Lion Brand Colors of the Year: 2018

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Lion Brand Colors of the Year: 2018

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The clock is winding down on 2017, and we’re spending these last few days looking into our crystal ball. The New Year presents new opportunities, and among the most exciting is a fresh perspective on color. Before the ball drops on December 31st, we want to tease our 12 extraordinary Colors of the Year for 2018, to whet your appetite for everything the New Year holds in store. We’ve chosen a color for every month of the year, to keep your projects fresh and your imagination spinning.

Over the next twelve months, we’ll go more in-depth, but for now, an introduction.

Color of the Year

When people think of COTY, the next word in their minds might be ‘Pantone’ – the company that’s synonymous with color. The company provides language for designers in many fields to describe and discuss color, and has for many years. But they are most well-known for their COTY campaign. Color of the Year forecasting gained popularity in the 1990s as a marketing strategy, but has had enormous resonance in fashion and pop culture. Think of Meryl Streep’s exquisite monologue in ‘Devil Wear’s Prada’ about the life of Cerulean Blue. Think of Millennial Pink, the fond nickname for Pantone’s 2016 Color Rose Quartz. That color is everywhere, and it’s still going strong.

Colors of the Year for 2018

We offer you a bevy of gorgeous color-ways, to inspire you anew each month.

January is for Vanilla.

Vanilla

VANILLA

Vanilla is creamy and subtle. This color is all about high-fashion elegance. To start 2018 off right, start with simplicity.


Here are a few Lion Brand yarns that say Vanilla:

For February, Antique.

Antique

ANTIQUE

She’s softer than her Millennial Pink sister, and sweet. Antique will warm the coldest February days, and winks flirtatiously at Valentine’s Day.


For Lion Brand expressions of Antique:

March: Succulent

Succulent

SUCCULENT

Succulent hails the first shoots of spring, and honors all things thinking about beginning to bloom. Welcoming warmer weather and new growth with a bold green tone that leaves no doubt as to what’s to come.


Lion Brand sees Succulent in these yarn color-ways:

In April, Persimmon.

Persimmon sits right in the middle of orange and red on the color wheel, and it packs a punch. If spring came in like a lamb, it’s going out like a lion with this April color-way.


Some of Lion Brand’s Persimmon tones:

May is for Marigold.

Marigold

MARIGOLD

All things sunny & possible come in May’s color, Marigold. A warm honey, with a fullness & depth beyond plainer yellows. Marigold is fresh and smart, and just right for summer’s start.


Lion Brand’s nods to Marigold for May.

June is Azalea.

Azalea

AZALEA

Azalea is confident, no-nonsense, and living her best life. June is for seizing the daytime hours, for warm weather that’s fully arrived, and for looking ahead to the summer season wearing rose-colored glasses.


Azalea is blooming in several Lion Brand yarns:

July calls for Clay.

Clay

CLAY

Clay is a fresh upgrade from the perennial Millennial Pink. It’s youthful, mid-summer flower-feeling brightness has us thinking of July’s happiest days. Clay is sophisticated for a statement piece, and has romantic vibes.


For Lion Brand’s Clay tones, look to:

August: Sapphire

Sapphire suggests excellence; a well-spend season, a fully-ripened blue ready to be celebrated. Sapphire is deepening in anticipation of fall, but still feels warm on summer nights. End-of-summer glory, the perfect blue to wear into fall.


For Lion Brand’s royal Sapphire hues, please note:

In September, enter Plumwood.

Plumwood

PLUMWOOD

Plumwood sails into fall, picking up speed for a season of productivity. It’s sensible but sensual, transitioning well from day-time into evening, keeping pace with everything on your schedule for the day. It’s a little bit damask, but not at all demure.


To find Plumwood in Lion Brand tones, check out:

Come October, we’re here for Wolf.

We’ll take a walk on the wilder side with Wolf in October. Organic and animalistic, Wolf howls to the moon as the weather turns cold. As we feel the first chill in the air, we turn to more robust colors to cozy up with for colder nights.


Lion Brand’s howling at the moon in these colors:

November is for Chestnut.

Chestnut

CHESTNUT

Chestnut is ruddy and ready for winter. Provisions are stocked, and the yarn cupboard is full for long nights of crafting. This color is tender and cozy, while retaining some youthful spunk. Ready for whatever the winter months will bring.


For Lion Brand’s odes to Chestnut, see:

And December will be Chili.

Chili

CHILI

Get festive and finish out the year with a bang! Chili will keep things nice and toasty as 2018 comes to a close, and keep us on our toes in case we thought we’d sneak through the holiday season without making a statement. Go boldly, gift boldly, and make the most of it!


Lion Brand finds Chili here:

What do you think?

We have loved putting together this forecast to take us through the next year in style, and we’d love to know what colors you’re looking forward to the most!

We’re infatuated, and we hope you are, too. Keep your eyes wide open for detailed posts and patterns to come, and be on the lookout for these colors as they saturate fashion and style all around you.

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261 Comments

  • I am amazed at how few of these 2018 colors appeal to me!I am someone with a huge stash of quite eclectic colors and textures but none are orange or solid Brown shades or colorless…sorry for negativity!

  • Would love the pattern for the turtleneck shown under the Clay section.

