How To Find Color Palette Inspiration for Crochet
Have you ever been lost for inspiration? You crave to make something, but you just can’t find any inspiration? How can I find color palette inspiration for crochet? Well, I am here to tell you, look outside the box!
Sometimes, when developing ideas for new projects, the color scheme is obvious. Other times, not so much. In times when the color scheme just is not so obvious, we need a little inspiration to get us started. In this post, I am going to give you some tips and hints on how to find just the right inspiration for that next crochet project.
Before we really delve into the ideas of where to find color inspiration for that next project, lets do a quick little study on color theory.
The Color wheel and color theory
Color theory is simply a combination of art and science. Let the color wheel be your best friend! Yes, you read that right, the color wheel needs to be your best friend. Isaac Newton developed the color wheel in the 17th century. It represents the relationships between colors. Colors evoke feelings and moods. Some colors will energize us, while other colors relax us.
The Basics of Color
Several versions of the color wheel have been developed since the 17th century, but most of them are divided into 12 colors. The Primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) are pure and cannot be made from other colors. Instead, all other colors are made from these three colors. Secondary colors (orange, green, and violet) are made from combining equal amounts of the two of the primary colors. The hues of these colors are between the primary colors on the color wheel. Tertiary colors (red orange, yellow orange, blue green, etc) are formed when a primary and secondary color next to it on the color wheel are mixed together. With each mixing of colors, whether primary to primary or primary to secondary, the hues become less vivid.
Warm VS Cool Colors
Some colors, like red and yellow, bring to mind warmth, like the sun. Therefore, they are known as warm colors. Warm colors tend to make us feel energized. Other colors, like blue and green, evoke feelings of coolness like water and we call them cool colors. Cool colors are know to help us relax and bring calmness.
Complimentary and Analogues colors
Complimentary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Red and green are complimentary colors and generate contrast and pop to a piece. On the other hand, analogues colors (yellow and green) sit beside each other on the color wheel. Artists and crafters often pair them with each other. Finally, monochrome colors are colors that are different shades of the same color. They create a subtle look when paired together.
Now that I have gone over the basics of color theory, I can share some tips and tricks to picking color palettes for the next project. But first of all let me just say, color inspiration is everywhere if you just look. Nature is full of colors. Stores use color to tell us what is popular this year in the displays of their merchandise. I love to just browse through the stores looking at the displays on the endcaps, the mannequins, and in the store windows. But what does this have to do with crochet, you ask?
quesitons to ask yourself before picking colors
When deciding on a color palette for a project, ask yourself these few questions.
- Who or what is it for?
Thinking about who the item is for is a pretty simple question. Is it for a man, woman, boy or girl baby. Keep in mind their favorite colors, if you happen to know that.
- Where is the item going to be used?
- What is the surrounding color scheme?
- What effect do you want the item to have?
- How do you want to feel when you look at the item?
The last two questions are important, as color affects our moods and behaviors. Soft, cool colors help us to unwind and relax. Whereas, bright, bold colors energize us.
6 tips on How To Find Color Palette Inspiration for Crochet
Now, on to the tips and tricks for picking those beautiful colors for that project. Here are 6 tips to use to help you find that perfect color palette for your next project.
- Nature is the best place to find a color palette. God created all that is in nature, and he is the Great Creator, so of course we should look to his handiwork for the best inspirations. A garden or forest is harmonious. A beach is soothing.
- Canva Color Palette Generator (or other color palette generators). Here just simply upload a favorite phots and the took extracts colors to generate a palette.
- Browse color inspiration websites like Design Seeds
- Pinterest paint palette
- Pictures and photos from magazines
- Take a trip to the yarn store or any store for that matter.
There really is no wrong way to find the colors you want to work with. Just look around, and think outside the box.
When it comes to color, often times, less is more.
Now that we discussed color theory and where to find that needed inspiration, we need to look at how to combine the colors. When choosing the number of colors to use, try to think in odd numbers. Odd numbers of things is more appealing to the eye. I am not saying you can’t use even numbers. Many people chose two colors that compliment or contrast each other and they make up beautifully. But generally speaking, using odd number of colors is better (1,3,5,7). For example, use 5 different colors or 5 shades of the same color. Some creators and artists consider 5 to be the magic number.
When working with more colors, keep them in the same temperature, cool or warm colors. Finally, when working with lots of colors, always have a neutral anchor color like white, that helps pull it together. Also use it for borders and repeating rows. No matter how many colors you choose to work with, always choose balance.
Picking the Perfect Color palette for your project
It truly is easier than you think to find color palette inspiration for crochet. Think outside the box and look around at the beauty you see in the world around you. And remember, there is no wrong way to discover the colors you want to work with. Come back soon and see what my latest inspirations lead me to create!
