Knitting patterns for multi-color, variegated, ombre, and self-striping yarn. Updated 5/14/23
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Free Patterns
Double-Faced Skirt
Reversible mini skirt with an 8 round repeat texture is very easy to make according to the designer, and you can adjust it to suit your body. Sizes XS - S - M - L - XL - 2XL. Both the width of the waistband, and the length of the skirt can be easily altered. DK weight yarn. Designed by Wiam's Crafts. Web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version
- Buy the PDF knitting pattern at Etsy
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Mandala yarn
- See more Skirt Knitting Patterns
Sand & Sky Tank
Sleeveless tank top designed for self-striping sock yarn with stripes of 2 colorways. Sizes Bust: 31 (35½, 39, 43, 46¾, 51, 54¾, 59, 63)”. Designed by Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock yarn at Amazon
- See more Tank Top Knitting Patterns
Easy Julienne Cardigan
Knit flat in one piece with garter stitch and no picking up stitches! Sizes S to XXL. Suitable for beginners according to designer. Designed by Bergere de France. Available in English, French, and Dutch.
Berries Blast Beanie
Cathy Payson designed this stylish beanie with cable band for Red Heart Yarn. Super Bulky weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See a free tutorial on picking up stitches
- See more Beanie Knitting Patterns
Pincha Shawl
Crescent asymmetric scarf or shawl with feather shapes created with short rows. Uses only one skein of any sock yarn. Perfect for variegated yarn. Designed by Pinpilan Wangsai for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
- See more One Skein Shawl Knitting Patterns
Cowl Neck Slouchy Sweater
I love cowl necks! Cathy Payson’s sweater knits up quickly in broken rib pattern with Red Heart’s bulky Medley yarn. Stitches are picked up from the neckline to knit the cowl. Red Heart sent me a free sample of the bulky Medley yarn used for this hat. Although I haven’t had a chance to knit with it yet, it’s very soft and the colors are striking.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See a free tutorial on picking up stitches
- See more Top Knitting Patterns
Flutterwheel Poncho
Berroco designed this split cowl neck poncho that is knit in two pieces.
Slip Stitch Beret
Easier than it looks! Lisa Gentry designed this easy beret for Caron. Mixing multi-color yarn and solid color yarn with an easy slipped stitch colorwork pattern gives a look like complicated stranded colorwork. Three sizes.
WesterWaldWaves Scarf
kaeidschie’s lace scarf combines two feather and fan lace patterns to showcase the colors of variegated yarn.
La Riviera Shawl with Brioche Border
This design by Elaine Phillips uses a solid color brioche stitch to set off the gradient colors of the yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Colorful Shawl Knitting Patterns
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
Swirled Ski Hat
Designed by Caps for Kids, this cap comes in 2 sizes. Knit flat from side to side, increases on one side and decreases on the other turn vertical stripes into swirls when the cap is seamed. Pictured project by Scsteinberg
Sugar Stick Infinity Scarf
Kristine Byrnes designed this scarf with a modified sugar stick rib that is easy to memorize and showcases that special hand-painted yarn.
Basketweave Lace Shawlette
Riin Gill designed this pattern that’s easy to memorize and knit while watching TV. Full size shawl version also available. One skein of the recommended yarn is enough for the shawlette. Two skeins for the shawl.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy – lots of stunning colorways!
- See more Easy Shawl Knitting Patterns
Chrysantheme Shawl
Sabine Naumann designed this double knit shawl with floral pattern.
Be Kind Hat
Multi-color yarn adds interest to this easy gender neutral 3 by 2 ribbed beanie designed by Melissa Simpson. You might want to try a tubular cast on to keep the bottom stretchy.
More Free Patterns
Favorite Scarf Ever
Lisa Bruce designed this chevron lace specifically to show off variegated yarn.
Honey Cowl
Antonia Shankland designed this slip stitch cowl that looks beautiful in this multi-color yarn project by knittedblissJC
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the yarn used in the pictured project
- See more Cowl Knitting Patterns
Stripes and Short Rows Scarf
Colorful boomerang shaped scarf made by using variegated yarn and short row shaping.
- Get the free knitting pattern for free registration at Annie’s
- Get a video tutorial for this and 2 other free patterns for $3.99 (not necessary to get the free pattern)
- See more Colorful Scarf Knitting Patterns
Cordillera Scarf
Knitting and So On created this scarf that is knit completely in garter stitch with an intarsia zigzag pattern.
Autumn Leaves or Tulip Lace Throw
Use fall colors to create a blanket of autumn leaves, pastel colors for a field of tulips, or greens for summer foliage. Comes in two sizes 40″ x 50″ or 48″ x 60″.
Metalouse Shawl
This free pattern is designed by the amazing Stephen West for Knitty.com. It is knit top down in corrugated rib and slip stitch colorwork.
