The transition from summer to autumn brings a beautiful display of nature’s warmest colours, and today, we’re highlighting the stunning and timeless shades of a fall colour palette.

As crafters, stitchers, and quilters know, selecting the right colour palette is the best way to breathe life into a pattern. Today, we’re exploring four distinctive colours that offer depth and texture to any palette – they also just so happen to be the distinctive colours that would come to mind when you think of fall!

A Closer Look at The Fall Colour Palette

This warm and earthy palette contains four distinct shades ranging from bright golden yellows to deep browns. Each colour that I’ve chosen for this palette was curated to work perfectly together OR you can mix and match these shades with others to create a completely different colour palette. Here’s a closer look at the colours that are featured on this blog:

Colour 57
Colour #57 is a beautiful rich brown. Its deep tones make it the perfect shade for any “grounding” visual elements. Think borders, backgrounds and visual accents to break up big blocks of bright colours. The deepness of the brown gives it more of a 1-dimensional colour, which is perfect for patterns that require a foreground or background. An excellent choice for tree trunks and branches.

Colour 75
If you wanted to capture the “essence” of fall in one skein, Colour #75 is IT. I created this combination as a signature autumn blend. Colour #75 has all of the transitional colours that are reminiscent of the season – orange, golden yellow and just enough of a subtle green. This colour is a fantastic choice for landscape-inspired embroidery or needlepoint. Because the colours are so dynamic and have the right amount of pop, I always encourage use as a dominant shade. It’s balanced combination of colours makes it an excellent foundation if you are looking to build a larger colour palette.

Colour 85
Colour #85 is a beautiful warm shade of golden browns and a hint of deep yellows. This particular colour is a great choice if you are looking to emphasize the warmth of your pattern. This is also a wonderful choice for fall-themed patterns or any patterns that have a little bit of metallic. Pairs extremely well with metallics!

Colour #191
While Colour #191 and #85 have some similarities, colour #191 is a blend of brighter yellows and golden brown tones to create a lovely multidimension shade of gold reminiscent of wheat fields.

There are so many different applications of this colour palette, which we’ll be highlighting in later blog posts this month.

As we explore all of these designs and patterns, I encourage you to go ahead and get creative with how to use this palette in your own needlework!

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When it comes to the infinite colour combinations you can create, there’s nothing quite like fusing berry, navy and fuchsia to create a truly unique palette. I love combining these colours as it’s a captivating blend of deep, rich tones that create the perfect balance of uniqueness and elegance.

This is one of my favourite combinations I dye and looks far more vibrant than I can achieve in a photograph.  Colour #83 is a delicious mix of navy, berry and fuchsia. 

When stitchers work with this colour combination, they often pull inspiration by pairing it with variations of solids in navy, berry and fuchsia.  However, this stitch sample will show you a different pairing potential. Instead, let’s infuse a touch of tropical flair into our palette. Enter Color #46, which is a delightful blend of turquoise and lemon-lime, injecting a refreshing sense of vibrancy into the mix. We can then accompany this with Color #82, an array of aqua shades that add a little bit of dimension.

Here’s the colour combination we created with this berry, navy and fuchsia palette

• Colour #46
• Colour #82
• Colour #83

When crafting your palette, versatility is key. When choosing a palette, I am fortunate to have a variety of solids I’ve collected through the years.

Naturally, I can also dye the values I want in solids of the exact colour matches within the colour combination, but I recognize not all of you can do this, nor do you likely want to.

If you have a local needlework shop close by, take Colour #83 with you and request assistance to combine a palette with your favourite colours. Here are some of our ideas.

How to Elevate this Palette

I encourage you to get creative with mixing different textures and fibre into your palette to create some depth and dimension.

I’d recommend adding textures like silk or silk/wool blends in fuchsia to create a focal colour. Or perhaps adding flat threads such as Neon Rays or Sparkle Rays for a hint of metallic sheen to give your project that little bit of pop.

