Lion Brand Notebook ®
Our September Color of the Year is the perfect hue to introduce autumn: Plumwood. This color is a rich combination of purple and brown, which makes it what we like to call a ‘colorful neutral’. Since Violet was introduced as Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019, purple has been getting a lot of play. But for those looking for a softer, mellower color to carry them into cooler weather, Plumwood is perfect. Read on for a list of yarns that encapsulate this lovely new neutral, as well as 4 brand new patterns.
Plumwood is our own almost-portmanteau – the plummy purple of late summer blended with the crisp woodsy air of leafless trees in fall.
Dion Lee Pre-Fall 2017
While camel is one of the most enduring and iconic colors in fashion, a darker brown hue began to appear on runways two seasons ago and it’s continued to evolve.
In the past few seasons, these neutrals traditionally reserved for accessories and leather goods are beginning to take center stage. Last season we began to see this dark brown take a turn for the purple, which inspired us to include it in our list this year.
And then in the spring, the trend hit the salon. Suddenly, ‘blackberry’ was the most-pinned hair trend, surging in popularity. Adding a purple to your brunette locks signaled a divergence from the ombré look of the past few years, adding a more natural floral tone to everyday style.
In anticipation, Bazaar has already predicted both auburn red and chocolate brown will be big in 2019, and we’re loving the more Plumwood-y images in their collages.
We want to evoke a new natural neutral, ripe for cooler weather. Rich enough to be worn as an accent piece, and yet subtle enough to wear head-to-toe.
Texture Stripe Pullover (Knit)
Yoke sweaters are experiencing a renaissance, so our new Canarsie Top Down Cardi (Knit) is right on trend for fall. This fun knit calls for Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in two multi-tone colors: Raisin and Astroland. We love how these yarns do the work of Fair Isle stranding for you, updating the classic yoke idea with a modern, effortless twist. The tweedy flecks in the Raisin yarn add an especially nice visual texture to the stockinette stitch body of the cardigan. Lastly, you’ll be grateful for the minimal finishing required for this surprisingly straightforward knit. We’re smitten with the Plumwood-on-Plumwood look pictured above, but you could also dress this cardi down by pairing with leggings or jeans.
Texture Stripe Pullover (Knit)
One very chic look for your winter knits is tone-on-tone texture. To achieve this look with any project, grab two almost matching colorways of two different yarns. You’ll want to make sure these yarns are relatively close in CYC weight, but try to choose textures that will pop against each other.
We love the effect of this yarn-pairing, which is the focus of our Texture Stripe Pullover (Knit). The two yarns harmonizing in this simple sweater are Heartland in Badlands and Homespun in Garnet. These colors obviously complement one another, while the textures amplify one another at the same time. Heartland is a CYC 4 Medium weight Yarn, while the Homespun is a CYC 5 Bulky weight. They’re obviously a match made in heaven.
The pattern for this sweater is a Level 2 – Easy (Beginner +), and it comes in sizes Small through 1X. Beyond the adorable mixed texture, there’s also an ultra-wide ribbing at the waist, which is super-trendy, and a slouchy rollover turtleneck. Cute textured details are featured at the wrists as well, which will complement the waistband and turtleneck for a complete look.
The Woodlands Shrug (Crochet) is a sophisticated take on the classic shrug. With a pattern that calls for LB Collection Superwash Merino, you’re going to get a slimmer feel than the standard squishy topper, making this shrug perfect for dressing up a little bit. This yarn is a CYC 3 Light weight, so your stitch definition will be exquisite, even in this darker hue. The open weave becomes crisp and clean, giving the perfect peekaboo to whatever color you’re wearing underneath. We’d recommend a jewel tone, or even a lighter or brighter color to maximize the visual effect!
Textured Top (Knit)
Corduroy is making a massive comeback this fall, which could be seen as an extension of the rising popularity of brownish neutrals that we mentioned earlier.
Inspired by this resurgence, we’ve created a new color way in our Jeans Colors lines called Corduroy, which is used in our Textured Top (Knit).
This cute turtleneck vest can be work on its own, as pictured at the left, or you could layer it over a slim long-sleeved tee. We’d suggest a contract color, either a lighter neutral or an autumnal bold. Or of course you could go tone-on-tone, which is particularly on-trend for this color.
When exploring one of the ‘new neutrals’, like Plumwood, it all depends on what’s already in your closet.
If this is reading as more of a jewel-tone to you, then use it as an accent piece, and embrace the lush glamour of dark berry autumnal hues. But if you’re feeling the Plumwood vibe, invest in a couple other staple items, like a long-sleeved tee or a great pair of corduroys, and go head-to-toe! Chances are, you’ll find this color fitting right in, no matter what your current wardrobe palette is, and we can’t wait to hear how you’re loving it. Keep us posted in the comments below.
Written with Adina Klein, Creative Director at Lion Brand.
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Sandy Harris
Beautiful colours and projects
Denise Hardin
I love these colors but I will say that it is very hard to see the patterns when they are presented on a background of such a dark tone..