Crochet Tip: Find the Right Colors with Color Sample Circles

Do you know that feeling too? You've already decided on your next crochet project, but you just can't choose the colors. Which colors go well together? And does your dream combination really look the way you imagine it when crocheted?

My tip for this is very simple: Crochet small color sample circles from your yarn colors you already have. This will gradually create a colorful collection that will make it easier for you to decide on your next project.

Small circles, big decision aid

With the small circles, you can place your dream colors directly next to each other, swap individual shades, and try out different combinations. Sometimes tone on tone, sometimes multicolored, or with a bold contrasting color: Often you only realize when you put them together which colors harmonize with each other.

The great thing about it: You see the colors right away in the crocheted stitch pattern, instead of just comparing them by the yarn skeins. First, put together your favorite colors and gradually add more shades. Sometimes just one replaced circle brings a completely new mood to the combination.

Your own little color collection

Store the color sample circles in a small box or container. Before you dive into your next crochet project, you can take them out again and combine them to your heart's content. This way, you always have your personal color palette at hand.

This makes choosing colors incredibly easy and can save you a lot of restarting. After all, it's much nicer to rearrange a few circles than to have to rip it out later ... And when a new yarn color joins you, it simply gets its own little circle too.

Another practical tip: In addition to or alongside your color sample circles, you can make your own color card. To do this, attach small pieces of yarn to a card and label them with the yarn name and the respective color number. This way, you have the colors with their designation all together at a glance and can specifically reorder your favorite colors.

In the photo you see a color card with chenille yarn. But the idea can be implemented just as well with all other types of yarn. While the circles help you put together your color combinations, the labeled color card is a practical addition for reordering.

Materials needed

For the small color sample circles, you can also make good use of your cotton yarn scraps. This way, even small scraps become a practical aid for your next crochet project.

• Cotton yarn/scraps, e.g. Catania by Schachenmayr* or Katech Cotton Yarn*
• Crochet hook size 3

Tutorial

Start with ch4 and join with 1 sl-st in the 1st ch to form a ring (or make a magic ring).

Round 1: sc
Start with ch3 (= 1st sc) and crochet 11 dc into the ring. Join with 1 sl st in the 3rd starting ch (= 12 sts).

Round 2: sc Crochet 2 dc in each st of the previous round (= 24 sts).

Playing with colors makes you happy

Quite incidentally, the colorful circles also invite you to play and experiment. I created this peace sign with them. After all, a little creative break between two crochet projects is also necessary sometimes. :-)

Maybe you now feel like creating your own little color collection. Just start with the colors you already have at home. The collection doesn't have to be complete right away, but can grow with your yarn supply.

From small circles to a hot water bottle cover

Would you like to make more out of your color sample circles? My crochet pattern for a hot water bottle cover made of granny squares starts exactly with these circles. So you can also use them as a start for the granny squares of the hot water bottle cover and use your favorite colors in a new project right away.

I wish you a lot of fun combining and, of course, crocheting!

Love, Paula

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