If you’re looking to do another colour pairing, how about experimenting with using a shade of blue. This beautiful addition creates a beautiful visual balance with your chosen palette. Experiment with metallic threads like Entice, opting for shades of aqua or bursts of lime green to give your project a contemporary twist.

The beauty of this colour combination lies not only in its depth and richness, but in versatility, with the blend of navy, berry, and fuchsia offering a blank canvas of creative potential. I encourage you to not be afraid of going against the grain with the endless colour and textile combinations that lie with using Colour #83!

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Today, let’s delve into the sophistication of a primary colour palette in the realm of needlework. The notion of primary colours might initially appear basic, straightforward, and somewhat uninspiring. But we’re here to unravel the depth and richness they bring to your creative projects in needlepoint.

A Look at the Primary Colour Palette

Primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—stand as the foundational pillars of the colour wheel. Unlike their counterparts, they cannot be created by blending other hues. Instead, they serve as the core colours that can create an extensive spectrum of shades. Secondary colors, such as orange, green, and violet, emerge from the combination of two primary colours positioned adjacent to each other on the colour wheel.

Every dyer possesses their “favourite” set of primaries, or perhaps multiple sets tailored to specific colour combinations.

Today I’d like to focus on one primary colour palette for your needlework.

 Creating a Primary Colour Palette

Our palette today features three Colour Complements blends.

• Colour #14
• Colour #67
• Colour #134

Colour #134 is a vibrant cherry red, Colour #14 is an ocean blend of both blue and green hues and finally, Colour #67 which is a bold and bright fusion of yellows.

Together, they form a harmonious primary colour palette that can also be categorized as a triadic colour scheme.

The triadic colour scheme involves three colours evenly spaced on the colour wheel. In this instance, the classic trio of red, blue, and yellow takes center stage. While this serves as only onel example, the creative possibilities are vast.

For instance, you can enhance this palette by incorporating solids, metallics, and diverse textures. Consider introducing a touch of green, perhaps with Colour #55, or experiment with alternative shades of blue. The key is to encourage experimentation and explore endless combinations.

We have a sample coming up later this month featuring this palette so you may like to see what we stitch with it. 

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Late last year, my friend Susan and I chose various versatile colour combinations for this year. When doing so, we wanted to showcase “different” palettes than what might seem obvious choices.  The palette shown above is one of those. Choosing a unique and non-traditional palette can be a refreshing way to breathe creativity into your projects. 

We started with one of my very popular colours, Colour #120. Susan and I both tend to use this a lot in our own stitching because it works very well with aqua/turquoise palettes, a favourite for both of us.

Colour #120 is a gorgeous blend of brilliant green, blue and purple. There are hints of teal blue/green where the green and blue blend making any aqua/teal/turquoise colours excellent choices for creating a palette. What makes it truly versatile is the subtle hints of teal blue and green that emerge when green and blue seamlessly blend. This unique feature makes any aqua, teal, or turquoise colour a perfect companion for crafting a stunning palette. To add a bit of unconventional drama to the combination, we opted for something a bit different by adding Colour #80, a lime green, yellow and orange blend. Once again, we do this to give you an idea of a somewhat different palette. Our thought is that it is always good to experiment with colour!

The last colour combination we chose is Colour #81. This shade is a harmonious blend of lime green and aqua. This colour’s lime green and aqua elements harmonize beautifully, making it a perfect addition to your palette when you wish to infuse drama into your overall palette.

• Colour #80
• Colour #81
• Colour #120

What Colours Could You Add

Want to expand your palette for a larger project? Here are some colour inspirations that would pair well with Colour #120.

Earthy Neutrals: Consider adding earthy neutrals to balance a very colourful palette. These hues can serve as background colours or help create striking contrasts with your main colours.

Rich Jewel Tones: Consider incorporating deep jewel tones to add depth and richness. These colours can create a stunning focal point in your project.

Subtle Pastels: For a softer and more delicate touch, pastel shades like the one we chose for our colour palette. These colours work well for creating gentle transitions and delicate accents.

Metallic Accents: A touch of metallic gold or silver can add extra pop to your overall colour palette. These accents can be used for highlights and embellishments.

