Dream in Color's New Semi-Solids & Contest

I see a lot of color in my job.  Every day I get to open up or ship out boxes and boxes (and boxes) of squishy skeins of artistry.  You'd think that after nearly 8 years of this I would be immune to the effect of color.  Not so.  The most recent shipment from Dream in Color induced a grotesquely gushy "omg, these colors are so amazing and the idea of combining them into a project just puts me in tailspin" kind of call to Veronica, the owner of Dream in Color.  I'm glad she understood and doesn't think I'm at all crazy- at least for that.  In fact, that was the entire idea behind the new release of colors.  Giving knitters like me, who typically choose the safe choice in colors they like, an easy way to combine new-to-them colors and come up with a finished project that is stunning.  You really can't go wrong when combining any of the new 14 colors (colors 34-47 in Smooshy shown here) into a multi-colored project.  And to show you exactly what I mean, below are 10 options for combining three colors from the new color release.  Want some pattern ideas? Veera Valimaki has some great designs for those of use who might be shy about combining colors.  Try the Color Affection shawl (done it!), Gathering Stripes kids' sweater (OMG, just queued this for the boys!), Gathering Stripes adult sweater (I'd still use Smooshy for this,as it's on the thicker side of fingering weight and you could get gauge), Stripe Study Shawl.  Ok, I like stripes.

Want to win your fave combo of three?  Sure you do!  Tell me in the comments below which one is your favorite combination and you could be the lucky one to win it!  Just comment once to be eligible.  I'll close the contest in a week, so mid day on Tuesday, December 11.  I'll randomly choose one winner the following week, so make sure to either leave your e-mail address in the e-mail field of the comments, or check back here on the blog to see who won.  Below are the inspiring combos I put together.  I'll be honest, they really put themselves together.  I don't think you could go wrong here.  If you have a pattern idea in mind, you could tell us that along with your comment!

Option 1: 039 Lost in Plum, 047 Charma Chameleon, 037 Magic Orchid

Option 2: 034 Miami Red, 040 Navy Zeal, 043 Boot Camp

Option 3: 038 Juliette's Blush, 036 Rosalita, 035 Charged Cherry

Option 4: 039 Lost in Plum, 034 Miami Red, 047 Karma Chameleon

Option 5: 041 Prince William, 042 Atomic Blue, 040 Navy Zeal

Option 6: 041 Prince William, 040 Navy Zeal, 036 Rosalita

Option 7:  041 Prince William, 040 Navy Zeal, 045 Amber Glass

Option 8: 039 Lost in Plum, 035 Charged Cherry, 037 Magic Orchid

Option 9.  043 Boot Camp, 045 Amber Glass, 044 Medieval

Option 10. 046 Fern Slipper, 042 Atomic Blue, 044 Medieval

I hope you are as inspired with these colors as I am.  If you want to see them all online, just go here.  Or come see them in person at Simply Socks Yarn Co- if you happen to be in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area (or within a few hour drive) on Saturday, December 8, stop in for our holiday open house from 10-4!  We are having tasty snacks, making a yarny ornament craft, and there's all that sock yarn to wander through.  It does take quite awhile to peruse through 3500 square feet of sock yarn, but I believe in you- you can do it! 

That's just the left half of the store, kids.  Yep, lots of sock yarn.

Comments

[Angela]

Wow - that is a hard decision! I narrowed it down it Options 2 & 5. I have a lot of red in my stash so option 5 won but realistically I loved them both so if I was buying them I'd probably get both options to see them in person and make a decision then :)

[Joyce]

OMG....such beautiful colors and so hard to choose a favorite. But....I think either option 6 or 7 would be my choice. Can you tell I'm likin' the grays?

[Teresa - Working Traveling Mom]

Option 3 really speaks to me!

[Leah H]

Option 3 would make for some awesome Valentine's Day socks! (I'm thinking My Vampire Boyfriend, from knitty.com Fall 2009)

[Kim Deiro]

Option 5 would make handsome men's socks

[Sandra]

Option #1 is my favorite... I love the richness and the contrast of those colors!!!

[Elaine]

I like the option 7. They are all such pretty colors though.

[Margo]

Option 5 would be my choice.

[Anne Marie]

I'm diggin' option 3 with all those pinkie pinks.

[Leslie Fehr]

I am drawn to Option #9 - I just love the brown/gold combinations.

[Mary]

I like Option #5 - but they're all beautiful!!

[Rebekah]

OPTION 5 is definitely my favorite. I'm a sucker for blue, and gray is my new favorite neutral.

[Nancy]

I'll pick Option 5, please. That Atomic Blue is just dazzling!

