Tag Archives: color combinations

Anne’s “Alpine Bloom Hat” in Torzal & Sporty.

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Anne recently finished a shop sample showing off one of our newest arrivals, Malabrigo Torzal.

“Alpine Bloom Hat” is the pattern, a Scandinavian-inspired design by Caitlin Hunter.

Anne paired Torzal with a contrasting solid shade of Ewe Ewe Sporty, a perfect companion in its gauge, washability, and fiber content. Both of these yarns are soft and smooth, made of superwash merino wool.

Anne chose Medusa and Midnight Blue, a variegated lavender and a deep navy, respectively. Caitlin Hunter’s striking flowers show up beautifully in this combination, which of course got me thinking – what other colors could you make it in?

Inspired to make an “Alpine Bloom Hat” of your own? Look for Torzal, Sporty, and other sport weight yarns here at HYS!

“An Italian Spring Shawlette” in Isager yarns.

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Here’s my most recently completed shop sample, “An Italian Spring Shawlette” in three Isager yarns held together.

I was inspired by Katherine’s “44 Lavender Lane Shawl” to blend three lace weight yarns in close but not quite matching shades. I chose the brand new and exciting Mulberry Silk, along with fuzzy Alpaca 1, and cool Trio 1.

I took a long time picking out this combination of camel, rust, and peach, and Bailey and Anne and I considered many other options along the way. In the end, the color came out just how I was hoping – a warm neutral shade that reads solid from a distance, but with a little marling up close. Simple, but interesting.

I used two balls of Mulberry Silk, one ball of Alpaca 1, and every last inch of one ball of Trio 1. After completing the third eyelet row, I knit until I was nearly out of Trio 1, then began to bind off. I ran out of Trio 1 mid-bind off, but it’s hardly noticeable – I just finished with the other two strands and called it done.

Here are some of the other trios we came up with in Mulberry Silk, Trio 1, and Alpaca 1.

I’d love to see these combinations knit up, but I’m even more excited to see what else folks come up with – using three strands makes for nearly endless color combinations! Look for these in the lace weight section here at HYS.

Yarn ideas for Andrea Mowry’s Rhinebeck showstopper, “Antipodes.”

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Every year, Andrea Mowry designs a sweater especially to wear to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in October. This year’s pattern is “Antipodes,” and our friend and teacher Nancy is offering a class here at the shop for folks who’d like to knit it with company and guidance.

“Antipodes,” photo © Andrea Mowry

“Antipodes” is a cozy crew neck pullover with interesting saddle shoulder construction, stripes, stranded colorwork, and faux center seams a la “The Weekender.” It’s worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the stripey saddle shoulders.

“Antipodes,” photo © Andrea Mowry

Once the yoke is completed, you’ll join to work the body in the round, adding colorwork waves. Then sleeves are picked up from the armhole openings and worked in the round. Each new section introduces a different technique or motif, so it should be an engaging knit.

“Antipodes,” photo © Andrea Mowry

Mowry’s sample is shown in a solid main color and a self-striping contrast color, a fun way to add lots of colors. Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball is just the thing, a marled fingering weight yarn that slowly changes from one color to the next several yards at a time.

I picked this combination to emulate Mowry’s original, mossy green Biches & Buches Le Petit Lambswool paired with blue, green, and rust Crazy Zauberball. We have so many yarns that would look great in “Antipodes” – here are some more color ideas with Le Petit Lambswool…

Cascade 220 Fingering…

Kelbourne Woolens Camper…

and Isager Merilin.

Look for these and many other yarns in the fingering weight section here at HYS!

Color crush: clover and violet.

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Knitters sometimes ask me which they should pick first: the pattern, or the yarn? There’s no right or wrong way to find your next project, of course, nor are these the only two ways. Often we are motivated by color, coming into the yarn shop picturing a particular shade, and searching the shelves for a skein that matches our mind’s eye. Here’s one such case.

Photo by @bisssett

Bailey spotted this color combination on a springtime walk with her darling dog: clover and violet. I love the range of greens and purples this photo holds, from chartreuse to kelly green, from pale lavender to deep plum.

Here are some of our favorite shades of clover and violet, with pattern ideas for each!

Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino in Clover Green and Blueberry Ice Cream

Hold these two cool cotton blends together for a marled “Sabai Top,” Susanne Müller’s ever-popular summer tank.

Knitting for Olive Pure Silk in Pea Shoots and French Anemone

We can’t get enough Knitting for Olive around here! This bold color combination would make a striking “Lakes Stripe Tee,” Ozetta’s striped saddle shoulder tee.

Harrisville Highland in Grass and Periwinkle

As you might have read last week on our blog, I’m a huge fan of Harrisville yarns. These shades highlight their complex heathered colorways, which would pair up beautifully for Andrea Gaughan’s “South Slope Vest.”

Isager Bouclé in 56 (or 12) and Sandnes Garn Sunday in 4632 (or 8236)

Fuzzy Bouclé and smooth Sunday each come in snappy shades of green and purple – I couldn’t pick one! So here are two color combinations, and two pattern ideas, too: combine these yarns for Jonna Helin’s “Lento” or Lene Holme Samsøe’s “Foundation Sweater.”