  • I can hardly wait to start a new project in the Clay color! I have very limited sight do I have Bend using your Thick and Quite yarn! I can feel the stitches very easily useing bigger nettles and hooks. Thank you for these wonderful colors! Yea 2018❤️

  • I will be adding to the already overflowing stash…..I love Antique!!! I am in to the pale pastels right now and love working with the. However, my daughter is in to the darker fall type colors so I see Persimmon making an appearance in my stash as well!!

  • These colors are classic. Never go out of style. Nice choices!

  • Over all the colors were nice did not knock me off my feet,wish you would of had
    A pattern to show off August and October

    • Hi, Evelyn – thanks for your feedback! We definitely plan on follow-up posts for each color, with more specific patterns & color suggestions, as more yarns are in development. We’ll keep you posted, & Happy New Year!

  • I would probably only work with 3 or 4 colors as the main color of my project and use the other colors shown as accent colors…

    • Hi, D. – that sounds like a very stylish plan. Some of these are definitely wild as an all-over color for a full garment! We’d love to hear about what colors you work up, & how you plan to wear them!

  • I absolutely love most of the colors some are subtle soft shades other earthy some vibrant a great variety to appeal to most tastes. Also like how you have presented them knit up in some nice designs . I too especially like the sweater knit in the Clay color.

    • Hi, Margot – Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s an interesting array, to be sure. That particular sweater in Clay isn’t one of ours, but based on its popularity, I’ve mentioned it to our design team. 🙂

  • I love these colors! Can’t wait to match my favorites with patterns! Great job!

    • Thank you, Barbara! We’d love to hear about your projects as you go, & especially to see any photos you’d like to share!

  • I really enjoyed this. Sometimes I need a reminder of all the beautiful colors and patterns that are available. I’ve been crocheting for 40 years so anything new interests me. Especially the new textured yarns.

    • Hi, Lynn – so glad you liked it! Refreshing to always find something new, & very happy you’re following along with us. Happy Crafting in the New Year!

  • I also was hoping to like more of these colors. Three would work with my hair & skin color. Perhaps it’s just a little something for everyone.

    • Hi, K – we hope something for everyone, & glad you’ve found a few you like!

  • Looking forward to January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, and November’s colors…hope you have some quick projects for these months

    • Hi, Kathy – we definitely plan on follow-up posts in more detail for each color. We’ll keep you up to date! 🙂

  • I like the colors of the year that you show for each month and the yarn choices. However I personally hope the clothing on the models is not representative of the styles to come for 2018.

    • Hi, Beverly – There are definitely some wild looks, drawn mostly as inspiration from the high-fashion world. We’ll continue to bring you stylish patterns, and hopefully very wear-able options for the new year. 🙂

  • The colors are lovely but I’m disappointed Lion Brand didn’t even put a nod toward the Pantone color of the year, Ultra Violet, a gorgeous regal purple. Hopefully there will be colorway yarns incorporating LB’s colors as well as UV.

    • Hi, Xin! We’ve definitely diverged from Pantone there. But thank you for your feedback, maybe we’ll do a special post just for that color! Stay tuned!

  • The 2018 colors are interesting. I like them all but will have to see them in person at a store before selecting for a specific pattern.

    • Hi, Marji – definitely recommended! We’d love to hear what you like once you’ve seen them in person.

  • I would love to see new shades in the Shawl in a Ball yarns. I would love to see shades in yellows, turquoises, orange, pinks….. Hope you take my desires into consideration. I am sure I am not the only person who would love these. We need brightness in our lives and something exciting to knit with!

    • Hi, Y – thank you very much for this feedback! We definitely want to bring the brightness!

  • Loved a sneak peek..Loved all colors except gold. Find that color hard to wear. Thank you for the layouts and designs.

    • Thank you, Patricia! Gold is tough for me, too, but I’m glad you’ve seen other things you’re drawn to! We’ll continue to offer more options for each color month by month. Happy New Year!

  • I love that clay color. It’s such a soft warm color. Pink is not a favorite color for me but this is warmed up just enough with orange to give it a little bit of oomph.

  • Where would I be able to find the knit pattern for the sweater displayed in Clat coloured yarn? Thank you

    • That pattern isn’t one of ours, just an inspiration image. But, due to its popularity, I’ll mention it to our design team, & see what we can do!

  • The colors are gorgeous! I love the rich tones and the way they will add a touch of luxury to neutrals. I , too, hope patters for the items made for illustrations will be available. . .they are spectacular.

    • Thank you! Luxurious neutrals is a perfect way to put it. 🙂 We’ll continue to write about each color in depth, and include more pattern options, too!

  • Yarn lover.

    • So glad you’re liking what you see! We’d love to hear what you think once you’ve seen them in person. What color do you think you’ll work with first?

  • I have no idea what you want. I just wanted to let you knot that I am a very active knitter (7 sweaters at a time for grandkids.) I purchase all around….used to use more LionBrand when it was easier to see your patterns.

    The theme of this article uses nature for colors. The colors chosen have no connection to the months. Sorry but I thought you should know.

    • Hi, Suzi – we’ll continue to share more patterns for each color, so hopefully that will be appealing!

  • Love how you put this together! And I love most of the colors, although I would have put the sapphire in for September as that is the birthstone for that month. Am going to check out some of these colors in the stores.

    • Hi, Daryl – thank you for your feedback! I’m a September birthday, so I’m inclined to agree. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think once you’ve seen them in person!

  • Wow, I disagree about the comment above, I may not have chosen these colors myself but I think they are interesting, the decriptions bringing them to life,. I’m thinking of a 12 square 2018 color of the year blanket , love it!!!

