Color Variations in Cross Stitch

Color Variations is the most practical way to stitch shaded and gradient areas in cross stitch with one thread: 4000 series 60 colours, a light-to-dark transition within one colour family, 6 strands and 8 m. It gives a hand-painted look in sky, sea, flower petals, mandala and single-colour silhouette charts. This category holds the Color Variations colours for cross stitch; the full guide and colour card are on the DMC Color Variations page. For a four-colour thread see Coloris, for classic variegated DMC Variegated.

Strands, Technique and Quantity

2 strands on 14 ct aida, 1 on 16–18 ct; complete each cross one at a time for the gradient flow and start the new length from the tone where the last one ended. Combine both strands from the same end. Blunt size 24 needle, 40–45 cm lengths. An 8 m skein works about 250 stitches on 14 ct; buy the skeins for one area from the same dye lot. Wash the finished piece at 40°C, iron from the back.