Kelbourne Woolens Scout in Moss, Lichen, Chartreuse, Natural, African Violet, and Plum

My love of quilts drew me to Katryn Seeburger’s “Heirloom Quilt Cardigan,” which is made in colorwork blocks at a DK weight gauge. Kelbourne Woolens Scout is always a good choice for colorwork garments, and this clover and violet palette has great potential for high- and low-contrast color combinations.

Handmaiden Superkid Silk in Moss and Periwinkle

I’m picturing this hand-dyed pair in stripes – how about PetiteKnit’s “Frankie Blouse”?

Isager Silk Mohair in 14, 56, 57, and 12

I’m still thinking about Margaretta’s “Floating Squares Wrap,” a showstopper in shades of pink and orange. Amy Christoffers designed this slip stitch shawl, which brings colors together in an amazing way. I imagine these purples and greens would evoke a field of violets in this stitch pattern especially!

What colors have you been infatuated with lately? Let us know in the comments, or come by the shop and we’ll help you find yarn to match!

“44 Lavender Lane Shawl” in Isager yarns.

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Meet “44 Lavender Lane Shawl,” a new design from our friend and teacher Katherine Applegate.

Katherine’s design process for this shawl began with yarn she loved, and curiosity about blending them together. She chose similar shades in three Isager yarns: Trio 1, Silk Mohair, and Alpaca 1.

Trio 1 is a crisp blend of plant fibers, Silk Mohair is gloriously fuzzy, and Alpaca 1 is drapey and soft. All together, they make a slinky fabric that’s ideal for an accessory like this one – warming but lightweight, with a bit of shimmer.

Katherine’s “44 Lavender Lane Shawl” got me thinking about other color combinations, of course – here are more ideas for blending Trio 1, Silk Mohair, and Alpaca 1!

Japansk Bomuld is another crisp lace weight yarn, a fine cotton tape that would also pair beautifully with Silk Mohair and Alpaca 1 – here are a few more color combinations to consider.

You can download Katherine’s “44 Lavender Lane Shawl” pattern for free on Ravelry. You’ll need 2 balls of Trio 1 or Japansk Bomuld, 3 balls of Silk Mohair, and 2 balls of Alpaca 1 – look for all four of these Isager yarns in our lace weight section. We can’t wait to see what yarns and colors you put together!

Malabrigo Aura Collection + Orienta shawl KAL.

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We’re delighted to have a new color palette in Malabrigo Sock, just in time for Malabrigo’s upcoming KAL!

This Malabrigo KAL features “Orienta,” by Cory Boberg, a shawl full of movement, texture, and color play. “Orienta” combines graceful shaping with engaging stitchwork, making it ideal for knitters who love seeing texture and color interact on their needles.

Because the mosaic motif relies on color contrast to shine, we recommend pairing high-contrast shades to really make the pattern pop. The shawl is shown in the colors Fulgor and Three Little Pigs, a bold mix of variegated and solid shades. We’ve paired Sock in Fulgor and Elegancia for a similar look.

Here are a few more “Orienta” color ideas, mixing Sock and Ultimate Sock!

Want to join the Malabrigo KAL, which starts on April 3? Head to their blog to sign up, and come by our shop to pick out your yarn. You’ll need 2 skeins of Sock or Ultimate Sock in your main color and 1 skein in your contrast color.

Look for Sock and other Malabrigo yarns here at HYS – we can’t wait to see your shawls take shape when the Knit-Along begins next month!

Marled “SABAI Top” in Tynn Line & Bio Balance.

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Bailey’s most recent project for the shop is a marled “SABAI Top,” knit with Sandnes Garn Tynn Line and BC Garn Bio Balance.

Susanne Müller’s “SABAI Top” was one of the most popular patterns of last summer, and we expect to see even more of them when the season comes around again. It’s a winning combination of easy-to-knit and easy-to-wear, a simple design with a few thoughtful details.

Müller’s pattern calls for a single strand of DK or light worsted weight yarn, like Sandnes Garn Line, knit at 5 stitches per inch. Bailey chose to hold two thinner strands of yarn together, not only to get just the right balance of cool plant fibers and stretchy wool, but also to bring in more color.

This juicy blend of Spicy Orange and Fuchsia comes together beautifully, making a fabric that’s more than the sum of its parts. The colors are different, but their closeness in value makes the stitches buzz, though the fabric reads more solid from a distance.

Inspired to knit a marled “SABAI Top” of your own? Here are more color ideas from Bailey and I!

Be sure to check out Bailey’s “SABAI Top” next time you’re here at the shop, the colors are even more exciting in person! You’ll find Sandnes Garn Tynn Line and BC Garn Bio Balance in the fingering weight section.

Hello, Cascade Kid Seta Hand Paints.

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Our passion for mohair is still strong – here’s a brand new yarn from Cascade, Kit Seta Hand Paints! When Anne saw these subtle, painterly colorways, she knew they’d add something special to our lace weight section, which is already bursting with lovely fuzzy yarns.