    • Hi, Susan – thank you for your feedback! And what an amazing idea… we would LOVE to see a blanket like that! Please let us know if you decide to make it!

  • Beautiful love ceam

  • Missed the mark–missing the color for the Women’s March.

    • Hi, J Baxter – Hopefully the Azalea offers a close match! 🙂

  • St. Louis sage, Moonstone, Mountain range and Sequoia.

  • Love the colors can’t wait for the patterns.

    • Hi, Louise – thank you! Yes, we’ll share some ideas soon. 🙂

  • I love all the colors….can’t wait to see new patterns using these luscious colors!!

  • Love the new colors – can’t wait to try

    • Thank you, Joan! Can’t wait to hear what you think once you’re working in them!

  • Would love the pattern for the July Clay sweater.

    • It isn’t one of ours, but due to the popularity, I’ll mention it to our design team & see if there’s something we can do!

  • If these do prove to be the colours for 2018, I shall have to increase my clothing budget. I love most of these selections and am now hopefully anticipating lots of fabrics and readymade clothes to buy.

    • Hi, Marianne – so glad you like them! I’m hoping to see many of them in my closet, too!

  • A lot of drab green, orange, pink and brown, using cutesy names for colors that don’t flatter 95% of the population aren’t going to appeal to anyone except the color blind. And, I hope the clothing styles aren’t going to be foisted on the public as attractive must haves. Boring, boxy and frumpy.

    The clay color could be more attractive if it were terracotta instead. The blue has been around for ten years with just as many different names.

    Sorry, but drab colors to nothing to inspire.

    • Hi, Sheila – thanks for your feedback!

  • These colors are exactly what I have been waiting for: When I was a small child I had a skirt and sweater set that I adored. The sweater was chili, and the skirt was plaid with terra cotta, marigold, vanilla and black.

    • Hi, Cynthia – so glad you like them! We would love to see an updated version of this outfit on grown-up you! Please let us know if you decide to cast it on. 🙂

  • Can’t wait to try these new colors. Love working with Vanna Choice Yarns!

    • Hi, Sabina – thank you for your feedback! Love Vanna’s Choice. 🙂

  • I have to agree with how few colors appeal to me. Too many oranges and browns, which most people cannot wear successfully…muddy looking; not what I was expecting at all. I’m glad I already have a large stash to work this this coming year. Color me disappointed.

    • Hi, Betty – thank you for your feedback!

  • I am thrilled to see actual wearables in the colors of the month. This is so inspiring!!! It also he!PS work new things into the color scheme of my wardrobe. This is the best Lion Brand has put forward ever. Thanks!!!

    • Hi, Julie – thank you for your feedback! Very happy you like the colors & the post. 🙂

  • Love, Love, Love This!

    The colors are terrific and I’m looking forward to the patterns.

    Thank you for the inspiration.

    • Hi, Jennifer – so glad you like it! Happy Crafting in the New Year!

  • I like the colors but the summer ones seem a bit dark.

    • Hi, Joyce – thanks for the feedback! There might be some variation we we post about each color individually, though the summer colors do pack a punch! 🙂

  • Patricia Bovard, I was thinking the exact thing! With the exception of the Landscapes yarn, which I totally love, the other colors just leave me flat.

    • Hi, Skye – thanks for your feedback! Hopefully, we’ll be able to round out each color in our future posts, which might give them more possibility. 🙂

  • Looking for silver four pl yarn

  • Here is a case where your yarn colors are actually prettier and more wearable than those on the models. Many of the fashion photos make the models look like they are wearing the wrong color for their coloring (complexion) at best, and at the worst, just getting over the flue. Also, if you’re going to put in the effort to knit for yourself, do you really want to wear something that would also fit a professional football lineman?
    Sweaters like “Clay” will always look great on every figure, where the giant sized garments will make a thin person look scrawny and an overweight person look sloppy and trying to hide in plain sight, rather than owning who they are and wearing their look with pride and dignity.
    Trends are fine as inspiration as long as you know the nuanced shades (or tints) of colors that make you glow and the shapes and styles of the garments that bring out the best in you. Trust L.B. to have the broad selections of colors and textures to work for everyone!

    • Hi, Sunny – thank you for your feedback! These models are definitely sporting some colors outside their comfort zones, & we hope everyone will find colors that will work wonderfully for them. We’ll follow up with more ideas for each color & patterns, too, and will definitely feature a variety of ‘fit’ options! Sounds like you’ve got a great eye, we’d love to hear more about which colors you’re looking forward to for you!

  • I have to agree with Patricia. However, I think the colors are probably not as bad as the grotesque costumes you show. I have to use the term costumes because I cannot imagine anyone wearing any of them (other than January) as clothing. I will be watching through the year as you feature these colors in knitted or crocheted items. Also will be watching for the combinations that you use. Hurrah for a new year of knitting and crocheting.

    • Hi, Cathy! These are definitely some wild high-fashion get-ups, and we hope to offer more options throughout the year, that will prove more wear-able, too! We’ll keep you posted, and Happy Crafting in the New Year!

  • Thanks for the inspiration! Even the names of the colors are exciting to me! I look forward to 2018 patterns!

    • Hi, Karen – so glad you like them! Happy to start the new year off on a fun foot, & we’ll keep you posted with more patterns as the year rolls on! 🙂

  • I guess I will be looking for yarn somewhere else in 2018..what a horrible selection of colors. Maybe someone had their eyes closed when choosing them!

