Shelly from Santa Barbara wrote to ask this question: “I am a new knitter. I want to make a scarf for myself. Do you have any suggestions about what color I should choose?”
A knit flamer derides the question posting as follows:
First of all, Shelly from Santa Barbara need to be slapped for taking the time to write such a mind-bogglingly stupid question. Second, Berroco needs to be slapped for answering such a mind-bogglingly stupid question. Way to totally dumb down the new letters. Yah, it’s the “Newbie’s Corner” but still. At least answer questions that vaguely techincal in nature. Not some twit who apparently has no idea about what colors she likes.
In fact, Shelly’s question is not “mind-bogglingly stupid!” It’s a good question. In fact, anyone over 40 can probably guess the answer. It is:
“Select a color you like, but, pick a color that is neither very dark nor very light. “
Guess what? I can even give you a reason for my answer:
If your eyes are less than perfect, it can become difficult to see stitch detail if you knit black or white yarn; black tends to be particularly difficult. Because new knitters don’t understand how stitches should look, it’s especially important they select colors that permit them to see the difference between a knit and purl, and a twisted and untwisted stitch.
I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time telling some stitches are twisted if the fabric were pitch black! If I can’t see it, how can I expect a beginner to tell the difference?
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Lucia Liljegren: Copyright 2005-2007 Rights to all site content including knitting patterns, generators and haikus reserved.
another suggestion i would give a new knitter is to pick a smooth yarn. one of my friends was just starting and the lys sold her a boucle. it was impossible for her to see the stitches.
as for color, i would suggest picking a color that goes with her wardrobe.
Comment by vanessa (0 comments.) — 9/30/2005 @ 12:22 pm
Yes. A smooth yarn nicely twisted yarn would be excellent.
Heck, I’d also suggest fairly economical and worsted weight or a little heavier! Very thick needles can be difficult to handle, very fine yarn will take forever.
Comment by lucia — 9/30/2005 @ 12:25 pm
I saw that Berroco email question and was happy to see it. I teach beginners and the first thing I instruct them is which color they should pick. Nothing will frustrate you faster than not being able to see what’s going on.
Berroco is a very generous company, they have sent me 16 skeins of their Foliage along with a pattern booklet and 2 sets of the Handeze gloves for door prizes for the retreat I am planning. They are tops in my book!
Comment by Dee (2 comments.) — 10/1/2005 @ 7:45 am
Thanks for commenting. I’m also always glad to see beginner questions answered. I’m glad Berroco does, and I bet people will love the door prizes!
Comment by lucia — 10/1/2005 @ 7:52 am
Great answer to that question!! Of course, I relearned to knit double stranding patons twister and moda dea dream on giant needles, but that’s because it forgave my mistakes. When I used a worsted light grey to knit a dog sweater… that’s when I really learned to knit.
Of course, for three months I was twisting my stitches but oh well!
Brian and I are going to work on trackbacking but we’ve both been bogged down at work with no time to do anything blog related but the knitting part at night!
Comment by bevin (24 comments.) — 10/5/2005 @ 5:10 pm