Thinking Outside the Box

 ...wrapping your mind around discovering creative color choices....

There are some incredibly talented people in the crafting-blogging-world who have an amazing eye for color! Even in the pitch dark, you know they could easily put together an eye-popping color combination! Then there are those whose photos of their color combinations make you curse the human race for not punishing those responsible for such travesties.

I'm clueless when it comes to color theory. My color wheel has a flat. Someone mentions primary colors, and I'm all, "I love John Travolta in that movie!"  And while I love the stories and symbolism behind colors, books on how to make 'em complementary completely bores me. That is why I am constantly looking for entertaining and unexpected sources for color schemes.

All Wrapped Up! Groovy Gift Wrap Of  The 1960s by Kevin Akers is one of those ways. Think about it: how many times have you received a colorful wrapped present and exclaimed, "It's too pretty to open!" And 1960's wrapping paper definitely has some of  the prettiest prints and patterns — from pastels to the psychedelic! All Wrapped Up is out-of-print and only available used, but in addition to what's on Kevin's website, you can also find a lot of other vintage gift wrap images through Google Image Search and the Flickr Vintage Wrapping Paper Group.

Wednesday evening I sat down to crochet up a few granny square samples to show how the book helps envision color combinations. It must have been the combination of the relaxing, rainy weather, the soothing repetition of the simple stitches and the unbelievable freakin' excitement that I finally totally understood how to make a basic granny square after trying for seven years that compelled me to shout,  "To hell with samples, I'm making another afghan, right now!"

So I am now making one of the granny square blankets I always wanted since I started crocheting seven years ago. That is, when I'm not smacking my hand against my forehead for being so stupid for seven years. I just can't believe I found the basic granny square so damn challenging. I mean, over the years I have made a handful, but I don't have a clue as to how. Am I understanding it better now 'cause I no longer have an endless supply of Vicodin? Seriously, screw what it could do to my liver, I'm laying off the V so my crocheting dreams come true!

Below are several of my granny squares next to the wrapping paper image that inspired 'em. I'm going for soft, early spring colors, like when you're still thinking it's only the beginning of March, but it's nearly the end of April, and you're already looking forward to November.

 

 

 

Kali just can't quite wrap her mind around the awesomeness.

Comments

[isaida]

I've tried to make a granny square for a blanket and mine never come out. I'm a knitter. I guess I just need to keep trying! Yours look great! Love the colors!

[Pumpkin]

Those granny squares look great, the colors you picked out are wonderful (as are the books you are using for inspiration). I'm also so comforted that I'm not the only person who finds granny squares so confusing, I've been trying to figure them out for about a year. Hopefully it will finally click for me the way it clicked for you.

[Marie/Underground Crafter]

I love your color inspiration! I had trouble with the granny when I first tried it in 2002 but now I love them too.

[Truly Myrtle]

Genius! I want that book!
I think Kali is also can't wrap her mind around the awesomeness of that ripple blanket - LOVE!

[Christine]

Liking the color combos a lot! You must be in heaven with the rain, cozily wrapped up in yarn! Wasn't the thunder awesome?

[Sarah]

ohhh I love your colour choices, what a great way to use the book!

[Ronnie]

Completely brilliant use of books for inspiration and I lover the vintage colors!

[Jeannie]

What a perfect idea!!!

[faye]

I find these confusing too! I'm using a pattern for my blanket that is more 'turning a circle into a square'that I found in The Happy Hooker.

I love how you find your inspiration in books and films - so I have nominated you for a blogging award, if you will accept it! You can see the details here :)

http://buttonsandbeeswax.com/i-received-a-blogging-award/

[BellaKarma]

isaida ~ Thank you! Yes, I hope you keep trying! Once you get the "why" of the granny square stitches, it's so super easy! I'm hoping to do a photo tutorial to explain it. :) OH! I just picked up a really cool book on knitting afghan blocks, I'll be blogging about it soon.

Pumpkin ~ Thanks! Definitely keep trying! Once you "get" the first two rounds, it's a breeze, 'cause you are just repeating round 2 over and over. The trick is understanding the corners -- how, why, and where to make 'em.

Marie ~ Thank you! I love making them too!:)

Truly Myrtle ~ Thank you! This book - or any type of graphic print and/or pattern books really help. And thank you regarding the ripple too! So much fun to make!!!

Christine - Thanks! Yes, LOVED the rain, hail, thunder, and Severe Weather Warnings! :)

Sarah ~ Thank you! I love seeing something I like in it and being all, "Oh!Oh! I have those yarn colors!" :D

Ronnie ~ Thank you very much, my dear! Yes, totally love the vintage colors -- especially the aqua, brown, pink and yellow combo.

Jeannie ~ Thank you! This is a cool book 'cause the color spectrum is so wide. :)

Faye ~ Ohmygoodness! Thank you so much! It's an honor just to be thought of! xoxox!

[Cupcake Diaries]

The way you pick your colors absolutely makes me smile!

[BellaKarma]

Cupcake Diaries ~ Awesome! Thank you! There are times when the infinite number of color combinations is just too overwhelming, and this is a fun way to not have to think about 'em too much and just get to crocheting! :)

[Fran/Blue Gal]

Love your inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing that.

[BellaKarma]

Fran ~ Thank you! I'm so excited that it has inspired so many who come check out the post!

[kevin]

I just love that you did this!

kevin@kevinakers.com

[BellaKarma]

Kevin ~ Thank you! I'm so thrilled you came upon this!