Gail Callahan, $7.95
The subtitle for this little tool says you can “Take the Mystery out of Selecting Color.” and it does a fantastic job of doing just that.
The grid consists of a detachable template you use to refine your choices, plus a tri-fold color grid. The grid has 14 colors, the end two (red-violet and violet) repeated on either end. There are 11 values of each color, once again with the ends repeated.
You take the template and place the largest circle (in the center of the array of nine) on your chosen color, arraying the template horizontally.
From here you can construct several color schemes from the selected threads. For a monochrome scheme, start by adding the colors above and below your chosen color. For an analogous scheme, pick the other colors in the circles.
The template also has a slit. The slit shows you the complement of your chosen color, selecting three shades. You can now use these as the basis for a complementary scheme. By using these in conjunction with a wider range of the colors in the circles you get a split complementary scheme. You can also pick these colors to add a bit on punch to a design.
You can also use the grid without the template to construct other schemes.
For needlepointers, this becomes a great way to figure out harmonious schemes. Begin by finding the circle that most closely matches your chosen thread. Make that block the largest circle. From here you can find other colors that will harmonize with it using it to make great color schemes.
Learning to create wonderful color schemes can often be difficult, with this tool you can gain the confidence you need to pick your own colors. I highly recommend it.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Where can this be purchased?
I bought mine on Amazon, but it is also available through on of the major needlework book distributors, so your LNS should be able to get it.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
The ISBN and price you quoted lead to the following publication on Amazon : Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Custom-Color Your Favorite Fibers with Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques Spiral-bound
by Gail Callahan (Author)
There is a product called Gail Callahan’s Original Color Grid available on amazon and the price is $7.95. It looks like the picture you hae displayed in your blog and I have ordered it.
Thanks for the tip.
Unhappily that was the ISBN on the back of the product. But do a search on “color Grid” in Amazon and you’ll find it. Updating the article now.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
I have ordered the color grid and have received it. I like it. Just ot provide further clarification, I looked on the back of the color grid and the ISBN on the back is for the the Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece . There is no ISBN for the color grid itself. There is only a bar code number. I checked on Amazon and the color grid has no ISBN so people have to look it up as Gail Callahan’s Color grid to get the right product. Thanks for the tip. I love the grid.