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Crochet Color Of The Year – What Do You Think??

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cro orchid color 0314

 

It is said (I suppose by experts) that Pantone or Radiant Orchid is the color of the year for 2014.  I mention this only because recently, in my local newspaper, there was an article about home decor that featured a piece on the 2014 Color of the Year.  This color is certainly ‘radiant’.  In fact, it’s so radiant as to be glaring!  And, when featured as the wall paint for an entire dining room, it is , well, just too much.  I love color – fully saturated, strong colors.  But, strong color needs to be used sparingly in most applications.  I’m not decorating expert, but I do know what I like and can live with.

Since we all have different computer monitors, I’ll add the description of this color – purple just to the side of fuchsia.

cro orchid patterns 0314

I love fuchsia.  I love pink.  I love purple.  But, wait a minute.  Does everything in a room need to be updated to Radiant Orchid? Does it even need to be the focal point of a room?  What am I to do with all the other beautiful furniture I own, the doilies I’ve crocheted, the quilts I’ve inherited that might clash with this color.  And, how many pieces do I want to crochet in this (or any) color?  Maybe this pattern book I discovered online would help.  Hmmm.  I don’t know.

So, I ask you – what are we to do with the Color Of The Year?

NOTE**********************

Smart reader, Barbaranne emailed me with the following information.  Please take note of it so you won’t go anywhere asking for a color called Pantone!  Here’s what she wrote:
I get the daily Craft Gossip email and saw your article today on the color of the year. In the beginning of the article you said that the new color is called Pantone, but Pantone is not a color, rather, it is a numbering system to identify colors. The Pantone number for the Radiant Orchid color is 18-3224. https://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21129

You can read more about it online. Here is one source. http://www.colorguides.net/pantone.html

 

Comments

  1. I like fuschia but it must be used sparingly. I am not going to redecorate my house with it.

  2. I am loving the color. I just made a hat with dark purple and blue mixed. Purple is one of my favorite colors 🙂

  5. Be a minion and let others choose for you or you can step outside the collective and choose the colors that give you joy. Love your articles, they are inspirational think tanks for me!

  6. I like the color, but not for my house. Maybe a little touch of it would be alright. I would wear at it as a sweater or scarf, but not an entire outfit in that color.

  7. I choose purples over almost any other color in the spectrum. I’ve even painted rooms in parsonages lilac, to the chagrin of men on the Trustees. IMHO you need to choose cool or warm, and like every other color what’s the undertone? (Try putting together black separates and you’ll understand THAT one).

    Having lived in rentals and manses, I get tired of plain old “magnolia white”. Any color beats that!

  8. So what’s a little Goof? I’ll rem’ber to be sure to give the No# to the neighbors when they want to paint their house this color! Smile!

Have you read?

Lightweight Lacy Crochet Tee Pattern That’s Perfect for Layering

Some crochet garments look beautiful on the hanger but feel awkward to wear. This Lacy Crochet Tee from Lana Grossa is not one of those pieces. It’s light, breathable, and very much designed to be worn — the kind of handmade top that slips easily into your everyday wardrobe without feeling “too precious.”

What immediately stands out is the openness of the stitch pattern. It has that airy, lacy feel that works so well for warmer weather or for layering over a tank or dress. This isn’t a heavy, structured garment; it’s soft and fluid, with just enough texture to make it interesting while still letting the yarn shine.

From a making point of view, this tee is a really enjoyable project if you like crochet that feels calm and rhythmic. The lace pattern keeps your hands engaged without constant counting or frustration, which makes it perfect for evening crochet or quiet weekend sessions. It’s also very satisfying watching the fabric grow — those lacy stitches really show progress quickly.

Skill-wise, this one is best suited to confident beginners moving into intermediate crochet. You don’t need advanced shaping skills, but being comfortable with stitch patterns and keeping even tension will make the process much more enjoyable. If you’ve been wanting to dip your toe into wearable crochet without tackling a full sweater, this is a great place to start.

What I really appreciate about this pattern is how versatile it is. Change the colour and fibre and it can feel casual and beachy or clean and modern. It’s the kind of tee you’ll reach for again and again, especially when you want something handmade that still feels light and effortless.

If you enjoy crochet garments that are wearable, practical, and quietly stylish, this lacy tee is a lovely pattern to have in your collection.