Colour can be a difficult thing. For some, picking the right colour combinations come as easy as breathing. For others, it’s the hardest thing to do. And when you are halfway through a blanket and realise the colours are not working, this can be a ‘leave it or frog it’ moment that many dread. However, choosing colour should the fun part!
So how do you make the right colour choices? By working with the colour wheel. The basic colour wheel is divided into 3 primary colours - red, blue and yellow. These are the 3 colours that cannot be mixed or created. But they can be used to create other colours. All colours that we can see, are made up of combinations of these 3 colours. Next are complimentary colours - green, orange and purple. These are made by mixing the primary colours. For example green = blue + yellow. Lastly tertiary colours are made by mixing a primary and secondary colour such as blue-green.
When choosing colours for a project, you want is colour harmony which is when the eyes and brain find the colour combination pleasing. There are various ways to choose harmonious colours but the simplest are:
Analogous colours - colours that live next to each other on the colour wheel such as yellow-green, yellow and yellow-orange.
Complimentary colours - colours that live opposite each other on the colour wheel such as green and red. These colours create high contrast so are best for making a statement.
Colour based on nature - nature provides the perfect canvas for colour harmony.
Have a look at the examples above. The first is based on nature - the pale pinks, lilacs and blues of a beautiful sky over the ocean.
The second - complimentary. Purple and green are opposite each other on the colour wheel and work beautifully together.
Lastly, analogous colours which live next to each other - here red through to a dark blue in jewel colours.
Push comes to shove, just use them all together! There is nothing more pleasing than a multi-coloured afghan. Something about all those colours just makes us so happy! Have a look around you, find inspiration on Pinterest or visit Design Seeds for ready-made palettes like the ones here. Above all, have fun!
What are your favourite colours combinations? We’d love to see how you have used colour in your projects. Share your photos here, on Instagram #colourcombinations or Pinterest. We look forward to seeing what you chose!
Lastly don’t forget to join us on the 29th when we will be launching our new yarn range at Crafties from 6h30 onwards. Come along for cocktails, snacks and yarn fondling!