With this year coming to a close, we’re all wondering what is next for 2023. You might be thinking about your resolutions and goals for the year ahead, or perhaps a new project you’d like to get started on.
Every year, Pantone releases their ‘Color Of The Year’, which influences industries around the globe from things like paint manufacturers, to fashion brands, and all the way to yarn. The Color Of The Year is meant to be a forecast of the general mood for the year ahead, give direction to companies for product development, and serve as inspiration to all of us. The color for 2023 is Viva Magenta. So, lets dive into the Magentaverse!
Viva Magenta is a vibrant and bold shade that is a hybrid of red and pink. It immediately feels like a strong, expressive color, and is deeply rooted in nature. It has an almost rebellious tone to it, and is a fearless hue you can proudly sport in amounts both great and small.
Although Viva Magenta feels a bit futuristic to look at, this color has ancient roots, being directly derived from Cochineal. These are scaly insects, which have been used for centuries to create powder dyes and colorants used for textiles, cosmetics, food, and more. If you’d like to read more about this interesting and historical process, please check out this article from the Smithsonian.
With the roots of this color being its use for natural dyes, it is no surprise that we can find Viva Magenta in so many yarns! From solids to multis, many of the yarns in our line feature this strong color. As Viva Magenta is a blend of pink and red, I’ve included some options for yarns that lean toward both sides of the hue, and hopefully will provide great inspiration for your next project!
Speaking of projects, I’ve selected some patterns that I think are perfect solutions for the 2023 Color Of The Year inspiration. First, I wanted to share the Crimson Tee. This free pattern was designed by Aubrey Busek (that’s me!) and uses our Bamboo Pop Sock yarn in the color 608 Pomegranate. This simple knit tee is sized from XS-5X, and has a relaxed silhouette that works for any occasion. The touches of lace are worked along the hemline of the body and sleeves, and panels of lace decorate the body. The Crimson Tee is a bold, fearless use of the Viva Magenta color, perfect for entering the new year with a bang.
For the crochet enthusiast, try the Parlamak Shawl! Designed by Brittany Garber, this sophisticated shawl is made using our Noelle yarn in the color 303 Pixie. I love that this shawl is simple and chic, so the vibrant red and pink colors in the yarn are really the focal point of the piece. Noelle has different shades that flow from one to the next throughout the skein, and its metallic core makes it extra special. This yarn is currently on sale, so don’t miss out on a great deal before its gone!
If you have a little one in your life to knit for, try the Rose Garden Sweater! Sized from 1-10 years old, this sweater is great for school days and fun outings. The cabled pattern on the body is easy to memorize, and adds just enough textural interest to not distract from the bold stripes created by the yarn. Offbeat is a blend of 90% acrylic and 10% alpaca that has been a hit since its launch in 2022. And it’s no question why: with a luxurious feel, bold colors, and 586 yards per skein, it is a great choice for all projects from blankets to sweaters. The color used for the Rose Garden sweater is 102 Tubular, and I love how the bold pops of red look with the soft neutral tones in this shade.
Pairing Viva Magenta with soft neutral colors as seen in our Offbeat yarn (above) is exactly what is suggested by Pantone. The soft and dusty shades shown in their Color Of The Year report compliment Viva Magenta, but never take away from it being the focal point. However, if you prefer bright shades, do your thing! I think Viva Magenta would look wonderful paired with bright purple or hot pink. As with anything, you should do what speaks to YOU. Colors are personal, and a great way to express yourself.
The last pattern I wanted to highlight was the Pomegranate Path set, designed by Rachel Brockman. New from our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 6, this cabled hat and scarf set is perfect for just about anyone on your ‘to-knit-for’ list. The color of Deluxe Worsted Tweed used for this pattern is 921 Beet, but the pattern itself was named after the delicious fruit that also boasts the same color. When I was looking for inspiration for Viva Magenta on Pinterest, tons of photos of pomegranates immediately came up. They are my favorite fruit, so I knew I had to include this pattern!
No matter how you want to explore the ‘Magentaverse‘, I can imagine that there is a shade of Viva Magenta that speaks to you. Personally, I think this color sets a wonderful tone for 2023. The past couple of years have been a rollercoaster for everyone on Earth in ways both great and small, and we can all benefit from the sense of inner strength that this type of bold color projects. I hope you get inspired, and have fun picking out some Magenta yarn for your next project!
Happy Crafting,
Aubrey