    • Hi, Susan – thank you for your feedback!

  • The pictures were a major turnoff for me…. I would have thought the ad department could have come up with something better.
    I did like how you showed the variegated yarns that included the color of the month for some of the colors. That made me look at the yarns again; I especially liked Succulent & its partner color in Landscapes in Meadows.

    • Hi, Yolanda – thank you for your feedback! We’ve used some high-fashion images here, but will definitely continue through the year with our own photos for each color, which we’re very excited about! Very glad you like the variegated options – always fun to see a yarn in a new way! 🙂

  • Wow! Lion Brand is so beyond “On Trend”. I am writing this from France (I’m here for a couple months with family and do come here regularly) and I can assure you that the yarn crafting scene here — except for a few hardy forward-looking souls (and I have encountered them at their cutting edge shops which would be considered very mainstream LYS in the US) doesn’t hold a candle to what you and other American companies are doing!

    • Hi, Elizabeth – thank you so much for your feedback! And thank you for reading us all the way from France! 🙂

  • I love all these colors and hues for 2018. The Landscape colors are particularly appealing to me. I hope I can try all these amazing colors.

    • Hi, Linda – so glad you like them! We hope you can, too! 🙂

  • Love the color choices
    Going to try one each month!

    • Hi, Pam – what a fun goal! Keep us posted. 🙂

  • I think these colors are so alive and I love the outfits the models are wearing with thse colors. I’m not for neutrals although I see how some are presented here so beautifully

    • Thank you for your feedback! So glad you’re liking the colors & inspiration. Happy Crafting in the New Year!

  • I PREFERRED THE zINNIA COLOR, AND THE MUSHROOM COLOR IN wOOLEASE, BUT THESE NEW COLORS LOOK MUDDY DO NOT LIKE THEM MUCH

    • Hi, Joanne – thank you for your feedback!

  • Looks like I’ll be sitting out all but March and August. And isn’t a purple (Ultraviolet) the Pantone COTY??

    • Hi, Kaytee – we’re glad you see something you like! We hope everyone will find something for them in our colors. You’re correct – we’ve diverged from Pantone here – but perhaps will do a specific post for Ultraviolet!

  • I enjoyed looking at your new ideas for the coming year. I think September should be your August color…since sapphire is the birthstone for September. Other than that, I think you did a good job for matching the colors to the season.

    • Hi, Linda – thank you for your feedback! I’m a September birthday, so I’d tend to agree. 🙂

  • I love all these colors, and the new shawl in a ball color..going to have to use that as well as others they are all wonderful.

    • Hi, Patricia – thank you for your feedback! So glad you are liking the colors, & Happy Crafting in the New Year!

  • You have an interesting color line up there. I hope I can find some easy patterns to do on my round looms. That’s about all the knitting I am able. Goal for this lefty, learn basic knitting with needles 2018!

    • Hi, Kathy – so glad you are drawn to the colors. We’ll try to include a variety of patterns in future posts, so thank you for your feedback. And what a great goal – let us know how it goes!

  • Wow! I love this idea. Thank you for all that went into this helpful guide. I can’t pick a favorite – they’re all gorgeous. I’m looking forward to seeing the patterns as 2018 moves along!

    • Hi, Paulette – thank you so much for your feedback! Can’t wait to craft with you in 2018. 🙂

  • I agree with Kaytee. I also only care for March and August , but I can add September to my likings.

    • Hi, Shelley – so glad you’ve found a few you like! 🙂

  • I don’t find much excitement in these colors, Looks like we are going back to the 70′ with the green, gold, and rust colors – back to earth colors. After taking another look it might be the choice of clothes that makes this so unappealing. Looking directly at the yarn, I can see some nice colors.

    • Hi, Linda – we’ll definitely go into more detail for each color as each month comes, and we’ll provide more images, too! These are some fun & wild high-fashion looks, just to get the imagination turning. 🙂 1970’s, here we come!

  • Some lovely colours -giving me some ideas for new designs…..

    • Hi, Jacqui – we’re so glad! We’d love to hear more about what you’re making. 🙂

  • With the exception of January, these are all warm (yellow-based) colors. We who look better in cool (blue-based) colors are pretty much left out. I am thinking that it would be pretty easy to come up with a set of parallel selections that are blue-based, each month. Maybe that is going to happen!?

    • Hi, Michelle – thank you for your feedback, this is a really interesting idea! I’ll see what we can do for upcoming, color-specific posts. 🙂

  • Why no violet to follow Pantone color of the year? Most of these colors are difficult for many to wear.

    • Hi, Sue – we’ve definitely diverged from Pantone with our selections. Perhaps we’ll do a Pantone-specific post for Ultraviolet! We hope, too, to provide more options for each color as the months come, so there will be a variety for everyone to choose from.

  • Very disappointing. At least there is August.

    • Hi, Roxann – thank you for your feedback! And we’re glad you found your bright spot! Hopefully, more options for each color will be more appealing.

  • I’m afraid…not so much. I also thought Ultraviolet was the Pantone COTY. which I like more than almost all of these. Are these expected to be home colors, not just yarn or clothing colors, too?

    • Hi, there – thank you for your feedback! We have diverged from Pantone with our choices, though perhaps we’ll do a Pantone-specific post, as well. Some of these earthier tones would make great home options, & we’ll try to include those patterns in future posts.

