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Embrace Fall: The Best Fall Colors for Your Next Project
Fall Project Colors
M Reed
September 10, 2024
Crisp air and color changed leaves? Time to let the season inspire your craft!
As the crisp air of fall starts to settle in and the leaves change color, it’s a little late to be starting fall projects. Let’s be real, it takes time to knit up anything. But I find this is when I am most inspired to start crafting. So it may be a little late to start a long project but that doesn’t mean the project started this fall can’t be warn or given away next year!
Whether you’re crafting cozy scarves, snug blankets, or warm sweaters, fall offers a stunning palette of colors that can transform your projects. Fall is something I love getting inspiration from for my own knitting projects. From rich oranges and deep reds to warm neutrals, fall hues bring a sense of comfort and warmth to your knitting.
🧡 Rusty Orange 🧡
Nothing says fall like the deep, earthy orange tones of autumn leaves. Rusty orange brings vibrancy and warmth to projects. This shade adds a pop of color without being too bold. It pairs beautifully with neutrals like cream or brown, making it a versatile choice for everything from accessories to sweaters.
Perfect For: Statement scarves, cowls, and cozy cardigans.
❤️ Burnt Red ❤️
A deep, burnt red has that feeling of fall foliage and is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your projects. This rich shade is slightly muted compared to a classic bright red, making it more wearable for everyday pieces. Burnt red is ideal for projects like sweaters or shawls that you want to stand out while staying true to autumn’s moodier tones.
Perfect For: Sweaters, shawls, and wraps
💛 Mustard Yellow 💛
If you’re looking to brighten up your fall knits while staying within a seasonal color palette, mustard yellow is a go-to. This one is honestly my favorite. I actually just got done with knitting up a pair of shorts in this color! (Georgia fall can be a little warm. 🌞) This golden tone is reminiscent of fall sunshine and pairs beautifully with browns and reds. Mustard yellow yarn adds a cheerful yet mellow vibe, making it perfect for accessories that pop.
Perfect For: Hats, fingerless gloves, or accent details in colorwork patterns.
💚 Olive Green 💚
For a more grounded, earthy vibe, olive green is a must-have. This muted green hue is inspired by nature and pairs with neutral tones like beige, cream, and charcoal. You can find a good representation of this in various period and fantasy shows. (Outlander anyone?) Olive green is a timeless shade that gives your project a relaxed, natural look, making it perfect for everything from cozy blankets to everyday sweaters.
Perfect For: Relaxed cardigans, blankets, and nature-inspired accessories.
🤎 Warm Brown 🤎
Brown feels like the embrace of a fall evening by the fireplace, and it’s incredibly versatile. You can use it as a base color for larger projects like sweaters or blankets, or incorporate it as an accent in colorwork patterns. Brown tones come in many shades, from lighter mocha to deep chocolate, making it easy to find the perfect one for your project.
Perfect For: Oversized sweaters, blankets, and textured cowls.
💜 Deep Plum 💜
For a more luxurious, moody feel, deep plum is a stunning fall color. There is a reason this is often deemed the royal color. This dark, purplish hue adds sophistication to any knitwear and pairs well with other fall tones like olive green, mustard yellow, and warm browns. If you’re looking to create a statement piece that’s both elegant and cozy, deep plum is the color for you.
Perfect For: Statement shawls, ponchos, and textured sweaters.
🤍 Creamy Neutrals 🤍
While bold fall colors are always a favorite, creamy neutrals like soft beige, off-white, or taupe are the perfect complement to these richer shades. Neutral colors bring balance to colorwork or can be used on their own for timeless, minimalist pieces. Creamy neutrals feel light and cozy, making them ideal for layering knits that pair with anything in your fall wardrobe.
Perfect For: Neutral-colored cardigans, layering scarves, or color-blocked projects.
🩶 Charcoal Gray 🩶
Charcoal gray is a classic, grounding color that works beautifully as a base or accent in fall projects. It pairs effortlessly with brighter fall colors like mustard, orange, and red, or can be used alone for sleek, modern knits.
Perfect For: Hats, sweaters, and blankets with a modern feel.
Mixing and matching fall colors can bring even more depth and creativity. Here are a few combinations to inspire you:
Rust Orange + Olive Green + Warm Brown: | This earthy trio brings a grounded, natural feel to projects like color-blocked sweaters or scarves. |
Mustard Yellow + Charcoal Gray: | Brighten up a neutral palette with a pop of mustard yellow for an accessory or throw blanket that feels modern yet cozy. |
Deep Plum + Creamy Neutrals: | Add a touch of luxury to neutral tones with a statement piece in deep plum, perfect for an elegant shawl or cardigan. |
Burnt Red + Warm Brown: | For a rich, warm look, pair these colors in a colorwork pattern or stripe them in a cozy blanket. |
Fall is the season of warmth, comfort, and beauty, and it’s reflected perfectly in its colors. Whether you’re creating a new cozy scarf, a pair of gloves, or a full sweater, these fall-inspired hues can bring the spirit of the season into your projects. Let the oranges, reds, browns, and neutrals of autumn guide your yarn choices, and create pieces that are as beautiful and inviting as the season itself.
What fall colors are inspiring your projects this season? Share your favorite fall yarn picks in the comments!
Happy Fall!
-McKenzie
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