Flattering Harvest Hues

The days are getting shorter, and there is a crispness in the air—both signs of autumn’s imminent arrival, and of the promise of longer evenings with more time to knit.

Changing leaves means that sweater weather is nearly here in the Northern Hemisphere, and for knitters, sweater weather can bring tantalizing choices about yarn colors. I know that my desire to knit always rises as the temperatures inch lower!

In most climates, fall sweaters can be worn for a large portion of the year. Season-bridging colors such as gray and navy promise longevity, although sometimes the colors we associate with fall—russet reds, coppers, golds, and olive greens—beckon to us immediately.

The Smith River Vest, a sleeveless topper in soft gray has seasonless appeal and multi-season wearability. Photo by Gale Zucker

###And the colors?

For a fashion-forward peek, it is always a good idea to check out the forecast from the team at the Pantone Color Institute, the global color authority. This year they predict that workable colors that will blend well with other colors in your wardrobe are on the horizon, as savvy makers and shoppers are signifying a preference for slow fashion.

In an article on the Pantone website, Laurie Pressman reports:

According to Pantone Color Institute experts, colors for NYFW [New York Fashion Week] Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 are infused with an inherent richness and earthiness that highlights our deeper connection to nature. A compendium of warm tones derived from natural pigments, opulent mid-tones, accessible neutrals, and universal greens, they are characterized by a mix of elegance and practicality linked to conscious consumption and slowing trend cycles.

Whether you are a fashionista or a function-over-form maker, you also might be interested to find out that the runway fashion from fall 2024 sits squarely at the intersection of craft and style. The designer shows for 2024/2025 collections have been bursting with cardigans, scarf sweaters, and vests—all welcome sights after years of cable and colorwork famine. It seems there is a dawning awareness in the design world of something that knitters have always known: the value of a beautifully crafted piece of knitwear to elevate any wardrobe. Peek at the work of those professionals as an additional resource for inspiration, read up on color strategies, and pull out your needles!

The Warm colors of the Sheep Station Cardigan are flattering all year round. Photo by Gale Zucker

###Find your colorway

For those of us who knit, here are some down-to-earth color schemes for sweater dreams:

1. Embrace earth tones: Have you been waiting all year for a pumpkin spice latte? Does your idea of a perfect day include apple picking and cider? Then lean into the colors that surround you this time of year: russet reds, earthy browns, deep greens, and warm terra-cottas that bring to mind the harvest season. Consider yarn shades that will give your projects a cozy, autumnal feel.

Seasonal shades can be mood-lifting as the days grow shorter. Photo by A R on Unsplash

2. Add depth with jewel tones: For a touch of elegance in your knitted items, jewel tones are a perfect choice and will blend nicely with other cool-weather fabrics. Think sapphire blues, burgundies, and purples to add some sophistication to your autumn shawls, hats, and gloves.

This stunning purple brings to mind late-harvest grapes and rich amethyst jewels. Photo by Oksana Zub on Unsplash

3. Focus on neutral and natural shades: Timeless and versatile, natural colors are wardrobe staples and also wardrobe-makers. There is an innate beauty to a palette of soft solids. Even better—natural yarns are never truly solid: they vary from plant to plant and animal to animal, so the blend of fibers imbues them with an indescribable depth. Rustic browns, creamy whites, and charcoal grays are wonderful alone or combined, and they make a nice foil for more vibrant fall wardrobe items.

Neutrals are a nice foil for the vivid skies and bright colors of fall. Photo by A R on Unsplash

4. Incorporate soft shimmer: Natural hues of gold, copper, or bronze that conjure up thoughts of campfires and glowing sunsets are gorgeous this time of year and will bring warmth to your wardrobe year-round.

These gentle shades will show off textured and lace knitting stitches beautifully. Photo by Anna Sansone on Unsplash

5. Look to nature: Find seasonal combinations that appeal to you by looking at your surroundings. Fall fruit can be full of harmonious pairings, from rusty reds to peachy pinks to soft yellows and fresh greens. The glint of golden leaves against a clear blue sky is eye-catching, while the mix of tones on fallen leaves is lovely and subdued.

A mix of subtle shades is a very effective yoke treatment against the sky-blue background of Tíglar Tveir, a chill-chasing pullover. Photo by Gale Zucker

6. Make it your own: You spend so much time knitting, you need to be happy with your yarn choices. Look to your own clothing for clues: which items do you pull out time after time, and which items make you feel your best? Do you prefer neutrals with colorful accents, or do you like to be wrapped from head to toe in deep, saturated shades? Do delicate hues or intense colors flatter your complexion? Which items sit in your closet, unworn?

Few of us change our wardrobe the day that a season begins or ends, and nor should you need to. But it is nice to be able to incorporate some favorite seasonal elements into your knitting, so that they can make you smile all year long!