Guest Author - Iris ten Holder

Color can be a delight and it can be a challenge. Color is probably the first choice made when planning a handmade rug. Whether it is knotted, knitted, woven or braided. Although some of the design examples refer to a knitted rug, the principles are universal.

What colors to choose? We often know what colors we like, but are sometimes at a loss how to combine colors and get a good result.

Is it difficult? That depends on how much we want to know. As a starting point it will be helpful to have some simple rules. Your knowledge will grow, and as you see the result, you will learn and gain confidence.

When choosing a color scheme it is mbest to use a maximum of four colors. The greater the number of colors, the more complex the choice becomes. This article challenges you to use a one-color scheme for a round radial rug, by using areas of lighter colors offset by bands that combine light and dark colors. Each segment of the rug has a similar structure. For a symmetrical rug, repeat these combinations in all twelve segments. For an asymmetrical effect, Make the basic color in some of the sections dark and invert the band structure.

Another possibility is to divide the rug in three equal sections, using the darker color in the first (long) band in three of the segments, and using lighter blends in all other segments. Other combinations are also possible.

Planning on paper with colored pencils will make you discover more possible solutions. Find different ways to segment the rug - in groups of three, or two, or four. Then determine how many bands of solid color will be placed in each segment.

One-Color Scheme.
With just one color, we can get beautiful results. We can use tints and shades of the same color and arrange these to make the design. For example we can accentuate the design by separating the lighter shades with a darker one, or gradually going from light to dark. When using various shades of one color we need to use our judgment to ensure that they actually are closely related and do not clash. When using new yarn, it is best to use yarn from the same manufacturer. Color bases may differ from one manufacturer to another.

When working with available yarn, Color matches may be problematic, but there is a way to overcome the difference. When knitting rugs, it is not uncommon to combine yarns to increase the thickness of the rug. Colors that are slightly different can be blended and often this can also increase the depth of the color. This is a matter of experimentation. For those who are adventurous and already have a good feel for color, this can be quite rewarding and lead to surprising color possibilities. This can also apply to the two-color scheme, where for example, combinations of different colors, such as red and yellow orange, red and yellow and red and orange, which will tend to give different orange-like effects.

Do not hesitate to use almost black or almost white versionis of this one color.

Thus there are 12 possible colors that can form the basis of this color scheme. these are the primary colors, the secondary colors, and the tertiary colrs that can be found on the color wheel.

They are: yellow, yellow green, green, blue green, blue, blue violet, vilet, red violet, red, red orange, oranges, and yellow oranve.

Choose one and then find several variations. Three is usually sufficient. When the colors are selected, design the segments.

You may now be ready to design a monochrome rug. Feel free to pose questions in the forum.