My history as a crafter is quite colorful.
I won’t bore you with the sordid details of my OCD tendencies, but let’s just say I’ve been around the block with a few hobbies over the last three decades.
I started sewing when I was just a grade schooler, but my sewing machine was soon set out to pasture when I discovered crafts more portable, affordable, and instantly gratifying. I think I’ve always been genetically predisposed to creativity, thanks in part, to a mother who graduated from F.I.T. NYC, and ultimately gave up a designing career to raise and clothe five children. I recall how naively I protested homemade clothing, preferring its ready-made counterpart and still today, I cringe at the audacity of my behavior.
I have always been drawn to textiles in one form or another, but ironically, I consider myself a misfit interior decorator. Perhaps my decorating sense is a bit skewed because I refuse to limit myself to just a few color options.
I am a glutton for color.
And color is something that continues to motivate me today, whether I am absorbed in a craft project or preparing and plating a meal to serve family and friends.
As a novice knitter, I thought it prudent to educate myself before delving deeply into a craft prone to coded language, sharp objects and a dizzying number of options for form, fiber and color. After a lengthy visit to my local bargain book warehouse, I was afforded the luxury of additional read-time during six days of unrelenting rain. At the bottom of my book stack was a hardcover that was missing its dust jacket. I was intrigued by the absence of text on both front and back of the book, and was drawn to the colorful knitted pattern depicted there. I purchased the book in haste, not really sure of its contents. On the seventh day of rain however, I began a love affair with this book.
It’s written by Kristin Nicholas and is simply titled Kristin Knits. The author provides detailed instructions for the reader to recreate her precisely knitted apparel, but the true value of this book lies within the early pages where Ms. Nicholas offers sage advice on color selection and more importantly, color observation. She uses color companions throughout the book that some might consider unusual. Her methods for choosing such combinations however, make perfect sense. Her recommendation to the reader to look to everyday sources from pantries to postcards, flora and fauna to fine art, in an attempt to find colors that motivate, and resonate with him/her on an emotional level is both basic and brilliant.
Not every knitter will be encouraged by the author’s bold use of colors. For some, it might be sensory overload, but the author is quick to mention that she doesn’t support cookie-cutter replications of any knitted patterns; hers or anyone else’s.
She encourages the reader to choose colors that evoke positive feelings for him/herself or the recipient of the knitted item.
Her book has motivated me to improve my knitting skills quickly. My to-do list includes socks and hats and one particular (seemingly difficult) pattern for a scarf she calls Coleus Scarf.
So motivated by her chosen colors for the scarf, I recently added a potted coleus plant to my backyard container garden as a gentle reminder to constantly observe my surroundings for inspiration.
It would seem I have my work cut out for me. And in an effort to sharpen my color-consciousness, as I work diligently to improve my basic knitting skills, I opted for a little instant gratification (can’t hurt, right?). Today, I impatiently await the arrival of yarns in varying weights in a broad range of colors. And proudly, I chose many colors that I might not have otherwise considered before reading her book.
I have yet to knit a project in more than one color, save for self-patterning yarn. In an effort to better understand the concept of “carrying yarn,” I have consulted many seasoned knitters for their advice. Time and again, I am directed to another book that teaches the basic techniques for colorwork as it applies to knitting, with more detailed instructions for a variety of stitch patterns to highlight specific color values. That book is on my nightstand awaiting another rainy day when I might allow myself to be stranded long enough to learn stranding.
For now however, I am satisfied to pine over Kristin Knits as I work my way through beginner projects in anticipation of greater challenges. My success won’t be measured in knits and purls or gauge, as with other projects, but instead by a cheerful nod, or pleasing glance I may receive as I don my chartreuse and violet hat.
Because really, knitting isn’t about perfection, and it is unlikely that most, if any of us knit for the sake of practicality anymore. I’d like to think it’s about self expression and the incredible results one can achieve with two sticks, a ball of string, and uncensored creative passion.
So fellow knitters, my unsolicited advice to you is this:
Choose colors that speak to you, break from convention and follow your heart.
If you knit what you love, you will love what you knit.
It’s not rocket science.
In fact, if you ask me, it all seems pretty
black and white.
Doesn’t it?
Until next time,
–Michelle
