Once one understands the basics of color theory, one can use it to plan the colors used (the palette) in a knitting project. Intarsia, Fair Isle, mosaic, stripes, and even a solid color with a contrasting border all require the knitter to choose colors that not only look good but that go together well. Here are some tips for how to choose and use good colors in a knitting project.
Using the Color Wheel for Color Choice
A color wheel illustrates how colors relate to each other and helps the knitter make good color combinations in a project. The basic colors (hues) of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet can be mixed, and their value can be changed by lightening or darkening them (changing their value) to create infinite color possibilities.
Playing with the color wheel and different combinations of color can give the knitter ideas about color choice. Complementary colors, colors that are across the color wheel from each other, will make each other stand out, while analogous colors, those that are next to each other on the color wheel, will flow into each other and create a more muted effect.
Using Value in Color Variation
A monochromatic color scheme uses colors that are all the same hue but are of a different value. For example, a bright red may be combined with a light pink and a dark vermillion to create a palette with subtle variations that flow well together. The same color combination will look different if the colors are of a different value. For example, red-yellow-blue with a dark value are jewel tones, while the same colors with a light value are pastels.
Warm Colors Advance and Cool Colors Recede
The warm colors of red, yellow, and orange tend to advance and stand out from the colors around them. The cool colors of blue, violet, and green tend to recede into the background, particularly when paired with warm colors, and can have a calming effect.
Value and undertone can also affect how a color will advance and recede. A color with a lighter value will tend to advance more than a darker value. For example, if the knitter wants the blue to stand out against the red, choose a lighter blue and a darker red and the blue will visually pop. An undertone of a warm color will also make a color advance, and a cool undertone will make it recede. For example, a yellow-red (warm undertone) will advance more while a violet-red (cool undertone) will recede.
Mixing Yarns for Color Variation
Although yarn cannot be mixed the way paint can, a knitter can use optical color mixing to create a new color out of separate yarns. Knit with two or more threads at once and the eye will mix the colors by itself. For example, from a distance a pale blue yarn and a pink yarn knit together will look like lavender, but will have more color depth and variation than just a lavender yarn.
If two colors may be difficult to use together, try using a neutral or a color that falls between them on the color wheel to blend the two extremes together.
Ombre and striped yarns are already multi-colored, but even they can be paired with other yarns for a new color effect. Double this yarn with a solid in a color found in the multi-color to make the other colors pop.
Proportion is also important, particularly in intarsia and Fair Isle where the colors will be used in unequal amounts. Remember the one-third rule: use the accent color for one-third of the project, and the main color for two-thirds. If using three colors, use one-third of one-third for the second accent color. The less the knitter uses of a color the more the color will stand out in the project.
Some Final Tips for Color Selection
If the knitter isn’t sure how colors will work together, she might try using a kaleidoscope or just standing far away from the color combinations to see how they blend. And pay attention to attractive color combinations in artwork, outfits, and other places in order to get ideas for knitting palettes.
Source:
- Levin, Susan. ColorSense: Creative Color Combinations for Crafters. New York: Sixth & Spring Books, 2008.
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