Crocheting With Ombre-Infinite Possibilities

During the past year I have found myself drawn to ombre yarns as manufacturers have expanded their stytles and color choices.  I just love the way the colors blend into one another from light to dark gradients.  While I originally thought the term ombre referred to different hues of the same color, I have found that several yarns have used this blending technique with more than one shade.  Each is beautiful in its own way.

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 When I began researching for this  article, I was surprised to realize that I had actually crocheted with ombre way back in 2017 (http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheting-adventures-in-ombre). Using Red Heart Super Saver Ombre, I crocheted a toddler sweater and hat set in blue denim, a scarf with flower decorations in grey-black tones, and a toddler poncho and hat in rust-like shades. At that time, I was also creating with Lionbrand Scarfie and Sweet Roll Cakes.  Ombre yarns are fantastic to work with in crocheting mismatched fingerless  mittens.

 Most recently, I crocheted a throw with an artistic border that I donated to my local chaper of Threads of Love.

However, when I came upon Caron's Jumbo Ombre in shades of blue to blush and coral, it was true love.  I just had get my fingers into those skeins to crochet an additional throw for my charity.  The colors reminded me of Sedona in Arizona where coral cliffs stand out sharply against the bluest sky.   The Caron ombre contains about 100 more yards than its Red Heart counterpart and is somewhat softer.  After crocheting a large center square, I  extablished a pattern of two rows of off-white with 5 rows of ombre in an extended Granny Square Throw.  A single round of half-double crochet in off-white finished off the piece.  Of all the throws that  I have made, this piece was probably my favorite. Unfortunately, the color and pattern did not coordinate with my furnishings or I would have kept the throw for myself. Still, I am cheered at the thought that an individual in need of a warm hug will take joy from this special piece.

​Lion Brand Mandala Ombre is also a worsted weight.   This yarn is perfect for the shawls that I make to accessorize my wardrobe or to donate to cancer patients. Two skeins of 344 yards were sufficient to crochet a lovely draped shawl in the in the Dewdrop Shawl Pattern (http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/free-crochet-scallop-wrap).  I like to wrap the shawl and fit the ends together with a shawl pin.  While most of these skeins come in multicolored ombres, I crocheted one shawl in Harmony in denim shades and another in grey-black tones labelled Cool. Felicity includes magenta, medium pink, dusty coral pink, and elephant gray and is waiting for my hooks maybe my needles.

​Have you caught the ombre bug? Please share your experiences or  photos in the comments. I appreciate your feedback and reflections. As always I  welcome you to join me to on my stitching journey.