Discovering Your True Colors in Knitting

Do you know the song "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper? It takes me back to my teenage years when it first hit the charts. That song always pops into my head whenever I start talking about colors. I hope it does(n’t) get stuck in your head now too!

Today, let's chat about colors—the kind you can see, like blue, red, and yellow.

Color Challenges... or Not?
One common challenge knitters face is putting together colors. Some people have a natural instinct for it, while others find it more difficult. Whether the colors clash or they don't stand out enough, it's a skill that can be learned. We'll be diving deep into this during our upcoming Workshop on May 22, 2024. We'll cover the color wheel, harmonies, different color values, practical tips, and some hands-on exercises. In fact everyone who has signed up has already got some pre-workshop exercises.

If you are one of those who struggle with colors and putting them together in your knits, here are a few pointers to get you started:

1. Start with a Color You Love: Always begin with a color you like or even love. Knitting with colors you don’t like can diminish your knitting experience, and we definitely don’t want that! Knitting should be your comfort place.

2. Express a Mood: Think about the mood you want to express through your garment. Bright, vibrant colors create a completely different vibe compared to soft pastels or muted color schemes.

3. Use Nature as Inspiration: Look at photos of nature for inspiration. You might choose vibrant and colorful pictures from the Mediterranean, subtle schemes from the North, or earthy, warm colors from the Savannah. Pick what resonates with you.

4. Remember to Swatch: I love making long "tube swatches"—just keep knitting with different yarns and colors until it gets about a meter/yard long, then start a new one. I usually use around 100 stitches and knit in the round. You don’t have to make them that wide; I do it because it's part of my design process. Swatches give a good impression of what the garment will look like. If you plan to knit the garment in the round, remember to do the swatch in the round too.

Embrace the Creative Process
Remember, there are no strict rules when it comes to color selection in knitting. It's a creative process, and experimentation can lead to exciting and unique results. Trust your instincts, explore different combinations, and have fun with your knitting projects.

Want to dive deeper into picking colors for colorwork? Join our free Color Party Workshop on Wednesday. CLICK HERE and I'll see you there.

Colorful knitting vibes from,

Anne, xx

PS: If you're ready for a new challenge, the Eternity Shawl is all about COLORS. Click here to read more!