One of the questions I get asked most often is how I choose colors for new projects.

The honest answer? It depends entirely on the day.

Sometimes I'm watching a movie and find myself drawn to the colors on the screen. Other times I'm planning a trip, listening to music, or simply looking around and wondering what a particular moment would look like if it were turned into yarn. Inspiration can come from almost anywhere.

Sometimes there isn't even a big idea behind it. I'll walk into a store, see a skein of yarn, and think, "That looks cool." That's usually enough to get the process started.

From there, I start imagining what colors might work together and what they might become. A hat, a headband, a scarf, or something entirely new. One of my favorite surprises so far has been a color combination inspired by Mickey Mouse.

I knew what red, black, and white should look like together, but seeing those colors come to life in a finished piece was something different entirely. The moment it came together, it immediately reminded me of being at the Disney parks, and that's one of the things I enjoy most about color. Certain combinations have a way of bringing back memories and creating a feeling that goes beyond the finished product itself.

Another combination that exceeded my expectations was blue and gold. When I first picked those colors, I thought they would work well together. But once the project was complete and I could see the finished combination in my hands, it looked even better than I imagined. Those moments are always rewarding because they remind me that even after all the planning, there's still a little bit of magic involved in seeing a project come to life.

People sometimes assume I spend a lot of time following trends or researching popular color palettes. The truth is much simpler. I make what looks good to me. If I love the colors, there's a good chance I'll make something with them and hope someone else loves them too.

Of course, ideas can come from other people as well. My wife, family, and friends occasionally mention a color combination or theme that catches my attention. If I like the idea, I'll start exploring it and see where it leads.

Right now, I'm especially excited about experimenting with Halloween-inspired colors. I want to create combinations that capture the feeling of trick-or-treating, cool autumn nights, and everything that makes the season memorable.

I'm also working on an upcoming color series inspired by album artwork from a certain musician.

For now, I'll keep the details a mystery.

I'll just leave you with a hint:

"Look what you made me do."

At the end of the day, there isn't a complicated formula behind how I choose colors.

Some ideas come from movies. Some come from music. Some come from memories. And sometimes they come from a single skein of yarn sitting on a shelf waiting to be noticed. My goal is simply to create enough variety that there's something for everyone who visits Sideshow Knitting.

Because you never know when a certain combination of colors might remind someone of a favorite place, a favorite season, or a favorite memory.

And that's where the best ideas usually begin.

— Blair, Sideshow Knitting