In this part 4 of the Be a Color Explorer series, I teach you about complementary colors and more. We look at how to work with those multicolored skeins and bring them into harmony with other skeins in your collection. If you’ve been following along, you will have started to develop confidence in your own color sense, your own color choices and have learned to put together skeins for great shawls, sweaters and other textiles.
In this quick tip and trick of the day, I walk you though how I put together skeins that will work well together in a shawl, sweater or larger project where you want multiple skeins.
Of course if you love any of these combos, you can get them in my webstore. I also have special OOAK curated triads for sale here.
In this episode, we explore color harmonies. From monochromatic to complementary… Lisa talks about how you can use these in your textiles and also the pitfalls to avoid. Build your color confidence!
I dropped the new episode of the Flying Goat Farm Podcast. This week, I talk about how the 12 hue(color) families grow to the thousands of colors. Just think about the color chips in the paint store or the beautiful bolts of fabrics in a quilting store or the wall of yarn at your LYS or needlepoint store. All these colors excite us and give us so much pleasure to work with. I also talk about how these colors provide the interest in your handcrafted items.
I talk about this color evaluator tool to “see” the values in your work, your yarn, or your fabrics.
If you are joining me on this journey, I give you a couple of tasks to do with your collection to build your color confidence and curate your collection further.
You can listen to the podcast here OR on your preferred podcast platform such as itunes or spotify. If you would rather watch on You Tube, click here to see it.
Combo of Bright Leaves, Toasted Grapes and Burgundy
Combo of Apple Harvest, Lichen and Red Delicious all on Chinook Yarn Base
Combo of Burgundy, Hollyhock and Lichen on Corrie Sock Yarn
My Autumn collection has hand dyed yarn on our Corrie Sock yarn base. These skeins are fingering weight, 430 yards in a 4 oz skein and cost $28 per skein. It is made of Corriedale superwash wool and nylon. We also have hand dyed yarns on our Chinook Yarn Base. These are also fingering weight yarn, 414 yards in a 4 oz. skein and coast $32 per skein. It is made of superwash Merino wool, Cashmere and Nylon. Find them here!
Let me know if you like these. They are currently on my experiment bases. The real collection will be on fingering weight yarn and possibly a worsted. Let me know what weight you want as well.
Even with no in-person shows, I still want to design a really nice autumn collection of colorways. Here’s a behind the scenes look at the inspirations I’m thinking about using this year.
So you have a favorite of these photos or colors? I’ll be revealing my experiments in the coming weeks.
I’ve been going through my newer yarns and curating more Shawl Triads. I know many of you love to have a set of curated yarn that will match and be exciting for a shawl or even for a knitted tank top. Here is my latest set (sh13). It’s all Sparkly yarn. The colors are (left to right): Moody Blues, Four Corners and Azure.
And while preparing for the next Fiber Art Studio Tour which will be virtual. I’ve been talking to Anne Paynter Hill. I love her fused glass buttons, earrings and shawl pins. I have to tell you, I’ve invested a lot into her really unique items. They are so colorful and sparkly and make me so happy. Look at this Shawl Pin. Wouldn’t it look great with a shawl made with these 3 skeins? I totally think so. You can find this pin here. Her shawl pins are magnetic, so they don’t injure your shawl.
Yes, it’s that good. Actually I’m re-reading it and also listening to it as I work in my studio. What’s the book?
Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee
Read this book!
Why is this book resonating with me? I think because I can see so many textile, yarn, color, dyeing connections. I also think that with all that is happening in the world around us, I need to find some more joy. I need to savor what brings me joy. Bring more of it into my life. I want to examine what brings me joy and do more of it.
Lee organizes the joyful world into 10 aesthetics:
Energy (vibrant color and light), Abundance (lushness, multiplicity and variety), Freedom (nature, wildness and open space), Harmony (balance, symmetry and flow), Play (circles, spheres and bubbly forms), Surprise (contract and whimsy), Transcendence (elevation and lightness), Magic (invisible forces and illusions), Celebration (synchrony, sparkle and bursting shapes), and Renewal (blossoming, expansion and curves).
So for the Energy chapter Lee tells us that it is impossible to separate color and emotions. Just think about blue Mondays and having a sunny disposition. Having a red hot temper and looking for the silver lining in a hard situation (social distancing, perhaps?)
Pandemic Colorways L to R: Antibody, Corona and Vaccine
Color is energy made visible. If I go into my science geek again, well this is proven. Each color has it’s own wavelength. It is energy. And it is color.
And what about Chromophobia? That’s the fear of color, especially seen in our houses. People love colorful spaces but it is really hard to make a choice on a wall or room in your house. I see this fear all the time. I think that some are so afraid of making a mistake that they either decide to pass on the choice, or more likely they rely on their more color confident friends. Do you have to live this way? No you can train your eyes and build your color confidence. It takes looking at lots of colorful art or photos. You can do this in an art museum. You can do that in Pinterest. Get to know what you like. What makes you say “Ahhhh” or what makes you smile.
Pinterest color board
I will be blogging more about this book because it is just so full. So full of interesting ideas and “Aha” moments for me and I think for you.
Where to find us
We are located in Frederick MD. You can stop by during our open studios. Or buy online and stop by to pick up…I’ll run your purchases out to you in your car.
Open by Appointment!!
Monday through Friday 11-3
Closed Saturday and Sunday (Except Open Studio days)
Open Studios with Fiber Art Studio Tour
November 30…. Small Business Saturday open 11-4pm
December 6-8….. Along with CountrySide Artisans… open 10-5pm
