How to Create a 7-Stage Gradient

By now, it's obvious I'm a fan of ombres and gradients in all their forms, but there's something particularly appealing about seven-stage gradients, the next topic in our ongoing series.

Recently, I mentioned an easy way to adapt a six-stage gradient to create a seven-color version. Today, we're focusing on a different approach, but it works equally well.

6. Seven-stage gradient: Colsie Green Gradient Mitts

Yarn. Cotton Fleece (Brown Sheep)

Stitch. This fast, easy slipped rib stitch is stretchy, reversible and does a respectable job of blending colors.

Strategy.  Solid sections are connected by transitional sections with two-row stripes. To achieve a similar look:

• Choose four related colors. 
• Arrange them dark to light or light to dark.
• Work section 1 with CC1.
• Work section 2 with CC1 and CC2.
• Work section 3 with CC2.
• Work section 4 with CC2 and CC3.
• Work section 5 with CC3.
• Work section 6 with CC3 and CC4.
• Work section 7 with CC4.

In this instance, the colors were worked as follows:

• Section 1: New Age Teal
• Section 2: New Age Teal and Sage
• Section 3: Sage
• Section 4: Sage and Light Jade
• Section 5: Jade
• Section 6: Jade and Rue
• Section 7: Rue

Seven-stage gradients work with any color combination, and because they're infinitely adaptable, they hold universal appeal. As a bonus, adding a fifth color makes it easy to expand this seven-stage gradient into a nine-stage version.

Uncertain where to start? Try creating a neutral ombre using four shades of grey ranging from deep charcoal to light silver, or four earthy tones ranging from dark brown to light sand. Or try a vivid scheme using saturated shades of fuchsia, purple, turquoise and lime.

Small, quick projects like these mitts, which feature leftovers generated by a steady stream of projects worked in shades of green, are an effective way to transform remnants and random skeins into something fun and functional. I'm off to tackle more examples for the next round of ombre and gradient how-to posts, and hopefully make some headway on the way-too-many WIPs on the needles.

Meanwhile, I hope you'll choose four colors that speak to you, cast on something simple and experiment with the rich possibilities of seven-stage gradients. And if you do, be sure to come back and tell us about it.

To see all ombre and gradient posts, click here.

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