Finding Color Inspiration For Loom Knitters!

Hello loom knitters and welcome to our color series! This is topic 6, Color Inspiration.

Color is everywhere...it affects our mood, inspires us and makes us feel more creative!

I'm sad to say this is the 6th, and last in a series of blog posts and accompanying videos, pictures/charts discussing different methods of using color in your loom knitting. I've had so much fun writing about this topic and hope you have found these posts helpful. This post is about finding color inspiration.

The series will include

(the current topic is highlighted below)

• Topic 1: Beginners! Simple Colorwork on the loom including, self-striping, variegated yarn, stripes and color changes, vertical and horizontal colorwork (post link)
• Topic 2:  How to fix the jog when knitting stripes!
• Topic 3:  Fair Isle loom knitting
• Topic 4:  Intarsia on the loom
• Topic 5:  Mosaic & Slip Stitch Loom Knitting
• Topic 6:  Finding color inspiration
• All the topics will include pictures/video links, charts where applicable.

Do you wonder why some designers knits look so good and have that instant "wow" factor? 

Besides all the attention to detail, it may just be their color choices. Most designers study color or have a "natural eye" for how colors compliment or contrast each other.

Do you feel that you struggle with choosing colors?

Have no fear, there are ways to cheat if you don't have a "natural eye" for combining colors. You can use the color wheel, explained below, find color inspiration in your environment or look for color boards on sites like Google or Pinterest.

The color wheel explained!

Finding complementary colors

choose a color on the wheel and draw a straight line across from it and that is the colors complement. If you choose the colors next to the complement you will get a more subtle look. This combination can be quite dramatic like white and black. 

Finding Analogeous Colors

These colors are found by choosing a color and then selecting the colors on either side of that color. These colors create monochrematic looks.

Finding triad Colors

Find a color on the color wheel then draw a triangle to find that colors secondary colors. Colors must be equally spaced so there are only 4 combinations. This creates a vibrant look to your color scheme.

Note:  If this seems like a lot to remember than you can buy a color wheel like the one I use and it does all the work for you just by dialing the wheel, so easy!

Front of wheel

Back of wheel

Finding color inspiration in your environment!

Have you seen a bouquet of flowers that you just love? It's probably because the colors blend perfectly to your eye. Maybe it's a subtle blend or vibrant contrast, either way it appeals to you. Take a picture of it and find yarn in those colors. This method works for almost anything. Before painting a room, I find fabric I love, cut a swatch and pick my paint colors from that swatch. Since I already know I like the color combination, I don't worry about liking it within my room. 

Choosing color combinations from objects and pictures you already love, pretty much insures success!

Subtle natural color combinations

Vibrant color combinations

Monochromatic colors

Is there a board above that you are particularly attracted to, then you can use that as a start for choosing color combinations for your next project. Or, better yet, make your own boards using free picture editing software. These are fun to make. How cool would it be to make a blanket using the colors from your travel photos?

Another trick, use a color board found online or make your own!

Pinterest and Google are loaded with these. Use the search term "color palettes" and you'll find beautiful images and colors selected from those images.

Below are examples that I made up from pictures I love. On the left is the picture and on the right are 3 colors chosen from that picture using an eyedropper tool within my photo editing software. This is an easy and fast way to create color combinations that work together!

Isn't it amazing how the colors just work together? When objects and landscapes are visually appealing then their color combinations are also. This is where the saying "pretty as a picture" must come from!

OK, it's time to bring this color series to its' conclusion. Thank you so much for following along with me. I hope you have learned a lot about working with color in your loom knitting and beyond. Have a great day!