As you saw from my gauge swatch for Little Birds, I am a tad obsessed with picking colors for a knitting project. I want it to look just right and–if I am being honest–I also want it to be different from the original. I don’t know where this comes from, but I really need to be unique.
I think part of it is the challenge and satisfaction that comes from discovering the perfect-for-me colors for a garment. But this is not entirely true because sometimes the sample colors on a garment are perfect for me and it doesn’t matter–I still want to change them.
Choosing the right color for the birds in Little Birds was difficult. I swatched five different colors for the birds. Five! Every person I showed the swatch to in person picked blue. Every single one. Secretly I liked the blue best too but refused to accept it as my choice. So I kept on swatching. Finally, I conceded and during a final visit to the LYS I looked at all the deep blues and stumbled across one whose shade I really really liked. It was perfect. Then I thought, if I had to be boring and go with the already picked out color family, at least I could have a unique shade of blue.
I started to knit. I knit and I knit and made good progress.
I was pleased. That is, until last night. It was then I realized that the shade of blue I picked out is the exact same shade as the sample garment. ARGH! How did that happen? Now, at least the other colors I chose for the pullover are not identical–my base color is more gray and my green is deeper–but still.
I don’t understand why I am like this. Why do I care? Do any of you knitters have the same hang-ups? Or do I just have issues? (I am not sure I want you to answer that, but go ahead.)
That being said, I sure do like the way the colors look–dang it.
If you’ve got issues, I’ve got issues, but some things are great just the way they are, you know? The only other color I could see those birds in would be a cardinal red, the shape is just too blue-birdy otherwise.
You? OCD? Never.
oh I love it.
everytime I come by here you inspire me to start my little birds then I go home…and well dont
the birds were perfect for blue dont feel bad that they wanted to stay blue
Yes, definitely – I find it very difficult to follow a pattern because it’s been done before – which would be fine, but I’m not actually particularly good at designing…
Issues? Of course you have “issues” about something that takes a bit of your money and a lot of your time. Makes sense to me.
I think those birds are adorable.
Actually, I’m very suseptible to suggestion – nearly every time I make a garment it’s the same color as the sample. I’m not sure why this is. Maybe it’s because the color I first see in the garment is the one I use to start dreaming up ways I’ll wear it, and then the color and the garment are indivisible… Anyway, your little birds are adorable no matter what.
I’m So that way too!!! ESPECIALLY When it comes to like ribbing or having the sleeves fit JUST like they do in the sweater sample… it’s quite hysterical… i also am weird about dramatically changing patterns like taking a v-neck and making it a turtle neck… anyway! so funny, I love that blue though, too!
… but when it looks this cute do you really care that much? Also, when you change the background and the green, it makes the blue look different anyway – you could always pretend!
Okay, as I’m reading this I am totally understanding these emotions…the force runs strong in our family! You might be abel to understand my dilema picking out paint colors for my walls a couple of years ago…it was crazy!? Nevertheless, your sweater is wonderful…I continue to be impressed by what you do!
Perhaps the blue birds are just MEANT to be blue. Take heart in the fact that the rest of the garment is slightly different–and that it will be adorable!
I think it’s all about what appeals to us at the time. Sometimes it happens to be the colors in a sample, sometimes I may already have other colors in mind. All I know is, the colors you chose look great together, blue birds and all, and it’s going to be a most lovely sweater!
Oh I hear you on this one! I realized my problem one day at the fabric store when I was picking out fabric that was ‘completely different’ from the sample apron I was making and liked way less. Then finally, I was like – why am I doing this? I love the way the sample looks, who is honestly ever going to accuse me of not being creative if I chose the same color scheme? So I went with it and ended up with some lovely fabric in the original color scheme that makes me very, very happy! Your Little Birds will be lovely and perfect for you!
you just have good taste. PS: I have added your blog to my feed. Thanks!
Maybe it’s an attempt to make a sweater your own. I almost always do my knits in a different color than the pattern too. Sometimes that is because I use different yarn and they don’t have the same color, but usually it’s just because I want to see what the knit would look like in a different color.
I do the same thing..I don’t know why we just have to be different for the sake of being different. The one logical explanation for this is, we are going to the time and effort of handknitting something and we want it to be special. We want to have the only sweater in the world exactly like it. On the other hand, if it is perfect already, maybe we should just accept that we will probably be the only person we will ever know who has that sweater..of course if you work at IK…hmmm.
