Digital patterns
Choosing colours is one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a knitting project. It can also be one of the hardest: shades that look beautiful as separate balls of yarn may create a different effect when worked together.
The same applies to crochet. Whether you are making a textured sweater, a floral blanket or a small decorative piece, consider your personal preferences, the project's purpose and the way the colours interact in the finished fabric.
These five tips build on ideas explored in Laine Publishing's original feature, which includes insights from knitwear designer Stephen West and ecologist Johanna Mappes. We have added practical considerations for crochet projects and downloadable pattern charts.
1. Choose Colours You Enjoy Working With
Start with a colour you like rather than a combination you feel you should use. You will spend time looking at the yarn as you work, so your own preferences deserve a place in the decision.
Look for inspiration in a favourite garment, a garden photograph, a painting or the colours already in your home. Choose one shade as your starting point, then compare possible companions beside it.
For a simple practice project, try a small palette with a main colour, a supporting colour and an accent. For an existing pattern, begin with the colour roles and number of shades specified by the designer.
A pattern photograph can help you understand the design, but it does not mean you must copy every colour. If you want to substitute, keep track of which new yarn replaces each original shade.
2. Think About Where and How the Project Will Be Used
A palette that works well for a scarf may not be the one you want for a large blanket. Consider the finished item's setting and the person who will use it.
- For a blanket: compare your yarn choices with the sofa, bedding or other furnishings nearby.
- For clothing: think about the wearer's preferences and the pieces they would pair it with.
- For a handmade gift: use the recipient's favourite colours as a starting point.
- For a seasonal project: decide whether you want familiar seasonal colours or a palette that can stay in use throughout the year.
Decide whether the project should blend into its surroundings or become a focal point. A small accent colour can be enough to add interest without changing the whole palette.
Colour associations are personal and depend on context. Choose the effect that appeals to you rather than relying on a rule that a particular colour will make everyone feel the same way.
3. Match the Colours to the Stitches and Motif
Consider what you want the viewer to notice first: the texture of the stitches, the colour changes or the picture formed by the motif.
For cables and other detailed textures, a solid or gently shaded yarn can make the stitch structure easier to see. Speckled or strongly variegated yarn may compete with that detail, so test the combination before committing.
Simple stitches offer room to explore yarns with more colour variation. The result still depends on the particular yarn and stitch pattern.
For Charted Crochet Blankets, Check Contrast
For a floral or animal design, check that the important shapes remain visible against the background. Two colours can look distinct in the yarn balls but blend together when worked into small neighbouring areas.
Compare the light, medium and dark shades in your palette. A black-and-white photograph can provide a quick check of their apparent lightness, but judge the colours in a real sample too.
When replacing colours in a PDF chart, consider the role of each shade:
- Background: supports the overall design and separates it from the main motif.
- Main motif: carries the flower, animal or other central subject.
- Outlines and shadows: help define edges and details.
- Highlights: add separation or emphasis in selected areas.
For example, changing pink petals to purple may work well, but using a very similar purple for the background could make their edges harder to distinguish. Test the important colour pairings first.
4. Use Colour Theory as a Starting Point
A colour wheel can help you explore combinations you might not otherwise choose. Treat it as a planning tool, then see how the actual yarns look together.
| Palette Approach | How It Works | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Analogous colours | Uses neighbouring hues on the colour wheel | Whether similar shades still give the motif enough definition |
| Complementary colours | Uses hues opposite each other on the colour wheel | The balance between the main colour and its contrasting partner |
| Monochromatic colours | Uses variations of one hue, from lighter to darker | Whether the light and dark areas are sufficiently separated |
You can also combine a neutral background with more colourful motifs. Compare several options before deciding which one best supports the design.
A successful palette does not need every colour in equal amounts. Consider how much space each shade occupies in the pattern, especially when one is used for a large background and another appears only in small details.
5. Make a Swatch Before Starting the Full Project
A swatch turns a colour idea into something you can evaluate. It shows how the yarns interact in stitches, rather than only when placed side by side.
Use the yarn, tools and technique planned for the project. For knitting, include the relevant texture or colourwork. For C2C crochet, make a small block sample using the pattern's method. For another crochet technique, follow that pattern's own sample instructions.
Include the colour pairings you are most unsure about. For a flower design, that might be the petals against the background or a leaf beside a dark outline.
Check the sample:
- Close up and from a short distance
- In daylight and the room where the finished piece will be used
- For clear edges between important colours
- For the balance between large areas and small accents
If the pattern calls for washing or blocking the swatch, follow those instructions and the yarn's care guidance before making your final decision.
Write down your yarn names, shade numbers and substitutions. For a PDF chart, make a clear colour key so you can follow the same choices throughout the project.
Choose a Design, Then Build Your Palette
If you are ready to plan a crochet project, explore Kathwool's Modern Botanical PDF collection, Whimsical Woodland designs or complete crochet PDF pattern collection.
Review the individual listing for the technique and included resources. If you change the colours, use the supplied chart and instructions to keep the design organised. These products are downloadable patterns for you to make yourself; yarn and finished items are not included.
For a smaller project, visit our free crochet flower patterns and tutorials and experiment with a petal, leaf or flower centre.
Source acknowledgement: The original feature was written by Päivi Kankaro, illustrated by Pauliina Holma and first published in Laine issue 21. This Kathwool adaptation expands the practical advice to include crochet projects and PDF chart colour planning.