I have a pattern for a braid runner. Do the colors have to be shaded from dark to light (or visa versa)? Or, can I use different colors for each row? tya

the ones I made were not shaded. You can do your own thing.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-65153-1.htm

This is a link to some braided table runners I did. Hope this helps.

It doesnt matter really, its more a contrast thing. You go to all that work you want the pattern to show.