Once my As If (ish) is finished, I’m going straight on to Light of the Valkyrie (Knitty link to free pattern) by Kim McBrien Evans (designer’s site, Indigo Dragonfly). It’s the first project I’ve bought myself yarn for this year.

Yarn for the body

I want to use up some stash to make the striking yoke – do go and have a look if you haven’t already – and I had a lovely old time digging out possible matching and complementary colours. Some of the matches are obvious – teal and purple are quite clearly in among the main yarn. But others were more surprising. There’s a khaki colour in there. There’s a bright green that defied matching. It looks like there’s a yellow, but actually it’s more avocado.

These are the yarns I’ve assembled.

Now, I have a great urge to magic knot these into a variegated yarn. The pattern suggests that you use something with colour repeats between 5 and 10 inches, so I could use that as a guide. I’d put them together in roughly the order shown above.

On the other hand it might be more sensible to change colours when it looks right, as I progress through the pattern. Then I’ll have total control over the colour change, but more ends  to sew in… and I won’t get to try a new thing!

If you’ve made up a crazy/magic/scrappy ball of yarn before, I’d love to know what you thought of it. Worth doing?

I’ve added this post to the Unraveled Wednesday linkup, with thanks to Kat for hosting.


20 responses to “Playing with Colour”

  1. Cathy Avatar

    At first glance the neck and bodice part of your โ€˜newโ€™ project reminded me of the green gloves and scarf with the wavy pattern you made not long ago.
    You certainly have an eye for โ€˜differentโ€™โ€ฆ.be good to see how it turns out

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    1. CA Avatar

      Yeah it’s really similar! And I enjoyed that scarf so much I made three versions of it, so hopefully that bodes well.

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  2. quietwatercraft Avatar

    That’s such a cool top!! I can’t wait to see how yours looks

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    1. CA Avatar

      Thank you! I’m really enjoying it so far.

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  3. Kat Avatar

    I think Kim McBrien Evans is a knittting genius! I just love how her brain is absolutely outside the box and her creativity is just so amazing! I think those yarns look like they would do perfectly with Russian joins… so a magic ball would work!

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    1. CA Avatar

      I haven’t tuned in to her until now – I can’t even imagine being able to dream up a pattern like this!

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  4. randomlyerin Avatar

    HOLY BUCKETS!!! That’s going to be stunning! And my dumb little ass just went and bookmarked the pattern. I can’t wait to see yours!

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    1. CA Avatar

      Yaaaas it’s bewitching, isn’t it?

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  5. Jane Wolfe Avatar
    Jane Wolfe

    What pretty colors to knit into a top. I can’t help with a ball made with the magic knot. I have knit many a scrap project but I like to be able to join them in where I want to join them. And I really don’t mind weaving in ends.

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    1. CA Avatar

      Thanks Jane! I get bored very quickly with ends – but I think I’m underestimating how bored I’d get of measuring out 5 – 10 inch lengths of yarn and joining them all together…

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  6. nanacathy2 Avatar

    Gorgeous colours, like jewels.

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    1. CA Avatar

      So they are! I like that I’d never have put them all together, but now that I look at it they do kind of work.

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  7. Lisaterech Avatar

    Great colours!

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    1. CA Avatar

      I know, I’m excited! It was so fun choosing them. I’m in my element when surrounded by balls of wool ๐Ÿ˜Š

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  8. adg34 Avatar

    I love the colors!!
    For the pattern youโ€™re doing, I might go for joining ahead and let the colors run their course.
    Usually I like to control color changes, but some pieces call for a more relaxed approach.
    It looks like a fun knit! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

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    1. CA Avatar

      I’m still in two minds – I can see projects where the colours are changed methodically, and ones where there’s a free for all, and they all look good! So I guess there’s no wrong answer ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Carolyn Avatar

    What a unique top! My first thought was Van Gogh/Starry Night. Will be fun to see this evolve on your needles.

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    1. CA Avatar

      It’s so interesting you would say that – I’ve had Starry Night in my head for months! I just haven’t worked up the courage to try my ideas (though evidently they’re slipping through subconsciously!)

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  10. quiteayarnblog Avatar

    Oooooo! I love that top! You have some great yarns picked out – can’t wait to see it :)

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    1. CA Avatar

      I’m so pleased with all the colours and loving how it’s shaping up so far!

      Liked by 1 person

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