crochet

in color Techniques and Designs

f o r playing with color

k at h y m e r r i c k
table of contents
Introduction
Techniques
Yarn Weights and Gauge
Changing Colors
Working in Tails
Stranding
Finishing

One or Two Colors

Pleated Hat
Firefly Cardigan
Double Bobble Scarf
Kidsilk Shawl

Stripes
Tropical Colors Wrap
Warm Colors Afghan
Butterfly Pullover

Color Blocks
Big Chain Lace Scarf
Blocks Coat
Autumn Sun Wrap
Urchins and Limpets Blanket

Stranded Color
Clover Hat
Swanky Little Star Bag
Swirls Pillow
Sash

Bit and Pieces of Color

Tuffet
Silk Garden Flower Scarf
Circles Table Topper
Tiny Motif Sweater

Glossary
Resources
Index
 introduction
I am a color junkie and a magpie.

Magpies are known for swooping down and capturing bits of

tin foil, food wrappers, and brightly colored pieces of string to
add to their nests. This is very similar to the way I collect yarns. I
often buy a skein or two of some beautiful yarn without necessar-
ily knowing what I might use it for. I rarely buy enough of one yarn
at a time for a specific purpose but I do often buy several colors
of the same yarn. You see, I love color! I am excited by all the pos-
sibility that lies within a colorful assortment of fiber.
The magpie approach of collecting bits and pieces of whatever
catches your eye is wonderful for getting rid of the fear of putting
colors together in a crochet project. Unfortunately, using many
colors together in one project is something that intimidates many
crocheters. But I encourage you to have no fear!
My hope is that you will find this book a helpful resource that
inspires you to use color artistically and fearlessly while also mak-
ing very accessible projects. I’ve included tips for choosing and
combining colors as well as examples that encourage you to just
let go and have fun playing with color combinations. Soon you’ll
see that color is exciting, not intimidating, and you’ll be surprised
at how easy it is to crochet colorful, attractive, and useful treasures.
­
— kathy

crochet in color 3
 blocks coat
finished sizes
36 (41, 46, 51)" (91.5 [104, 117, 129.5] cm)
bust circumference (measured when but-
toned). Coat shown has a 36" (91.5 cm)
bust circumference.

yarn
Worsted weight (#4 Medium) in burnt
orange, medium gray, blue, olive green,
turquoise, dark tan, light green, dark gray,
purple, and brown.
Shown: Cascade Yarns, Cascade 220 (100%
wool; 220 yd [200 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]):
#2425 provence (A); #4011 sparrow (B);
#9336 lapis (C), #9448 olive heather (D);
#9451 lake chelan heather (E); #9459
yakima heather (F); #9460 pale green (G);
#4002 jet (H); #9341 garnet (J); #4011
squirrel (K), 1 skein each.

hook I was looking out my window at a Pennsylvania October when

J/10 (6 mm).
notions
8 (9, 9, 10) 3⁄4" (2 cm) buttons (I used
square buttons), tapestry needle for sew-
ing up; sewing needle and sewing thread
(or tapestry needle and yarn) for attaching
buttons.
gauge
13 sts x 12 rows = 4" (10 cm).
I started thinking about this cozy project. When autumn
comes, I like the idea of a big comfy jacket in strong col-
ors, with the added bonus of nice big pockets. The wonderful
thing about this coat is that you could easily use a different
color combination, say sky blue, cream, rose, lavender, and
aqua, to welcome the spring. This is an easy introduction to
working crochet intarsia because the blocks are simple and
regular. Master the easy color changes here and then move
on to circles or stars.

crochet in color 5
 big chain lace scarf
finished size
72" (183 cm) long x 16" (41 cm) wide.

yarn
Fingering weight (# 1 Super Fine) in pale
magenta, gold/green, light red, pastel
rainbow, green, brick, deep blue, yellow/
orange, and dusty pink/blue.
Shown: Koigu Painters Palette Premium
Merino (KPPM) (100% merino wool: 175 yd
[160 m]/ 1.75 oz [50 g]): #P713 (pale ma-
genta, A); #P509 (gold/green, B); #P339
(light red, C); #P118L (pastel rainbow, D);
#P719 (green, E); #P610 (brick, F); #P706D
(deep blue, G); #P707 (yellow/orange, H);
#P714 (dusty pink/blue, I), 1 skein each.

gauge
2 pattern repeats x 14 rows = 4" (10 cm).

General wisdom says that variegated yarns don’t make lace or

notes
fancy stitch patterns stand out enough to be seen. In this case,
» W
 ork with each skein until it is used up.
For the last block, work about 4 rows however, there was something magic about the combination of an
to make sure you’ll have enough yarn to easy lace pattern and these “stippled” colors that really worked.
end with a complete row.
» L
 ace is generally wet blocked to stretch
While the colors of each skein differ quite a bit, from yellow to
and show off the lace, but here the red to blue, they are all medium tones, and none jumps out more
interesting texture of the Chain Lace boldly than another. That’s what makes this work; keeping the
occurs by simply steaming the piece if
necessary. colors to the same intensity allows the lace pattern to really shine
» Tchs do not count as sts. through.

crochet in color 7
embrace color!
Known for her signature use of color, crochet designer Kathy
Merrick shares her secrets to designing with color creatively and
unexpectedly in Crochet in Color.

Crochet in Color offers:

» 2
 0 patterns that explore a variety of ways to play with color
and build color confidence, including wearables and home
décor projects all using fine yarns and big hooks to achieve a
crochet fabric that is fluid and never stiff.
» A
 focus on simple shapes and less intricate stitch designs for
all crochet skill levels to create sophisticated and fun designs,
with an emphasis on not being afraid of color, not sticking to
the color wheel theory, and learning about color options in
crochet by choosing random color combinations and making
them work.
»  T
 utorials on how to change colors in crochet, stranding tech-
niques, and how to work over yarn tails. Plus, there are various
tips and tricks, such as a proportion guide to working color
bands and easy ways to finish your work.

The definitive guide to crocheting in color, Crochet in Color is a

must for any crocheter that wants to add colorwork to their cro-
chet resume with confidence.

Paperbound, 81⁄2" x 9", 144 pages

100 photographs, 25 illustrations
ISBN 978-1-59668-112-5
$22.95
Available October 2009

Kathy Merrick has been crocheting and knitting for over thirty years.
For six years she has worked for quilt artist and teacher Liza Prior Lucy,
who has been a significant influence on her designs and interest in color.
In addition, she has worked with Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably, both
known for their use of color. She has had many designs published in
Interweave Crochet magazine, including the very popular Babette Blanket,
and she is profiled in the Spring 2008 issue.