help matching yarn colors

[setsunaluvr]

So, I'm making a blanket out of multiple squares that I am going to crochet together. The person I am making this for likes earth tones, so I was originally planning on olive and tan, but on realizing it would look like a camouflage pattern I decided that I would go with olive and mustard. However, when I discussed the color scheme with a family member, they did not like the mustard color, though I suspect it was because they personally do not like the color rather than any inherent problems with the matching itself.

 

I am not particularly good at matching colors, so is the mustard color a good match for the olive, or not? If it isn't what would be a good earth tone to match it, other than a brown shade? I want something light for the contrast.

[magiccrochetfan]

I like mustard, but a lot of people don't so I am not surprised your relative didn't like it.  Are you sure the recipient likes mustard?  

 

Do you already have the yarns?  Or will you be shopping for new yarn?  

 

I like to have some contrast int he color "weight" so i would look for a light mustard to go with the olive.  

 

if you ondt already have the yarn, be prepared to compromise your initial vision once you start shopping....it is SO hard to find yarn in the exact color i have in mind , that meets other criteria esp cost lol

[redrosesdz]

I struggle with color matching.  My sister, who is a quilter and wonderful with colors, sent me a color wheel.  It's not actually a wheel, it's cards, similar to paint color cards.  There are a few online ones.  I like ...

 

https://halcyonyarn.com/yarn-colors/pick-yarns-by-color.php

 

By the way, I like mustard and I like olive, but not together.  I put a medium shade of olive in the above color chart and mustard didn't come up as any of the possibilities.  I also put a medium-dark mustard, since I love Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice, and olive didn't come up as a choice.

[Granny Square]

Are you set on just 2 colors?  What about olive, mustard (or maybe the tan you were thinking of), and rust.  I'm trying to find a link to a 1970s afghan in my mind's eye but not finding it, but I remember that combo wasn't uncommon, and definitely earth-tone.

 

Some earthtone combo ideas

http://www.creativecolorschemes.com/resources/free-color-schemes/earth-tone-color-scheme.shtml

 

edit - check out the colors in this sweater

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-foliage

[setsunaluvr]

I like mustard, but a lot of people don't so I am not surprised your relative didn't like it.  Are you sure the recipient likes mustard?  

 

Do you already have the yarns?  Or will you be shopping for new yarn?  

 

I like to have some contrast int he color "weight" so i would look for a light mustard to go with the olive.  

 

if you ondt already have the yarn, be prepared to compromise your initial vision once you start shopping....it is SO hard to find yarn in the exact color i have in mind , that meets other criteria esp cost lol

I don't have the yarn yet, I'm in the theorycrafting stage, as gamers would say.

 

Are you set on just 2 colors?  What about olive, mustard (or maybe the tan you were thinking of), and rust.  I'm trying to find a link to a 1970s afghan in my mind's eye but not finding it, but I remember that combo wasn't uncommon, and definitely earth-tone.

 

Some earthtone combo ideas

http://www.creativecolorschemes.com/resources/free-color-schemes/earth-tone-color-scheme.shtml

 

edit - check out the colors in this sweater

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-foliage

 

No, three colors would be fine. As long as the number of colors can evenly multiply to thirty, it is fine.

 

I actually like that combination quite a bit.

[Granny Square]

This is (sort of) what I was thinking of, but this has more colors 

http://www.123stitch.com/item/Leisure-Arts-Ripple-Afghans-Crochet-Pattern/LA5950

[magiccrochetfan]

i googled the phrase "olive green and mustard yellow scheme" and the images that came up seemed to have a lot of good ideas.  I personally liked the ones that include some paler pastels like aqua, yellow, or peach.   that led me to the Design Seeds site, where there are tons of color combo ideas.  for example https://www.design-seeds.com/in-nature/nature-made/color-nature-4/     https://www.design-seeds.com/in-nature/flora/summer-tones/    well i was trying to link, but looks like it didn't work, but perhaps it would if you copy and paste.  anyway, I'm not gonna say how much time I just spent picking a color and scrolling through there, beautiful images!  

 

How well do you know the color preferences of the recipient?  I ask because some people have an automatic bad reaction to anything that they see as "too seventies".  Olive green and mustard are certainly colors that get put in this category.  so again, I think a paler, lighter version of mustard (light gold I guess would describe it), or of rust (peach or terra cotta)  would look more current.

 

Also I would probably start looking at yarns to get ideas based on available colors, before you get too far into very specific color decisions.  If you want machine washable/dryable, berrocco Comfort comes in a big range of colors (I made the throw in my avatar with it because of the color range) http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-comfort   hmmm, maybe some possibilities in the colors between Buttercup and Aunt Martha Green....?  

[Jayashiangel]

I think a shade of gray would be good with it vs the mustard I am totally not a mustard fan as far back as my grandma using it (in everything at that time) think wow this color is very ugly.. & they seemed to mix it with Orange or Rust? Why they both seemed ugly to me?

[Granny Square]

I've been thinking about this thread a bit.  I went down the 70s path because you were mentioning olive and mustard, which are very 70s.  

 

When I hear 'earth tone' I do think 70s, because that's the the term used for the avocado - harvest gold - rust - orange - mustard - brown shades of that period.  For someone younger than that generation, earth tones may just mean neutral shades, maybe coordinating shades of brown, or very muted / dull colors.  

[redrosesdz]

I agree with GS about the 70's earth tone colors. They were everywhere from clothing to furniture to walls to kitchen appliances.

 

What about a main color, like olive or tan, combined with cream? It would go with more decor.

 

Another idea for getting colors that work together is to look at variegated yarn. Companies have already gone through the work of color coordination. Pick one with a combination you like, then use it to find the solids you'll use.