Cascade Kid Seta Hand Paints:

  • lace weight
  • variegated
  • fuzzy
  • 74% super kid mohair, 26% silk
  • 232 yds/25 g
  • gauge: 18 – 25 sts = 4″ (10 cm)
  • needle size: US 3 – 8 (3.25 – 5.0 mm)
  • hand wash cold, lay flat to dry

Cascade Kid Seta Hand Paints combines the luxurious softness of super kid mohair and silk with hand-painted color variations for a truly unique finish. This lace-weight yarn has a delicate halo and feather-light feel, introducing depth and visual interest through subtle shifts of color. Use Kid Seta Hand Paints alone for a statement piece or blend it with a solid yarn to enhance texture and bring rich dimension to any design.

We have a great many yarns that pair well with mohair, in a wide range of gauges. Pairing fingering weight yarn with mohair is especially common, it seems, so I started my color combining there. I found lovely and intriguing shades to pair with Kid Seta Hand Paints in Harrisville Designs Shetland, Isager Alpaca 2, and Kelbourne Woolens Camper.

There are a few colors in each of these variegated shades of Kid Seta Hand Paints – emphasize one by finding it in a solid yarn.

We’ve shared pattern ideas for yarn combinations like these several times over the past few years – here’s a fresh batch of patterns that would shine in these yarns!

Garments:

Accessories: 

Look for Cascade Kid Seta Hand Paints here at HYS!

Color crush: pool blue.

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Knitters sometimes ask me which they should pick first: the pattern, or the yarn? There’s no right or wrong way to find your next project, of course, nor are these the only two ways. Often we are motivated by color, coming into the yarn shop picturing a particular shade, and searching the shelves for a skein that matches our mind’s eye. Here’s one such case.

For months, Bailey’s been searching for a certain shade of blue: a little turquoise, a little cerulean, a little arctic. She calls it pool blue, and points it out when we’re ordering new yarn or restocking our favorites. I’ve learned to look for it, too, and though we’ve never quite found the perfect pool blue, we’ve come up with a lot of close shades. Perhaps it takes all of these to make pool blue, the way sunlight, movement, and depth alter the color of water.

Here are some of our favorite pool blues, with pattern ideas for each!

Harrisville Shetland in Peacock and Seagreen

With its springiness and structure, Harrisville Shetland is well suited to Andrea Mowry’s “Moon Mint,” a textured slip-stitch pullover with a plaid like pattern.

Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift in Cloud, Seabright, and Sapphire

Match up a few shades of pool blue for Gudrun Johnston’s “Riggies Cowl” & “Riggies Beanie,” two simple but clever garter stitch accessories.

Isager Soft in 10 and Silk Mohair in 66

Aegyoknit’s “busan sweater” features a large central cable, and at 16 stitches = 4″, it’s a perfect match for one of the fluffiest yarn combinations at the shop: Isager Soft and Silk Mohair.

Isager Tweed in Raw White + Silk Mohair in EO, Tvinni in 102, and Tweed in Turquoise + Silk Mohair in 66

The popular “Norma Sweater” still has our attention, a design by My Favourite Things for the Isager Archives collection last year. How about a creamy white “Norma” with pool blue colorwork stripes?

Sandnes Garn Sunday in 6315 + Hand Maiden Superkid Silk in Topaz

Hold a solid merino with a hand dyed mohair/silk for PetiteKnit’s “Oslo Hat,” a simple stockinette accessory that particularly shines in a bold bright color.

BC Garn Bio Balance in 12 + Sandnes Garn Tynn Line in 6044

Bailey is working on Susanne Müller’s “Sabai Top” using this same yarn combination in different colors, and the fabric is so soft and light. I like the idea of a marled pool blue for that pattern, the aqua and cornflower blue coming together to make a unique shade.

Julie Asselin Leizu Fingering Non Traiteé in Biarritz + Sandnes Garn Tynn Silk Mohair in 5824

Here’s another subtle marl, perfect for PetiteKnit’s “Monday Sweater.”

Malabrigo Mecha in Green Gray and Thereza

For instant gratification in pool blue, reach for bulky weight Mecha and make an“Arcade Cowl,” by Kristel Nieves.

 

What colors have you been infatuated with lately? Let us know in the comments, or come by the shop and we’ll help you find yarn to match!

New colors, show and tell: Isager Bouclé

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Isager released four new shades in their cuddly Bouclé yarn last month, a fluffy alpaca yarn with one looped ply.

Jonna Helin’s cool and casual “Lento” pullover is one of our favorite uses for Isager Bouclé, a timeless stockinette raglan knit at a big gauge for nearly instant gratification.

Kathy knit this particular “Lento”  in Anne’s class on the subject, holding Isager Bouclé with Kelbourne Woolens Camper in a high contrast color combination. In the finished sweater, the fuzzy red Bouclé is the more prominent color, to my eye, but the lighter Strawberry Heather Camper peeks through.

Here are some more high contrast color combinations in Bouclé and Camper!

Low contrast combinations will blend together more, so that the finished garment reads solid from a distance, revealing subtle color variation up close. Here are some intriguing low contrast pairs to consider…

Look for Isager Bouclé in the lace weight section here at our shop, and browse our entire fingering weight section for just the right match to make a “Lento” of your own!