  • Pretty boring colors. Not much to stimulate my interest. Sorry.

    • Hi, Dana – thank you for your feedback!

  • I only like June and September. I agree with earlier comment about browns and that marigolds color will truly look good on almost no one. I recently went natural acme white with my hair and I can no longer pull off bribes or browns so that may be part of it. The sapphire might be doable.

    • Hi, Tina – we’re glad you’re seeing a few things you like! Would also love to see you rock the Sapphire with your hair! 🙂

  • For me, this is a Four-Star Year!!! I love Springtime, and the March, April and May colors are right up my alley! I’d love a pattern for the January sweater! Thanks, LB, for sharing this inspiration.

    • Hi, Sunny – so glad you’re liking what you see! We’ll do what we can to offer similar patterns (as these are high-fashion images, we don’t always have something comparable!). Can’t wait to craft with you in the New Year!

  • Add me to the list for those who would like to get the pattern for the sweater in the CLAY photo. If I can buy or download that pattern, I’ll purchase the necessary quantity of the Clay Yarn to make it.

    • Hi, Jane – thank you for your feedback! That pattern isn’t one of ours, but based on the popularity, I’ll mention it to our design team! Hopefully they can come up with something comparable. 🙂 We’ll keep you posted!

  • I’ll be doing my own thing except in July and September. Love those colours! But then… I always do my own thing!

    • Hi, Sally – sounds like you’ve got great style as it is, & we’re happy you’ll be repping a couple of our hues this year! 🙂

  • Sorry you think those models and outfits will attract more knitters.

    • Hi, there – thank you for your feedback! These are definitely high-fashion images, drawn mostly from recent fashion shows. We’ll offer follow-up posts for each color, which will include more variety in models (who look much happier, too!).

  • I love the colors for this year! While not every color works for my skin tone, I certainly know plenty of people for which at least one of the colors would look great on them. I don’t even consider vanilla, colorless.

    • Hi, Cynthia – so glad you’re seeing some colors you like, and that you’ve got an eye out for your friends! 🙂

  • I love the CLAY colors and I also would like to obtain the Clay pattern. It’s a beautiful sweater pattern.

    • Hi, Margaret – thank you for your feedback! It isn’t one of our patterns, but due to the popularity, I’ll mention it to our design team – we’ll see what we can do! 🙂

  • Thanks for being such a diverse source for current textile trends. Multiple generations in my family use your website as inspiration to feed their fiber arts addiction. Blessings for a fantastic 2018.

    • Hi, Robbin – wow, thank you so much! What beautiful feedback, we appreciate it. Very happy that you & your family are Lion Brand fans. Happy crafting in the New Year to you & yours!

  • Great colours!

  • Can’t leave out some shade of purple!!

    • Hi, Gloria – we definitely diverged from Pantone! But there have been a couple comments, so maybe we’ll do a Pantone-specific post! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂

  • I really like the vibrant spices and oranges but will only wear splashes of them. Like the neutral colors but would never use the August blue. Hope there will be great crochet patterns to come.

    • Hi, Kathy – thank you for your feedback! Yes, some of these colors will definitely be better accents, depending on complexion & hair color, etc. We’ll keep you posted with more color options for each, & patterns for knit & crochet!

  • Wow, fashion has finally found its home in Lionbrand land. Don’t let the neg remarks discourage you, this is outstanding. Ladies, the yarn does come in other colors.

    • Hi, Angela – thank you for your feedback! Glad to be on the same page with you. 🙂

  • The models and the chosen clothes to highlight the colors are horrible.
    Those alone would turn many people away from beauty of the colors!

    • Hi, Jo – I apologize, they are definitely very high-fashion! Future posts will include images with our models (who look happy!), and more of our patterns to support. Hopefully you’ll read on with us!

  • I am really disappointed with the angry model look that has become so popular. All the models look like they really hate what they are wearing and wish to escape and get out of the outfit as quickly as possible. If the model hates it so much, it’s hard for me to like the colors presented. BTW Sapphire is the birthstone of September. Nice to see the Sapphire color in September and let August have plumwood.or whatever the heck that is.

    • Hi, Karen – thank you for your feedback! We’ve definitely drawn from those high-fashion images for this post, but hope to feature our own models in future posts about these colors. And our models look much happier to be there! & I’m a September birthday, so I’m inclined to agree! 🙂

  • I love how inviting your color for 2018 were to me. I have a very limited budget for knitting. You have inspired me to be bold with my knitting this year. Thank you

    • Hi, Ruby – wow, what a compliment! We look forward to crafting boldly with you in the new year. 🙂

  • The colours are perfect choices for the various months. My idea is to knit a scarf for each of my five nieces, both my daughters and my two granddaughters. Of course I will use the -“colour of the month” that represents each of their birthdays. Starting now for their Christmas gift of 2018!’

    • Hi, Kay – this is an amazing idea! What months will be featured for your girls? We’d love to hear how your project goes, and definitely to see photos!

  • I’m loving the azalea and clay color. Would love to see this in the 24/7 cotton.

    • Hi, Dianne – thank you for your feedback! We’ll take note. 🙂

  • Colors and yarns are nice, models and photos very uninspiring.

    • Hi, Deebee – very glad you like the colors. We’ll have more posts with our own models, & hopefully those images will speak to you more! 🙂

  • Your models are depressing. Killed any interest I may have had in the yarn or colors.

