Colour Inspiration

My new Blue Face Leicester, 4ply wool was customer dyed by Becky King. I love the gorgeous, jewel colours and can't wait to start knitting with them.

Becky is a joy to work with. Having only two photos to work with she's done an amazing job. I can't tell you the technical side of things but our inspiration for the colour combinations came from Design Seeds. The first is refreshing hues.

The second is tropical birds.

My photos don't do justice to the colours but it's murky and wet outside. Just the right weather to get out my pins and decide what to make with them.

Thanks Becky!

Something blue

and pink and purple, red , yellow and green

or how to add something new to something blue.

My plain blue coasters have been in the back of my shop of too long. They needed a refresh and a remodel. I've added a pink, double crochet border and simple lazy daisy flowers with a few French knots.

 

I think they look so much better. They're back in the shop today.

The colours were influenced by Design Seeds pink flora.

Layered flower

I wanted a multilayered flower and had tweaked the base most of yesterday. I decided to scrap the idea and went for a water lily theme. It rests on blue which takes the heat out of the coral and yellow. The white looks brilliant white but it's there to make the other colours pop.

The cotton is Rico Essentials with a 3mm hook.

I would have loved to have created the sharpness of the lilies in my garden pond but there's only so much you can do in a three round crochet pattern.

Instead of structure I've gone for the tones in another of Design Seeds palettes.

Inspiration

I've decided to keep a record of my work. You won't see the finished projects just yet but this is my way of remembering colours, yarn and hook size. No matter how many notes and patterns I write it's always an image that sparks my memory.

I love these bright colours from Lion Brand. They are called Bonbons. At just 10g each they're perfect for small projects.

The colour combination was inspired by Design Seeds

Falling back into place

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. No excuses except that spring, summer and now autumn have all seemed to have merged into one. The weeks have gone by without any change. With the wind whipping up a storm, now seems an appropriate time to look at those autumn colours.

This season's new stock is in the shops. I have my eye on a lovely blue coat that I might just treat myself to this week. As usual Pantone has waxed lyrical about the new shades which it has called The Magic of Colour.


'From love potions and the magical hour of sunset to witches and warlocks, fantasy and illusion are inspiring designers this fall season.
With an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals, they cleverly manipulate reality to transport consumers to an enchanting place, free from the stresses of everyday life.'

That makes for better reading that any shade of grey!

I hope you Etsy sellers out there are changing your colour tags. I changed last season's Pink Cabaret tag to Pink Flambe and my scarf sold within a week. It really does help.

I've put together a taster of some the gorgeous pieces from Etsy to brighten up those winter days. Whether you're into darks, neutrals or brights, there's something for everyone here.

'Pantone Colours Fall 2012' by Baban

A preview of this season's colours

Pheasant Bodice, ha... InnerWild $99.00	Minimalist Rhapsody... SandMwatch $33.00	Purple Scarf / Rhap... DottieQ $31.50	LA BOHEME Gray Purs... ikabags $89.00
antique beaded purs... LeMollusque $128.00	Chartreuse crochet ... DirtyLush $23.00	FRENCH ROAST OOAK a... eraberashop $90.00	Chartreuse Neon Gre... DeesByDesign $43.50
Dark Ultramarine Gr... TipToeThirty $11.00	Upcycled Linien Dre... EkoLuka $78.00	1980s dress / vinta... RustBeltThread... $32.00	Leather bracelet in... TheCraftyblack... $14.00
French Roast Brown ... necklush $42.00	Honey Gold and Fren... FirstLightGlas... $19.50	Ultramarine Neckwar... smittenkitteno... $45.00	Fingerless Gloves H... handknittedthi... $25.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Colours

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will know that last year I ran a series on Pantone colours. I've delayed doing a series on the spring/summer 2012 colours. In the meantime I've been adding to my Pinterest board and it's become quite an obsession. Take a look!

These amazing colour palettes come from Design Seeds. This truly beautiful site makes it possible to search by colour or by theme. It's invaluable for putting together mood boards. I've found it to be too user friendly and quite addictive. Far too easy to flip through boards and pin away. Design Seeds has drawn me in for hours while I go 'Oooh, aaaah!!!' Needless to say I'm hooked.

I'm trying new ways of putting my limited number of organic cotton shades together. Design Seeds has been a real find. Here are some of my favourites.

Have a great weekend!