Play with Color in the Pixel Tweed Pullover

A lot of times when I share knitting patterns that are meant to be colorful I will say something about how they would be good stash busters because you can change colors as often as you like or need to as you run out of yarn.

I’m not going to make that recommendation when it comes to the Pixel Tweed Pullover by James N. Watt.

That’s because for this pattern to work it really does best as three distinct, repeating colors throughout the project.

James was inspired by the red, green and blue pixels on vintage TVs to create their color palette, but of course you can use any three colors you like. This is another pattern where looking through the finished projects on Ravelry is super helpful because you can see how different color combinations work. Sometimes if the colors are too close in value one of them almost disappears, but that’s also an interesting look.

Whatever colors you choose, this is a bottom-up crewneck is worked flat in pieces, with all over color patterning worked with slip stitches on a garter stitch base. The cuffs, neckline and bottom hem, as well as seams on the sleeves, are worked in one of the colors.

It’s available in nine sizes and ranges from a chest measurement of 36.5 to 68.5 inches, or 76 to 174 cm. It is meant to be worn with 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) of positive ease.

I love how this tweed pattern almost looks like crochet from a distance, and I think it would be a lot of fun to knit. This is one way to get some practice working with multiple colors if you haven’t done so before without having to pay too much attention to following a pattern or reading a chart.

The pattern is available on Ravelry.

[Photo: James N. Watt]

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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