When the same idea or feeling crops up over an over again in life, I try to recognize it as a sign that I should pay attention to whatever that thing might be. Recently, ‘that thing’ has been the notion that knitting is an ideal format for exploring endless permutations of colour and texture. Yep, I already knew that, but somehow my experience and understanding has deepened, allowing for more wide reaching projects as well as more insight. Each experiment (swatch or sock) adds a little more data to my bank of memory and comprehension about the colours involved, their placement and interactions. The more I allow myself to explore with freedom, the more understanding I gain. While this process has left me feeling overwhelmed at times (because, how will I ever knit and document all of the combinations?!) it ultimately has lead me to a passive place of acceptance and understanding that the journey, curiosity and process is where the value in knitting lies for me. Without any specific end in mind, I can allow my colour studies to lead the way and slowly but surely continue to enrich my understanding of colour.

In this manner, I find myself dreaming up small and large colour study projects to share with the VIOLA team. Amidst the fluctuations of work and life in a pandemic, I hope that this process can solidify the notion that our work is primarily about exploring and understanding colour. I hope this marks the beginning of a sustainable practice, but life is busy and time will tell.

For the time being, we are knitting each of these three mini bundles and discovering that the possibility for colour combinations can feel infinite. Furthermore, each unique set of hands knitting has a great affect on the finished sock, beyond the obvious stitch size. Brit, Marcelina and I each preferred a different kit, which works out perfectly because we’ll be able to see each colour options knit up. We followed the classic (and truly favourite) Favourite Sock Pattern and used a little formula that I devised for stripe & colour sequencing. The results are very exciting…

In case you’d like to join us, the formula goes like this…

• Knit two round stripes throughout, except at the heel turn where just one colour is used

• Choose one main colour for each sock (leaving three remaining colours to distribute throughout both pairs)

• Stripe one of the three remaining colours with the main colour for any length before moving on to the next colour and then the next. Try to make sure each main colour is knit with all three alternate colours in each sock. 

• Unless knitting a very large sock, there will be plenty of left over yarn at the end of two socks; this is where things get really fun. Why stop at two socks? Those leftover colours are a great starting point for a third and fourth sock…and so the learning and knitting never needs to end ;)

Brit is working away on her pair of socks in bundle no. 1, so the discoveries and comparisons will surely continue and I’ll make sure to share an update when we’re all finished. In knitting through my very green bundle, I have found myself itching to add in additional colours for furthering the experimentation; a temptation that I have so far managed to resist. And at the same time, I’d love to indulge in knitting these exact colours again, in a different sequence. I’m about to finish sock number one and have already learned so much about these colours through their interactions. Each combination contained surprises ;)

*a note about gauge: I am a tight knitter and Marcelina is a loose knitter. It’s no surprise that our socks are different. Take a peek at the photo below (as well as above) and you’ll see that this affects fit in far more complex ways than ease through the foot and leg. In addition to the stitches and fabric having a very different appearance, Marcelina’s has made adjustments to her sock in order to keep the fit snug around her ankle (decreases at the bottom of the leg and in the first rows of the heel flap). Without these modifications, her socks did the dreaded boot scrunch. We both knit the same pattern size (2) and used 2.25 mm needles. I just love this side by side comparison as well as the reminder that knitting patterns are there for you to customize to your own body, knitting and preferences :)

Meanwhile the exploration continues…

Our group colour studies have now extended beyond socks and into mohair! Working on this little mohair study together taught us so much not only about colour but also individual colour preferences and memory. Colour theory is (of course) invaluable, but there is so much more to working with colour than the technicalities. That’s all I’ll say for now but I’ll have more on this project to share with you very soon.

Emily xo