    • Hi, Winne – thank you for your feedback. These images are all high-fashion inspiration, and I agree, the models don’t look very happy to be there! We’ll have some follow-up posts in the future, and include more images of our models (who look quite happy, and have more variety!). Hopefully those will be more inviting!

  • I WANTEDTO CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY ON AMAZING YARNS AND PATTERNS. BUT I'”M SO DISTRESSED , NOT ABLE TO KNIT ANY LONGER DUE TO A PAINFUL PROBLEM WITH MY WRIST , JUST ENJOYING LOOKING AT YOUR MAGNIFICENT YARNS.. DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING THAT OULD BE USED TO STEADY MY WRIST SO I WILL BEABLE TO KNIT.

  • Great way to start the New Year!

  • I must agree with Patricia. Only the August color appeals to me.

    • Hi, Terry – thank you for your feedback!

  • Not impressed with most of the outfits and the colors seem a bit drab. I do like January’s out fit. I like Clay and Wolf although you really don’t see what color wolf actually is; I liked the yarns shown.
    May’s outfit is atrocious! And that plaid thing on the right for November! Hope those models got paid well. It would be better if all of the models actually wore pieces of clothing that were made with the yarn of each color.

    • Hi, Debra – thank you for your feedback! These are some high-fashion images, so we’ll definitely followup with more images of our own models, and patterns to supplement. Hope you’ll keep reading on with us!

  • Love this! Colours are stunning!

  • The marigold is like a mustard color never liked it and still dont all the others love the colors!!! Can’t wait too see the new patterns!!

    • Hi, there – so glad you’re seeing a few colors you love! We’ll keep you posted. 🙂

  • How about having Vanna & the rest of your design team actually create shades of your premium yarns that match your COTMs. I only saw one yarn (persimmon) that had the same name as your COTMs. I agree with the previous comment – at least one month should have been Ultra Violet (I guess Azalea comes sort of close) and I don’t like all the different shades of oranges and browns either. Also maybe next year (if you continue this idea) you can model a pattern or two from your collection specially designed to highlight each color. The avant garde models are very uninspiring, I don’t know any people who dress this way.

    • Hi, Nancy – thank you for taking the time to write! Our color ideas precede yarn ideas, so hopefully more yarn color options will be produced throughout the year – we’ll keep you posted! We’ll also continue with follow-up posts, with more options & images for each color. We’ve diverged from Pantone, but perhaps we’ll do a Pantone-specific post! These high-fashion images are a bit over the top, but we hope to provide more lovely, wear-able patterns as the year goes on. 🙂

  • Finally some yarns in my favorite colors! Though I call them spruce green, brick red and buttercup. I also love the clay in Heartland Zion as well as the Fisherman and LA tan! i just wish you had also put fashion pics with the Wolf and Sapphire. Thank you so much for finally getting some great colors in!

    • Hi, Patti! So, so glad you’re liking the colors! We’ll definitely have more images to share in the future, I know Wolf and Sapphire were a bit left out of this post. They’re two of my favorites, too!

  • Interesting variety of colors. Would love to see a list of all 12 in one fiber (wool / cotton / acrylic) or weight of yarn, for easier mixing.

    • Hi, Karen – this is an amazing idea, I’ll see what I can do!

  • These are the colours of an autum. For all of us who’s skin tone falls between the Summer and Winter colour scheme, these are what we love best and almost never see in shops. For us 2018 will be a landmark year to create a new wardrobe in all the colours of autumn. Bring on the new year!!!!!

    • Hi, Susan – so glad the autumns will be able to go wild this year! I’m looking forward to it, too. 🙂

  • The color choices are very interesting although of course there are some I like more than others. And as Kaytee remarked, I also was surprised to find no purple hues on your list, in light of Pantone’s choice of Ultraviolet as the Color of the Year. My favorites among your choices are April, May and August.

    • Hi, Hinda – love to hear about your favorites! Keep us posted with what you’re working up in each of them, we’d love to know. 🙂 We did diverge from Pantone, but perhaps we’ll do a Pantone-specific post!

  • I like your colors through the year 2018 although the yarns you show to represent them don’t entirely match the color shown on each model and I like the actu colors shown on said models. Sure hope to see those colors in some of your new yarns this year…I prefer teal wool, Angora, mohair rather than acrylics mixed with real fiber.

    • Hi, Nanci – thank you for your feedback! We’ll continue to show more options for each, with our own images (which might suit them better!). And thank you for your feedback regarding fiber!

  • I love all from June thru September, looking forward to using these.

    • Hi, Carol – we’re so glad! Let us know what you’re working up in each. 🙂

  • Ugh! What dreary colors. Such a somber and morose cast on next year. Pass.

    • Hi, Deb – thank you for your feedback! We truly hope one or two might grow on you over the next months, but if not, we hope to hit the mark for you next year!

  • Disgusted with photos. Designers or whomever are making pretty young ladies look very sloppy and utterly masculine. Ugh. Colors are gorgeous, however, especially Hometown USA.brands.

    • Hi, Carol – thank you for your feedback. We sourced some high-fashion images for this post, but will include more of our own as the months roll on. Very glad you like the colors, though!

  • Thanks Patty, for shedding light on yarn names. When will yarn suppliers realize that in our On-line lives colors named Zion, Mountain Range,
    even Moonstone, wich is really more gray-blue, are completely unhelpful in trying to figure out what you will actually get when you order on-line.
    The same color even looks different on different sites. Does anyone else find cutesy names as frustrating as I do?

