Switch to color E
Repeat rows 1-4 until you have 51 st on the needles, ending with row 4.
Finishing
Sl1, K2tog, K1 (3)
K across (3)
Cast off. Weave in ends.
Wave your shawl in the air cause baby, you are DONE! Go out and make some memories in your new shawl.
I would love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @darsi_stitches and share this pattern with your friends and followers.
What I’m wearing:
- Black crew neck tee – thrifted, but here is a similar one from Target
- Belt – Jean Belt by Universal Thread at Target
- Jeans – Demi-boot jeans by Madewell
- Bag: Kate Spade New York
Please note that I am in no way, shape, or form a *professional* pattern writer or designer. I simply write my patterns in a way that works best for me and share them with all of you. Please leave a comment or send me a message if you have ANY questions or feedback (positive or negative). I am always trying to improve!
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