Have you ever come across a stunning knit project where the colors blend so seamlessly that you’re not sure where one ends and the next begins? If you’ve heard the terms “marling” and “fading,” you might wonder whether they are the same thing.
While these techniques are often used together to beautiful effect, they’re actually quite different. In this post we’ll break down exactly what each technique is, how they differ, and how you can use them together for an ultra-smooth transition in your next knitting project.
Table of Contents
What is Marling in Knitting?
Marling is the technique of holding two or more strands of yarn together as you knit. It can be used to create lots of different effects, often combining different colors, textures, or fiber contents.
You can marl similar shades for a tonal look or hold contrasting colors for a bold, tweedy effect. Because you’re creating a new fabric with combined strands, marling can dramatically change the look of your yarn. It’s also great for using stash leftovers!
What is Fading in Knitting?
Fading is the process of gradually transitioning from one color to another. This can be achieved with a series of single-color skeins or with clever color work or stripe placement that blends them together. It’s all about moving from Color A to Color B (and sometimes C, D, and beyond) in a smooth, artistic way.
You might see this done in popular shawl patterns, sweaters, and accessories, especially those that call for hand-dyed yarns with subtle color shifts. Variegated yarns can make the shift from one color to the next smoother, especially if the variegation involves small pops of colors. Speckled yarns make the shift from one color to the next even smoothers.
Some dyers sell sets of yarn where the skeins themselves are made to fade from one to the next in a subtle way. These are beautiful, special sets (example project below). And I also love the creativity involved in making your own fade from stash, which can result in fun and unexpected color shifts.
Fading Without Marling
Fading can be done without holding multiple strands together. Instead, you alternate between the two colors in a specific sequence (e.g., 2 rows A, 1 rows B, 1 row A, 2 rows B, etc.) to blur the lines between color changes.
This technique works best in reverse stockinette (purl side) or garter stitch. Interestingly, the “fade” often looks more subtle on the purl side of your work or in garter stitch because the purl bumps interact with the rows above and below differently. On the knit side, color changes cab be more distinct due to the structure on the smooth side of knitting.
Examples of Fading without marling
Fading With Marling for an Even Smoother Blend
Here’s where the magic happens: you can combine marling and fading for an ultra-smooth transition. Think of it like a Venn diagram, and these two techniques overlap beautifully.
Marling allows for lots of playing around with color. There are two main Marling/Fading combination techniques:
Begin by marling Color A with Color B, then shift to only color B, and repeat the process for each color change. This method gives a dreamy, watercolor-like gradient.
Using Marling to Change from One Color to Another
Examples of using marling to change from one color to another
Based on my project history, this is my favorite technique. I started doing it even before it was cool!
Marling with one Consistent color and One Changing Color
Holding one strand consistently and fading with the other strand using the fading technique above can further blur the transition. If the consistent strand has a halo (like mohair or suri alpaca) then the transition will appear even more blurred.
Quick Comparison: Marling vs. Fading
| Feature | Marling | Fading |
| Number of strands | 2 or more held together | Typically 1 strand |
| Effect | Blended texture or color effect | Smooth color transition |
| Common technique | Holding yarns together | Alternating colors |
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Use?
Marling and fading are both beautiful ways to play with color in your knitting. They are not the same, but they are better together. Whether you want high-contrast transitions or a soft shift that feels like a color story unfolding, understanding these techniques will help you choose (or combine!) the right one for your project (or stash).
Ready to try marling? Check out my complete guide to marling in knitting.
