I don't know if you're anything like me when it comes to creating crafts or especially knitting, but I tend to work in color palettes that I'm used to, and when I look at the colors in my stash, I see many of the same hues and colors, like reds and greens, and not a lot of blues, yellows, and such. I guess I stay away from those colors because they don't fit in my decorating scheme, but I just don't feel comfortable with them, either. I also don't think I really know how to pick and blend colors, especially more than one or two, and certainly not more than that, or colors in different families.

If you're like me in that regard to colors, then I think I've found a book that will help us both. Color Works, The Crafter's Guide to Color by Deb Menz is a super book that was just recommended to me, and I picked it up on that recommendation. I think it's going to really change the way I view color, and how I combine colors in my knitting and other crafts, as well. It's packed full of information on color and how to use it effectively, from hues to values and harmonies, and it's stuffed with beautiful photos that illustrate Deb's many thoughts, ideas, and descriptions about using color effectively. She doesn't just write about color, she shows you vivid and tantalizing examples in just about every type of craft imaginable, so you can visualize her tips in your own favorite craft medium.

The book contains a super section on using colors in these many different craft mediums, from knitting and weaving to paper collage. To top it off, the last chapter is made up of a whole set of color tools that you can pull out of this spiral-bound book and put to real time use. The tools even contain a color wheel that help you discover color blending and management on your own, with your own fabrics and designs. I love this book, and I can't wait to use her handy tools to learn more about colors and how to use them effectively. I hope you find it as helpful as I have!