My Find Your Fade–Neapolitan, Anyone?

If you’re a knitter on Instagram then you’ve undoubtedly heard about the Find Your Fade shawl pattern that is making its rounds on a LOT of posts lately. This lacy gradient shawl was designed by Andrea Mowry (@dreareneeknits), who initiated a KAL for the project on January 1st. From then on (if not before) Find Your Fade has spread like wildfire, or like the flu, but a flu that is good for your crafty soul.

When it came time to start my Fade I was longing to work with neutrals, and I wanted to create a subtle gradient. I had tried to find yarn in my stash to use, but that was a disaster and would have resulted in a very messy-looking shawl. Fortunately a light bulb went off in my head reminding me of Quince and Co’s delicious array of easy gradient building yarns, so I skipped over to their site and decided on these colorways, below and in order from start to finish (left to right): Shell, Dogwood, Petal, Canvas, Chanterelle, Twig and Root.

These selections highlight an important realization for me: I love to wear neutrals, but they are not as fun to knit up as the bright and exciting speckles I have come to cherish. I’ve concluded that while I enjoy knitting with bright colors the most, the odd contradiction that I don’t necessarily like wearing the brights makes it a bit challenging sometimes when I’m choosing the colors for a project. Then there’s the project itself to consider: Which colors will best suit the design? For me the color-deciding process is nothing short of exhausting, but at least I know I am not alone. (Krissy, I am thinking of you!)

In the end I am very happy with my dainty, “elegant” (as my friend Maiko put it) shawl, which will coordinate with almost all the outfits (as my friend Corrie observed). Thank you to these three ladies–Krissy, Maiko and Corrie–for a fun KAL!

If you are at all interested in this project I recommend searching the FindYourFade hashtag on Instagram. There are some tremendously gorgeous Fades out there, and I have yet to see a Fade I do not like. While you’re at it, go ahead and follow Krissy @aftermidnightends, Maiko @hikozoart and Corrie @corriekingsley, whose posts never fail to inspire. And since I never drop names in this way let me go ahead and add my good friend Adriana @nanoadri, whose knitting account is equally awesome.

The picture above shows the back side of the shawl, which is my favorite side. When working garter stitch and fading colors, the results are less stripey on the reverse side, creating a smoother gradient. Next time I make this project I may weave in my ends on the right side, although that would subtract from the beauty of the shifting double decrease spine.

To see more details about my project visit my Ravelry page here. Knit on!

ABOUT AUTHOR Jamie Hoffman

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