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!