True Colors

Do you know the song True Colors by Cindy Lauper from half a lifetime ago? I was a teenager when that song hit the charts and it did take me some time before I saw the double meaning in the expression of True Colors. Still, every time I start talking about colors that song pops up in my head - and I am terribly sorry if that song all of a sudden popped up in your head right now - without really being invited in. 

Today we are going to talk about colors as in the blue, red and yellow kind of colors, the ones you actually see.

Color challenges ... or not?

One of the reappearing questions and challenges that knitters often voice to me, is about putting together colors. Some people instinctively just pick the colors and it comes out fantastic. Other people have bigger challenges picking colors, whether it is because the colors don't look good together or it is because they don't pop enough doesn't really matter. This is a skill that can be learned.

We will be talking a lot about this during the upcoming Workshop (May 21, 2023), when we will be talking about the color wheel, the harmonies, different color values and a few practical tips, as well as some practical exercises.

However here are a few pointers to get you going:

1. ALWAYS start with a color you like or even love.

Knitting with colors you don't like is very likely to diminish your knitting experience. And we don't want that, knitting is after all meant to be your comfort place.

2. Is there a special mood you want to express through this garment?

Bright vibrant colors do give completely different vibe to the soft pastels or muted color schemes.

3. Use nature as inspiration.

Look at photos and use those as starting point. Beautiful vibrant and colorful pictures from the Mediterranean or maybe some subtle schemes from the North or even som earthy warm colors from the Savannah in Africa. OR something completely different. You pick what is your fav.

4. Remember to swatch!

I personally make these long "tube swatches" just keep knitting with different yarn and colors until it get about a meter / yard long and then I start a new one. Normally I make them with around a 100 stitches and knit them in the round. You really don't have to make your swatches that wide, I do it because I love playing with yarn and colors and as it is part of my design process, I also make sure it is big enough to give me an impression of what the garment would be like .The one on the pic here is a smaller one and is around 40 stitches - also knit in the round. Remember that by making these you can actually kill two birds with one stone (horrible saying really) as these are also perfect for finding your gauge. One last thing, if you are supposed to knit the garment in the round, do the swatch in the round. 

There is one thing though, 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 playing with colors in your knitting projects.

Want to know more about picking colors for colorwork? Join the free Color Party Workshop Tuesday. CLICK HERE to sign up and I'll see you there. 

Colorful knitting vibes from,

Anne