[Jane]

I think I'd have to go with Option 2 - that pop of red is calling to me, and the Stripe Study Shawl knows my name too. Have to figure out how to use three colors instead of two (change at border?) but that would be fun to figure out too!

[NA]

I love Option 6! I'd make socks, or fingerless mitts, or a scarf.

[Kim]

I love OPTION 6 especially, but all your combos would be fun!

[Betty]

Option 5. That is just about my favorite color of blue.

[Kathleen B.]

Option 9 just goes with my natural coloring (strawberry blonde).

[Gabriele]

After looking at all of them my favorite is Option #1. They are all so pretty.

[Theresa M.]

Geeze....I think my head almost exploded from the stress of picking just one! Right at this moment I think this one is my favorite.Option 8: 039 Lost in Plum, 035 Charged Cherry, 037 Magic Orchid

[C Fuller]

I think right now I like option #1 the best.

[Hilary]

Oh wow, I love option #10!!

[R Morris]

Option 8 is my pick. Thanks.

[Deb]

Option 8 what wonderful colors!!

[Karen Pettyjohn]

Option #5 really is my type of colors. However...if I was in a bold mood...with a little convincing...I'd love to try Option #8!

[Mandy]

Option 1, 2, or 6. It's so hard to choose, they're all so pretty :)

[marianne]

ooh, option 7 is my favorite. thanks for this chance to win!

[Ann Duke]

It's very diffiult to pick just one option but I choose Option 8 and then Option 6 and so forth down the line.........lol

[Lucy Portland]

I love Option 1. The Charma really adds pop, but all the colors are pretty.

[Susie]

Definitely Option 4. My younger daughter just had her first baby, Jack, and pink is her favorite color. She is an amazing daughter and mother and I'd love to knit her a shawl in these colors.

[Andrea]

Option 6. They are all good combos.

[Savannagal]

Option 9 is my favorite. I really love fall colors and especially browns. They go with everything. Thanks for the terrific giveaway.

[Martha]

omg--I absolutely want Option 1. It is soooo gorgeous.

[Lynn]

Hmmmmm, this was a HARD one!!! But I keep leaning toward option #9

[dana]

I like option 1. thanks!

[Karen M. Griesinger]

Option 6 it was a hard decision. They are all beautiful!' Thank Allison for a great contest.

[Sue J]

Option 1 for me!! LOVE that Lost in Plum & Charma Chameleon together!!! I'd make the Derecho Shawl (on ravelry)

[Mun Yee]

I love them all! But Option 1 really stands out. It's not a combination that I'll normally go for but I just love it!

[Anita C]

Options 4 and 7 for me - I can't decide between those 2, but I really like all of the combos!

[sprite]

I'm a Valentine baby, so I'm drawn to Option 3. That said, I'd probably combine 42, 47, and 36 (or maybe 37) in my ideal trio. FWIW, I have never met a bright color (or color combo) that I didn't love, so I always find posts about color-shy knitters fascinating!

[Natalie]

I have changed my mind 3 times, but now I am going with option #7. It just spoke to me and I think it would motivate me to finish any project.

[Lois Yamada]

Option 4 for me.....although you can't go wrong with any of those beautiful color combos.

[Crystal Corr]

I love them all...but Option 5 is my fav! I would wear that all the time!!!!

[Karen]

I like option 8! I've been dreaming about making the color affection shawl!

[Brandon Thomas]

I really like 5 or 7.

[Lyn]

Option #5 is incredible and dreams (BEGS!) to be a Pterodactyl. But, honestly, who hasn't yearned to be a pterodactyl at least once...

[Jennifer in NC]

Option 5 for a Color Affection. Although I might be tempted to swap red for the blue. I love red and gray together ...

[Sondra Turner]

I love option 6!

[Pam F.]

Option 1, for something that doesn't seem to go together they actually go together. I like that.

[Vicki]

Though i love Option 9 as well, i have to say my fav would be Option 2 . Red for me and brown and blue for the boys!

phoenix _anew@hotmail.com

[Kathy S]

Option 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jennifer]

Option 1

[Deb Welch]

Option 5 is amazing! I would love to make a striped shawl with it!

[SallyBC]

Gosh hard to pick - I'd go with Option 5 first, and 6 if I couldn't find the colors.

I'd also go for Crying Dove, Black Pearl and Grey Tabbie.

Whatever combo, they all look lovely and I would be more than pleased to be picked to win!

[Susan Ipavec]

So hard to choose..they are all so lovely. Option 10 is my favorite though!

[Jackie]

I love #1 and #7 either combination would make beautiful sweaters for our newest grandbabies (twins-a boy and a girl)of course with a matching big sister sweater.

[Judith]

Either 6 or 9, although I lean slightly more towards #6.

