
Updated May 25, 2021.
From the time I was little, I have loved color. Until recently I even collected paint color chips, just because I like to look at them. One of the things I love best about needlepoint is the way I can play with color. And, even better, with the different threads I can play with both color and texture.
I’m thinking about this today as I gaze out on the messy pile which is my desktop and think about what I want to stitch today.
Being a stitch guide writer I have many, many color cards and several of these are sitting on my desk right now. As are some piles of thread. It makes for a very colorful jumble.
This is also how I organize my bookshelves, everything jumbled together.
Why is this important?
Because it illustrates what is, for me, an important principle of creativity — serendipity. I don’t look for things that go together, color cards just pile up as I pull them out to use in picking a thread. If I’m going to need them again, I keep them out. Threads used and not put away suffer the same fate.
It isn’t planned, it just happens.
This morning when I look out at the desk, I see a shimmering red-gold in Sparkle Braid which is going to have me seeking a design for it. Some light violet Flair sitting under similar violets in Needlepoint, Inc floss that will make great backgrounds for a series of paisley designs I’m doing. And in my bag of used threads, a collection of dark cool colors accented by a bright red metallic. That could be another Bargello pillow for my daughter (who wants a pile for her couch).
There is lots of cool needlepoint sitting here, just waiting for me to stitch 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
I like the way you just illustrated the use of color. I found it also true that color can make you think of a project you wish to do. We will never live to do them all or complete them all. Isn’t that wonderful?
I’d just like to get the ones finished which are started and in piles everywhere!
I love the way you choose your colors and threads, Janet. For ages, I used a color wheel and my needlework pieces looked sometimes half spirited because it chose the colors not me. After shocking my system by making Amish quilts in which you put a rich burgundy next to an intense teal green, I am getting a bit more relaxed. For my next project, i’ll have to choose colors and threads the Janet way. Have no doubt that it will be a lot more fun.