A step-by-step guide for knitters using colorwork + the Palette Scout deck

Color is at the heart of what makes handknits so personal. Whether it’s a sweater with bold stripes, a soft gradient shawl, or a playful hoodie for a child, the colors you choose set the mood of the finished piece. But picking multiple yarns that truly work together isn’t always easy—especially when a pattern calls for four or more shades.

That’s where Palette Scout can change the game. In this post, I’ll share how I used it to plan a five-color hoodie for my son, from choosing a pattern to matching the palette with yarns.

What is Palette Scout?

Palette Scout is a deck of 180 color cards designed for artists and makers. It includes a simple, intuitive system for mixing and matching cards into harmonious color palettes. It’s like having a portable color studio in your hands.

For knitters, Palette Scout is especially handy when you want to:

• Tackle multi-color projects like Fair Isle, stripes, or color blocking

• Experiment with stash yarns and still end up with a cohesive look

• Swap colors in a pattern to make it your own, without losing harmony

Step 1: Find Your Pattern

I fell in love with the Besties Hoodie by Tin Can Knits. It’s a fun, versatile design that uses five different colors. But colorblocking can be tricky—if the palette doesn’t feel balanced, your eye can get pulled to just one color, making the whole garment feel jarring.

The challenge: How do you choose five colors that work together across an entire sweater?

Step 2: Pick a Palette with Palette Scout

First, I analyzed the designer’s original palette. Using Palette Scout, I matched their colors to:

• Hibiscus 4 tone

• Hibiscus 3 tone

• Ocean 3 tone

• Pine 5

• Buttercup 3 tone

Then I started thinking about a palette for my son. I wanted something autumn-to-spring friendly, with his favorite color (blue!) included. I experimented with different card combinations, and landed on:

• Ember 3 tone

• Ember 4 tone

• Neptune 3 tone

• Ocean 2 tone

• Ocean 5

This mix leans toward a split complement harmony—normally Ember would pair with Midnight and Ocean, but Neptune felt like a better fit for him.

Step 3: Gather Supplies

I brought my Palette Scout deck to Knit Club in Providence, and with their help found yarns that matched almost perfectly:

• Pishkun by Farmers Daughter in Horsebelly → Ember 4 tone

• Warmi by Amano in Quinua → Ember 3 tone

• Cascade 220 in Blue Quartz Heather → Neptune 3 tone

• MadelineTosh DK in Moonglow → Ocean 5
  (This was DK instead of worsted, but the Tin Can Knits app made it easy to adapt by following the DK instructions for the hood.)

• Cascade 220 in Pine Grove → Ocean 2 tone
  

Step 4: Knit, Knit, Knit!

It was my first time using the Tin Can Knits app and it was a lifesaver. It filters instructions by yarn weight, size, and details (like hood shape or pocket options), so you only see what’s relevant. Plus, they link directly to video tutorials for techniques—no need to search YouTube mid-project.

Step 5: Block + Try On

After finishing, I blocked the hoodie and tried it on my son—success! The colors feel balanced, season-spanning, and very “him.”

FAQ: Knitting + Palette Scout

Can I use Palette Scout if I don’t have a full yarn stash?
Yes. Start by finding the closest yarns to the cards you love - it doesn't have to be exact!

What if the yarn weights don’t match?
Many patterns (like Tin Can Knits) offer flexible instructions. You can sometimes sub a DK for a worsted in just one section, as long as you swatch and block.

Can I break the color harmony "rules" with Palette Scout?
Absolutely. Sometimes your eye tells you a color belongs—even if it’s not in the “official” harmony. Trust your instincts.

Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you’re a knitter looking to tackle colorwork or color blocking, Palette Scout makes the process fun instead of stressful. By starting with a selection of harmonious color cards before heading to the yarn store or diving into your stash, you’ll be confident your finished garment will look intentional and wearable.

And if you use Palette Scout for your next knit project, tag #palettescout or @zolliemakes on Instagram so we can cheer you on!

Read more about the author of this post, Grace Casey-Gouin (Creative Director of Zollie) here.