You are a little wacky, but that is what I love about you? Be different by not being different, eh? How about that?
BTW…it is looking fabbity fab fab.
A big part of the appeal for me of knitting a project is that I’m attracted to the colors chosen for the sample garment. Especially if there are multiple colors involved, I have a hard time changing them. But your sweater looks lovely (so far), and you can take comfort in knowing that you found the very best colors for you.
I agree, I feel like I’ve somehow failed myself if I pick the same colors as the sample… but then, a lot of these designers have very good color sense. Why SHOULDN’T I go with the ones they chose? Often they’re very appropriate!
Still, it’s fun when you try the project in a totally different color and it works.
You are going to look originally hot in it, and that’s what matters, right?
this really has me thinking. and wondering. i am trying to think. i think i always change the color too. such an interesting thought.
anyhow. it looks great. and blue really works. and that blue. so forge ahead lady!!!
now back to the thinking.
So, admittedly, I know squat about knitting. But I think it would be SUPER CUTE if you had one of these little birds (or maybe a row of them, or a cluster of them, whatever) in another color. Like a yellow, or a pink! Something like this sweater — which I LOVE. http://www.bluefly.com/bmpdp/_/208367800/detail.fly
It’s so cute though! I think you should just enjoy it!
With knitting it takes so lob=ng to do that it has to be just right to start with, so no, you don’t have issues! I love the blue.
It is a very pretty color. Nice birdies!
You’re insane. You know that, right? I still love you! AND I love your birds.
hm.. black birds would have been cool…
anyway, I don’t want to make any assumptions about you having “issues,” but that actually doesn’t bother me. in fact part of what draws me to a pattern is the color choice and I want mine to look similar. Call me unoriginal I guess!
But I do think your colors are beautiful, and I’m still totally impressed.
I totally understand the dismay, but those little birds are so sweet that I think you made a great choice. And after all, you can’t help it someone out there happens to share your good taste!
I can’t wait to see this sweater, have I said that already??
you picked out *the* perfect blue (and its totally ok that the designer picked that one out too.) What is the probability that you will run into someone else wearing the same exact sweater with blue birds? (Ok, granted you would have a higher chance then most of us…) Your still an original!
I understand, because I feel the same way sometimes. I have no idea how to explain it, other than I do like to be different, but only when it suits me there are times that I follow the herd because they have the same opinion and beliefs that I do and we’re working for the same cause… yep, I think its time for more coffee too.
When I look at patterns as written I can’t seriously consider them until I stare at the pictured example while ignoring first the colour, then the collar and sleeve treatment in the case of sweaters and then finally I often buy yarn other than that the one the designer has used. Glad to see I’m not alone!
I have been eyeing the Little Birds sweater for a few weeks now, and have been trying and trying to figure out a different color scheme. I guess the reason I can’t come up with anything is because the blue is the best color! Yours looks great. I can’t wait to see how your modifications turn our. I may just go order that pattern now.
That makes me feel better. I went to the LYS to buy yarn for the February Lady Sweater. I felt bad about buying green yarn. I even felt a little bad about choosing the sweater to knit because it is so popular. I tried to buy blue yarn. Debated for my entire lunch hour. Even went into the bathroom with the yarn shop floor person (to see better light) and held each one up to my skin. I bought the green.
Erin, I can’t wait to see this finished. I love it! It has color and charm and I think it is going to be a darling sweater for you. You are so talented with two needles and a little bit of yarn. I am in awe of all that you undertake to knit–nothing is too difficult for you!
PS. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for a Brilliant Blog award, details are on my blog.
you make me want to make this. so cute!
This is going to be so cute. I gotta tell you I am making this in a different colorway (gotta get pics up to Rav) and I am so nervous because I look at the sample and go oh but those colors are perfect obsessing over if I should of done the sample colors lol.
Your post made me laugh
you might have a few issues, but I guess we all do. I love how your sweater is knitting up, and I love the little blue birds, it’s perfect to me.
Well, I like the way the colors look. I love the little birds!
Holy Moly you are amazing
I’m knitting two fall sweaters for my boys. I agonized over yarn color for weeks, delaying my project far more than I would have liked. Once I finally got the yarn and started knitting, I realized that the colors I had picked were quite similar to those in the book, albeit different yarn. I’m still not sure of my color selection – I’m worried the colors I picked will be too strong on the boys – but the sweaters are very pretty.
You are hiliarious and I love you for it. I can’t wait to see how this turns out. It is going to be beautiful.