Looking at all the daring color combinations put together by crochet experts, you probably wonder where they get their flair. But in fact there are some surefire ways of getting brilliant results with your color choices.
With our tips, you'll be able to create beautiful new color combinations like an expert. Just read on to add a dash of color confidence to your crocheting palette.
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1. Color wheel
Every color under the spectrum has its particular place on the color wheel. Using this wheel will be the key to your color selections. There are loads of examples of color wheels online, some of them very complicated. All you need is a nice, basic clear wheel, like this one:
Every color under the spectrum has its particular place on the color wheel. Using this wheel will be the key to your color selections. There are loads of examples of color wheels online, some of them very complicated. All you need is a nice, basic clear wheel, like this one:
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2. Analogous colors
Looking at your color wheel, pick the darkest blue. Next to it are a violet and, on the other side, a mid-blue. These are three colors that work together beautifully. Now work your way around the wheel and you'll see that each color looks lovely with its neighbors on either side. These are analogous, or harmonious, colors. If you're struggling to find a match for a particular yarn, just look for the colors that would be either side on the color wheel - it's guaranteed to work. We often see these colors in nature:
Looking at your color wheel, pick the darkest blue. Next to it are a violet and, on the other side, a mid-blue. These are three colors that work together beautifully. Now work your way around the wheel and you'll see that each color looks lovely with its neighbors on either side. These are analogous, or harmonious, colors. If you're struggling to find a match for a particular yarn, just look for the colors that would be either side on the color wheel - it's guaranteed to work. We often see these colors in nature:
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Analogous yarn combinations make great picks for bedspreads and pillows, as they are lovely and restful:
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3. Complementary colors
If you want a color combination with a bit more zing to it, you'll love complementary colors. These are shades which are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, like green and red, violet and yellow and blue and orange. These colors really pop when put next to each other and can be uplifting to work with and to have at home:
If you want a color combination with a bit more zing to it, you'll love complementary colors. These are shades which are directly opposite each other on the color wheel, like green and red, violet and yellow and blue and orange. These colors really pop when put next to each other and can be uplifting to work with and to have at home:
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4. Split complementary colors
What if you're looking for something a bit more vibrant than an analogous combination, and yet a little less in-your-face than complementary colors? Here, the idea of split complementary colors comes in. These color combinations are a little more subtle than the complementaries and have a bit more sophistication than analogous combinations. Once you've nailed the split complementaries, in fact, people will think you are a total whiz with color combos. What's the secret? Simple. As with complementaries, choose your color, then look across the wheel to its opposite. Instead of choosing this color, pick the shades on either side. So if you're choosing green, don't go for red, but opt instead for shades of orange and pink. Select the tones within these colors that you like the best, and hey presto, a novel color combination which is beautifully harmonious and all your own work.
What if you're looking for something a bit more vibrant than an analogous combination, and yet a little less in-your-face than complementary colors? Here, the idea of split complementary colors comes in. These color combinations are a little more subtle than the complementaries and have a bit more sophistication than analogous combinations. Once you've nailed the split complementaries, in fact, people will think you are a total whiz with color combos. What's the secret? Simple. As with complementaries, choose your color, then look across the wheel to its opposite. Instead of choosing this color, pick the shades on either side. So if you're choosing green, don't go for red, but opt instead for shades of orange and pink. Select the tones within these colors that you like the best, and hey presto, a novel color combination which is beautifully harmonious and all your own work.
5. Experimentation
Color theory is all very well but in the end it's the color combinations that you like best which matter. I sometimes choose combinations by laying out the balls of yarn together so I can see how they work. I have also been known to take balls of yarn to the haberdashers so I can see how the colors play with their vast stocks. Don't be afraid to play with colors and, as always, if you don't like something, then change it and try again.
Color theory is all very well but in the end it's the color combinations that you like best which matter. I sometimes choose combinations by laying out the balls of yarn together so I can see how they work. I have also been known to take balls of yarn to the haberdashers so I can see how the colors play with their vast stocks. Don't be afraid to play with colors and, as always, if you don't like something, then change it and try again.
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