Experimenting with a versatile colour combination like the one we’ve shared can lead to truly unique creations.

The palette you choose is like your artistic playground, with countless possibilities to combine colours. Don’t be afraid to take risks, mix and match, and let your creativity flow. The beauty of stitching lies in the endless stitch and COLOUR combinations you can create.

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Since spring has arrived to the west coast, I wanted to share a warm analogous color scheme. Analogous color schemes are a selection of colors neighbouring one another on the color wheel. Technically, this color scheme consists of three colors featuring one dominant color BUT can be expanded with four or five colors.

An advantage with an analogous color scheme is the inherent harmony and balance it brings to a design. Since these colors are closely related, they naturally blend well, producing either a soothing and visually pleasing composition OR a bold vibrant palette. 

I chose Color #77 for my dominant colour, a blend of golden brown and orange. I added two very popular colours available in my product line, Color #67, a blend of yellows, and Color #187, a blend of reds.  What about using this palette to stitch a setting sun on a painted canvas? OR, what about the palette for a warm and colorful counted canvas design?

More About Our Analogous Color Scheme

We Used The Following Colors For Our Analogous Color Palette:

• Color #67
• Color #77
• Color #187

While color #77 features a golden brown not typically seen in an analogous red, orange and yellow palette, I think it works well because the brown is yellow/brown. If you wanted to add a bold choice, what about a gorgeous red-violet/purple for a stunning sunset?

Here’s another sunset-inspired palette we created from a previous project on the blog.

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We’ve been exploring a complementary gold colour palette. You may have seen some of these colours from last year’s post, where we featured a palette focusing on Colour #76 in our Colour Complements collection.

Today, we would like to showcase another palette.

Colour #76 blends dark and medium blue, golden yellow and green values. I originally dyed this colour combination as one of four colours from my fall 2021 collection. It came about accidentally when I started experimenting with different blues and opted to add golden yellow versus orange, which I had added to some of the other new colours in the collection. Naturally, when the blues combine with the golden yellow resulting in green.

Our palette today includes five different colour combinations:

• Colour #67
• Colour #76
• Colour #77
• Colour #162
• Colour #175

We’ve included Colour #67, which is a bold yellow blend. Colour #77 blends muted orange, golden yellow and golden brown. Colour #162 is a more pastel blend of blues and greens, and finally, Colour #175 is a blend of various values of blues.

Gold’s rich, warm tone pairs perfectly with the cool, calming shades of blue, creating a stunning colour palette. I’d also recommend adding shades of teal and green to your gold and blue palette for a more dynamic look. The earthy green tones and the striking teal hue add depth and complexity to the combination, making it perfect for a range of projects.

We will share a needlepoint sample featuring this palette later in the month, so stay tuned.

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I must admit, I rarely gravitate to a pastel colour palette. In the past, I’ve always chosen a bolder palette and generally one with a lot of contrast! Of late, I am finding pastel palettes far more appealing, so I have been experimenting with pulling threads. For today’s palette, I started with Colour #70.

Pastel colours bring a touch of charm and whimsy to needlepoint projects, giving them a unique touch. Their soothing and harmonious hues and ability to evoke emotions and create dimension make them a popular choice among needlework enthusiasts.

While pastel colours are known for their softness, they can also add depth and dimension to your needlework projects.

By blending different shades and carefully selecting complementary colours, you can create subtle variations that enhance the visual interest of your design. I encourage you to experiment with pastel colour combinations that allow you to create shadows, highlights, and texture, bringing your needlework to life with a three-dimensional quality.

As most of you likely already know, I always choose a palette by selecting a variegated thread first. This allows me to draw colours from the blend— Colour #70 blends aqua, mint green, coral and yellow. I refer to it as my “sherbet” colour, and in fact, this was my inspiration when I dyed this colour combination.

Today’s pastel colour palette features four colours

• Colour 70
• Colour 162
• Colour 175
• Colour 184

Naturally, this palette could be expanded to include solids, metallics and textured threads in various values of aqua, mint green, coral and yellow.

