No clashes in crochet – or nature

emma-varnam-garden-shawl

Colour choice can be such a difficult thing. I think we feel the need to fit within fashion. We might like reds and greens but know that currently grays and dusky tones are the most fashionable. I have long since recognised that I am attracted to bright, strong colours.

emma-varnam-garden-shawl

I like them in our house and I love them in the garden. It is these colour choices which appear in my crochet designs as well. I admire more subtle shades. I can appreciate them. But they do not make my heart sing.

emma-varnam-garden-shawl

When I am making something for myself I feel free to play with colour. In the last few weeks I have been balancing design and writing my new book and completing a few commissions. I don’t know about you but I usually have about 3 or 4 yarn projects on the go. This year my default project for the handbag is a pair of socks. I think I am now on pair number 6.

emma-varnam-garden-shawl

Then I have a few long-term knitting projects: a blanket and a jumper. It occurred to me that it might be useful to make a shawl for our summer holidays. I have dreams of sitting outside early in the morning or late at night with a cosy shawl around my shoulders. Deliberately I wanted it to have a festival vibe, and decided the best inspiration would be found in our garden.

Colour Choice

In essence, the colours I have chosen do not make sense – reds, pinks and oranges. Yes from the same side of the colour wheel, but lots of clashing tones. But there, right there is the beauty of crochet. It looks more inkeeping, more itself when there is just little hint of vintage madness.  The yarn I used was Stylecraft Special DK. This is perfect for a garment which is going to be hardwearing. The yarn stays soft even after a trip to the washing machine.

I love our bright and colourful garden. It is more cottage style haphazard than the white style of Vita Sackville West. But then I cannot do without red pelargoniums, pink roses and purple allium. If you ever feel stuck about colour choice, my best advice would be – look to nature. Find a garden, a picture or a pattern that makes your heart sing and match your yarn choice to the tones you find there. You will make something that brings a smile to your face and a song in your heart.

emma-varnam-garden-shawl

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2 thoughts on “No clashes in crochet – or nature”

  1. Reds pinks and orange together have long been colours of choice for me. I REALLY love them together. I don’t consider they clash at all. Think of flames in a fire or the bright burning sun! Wonderful stuff.

    I have another set of colours I love that are soft and pretty and gentle. They are all me and all make my soul sing. I cannot love only one thing; the world is too beautiful for that.

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