I was checking out the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2021 and this year they have chosen two colours. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. So I thought I would use these as inspiration for potential new projects. I wonder if we will see a lot of ‘grellow’ this year, let this blog post point you in the right direction.

Pantone produce a system for matching colours which is used by printmakers, graphic designers and fashion designers and every year they select one or two of their colours for the colour of the year. This year the colours are PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. This is what they say of the colours:

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.”

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute

‘Grellow’ has long been a popular colour combo in the knitting world and there are plenty of fun yellow and greys to search through at Knit With Attitude. So I have pulled out a selection of yellow and grey projects along with some fun yellow and grey yarns that would match perfectly.

One of my favourite features for searching the Knit With Attitude website is to search the yarns by colour. This can be done from the main menu under ‘shades’. I explored colours when I did my ‘Knit a Rainbow’ Series on the blog in 2019.

So now we know where to look for yellows and greys let’s look at some projects.

Grellow is a State of Mind (link to ravelry) by Melanie Berg

Simple garter stitch stripes and eyelets make up this triangular shawl. Soothing knitting but with great effect. Edged with a bold but uncomplicated lace border.

Knit by striping a contrast colour with a gradient yarn. A similar effect could be achieved by using Norne Yarn BFL Sock Mini Hanks Set in Tussmørke for the gradient and Norne Yarn Merino / Silk / Yak Singles in the stunning Gullinbuste colour.

Grellow Love (link to ravelry) by Clare Devine

These cute toe up socks have a fun take on the contrast colour heel. The neat ankle length makes them great project for smaller quantities of yarn.

Combinations of Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply and Socks Yeah give all sorts of colour possibilities. Below is Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply in Pebble Beach 614 and Socks Yeah in 104 Sphene.

Bright Side Blanket (link to designers website) by Toni Lipsey

This cheery crochet blanket is made up of a lightly textured mesh stitch and a fun pop of colour with this playful bobble border.

The softness of the Fibre Co Cumbria would make a cosy wrap. The Fibre Co Cumbria in Scafell Pike and Buttermere would be a beautiful combination.

FadeOut Cardigan (link to designers website) by Susanne Sommer

This long open cardigan is a great layering piece. A combination of texture and contrasting details that fades from light to dark.

Knit in a combination of sport weight greys and a yellow. Stolen Stitches Nua could be a fun textural yarn to knit this in. Below is 9805 Capallm, 9810 Kitten Fluff and 9808 Rolling Bales.

Forestland (link to ravelry) by Jennifer Steingass

This top down seamless yoked jumper features a graphic leaf motif. A simple stranded colourwork pattern that is easy to follow but gives great results.

John Arbon Knit By Numbers and Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply work well together and I always mix between these two brands when looking for the perfect colour combination. Below is John Arbon Knit By Numbers in KBN45 and Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply in Dove Stone 812.

Slumber Shawl (link to gumroad) by Stephen West

This textured wavy semi-circular shawl is a cosy combination of aran weight yarns. Plump and warm and a great layer. Simple to knit but looks awesome.

A combination of the hand dyed Fyberspates Tarma Aran would look great. Below is Silver 80201, Golden 80204 and Mustard 80205.

Hane Shawl (link to ravelry) by Keiko Kikuno

This shawl is a stunning combination of fibres and texture. Featuring a simple feather and fan design that stripes from the top middle and increasing to the long edge.

A two colour version would be just as fun as a single colour version with so many hand dyed yarns to choose from. Here’s an idea below with Black Elephant Merino Singles in Harvest Moon and Hedgehog Fibres Kidsilk Lace in Crystal