Color Q & A

I love to participate with other bloggers in challenges/get-to-know-you/answer-the-questions types of posts. Here’s a fun one about color from Nothing But Knit. Hope you enjoy!

Feel free to answer in the comments or if you’re answering on your blog leave a link so we can all read about your opinions on color and how it pertains to your crafting.

  • What is your favorite color? How is this color reflected in your crafting?

It’s a toss-up between red and blue, although red has a slight edge, which is why I use it as the main color in my logo.

  • Do you prefer bright colors or more subdued shades?

In general, I prefer bright colors. But for me, all color has its place, and I can appreciate all different color “moods” when done well.

  • Does your color mood shift with the seasons? Do you carry one color all year and just change the accent color?

I definitely get color fatigue. So usually by the time I finish a project, I don’t immediately start another one in the same color. I think maybe my inability to be loyal to any one color is the reason I love gradient and fractal yarns so much! They allow me to avoid choosing favorites. Ha!

  • Is there a color you avoid? Or maybe it’s underrepresented in your crafting?

I don’t actively avoid any color. But I have to admit, I don’t make many things in yellow and green. I think it’s because I like to make alot of clothes, and I don’t find those two colors to be as flattering on me. But I also like to make household items like blankets, towels and wash cloths, and so in non-wearables, I tend to gravitate toward the colors that I don’t wear. I’m currently making a throw in beautiful Manos del Uruguay neon colors, and it’s awesome!

  • When you pick out your crafting supplies how important is color to you? Is it the first thing you consider or is it a bit further down the list?

All right, you got me! I am a total sucker for colorful craft (and office) supplies! I love the company Poppin because they make all these bright colored, matching office supply sets – like matching pens and pencils, pencil holders, sticky notes, notebooks, etc. And artist or craft supplies that come in colorful packaging also call my name! When I used to work in the yarn shop, I used to just look at the walls of yarn when the shop was quiet and plan different color combos in my head. And color is still the first thing I think about when shopping for yarn.

  • Do you ever consciously choose a different color palette just for the change?

I always consciously choose a color palette for every design. Up until now, I’ve released mostly single piece designs. But what I really love doing is designing collections around a theme. Currently, I am designing several patterns all with slipstitch designs, (the first pattern from this collection is the scarf pattern I published last year) and they are all very bright and colorful. I find it really fun to plan colors around a theme and have variation while still keeping a sense of cohesiveness. I could play with color palettes all day long. 🙂

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Color Palettes and an Answer

ElizabethKayBooth Unfurled
The project – Unfurled

set6
My original color palette – available in my shop

A cool palette
A cool color palette – reminds me of mountains and mountain plants on a cool hiking day

This says fall to me
This says fall to me

And another set of fall colors
And another set of fall colors

I think of a garden - cool colors everywhere with pops of color in the flowers
I think of a garden – cool colors everywhere with pops of color in the flowers

The ocean has flowers, right? This palette feels oceanic, with a pop of yellow
The ocean has flowers, right? This palette feels oceanic, with a pop of yellow

Pure celebration of the brightest flowers
Pure celebration of the brightest flowers

Christmas flowers and cozy evenings
Christmas flowers and cozy evenings

I received an interesting question on my Etsy shop which gave me pause. I say interesting because I was surprised it even needed to be asked. When I buy things, I like to be clear about exactly what I’m getting for my money. When I wrote the descriptions for the items in my shop, I tried to be mindful that other people probably feel the same way!

Regardless, someone did private message me asking whether the kits include the yarn to make the project, or if it was just for a downloadable pattern. (They do!) I’m sure most designers wish they could charge $65 per pattern, but obviously, that’s insane. Anyway, the question made me wonder how many others might wonder the same thing and just not message me.

So here are the details, plus photos of each color palette that the colorist at Colinton Australia chose, and I hope it will clear up any confusion. All of this information is also detailed in my shop, but the way Etsy is set up, you do have to scroll down – which is perhaps why people may miss it?

Each kit includes: 6 skeins of Colinton Australia Light Fingering yarn (all you need to knit the project), in the palette you choose, and the printed pattern in a sheet protector. For shipping, I will wrap it all up in tissue paper and send it in a padded envelope, Priority Mail. And for the finer details, each skein is 115 yds, 50 grams of 100% pure Australian young goat fiber. These skeins are normally over $20 per skein, so at $65, the kits are a deal.

Finally, I am curious as to who has shopped on Etsy and had bad experiences? Have you ever spent a bunch of money and not received what you expected? I haven’t had any problems up to this point, but feel free to share in the comments. And please let me know if you visit my shop and anything else isn’t clear. Since most of us on there are doing everything on our own, a little feedback is always appreciated!

Color Palettes and Other Designer Resources

I posted a really cool site my husband found awhile ago when we were working on a project which deserves another mention.

However, the other day, when I was browsing around, I found another site with a similar concept. I still love Design Seeds’ way of doing color palettes, but if you would like to learn more about other aspects of good design and even work through design exercises, this site will give you more material. Enjoy!

Design Seeds

A truly inspirational site that I am currently using for a few projects. This graphic designer found a great way to play with color and photography. There was not one page on this site that I didn’t find helpful and inspirational. Many thanks to her for providing an ongoing supply of beautiful color palettes!

Another Rabbit Hole

While browsing a bookstore last night (a favorite way of mine to take my mind off my worries), I came across a book that featured this site. I didn’t end up buying the book, but just the name ColourLovers told me it’s a site made just for the likes of me. I’m afraid it’s even more of a rabbit hole for me than Pinterest. Have fun!

Playing With Color

One of the things I’ve noticed working at a yarn shop is that many people are extremely insecure about color. Usually, they know their favorites, and then they get nervous about veering away from them. This is not to say there’s anything wrong with sticking to a certain palette if that’s what makes you happy. But for all my fellow crafters out there who are wanting to change up their colors, or to become more skilled at mixing them, this designer gives you lots of fun things to try and consider. Pull out your stash, and look at it with new vision. As a designer myself, I’m pretty experimental with color, and love playing around with it. But exercises like these do help give new perspective when creative block hits. Have fun!