Wearable Knitting: the Colour Versatility Test
In an earlier post on Wearable Colourwork Sweaters, I discussed how pivotal it was for me to discover the importance of selecting the right colour palette. And since this topic struck a cord, I thought it might be useful to share my experience with this recently completed jumper.
Because of course the same principle applies to solid colour knits: If we want a sweater that’s not just nice as an objet d’art, but is wearable on a daily basis, we need to select a colour that suits our existing wardrobe.
And although in theory this sounds self-evident, in practice it is easier said and done. It is not just about blue vs green vs purple. The specific shade and tone are what matters. For example, I have several sweaters in the navy blue family, which seems like an extremely versatile colour. But in fact only one of them actually looks right with the majority of my trousers and skirts. I even own grey sweaters that are the wrong shade of grey! So much for the classic neutrals.
To know for sure if a colour that seems right in theory, is wearable in practice, I have found that a 2-pronged approach is required:
(1) hold the yarn next to my face
(2) hold the yarn next to my most frequently worn bottoms
And when I say yarn, I don’t mean just one strand. Even a single skein is not really sufficient - because what we want to do is simulate the effect of an entire swathe of fabric in this colour. Holding at least 3 skeins together would be ideal. And then, if the colour looks right both next to your face and next to your other clothes, you know it is likely to be wearable.
When I tried this method prior to starting my latest knit, I was actually quite surprised that a colour such as mint green - which we don’t exactly consider neutral, or even especially versatile - went together with nearly every other piece of clothing in my wardrobe. Retrospectively, it makes sense considering that I wear lots of muddy greens and greys. But it wouldn’t have intuitively occurred to me to choose this colour for its versatility. This is why it is so important, that we actually examine our own clothing - rather than go by generic definitions of what constitutes versatile colours.
But in any case!
I finished the mint pullover just before the weekend, and was relieved to discover that the colour test worked. The sweater really does go with all of my most frequently worn bottoms, and will be a wearable everyday garment.
And the piece de resistance?
The mermaid outfit, of course!
When I found this sequin skirt in a thrift shop two days after starting to knit the mint sweater, I knew it was destiny.
So I think that’s my New Year’s Eve outfit sorted.
And having a hat to match is an added bonus.
Sweater Pattern: Lastlong Pullover
Yarn: Cushendale Wool from Ewe Momma
Hat Pattern: Top-Twist Beanie
Yarn: Apple Oak Fibre Works Doolin (held double)