[Lisa]

Option 7! Really feeling the "grellow" this year

[angela]

They are all gorgeous, but option #2 is my favorite!

[Jane Finnell]

options 1, 4 and 5 - WAAAAY to hard to decide. Love, love, love them all! Thanks for the chance!

[lydia m]

Option 5 is by far my favorite. That would be gorgeous!!!

[Michelle]

They are all yummy! I like option 5 the best! If there were something with a deeper green in the mix that would've been awesome too!

[Theresa]

Option 5 is my love! But they are all great choices...can't go wrong.

[Kay L]

Oh my! So many choices! I have to say that Option 6 caught my eye first with Option 5 running close behind.

[Jennifer]

Option 5 is my favorite! I love working with blues and grays. Classic and timeless. :)

[Jean folkerth]

I love option 1

[Pat]

#1 all the way! Love it!

[Sara]

I love option 8!! My favorite colors, all in one place. Plus whatever I make will coordinate beautifully with 2 of my bicycles :).

[Alyce]

What a wonderful giveaway! I have wanted to knit Color Affection for a long time and Option 1 just sings to me. It is not a color combo I would normally choose for myself, but I love it.

[Bobglory]

Option 1 just screamed "knit me". The play of the plum with the orchid would be divine on their own but adding in a pop color with chameleon would be a real eye catcher!

[Lisa Viviano]

I can't decide between option 6 and 7. Really, all are great combos of a truly great yarn!

[Jodie]

Option 5 is awesome! Perfect to make a new sweater with. :

[Judi]

Number 5 is my absolute favorite. I have always loved grays and blues together. All of the new colors are wonderful.

[Christine C.]

I really like Option 7 - I can't go back and look though cause I'll probably change my mind! Beautiful colors!

[diane obrien]

Option 7 please, love the way the amber pops.

[Rene B]

I would totally go with Option 6...(Prince William) is going to be a daddy, perhaps a baby girl (Rosalita), and I am a (Navy) brat :) So the perfect color combo!

[Susan Hill]

Option 3 speaks to me and my 10-year-old grandson. He told me the other day that he has decided to wear more sweaters and asked me to knit one for him. He is a kid who loves colors so I think it's karma that you have posted this. Even if I'm not chosen, I see an order in my future.

[Bonnie]

Option 5 is beautiful. I've been very smitten by all the ombre things popping up on the Internet, and an all-gray palette would be lovely, too!

[Laurie Jones]

Option #6 is an amazing color combo. Love the splash of bright!

[Valerie]

Option 7 for sure - beautiful combo, and gray and yellow are really great together. The subtle plum really sets it off.

[Tracy]

I want to do a Color Affection shawl, and I think option 1 would work best with my wardrobe!

[Tina Champagne]

I love Option #5!! They would be gorgeous together.....pick me, pick me!!!

[nina]

Hmm, hard to decide btwn #5 and #7. Would love socks in each of those colours!

[Angela]

They're all beautiful, but Option 6 is my favorite!

[Marilyn]

Jewel tones make my heart sing! I love option 8. Thanks for the chance to win!

[SwordofaKnitter]

Option 5 for sure! I would make Earth and Sky or some sort of westknits design! STUNNING colors all round though!

[Merna]

Option 5 is what I would pick. In all my years of knitting, I don't believe I've ever used grays. Of course that karma yellow color really draws me too, just might have to order some.

[Amber]

Option 2 would make an AWESOME shawl in my opinion! Though I love all the colors!

[Ekingsley2]

I'm loving option 1. Not sure what I would do with it yet, but right now I'm a little addicted to matching mittens, cowls, and hats. So probably color work xD

[Becky Davis]

I really love option 2!

[Joyce]

Option 5 would be my choice. What is it about gray this time of year that seems so "normal"? The sky? The cold? The short days? And that blue adds a hint of optimism.

[Ashley D]

On man! This is a tough decision. I am usually drawn to earthy tones like browns and greens. But Option #1 totally caught my eye! I love the dark, deep purple.

[SusannahC]

They are all gorgeous, but I'm drawn to Option #3, which is interesting because I'm not a pinks kind of gal.

[Amy Beth]

Option one made a big impact, but Option 7 is my pick!

[AmyC]

Wowza! Option 1 just called out to me--sorry Options 2-10, but I gave my heart away before we even met.

[Kiki]

What a gorgeous set of colours!
Set #1 is my favourite, folowed by #5. I notice not a lot of blue combos in the bunch... ^_^

[Susan]

Torture to have to pick. When in doubt, NEUTRALS, #9!

[Christinahrs]

I think I would have to go with #2. Beautiful!

[Melissa Westphal]

I think that option 5 would be beautiful shawl but option 2 is a close second.

[Diane True]

I think Option 1 would make a most delightful shawl!