Chickadee Cowl
Linen stitch gives this design by Kristen Kapur a woven fabric look. Pictured project by ericamay
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Cowl Knitting Patterns
- Get the yarn used in ericamay’s project (pictured)
Dentado Scarf
Lisa R. Myers designed this sophisticated scarf with two ombre yarns in a chevron lace pattern.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- See more Colorful Scarf Yarn Knitting Patterns
Scalloped Fingerless Gloves
These lace wristwarmers are knit flat and seamed. Though I’m not fond of the sample colorway, I think this would look great in ombre yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern for free registration at Annie’s
- Get a video tutorial for this and 2 other free patterns for $3.99 (not necessary to get the free pattern)
- See more Wrist Warmer Knitting Patterns
Esquina Cowl
Lisa R. Myers designed this mitered cowl to avoid striping or pooling of multiculor yarn. Features eyelet lace for interest. Made for multi-colored yarn!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more Multi-Colored Yarn Knitting Patterns
- See more Mitered Knitting Patterns
Textured Baby Throw
The combination of eyelet lace and ombre or self-striping yarn brighten this baby blanket by Plymouth Yarn.
Vertigo Hat
Kerstin Michler designed this garter stitch multi-directional beanie that showcases variegated or self-striping yarn. Pictured project by YowlYY
Exploring Stripes Bag
Holly Webb designed this multi-color beaded bag that is 14.5″ around and 7.25″ tall
Lace Edge Garter Stitch Shawl
Michael Del Vecchio designed this easy shawl for Universal Yarns that has a garter stitch body and a lace edging that is knit on.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- See more Easy Shawl Knitting Patterns
Brioche in Montreaux
This reversible cowl by Knitting And So is knit with three cabling strands.
Thinking of You Bolero
Knit a rectangle in Indian Cross Stitch and seam to get this stunning shrug by DROPS Design. Size: S – M/L – XL – XXL – XXXL
Patterns for Purchase
Spirited Boot Toppers
Boot cuffs with stylish lace tops in 3 different lengths and 7 leg sizes. Great with multi-color yarn! Uses one skein or less of fingering weight yarn. Designed by Faye Kennington for UkeeKnits
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Mechita yarn at Amazon
- See more Boot Cuff Knitting Patterns
Bias Stripe Afghan
This stunning throw is knit in strips with contrasting diagonal stripes and multi-color yarn and then seamed. Designed by Karen King Garlinghouse for Noro. One of the patterns in Knit Blankets: 25 Colorful & Cozy Throws
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern
- See more pics of patterns and get Knit Blankets: 25 Colorful & Cozy Throws on Amazon
- Get the book on Alibris
- Get the recommended Noro Kureyon yarn on Amazon
Sibilla Cardigan
Flattering cropped cardigan with short sleeves made with a simple, modular construction. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Great with multi-color yarn! XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). Designed by Amy Christoffers
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern
- See more Cropped Cardigan Knitting Patterns
- See more of Amy’s patterns in New American Knits
Channel Cowl
Dropped stitches make variegated yarn pop in this circular cowl that converts into a capelet. This is one of the patterns in Creative Knitting, Summer 2015
- See more pics and get Creative Knitting, Summer 2015 at Annie’s.
- See more of Capelet Knitting Patterns
- See a FREE video tutorial on how to do the Drop Stitch
Al Mare Pullover Sweater
Cristina T. Ghirlanda’s oversized pullover sweater features an asymmetric hemline and a lovely drape. XS (S, M, L, 1X)
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- Get more Pullover Knitting Patterns on this site
Costanza Cardigan
Cristina T. Ghirlanda’s fitted cardigan features lace sleeves and shoulders and is knit in pieces. XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X)
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the recommended yarn on Etsy
- Get more Cardigan Knitting Patterns on this site
Bella Vita Cardigan
An asymmetric hem adds edge to Cristina T. Ghirlanda’s lightweight oversized cardigan that is worked in one piece from the bottom up.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get more Short Sleeved Cardigan Knitting Patterns on this site
Latte Shawl
This unique shawl moves from a swirling vortex to gently curved stripes dotted with eyelets and ending with a lovely lace edging. The designer says it is easy to knit and provides video tutorials with the pattern. Perfect for showing off the color variations of your precious variegated or self-stripping skeins. Designed by Skeinwalker Knits. Worsted weight yarn.
Siddall Stole
Striking reversible wrap with zigzag lace designed to showcase color-change cake yarn or other gradient yarn, though it also looks great in solid colors. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Lois Young. One of the 27 patterns in Creative Knitting Graceful Lace Special (digital or print).
Roxbury Pond Shawl
This semi-circular shawl uses a short row technique that is easy for less experienced knitters too. The decorative picot edging is worked as you go. Perfect for ombre or gradient yarn. 2 sizes. Fingering weight yarn but easily adapted to heavier weight yarn. Designed by Christiane Burkhard. Pictured projects by the designer and geekgirl.
Zuzu Cowl
Lace cowl designed to mimic the look of a draped shawl. Designer says that it is easy enough for a confident beginner and many Ravelrers rated it easy. Written for 2 gaugest - worsted and sport weight yarn. Uses 150 to 220 yards of yarn. Designed by Carina Spencer who lives in Kansas City like me!
- See more pics and get the digital download knitting pattern at Loveknitting
- See more Knitting Patterns by Carina Spencer
Spiral Shell
Multi-color yarn gives this knitted shell a natural look. It is knitted flat and shaped with short rows that makes the knitting fall into a natural spiral.
