Kelly's Faded Mechita

Kelly may no longer work at Fancy Tiger, but she is still killin' it when it comes to whipping up awesome knits. We couldn't help but share this faded beauty with you! Here to tell you how she found her fade: Kelly Garrison!

Pattern: Find Your Fade Shawl by Andrea Mowry
Materials: Malabrigo Mechita in Aureo, Renaissance, Poipu, Storm, Carnival, & Lynx + 80 yds Madeline Tosh Merino Light in Oak

Fades are all the rage this year! Brilliant knitwear designer Andrea Mowry has swept the knitting community up with her latest collection of "fade" patterns, and we're in love! Her original "Find Your Fade" was released in 2016, and it still is enormously popular!

I personally fell in love with this pattern because the technique of "color melting" gave me the opportunity to experiment with colors I would normally steer away from. The effect of fading between seven colors (or more or less, as you wish!) was so enticing. Andrea encourages knitters to find courage in their color mixing... to make it their own and explore their creativity. It's also a great way to use up leftovers from your stash (you don't have ANY of those, right?) For a neutral knitter like myself, I couldn't wait to take on this adventure!

My biggest hurdle was settling on colors-- the possibilities were enormous! But when Fancy Tiger started carrying Malabrigo Mechita, I knew those unique colors absolutely had to be showcased together! The intricate dyes used in Mechita are nearly impossible to describe... there are flecks of bright hues scattered throughout each skein and they deliver such detail and nuance to this single ply, not to mention they play together so beautifully. The "fade" that bled between the color changes, along with bold sections of lace and garter stitch, proved to be the most fitting canvas for showing off such a unique yarn collection.

I truly adore the way Andrea's pattern grew from a single point into an asymmetrical triangle shawl, all the while using simple techniques and clever construction to achieve a pleasing and drapey piece. I've knit many shawls before, but this rainbow beauty has stolen my heart! Whether you prefer to stay in neutrals or you're ready to go crazy with color, you will not go wrong with finding your fade!

Hooray for Fades! To keep up with Kelly's latest creations, follow her @gypsystitchesstudio.