How do you decide on a color?

[adoremybabe]

Lets say that I want to make a hat or a scarf to give to someone. How do I go about deciding on a color?

I know that the recipient's coat is black and tan. I wouldn't normally choose either color for a hat or scarf.

How do you decide on a color?

[ollyoxenfree]

I take it you don't want to just ask - that's probably the easiest way.

Does the recipient prefer certain colours? The recipient's skintones and hair may give you some idea too.

Red often looks very nice with black/tan (think Burberry plaid scarves). Depending on the mix of black and tan, and the shades, a forest green might also be quite nice.

[Dreamy]

I try to go by what colours I often see the person wearing. A friend of mine wears lots of blue tops, so the scarf I gave her a couple of years ago was blue. Our CDP has dark hair and fair skin, so I'm giving her a rich red scarf this year (I noticed she had a red hat last year too).

Now that I think of it, I generally go by eye colour:

- blue eyes: blue
- green eyes: green
- brown eyes: earthy colours (my son has brown eyes, so his hat is brown and orangy-red)

The exception for me is black hair/brown eyes/fair skin = red.

[cristeen]

I go with colors that will look good on them. For my red-headed BFF that meant greens.

[adoremybabe]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree

I take it you don't want to just ask - that's probably the easiest way.

You got it! I don't want to ask thus spoiling the surprise.



My mother has brown hair naturally but gets reddish toned coloring and highlights. Her eyes are green. Her fav color is mauve.

I had been thinking of going in the route of an earthy red/brown on a hat for her.

What color does she normally wear? Her wardrobe really varies in color so I don't see that helping me.

[Marlet]

I have found the most perfect color (IMO ) that is flattering for any complexion. Since it's getting to be winter and most people get paler in the winter I go for darker colors that have dimension. A solid black or brown or red is going to look more harsh, IMO. My sister, a red head (think copper....not a version you can buy ) with milky white skin and loads of freckles asked for some socks in Merlot Heather (scroll down) and it is GORGEOUS. I want to use it for everyone. It's a genuine earthy brown....hints of reds and purply tones. Just seriously pretty. I think it would go well with the coat color and your mom's coloring.

As for me, I go based off what colors I know they like. Luckily my whole family goes for earthy colors. MIL is the exception to the rule. The woman just screams delicate little flower who could be easily crushed from a slight breeze so I pick accordingly. She often gets light colors...purples, yellows...colors you'd find in a flower print linen tablecloth.

[adoremybabe]

Originally Posted by Marlet

I have found the most perfect color (IMO ) that is flattering for any complexion. Since it's getting to be winter and most people get paler in the winter I go for darker colors that have dimension. A solid black or brown or red is going to look more harsh, IMO. My sister, a red head (think copper....not a version you can buy ) with milky white skin and loads of freckles asked for some socks in Merlot Heather (scroll down) and it is GORGEOUS. I want to use it for everyone. It's a genuine earthy brown....hints of reds and purply tones. Just seriously pretty. I think it would go well with the coat color and your mom's coloring.

As for me, I go based off what colors I know they like. Luckily my whole family goes for earthy colors. MIL is the exception to the rule. The woman just screams delicate little flower who could be easily crushed from a slight breeze so I pick accordingly. She often gets light colors...purples, yellows...colors you'd find in a flower print linen tablecloth.

Wow Marlet! I have been so close to actually ordering the Merlot Heather for my mom's hat. So I guess that's it! Thanks for your beautiful description of this yarn!