As spring is looking like it has finally sprung and the sun is shining, we are starting to dream of those summer projects. Something with a burst of colour to drag us out of winter. When I think of colour I instantly think of Julie Dubreux of Julie Knits in Paris. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and her joie de vivre unparalleled. Who wouldn’t want some of that in their life! Well lets conjure up some of this magic from the shelves at Knit with attitude and get inspired. I have pulled out some tempting patterns that will take you through spring and into the summer months. I have gone for some of her exciting jumper patterns, with a variety of techniques, that all employ colour on a grand scale. I have also put together some yarn suggestions to get you started.

First up is Gaudi, this is one for adding a bit of colour-work sparkle to your wardrobe. A layer for early spring perhaps? When the days flip from being mild to unpredictably cold and grey, you need this jumper. Inspired by the colourful architecture of Antonio Gaudí. The mosaic covered Park Güell or the stained glass windows in La Sagrada Família all shine through. Have fun with colour in this project. Imagine the yoke like a multicoloured mosaic piece and pick a yarn that has a lot of colour, to create the look of small tiles jostled together. Also a nice contrast will give you the feeling of light, as if it’s streaming through a stained glass window.

Knit seamlessly from the top down in a 4ply. Here is some inspiration to get you started:

The main colour provided by the deep Hedgehog Fibres Twist Sock in Wish set against the bright and varied Garnsurr Søkke Merino in Kjeta. This pairing will make the Garnsurr pop and there is enough variety over the skein to give you that stained glass / mosaic look.

This Garnsurr pairing goes for a more striking contrast. Everyone loves grellow right? The subtle speckles across all the skeins will give an even overall texture. The yellow will pop against the grey creating a really luminescent yoke. Garnsurr Søkke Merino in Grytleflaks #10 and Sneivin.

A more muted combination here but with the essence of light and dark. The Garnsurr Søkke Merino Tomreipes as the contrast colour has the essence of sun bleached tiles, with the mere hint of a muted speckle. Against this earthy purple of the Garnsurr Søkke Merino in Krilla it is quite striking.

The dark purple and green colours of this Garnsurr Søkke Merino in Tesu are perfect for a garden inspired mosaic, with hints of moss and lichen growing. Such a rich colour needs something bright to offset it like this Hedgehog Fibres Twist Sock in Crystal.

Taking us into spring is this light, short sleeved masterwork of brioche. It’s the Pörkenäs, perfect for a spring layer, or an extra on a cool summer evening. Julie says she has designed this top for brioche beginners and the repeating motifs employ the simplest of increases and decreases. Worked in the round and top down, it is seamless and reversible. Ooh the joys of brioche, two garments in one! Brioche is such a squishy plump fabric that you know this one is going to be flattering, knit with negative ease for a comfortable fit.

This one is knit in a selection of 4ply merino singles. Choose complimentary ones, or go wild with some contrasts. Speckles mixed with solids would also give great effect to the brioche stitch, as well as yarns with three distinct tones, to bring depth to the finished piece.  Hedgehog fibres Skinny Singles and Black Elephant Merino Singles are a perfect choice. We will be getting all the new colours from Hedgehog Fibre in Skinny Singles which are up for pre-order on our website if you are after something different!

A Hedgehog Fibre Skinny Singles combination in Method, Pistachio and Beach Bunny. I tried to keep the essence of Julie’s original with this combination. Having a dark blue offset with a light, then with nods of purple. A fresh watery combination.

This rich red combination uses Black Elephant Merino Singles and Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in Monarch and Plump. I thought the two dark reds needed a lightness to bounce off. Monarch works perfectly here I think, keeping it in a similar family but adding a paler peachy note. The speckles also sit nicely along side the more solid plump to great effect.

Speckles across the board! Black Elephant Merino Singles in Knights of Cydonia and Arlandria and Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in Hawk. Hawk is just one of those wild ones I love and some how I think it works as anchor here. Muted beiges lending themselves to the greens, while pinks and blues nod to the purples. This combo would be so exciting to knit and to wear.

Warmth and heart with this combination. Here are some of my favourites. Black Elephant Merino Singles in Lazy Days and Little Miss Sunshine and Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in Seed. These colours play so nicely together, certainly one to be wearing on the run up to summer. Seed will add a great contrast making the brioche stitches pop.

When summer hits and you still want that piece of go to knit wear in your wardrobe, then this is for you. Summer Light is a lightweight summer tee. Knit in lighter than air Kidsilk Lace. I absolutely love this one and think it would look great over a shirt for a pop of colour. Quick to knit on 5mm needles its definitely one you can have finished in time for summer. The pattern is given a bit of weight by a merino single ribbing but this piece will be oh so light. Ok we’ll not quite lighter than air but just a 50g skein of mohairs worth.

Grab a skein of mohair and a merino single for the ribbing and you will be set.

Peachy! This combination has Peach Belini’s written all over it. This tropical delight is perfect for an afternoon of sipping your favourite cocktails. Hedgehog Fibres Kidsilk Lace in Monarch and a couple of Black Elephant Mini’s in Pineapple Express, perfection.

This is a combination I would go for, I’m always a sucker for green. The earthy to bright tones of Hedgehog Fibres Kidsilk Lace in Parklife sit wonderfully next to Black Elephant Mini’s in Arlandria. Garden party anyone?

If you are going to go bright, go bright! Hedgehog Fibres Kidsilk Lace in Pinky Swear has got to be one of the brightest. I’m imaging this one gracefully over a white top, as the neon pink of the Kidsilk fizzes in the sunlight. Offset that with the richness of Black Elephant Mini’s in Moulin Rouge. For that cherry red on top of the cake.

A little poolside number for those summer holidays. Create a graceful breezy top in Hedgehog Fibres Kidsilk Lace in Bubble with Black Elephant Mini’s in Tranquility. One for the lovers of blue, but there is still plenty going on in the Bubble to keep you interested.

So as the weather warms up there is no excuse not to be knitting, there is a fun and exciting colourful project for you for any weather!