The 5-point pattern explained round by round, mini stars for the tree and gift wrap, a stiff tree topper, the 5-petal...
The arrival of spring brings a kind of adrenaline with it: the idea of changing seasons starts becoming a desire to satisfy as soon as possible. These days I have often wondered: BUT HOW DO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LOVE FASHION FEEL THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SEASON OR THE END OF ANOTHER ONE? Personally, at the end of every month I start looking ahead to the next one, either to recreate at least one trendy look or to have a garment or accessory in my wardrobe that makes people who see me say “Oh, look at that beautiful detail”. Then, during my research, I discovered that May 6 celebrates World Color Day, and how could I not talk about this theme, given the fundamental importance of colors in our creative work?
MAY: THE END OF WINTER AND THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER
In 2014, my grandmother told me: “Half-seasons no longer exist; now we go straight from winter to summer”. And it is absolutely true. Maybe it is because we live in the mountains, but we go from puffer jackets to cardigans as outerwear, and May is exactly the month that marks this transition, with temperatures suddenly rising.
NATURE AND WHAT SURROUNDS US SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF FASHION
If we look at what surrounds us, we can find inspiration for the next color pairings in our crochet projects. The proof is this notebook I use to write the articles I share with you on the Blog: a floral print on a cream base, with a floral pattern ranging from pink to onion pink, with touches of sage green defining the leaves. It does not take much to find inspiration: just think of nature awakening and the beauty of flowers coloring green spaces or the decorated balconies of our homes. Allow me also to be a little contradictory with a quote we have been hearing almost everywhere these days, considering the cinema release of the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals? Groundbreaking!”. So, if taking inspiration from flowers feels too obvious, take a look at fruit and vegetable markets too: strawberry red, cherry red, asparagus green… fine, I’ll stop. It was only a way to introduce the COLOR COMBINATIONS to save and test for May 2026 projects.
MAY 2026 COLOR COMBINATIONS
This month’s color combinations should not be ordinary: they should have character.
Pink and Navy Blue: Pink, on its own, often risks being seen as sweet, delicate, almost predictable. Navy blue, on the other hand, arrives with that perfect blazer attitude, tidy agenda energy, and “I have everything under control” mood, even when that is not true. Together, they create one of May’s chicest combinations: feminine and elegant. For those who want to use pink without getting the sugared-almond effect, imagine a powder pink clutch finished with navy blue. The strength of this combination lies in its balance: pink brings light and softness, while navy blue adds depth and authority.
Pistachio and Beige: this combination is the answer for those who love natural colors but do not want to stay in the comfort zone of neutrals. The freshness of pistachio paired with the discretion of beige. Imagine a beige top matched with a pistachio green cardigan: a combination that also works for those who are afraid to dare.
Yellow and Lilac: This is not a combination that goes unnoticed, but when balanced well it can become one of May’s most beautiful surprises. Yellow brings cheerfulness, energy, and light. Lilac adds delicacy and romance. Together, they create a fresh and youthful contrast. A palette that can also work beautifully in crochet with a wave stitch pattern.
Aqua Green and Cocoa: A less predictable yet super interesting combination. Aqua green holds the sea and the intensity of a clear sky. Cocoa defines, bringing color and depth. In bijoux, cocoa can act as a warm neutral while aqua green becomes the point of light. A palette to pair with golden accessories.
Emerald Green and Coccio: A more intense alternative to the previous combination, perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement. Emerald brings brightness to the look, while coccio defines it. USE TIP: when a palette includes 2 strong colors, the trick is not to use them 50/50, but to choose one color as the main character and the other as support. This way, the pairing does not look random, but carefully designed.
DOPAMINE DRESSING: WEARING COLOR PUTS YOU IN A GOOD MOOD
Another topic going viral online these days is the theory of colors that put you in a good mood. Imagine a gloomy day when all you want is to get back into bed or stay at home. Well, personally, I close the curtains in my room and open the wardrobe in search of a colorful look, to bring a little sunshine and color into all that greyness. This is exactly what science says, and fashion psychologist DAWNN KAREN confirms it when she talks about the theory of DOPAMINE DRESSING, meaning the ACT OF DRESSING WITH THE SPECIFIC INTENTION OF IMPROVING ONE’S MOOD. The science behind this theory is rooted in color psychology and in the symbolic associations our brain makes: by wearing bright and vivid colors, we trick our mind into activating the positive emotions associated with those symbols. Think about it the next time you open your wardrobe and do not know what to wear. For handmade creations, this topic is very powerful because it reminds us that a ball of yarn is not just an item: it can become a little antidote to sadness.
COLOR PALETTES TO STEAL FROM THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2
And given the boom of people, myself included, who have gone to the cinema in recent days to see whether The Devil Wears Prada 2 is really worth watching, I decided to create some Color Palettes inspired precisely by the looks from the film.
- Bright red, optical white, black, anthracite, and a touch of silver
- Black, burgundy, green, gold
- Lavender, coccio, and peach fuzz
- Burgundy, avio blue, powder, red, pink, yellow.
MAY, THE RIGHT MOMENT TO DARE WITH COLOR
The beauty of color is exactly this: it does not ask for permission; it arrives and immediately changes the mood of a project. May is the perfect month to take this small creative leap. Whether you choose pink with navy blue, pistachio with beige, yellow with lilac, or aqua green with cocoa, there is only one piece of advice: try. Place the yarns next to each other, see how they communicate, already imagine your bag, your top, your bijou, or that small accessory that will make a simple look feel special. Because in the handmade world, color is never just color.
Rosaria Tessiland®
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