I have knit two more swatches to look at different colour options for my new project. (See my last post for info, although I have been purposely vague regarding the pattern). Here is Swatch #3:
And here is Swatch # 4:
This now gives me a total of four swatches to decide from:
Clockwise from top left, this gives us:
- Swatch #1. 4 colours: navy, cream, light blue and red; flowers in white with red centres
- Swatch #2. 5 colours: navy, cream, beige, light blue and red; flowers in light blue with red centres
- Swatch #3. 3 colours: navy, cream and red; flowers in white with red centres
- Swatch #4. 5 colours: navy, cream, mustard, green and light blue; flowers in light blue with white centres
I have a total of seven shades of the yarn (Gilliat de rerum natura), and there are at least 6 design elements (given that the background will be navy). This makes for many, many more combinations of possible colours. I have still not decided what I want, but I am tired of swatching. I want to get on to the sweater knitting!
I think that if I were to order these swatches from best to worst (for me), I would say: 3, 2, 4, and 1. I find Swatch #1 feels a bit too childlike, Swatch #2 is pretty nice although subtle, Swatch # 3 is pretty good and almost nails it but still seems a bit stark to me, and Swatch # 4 is very interesting but gives a totally different “feel” to it. Swatch # 3 feels Norwegian to me, while Swatch # 4 feels rather Central American.
It has been many years since I have indulged in this level of swatching. The last time was for my beautiful sweater Ormolu, which I blogged about here (way back in 2013). Here is a photo which shows off it’s beautiful colourwork:
and here is a photo of the swatches I made:
What to do now? Well, I am thinking very positively of making the sweater in a cross between Swatch #3 and Swatch #2. It would involve basically using the colour plan for Swatch #2, but switching out the middle pattern (the 3-row horizontal bar) so that it was in red with blue accents. Choices, choices….
Anything you do will look great, OF COURSE! My preference is either 4 or 2. But as I don’t have to knit it or wear it or look at it, I don’t think you should put much stock in my preferences, lol.
Thanks for putting your two cents in! I finally decided and will report back soon.
I think we all know how important it is to swatch, but so much more fun when trying out different colour ways like this. I like number 1 best, and your Ormolu sweater is fabulous. 🙂
Thanks, Liz! By the way, I have been loving your recent holiday posts on your blog! I’m quite envious.
Thanks Kelly! We were very lucky to be able to take such a long holiday in such beautiful locations – highly recommended! 🙂
I would have a hard time picking one combination because they’re all really awesome.
Thanks!
I’m in love with #4, but green/yellow/grellow is what’s currently turning my crank.
Yeah, I know what you mean; I am also really loving all the grellow this season. (Hint: that’s not the one I chose.)
Hi there,
Long time lurker, first time commenter. I really like swatch 3, but agree with you that it is stark. What if you put the mustard colour on swatch 4 in the same place on swatch 3? That breaks up the white and navy a bit. What do you think?
I think this is a good idea. I may just fool around with that combo. Thanks for de-lurking and for the suggestion!
Hello Kelly,
It is very interesting that you mentioned your lovely Ormolu by Barbara Gregory in your post.
I consider Barbara as a designer with a very sophisticated color sense. I’ve read her pretty old article in the Knitty magazine where she reworked a color chart for one of her designs – Bacardi.
If you didn’t read the article, you may find it helpful: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/FEATcolortheory.html
= Kind regards, Lora
PS: Your Ormolu is stunning.
Thanks for this, Lora! I have to agree about Barbara Gregory; she has some fantastic designs!