    • Hi, Sunny – thank you for your feedback! I’ll see if I can get more information about how these names come about. And I’ll definitely work on more posts with more examples of each color, so hopefully they’ll become clearer!

  • Bright, solid colours are not really my cup of tea, but a couple are truly wonderful – Clay, LA Tan, Wolf – I like more mutted colour. The models should be sporting knit or crochet garments, not haute couture runway models who are purposefully dressed to look ridiculous! No one REALLY wears that stuff, but they sure would wear a nice cozy sweater, or socks, or shawls made from the 2018 colours.

    • Hi, Sher – thank you for your feedback! We’ll definitely have more pattern suggestions in the future for each color, so we’ll keep you posted!

  • The models did nothing to showcase your yarns at least for me. I liked most of the colors but not into dark shades

    • Hi, Pauline – thank you for your feedback! Glad you’re liking some of the colors, and we’ll have more images of our own models soon to share. 🙂

  • I’m not liking the colors for 2018. Boring and drab. I hear the color for 2018 is Pirple? Sorry, I will have to stick I like.

    • Hi, Shari – sad to hear these aren’t for you, but we hope you’ll continue casting on your favorites! Pantone’s color of the year is Ultraviolet, so perhaps we’ll do a post for that color, too!

  • I liked many of the colors and the concept . My favorite was clay and the pink one for February.

    • Hi, Sara – I love the pinks, too!

  • Is there any pattern for jumper like the ” clay” jumper above

    • Hi, Helen – thank you for your feedback! We don’t have a pattern for that yet, but due to popularity, I’ve mentioned it to our design team. 🙂

  • About half the colors appeal to me, mostly in the more earthy tones, and I tend to buy them in preference to the brighter colors. I did have a good laugh at the fashion plates. I’m afraid the deliberately sloppy, asymmetrical & layered look simply reminds me of the years when my toddler daughter liked to dress herself. She outgrew it, but it looks like the modern fashion designers haven’t.

    • Hi, Janet – so glad you’re liking some of the colors! And yes, the high-fashion world is pretty strange. 🙂

  • Need more colors in shawl in a ball

  • Where can I find the patterns for July and December? I have been looking for a cute big neck sweater and you show two ! Love them.

    • Hi, Karen – thank you for your feedback, I’ll share your interest with our team!

  • Yuck ! The models look like rehab rejects , the colors are blaaaah, and the whole thing looks like you all are trying to be hip and young. Just yuck.

  • While I do not agree with the negative comments, I support their right to express them. I believe this has to be at the top of the postings which Lionbrand has done…ever! I truly enjoy having a preview of colors which will be popular in the coming year. I think the majority of colors are beautiful and so rich looking. Most of the fashions are better suited for young figures, but I already have many projects in mind for these gorgeous yarn colors! Well done Lionbrand, I hope to see more like this in the future.

    • Hi, Bobbie – thank you for your feedback, so glad you enjoyed the post! The fashions are definitely a bit wild – we hope to offer more lovely, wear-able options throughout the year. We’d love to know what you’re thinking for the colors, too!

  • Whoever came up with this layout is an Autumn tones person. Doesn’t appeal to me at all and I love looking at Autumn colours, just cannot wear them.
    Have read some other comments, not all, and agree the pictures of the models wearing those colours leaves a GREAT deal to be desired – they are awful.
    Expect better from the LB for colour usage and design ideas. Those were bland and boring and not at all flattering to the models.
    There were only a few of the yarn balls in those colours that excited even a small pleasurable response from me.
    Better luck with your next advertising gambit.
    By the way, the yarn balls looked heaps better than the projects shown.

    • Hi, Patricia – thank you for your feedback! These gals are all high-fashion models, & the images are sourced from high-fashion spreads, for inspiration. We’ll continue to share images for the colors with our own models (who look much happier, I think!). Hopefully some of those images will appeal to you more!

  • I almost love every color BUT my favorite is Clay, Vanilla, Succulent great sweater in the clay wonder if you’ll offer this pattern for early spring

    • Hi, Karin – thank you for your feedback! That pattern isn’t one of ours, but due to the popularity, I’ll mention it to our design team. 🙂

  • I am a Winter according to my coloring, so none of the colors would flatter my skin tone.
    Thanks. Maria

    • Hi, Maria – we’ll definitely include more variations for each color as we continue to post, so hopefully there will be a version of each that works for you!

  • Another vote for the ‘Clay’ sweater…… And while I love these colors (Michaels has most of them already), not one of them is the Pantone ‘Ultra Violet’ color of the year? …purple.

    • Hi, Cathleen – thank you for your feedback! That Clay sweater isn’t one of ours, but I’ll mention it to our design team, since there’s been some interest! We definitely diverged from Pantone, but perhaps we’ll do a Pantone-specific post for Ultraviolet!

  • OH NO. another muddy looking collection. I used to have a few colors that I could use for projects. I loved Ducky Yellow, and Sweet Pea in Vanna’s Choice line. Now the brighter, happy colors have gone. Hate to tell you that the current COLOR tones stink!. Always MUDDY and dreary, nothing happy and bright. Like the products, but you need to change your style, or I will go away.

    • Hi, Barbara – thank you for your feedback!

  • I love this! Beautiful inspiration photos, and a look into the year ahead. All of these colors are rich and sumptuous. Looking forward to seeing posts each month about individual colors. Antique and succulent are my favorite ones.