I’ll share a stitched sample featuring this palette soon, so stay tuned.

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Have you considered using yellow, purple, and orange in your next stitching project? They’re a fantastic colour combination featured in previous projects on our blog!

One of the great things about these colours is their high contrast. They make a design pop and create a dynamic effect. Picture the warm orange and cool purple against a bright yellow background – it’s sure to catch the eye!

The best part is that you can use these colours in various ways, depending on what kind of project you’re working on. Want a bold graphic design? These colours are perfect for that. Prefer something more subtle and muted? They work for that too! You can use them equally or focus on one as the dominant colour with the others as accents.

And the best part? These colours are available in three sizes of perle cotton and 6 strand cotton floss,  so you can easily find your preferred size for your stitching project.

• Colour #69
• Colour #66
• Colour #67

This month’s feature colour is Colour #69 (red violet/purple). You may have seen this pattern featured in an older blog post but we felt it showcased colour #69 beautifully.  The design and red violet/purple combination emphasizes the star’s shape and frames the sample by simply laying one thread and cross-stitching over this with a metallic. This needlepoint sample is stitched on 18 count mono canvas measuring less than 3 inches. The pattern is a small section of St. Margaret’s Star designed by Carole Lake & Michael Boren. 

So why not give this colour palette a try? We’re sure you’ll love the results!

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Looking to add a touch of elegance to your next needlepoint project? Consider incorporating Colour #69 – a beautiful purple combination rich in a blend of red, violet and purples.

I personally love the use of purple in any project that I do. This rich and regal hue can add depth and dimension to your work, whether creating a pillow, wall hanging, or any other type of needlepoint piece.

I also love how versatile this colour is; as mentioned above, it can be used in various ways. For a bold and striking look, consider using this beautiful colour combination as your base colour. You can then create an accent colour palette using lighter shades of lavender or lilac. This will create a contrast that is both beautiful and eye-catching!

If you prefer a more subtle approach, you can use lighter values of purple as your base colour and then incorporate Colour #69 as accents. Doing this will create a more understated look that is still sophisticated and stylish.

You can also use Colour #69 for projects requiring a contrasting colour palette. It looks stunning when paired with emerald green or sapphire blue – jewel tones that are neither muted nor loud.   

Another great thing about this particular colour blend is that you can also look at using a variety of textures and finishes to add even more interest and dimension. A shiny metallic thread for your accents or a matte cotton thread for your base colour are great options to create that depth you may not achieve  when using threads with the same “finish.”

Overall, Colour #69 is a beautiful and versatile colour that can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any needlepoint project. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, experimenting with different shades and textures of purple/red violets can help take your work to the next level. Don’t be afraid to play around with this colour in your next project and let me know how you do!

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Today, I’m highlighting a beautiful teal colour combination with a very unique colour from my collection as the highlight. I’ve always thought of Colour #56 as a “different” colour combination in my product line. While it is not as popular as other colours, I think it can look beautiful in a project depending on your combined colours. In this case, I incorporated more cool colours to highlight the hints of blue that you can see peeking out.

Colour #56 is a blend of teal, golden brown and yellow. The yellow is muted versus a bold yellow. While it is an unusual blend of colours, it provides many opportunities for a palette. Because there is a bit of warmth and cool tones in the thread, it gives you lots of opportunities to play!

What Colours were created to create this Teal Colour Combination

Today we chose to combine Colour #56 with two other colour combinations. As mentioned, we went for more of a cooler palette, drawing from the hints of teal you see. Colour #14 is what I have often referred to as my ocean blend. My inspiration was the colours seen in the Pacific Northwest ocean. Colour #162 is one I re-introduced about a year ago. It is a soft blend of pale blues and greens.

Here’s a closer look at the threads and colours we utilised to create this teal colour combination:

• Colour #14
• Colour #56
• Colour #162

I encourage you to try and create your own! Be creative and take inspiration from unique blends of colours you see in Colour #56.

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