    • Hi, Amanda – thank you for your feedback! So happy you enjoyed the post, and Happy New Year!

  • Will there be any new colors in the touch of alpaca brand?

    • Hi, Angela – Can’t say now, but we’ll keep you posted!

  • Ditto J. Johnson’s comment on 30 December 2017. I would love the pattern for the turtleneck done in Clay as well. Hurry! I’m already planning what to complete for 2018 Christmas presents!

    • Hi, there – thank you for your feedback! That pattern isn’t one of ours, but due to the popularity, I’ve let our design team know. 🙂 Way to get a head start on Christmas planning!

  • I am quite disappointed with this calendar. I opened this email this morning, thinking, wow!!! Beautiful colors, wonderful patterns on the back of the page or down the side of the picture of the clothing!!! Nope no such luck!!! Not even knit or crochet articles of clothing in every month. Oh dear!!! I was hoping for a good ole fashioned calendar, thought that good ole trend may have come back this year. MAYBE NEXT YEAR!!!??? Very sad.

    • Hi, Bev – thank you for your feedback! These images are all drawn from high-fashion, and are intended for inspiration. We’ll do a follow-up on each color and include our patterns for some ideas. We’ll keep you posted!

  • Okay. Maybe is time to me to pack up and go live near Lion Brand’s headquarters hahahaha. I think I love 9 of the 12 colors you propose… I’m in big big troubles 🙂

    • Hi, Rose – we look forward to being your neighbor! 🙂

  • A little disappointed…most of the colors seem to lean towards the warm end of the spectrum (even the tones that normally run neutral or cool). I guess I’ll go with totally different colors & make 2018 the year of not fitting in!

    • Hi, Amanda – following the beat of your own drum is always in style! 🙂

  • Love the colors but would really like to see models that are maybe 59 and over. Us Seniors are into fashion also .

    • Hi, Brenda – couldn’t agree more! Thankfully, we’ll have images soon from our own photo shoot, which features much more diversity in the models (including different ages). Thank you for your feedback, and we’ll strive to be more inclusive even in these high-fashion-inspired posts!

  • love the clay colored sweater ( July). Saw comment that pattern wasn’t one of yours. But that you would let design team know how popular it was. Add my comment to the population vote . Would live to have the oattern

  • I love the sweater in the Vanilla! Quite honestly Its the only one I like! What is up with those ridiculous looking outfits? THey look like two year olds dressed them! Sorry but the styles are AWEFUL!

    • Hi, Shari – the high-fashion world is definitely extreme! We always search for images that best represent the color, so we do come up with some wild stuff. 🙂

  • I cannot say I am delighted by any of these colours, but I am old enough to know that things change, and perhaps this is not My year of colours, but another will be again… and with so many choices out there… and so many different preferences, this rich, warm colour range will appeal to many.
    Be patient… perhaps next year will thrill those of us who are not this year… or the year after…. in the meantime… ? there are enough other colours around that Do appeal more… and will keep us all happy and busy… until Our next year… Congrats LB!

    • Hi, Clair – thank you for your thoughtful comment! Fashion goes around and around, and you’re wise to know it’ll come back your way soon. Happy crafting this year!

  • Bleah. Not much else needs to be said. Nothing that inspires that we haven’t already seen. Re-hash. I think you could’ve done better. Jus’ sayin’.

  • I just have one comment to make: beautiful yarn but ugly clothes.

    • Hi, Judy – thanks for your feedback! Future posts will include more of our patterns & style. High-fashion is definitely extreme! 🙂

  • I’m a “Spring” – I can wear these gold-orange-brown colors quite easily. But I’m going to wear them in the autumn, where they belong – not in the Spring or Summer, when I’ll be enjoying all the lovely blues and greens and purples and yellows and pinks! Considering Pantone’s color is purple, I am surprised at how many golds and browns you decided to go with! .

  • Loved all the colors, will be going out shopping very soon

  • These are exciting. I especially am picturing working with the plum wood. Such a rich variety of colors!

  • I am sorry to say that I am not impressed with these colors. Most are drab and wiould not be worn by a lot of women. The models’ facial expressions were painful and distracting

  • Thank you so much for giving us such wonderful variety! I love this idea, and ESPECIALLY that it’s separate from Pantone’s predictions. Call me crazy, but I just don’t like the idea of wandering into a room and blending in with the furniture every where I go. By the time people over do the Pantone following, I can’t stand to see their hot color half way thru the year, as it’s everywhere. Especially in clothing designers – what are they thinking? Where has the independence gone, that everything is cookie cutter, from pillows to shirts.Thank you for having that independence and creativity, and making it possible for us to stand out from the couch.
    Brenda, a confessed yarnoholic

  • I love the colors! And glad you didn’t follow Pantane’s suggestion. I hope you will include a pattern-scarf or Afghan- both crochet & knit that would include all the colors!

  • I like many of the colors but I make a lot of blankets and try to match them with a person’s decor when possible. Would probably use some if I was crocheting clothes and looking for pops of color.

  • Amazing colours, I am an earthy person tone wise. I guess I need to find some patterns for more spring and summers knot projects as I usually knit mittens, scarfs, hats. Things for late fall and winter. Thanks

  • Would love the vest pattern in Succulent. I’ve seen many other comments for pattern requests. Perhaps you shouldn’t show any garments unless you can also tell us where to find the pattern, or a similar one! I usually choose colors that look good on me, not on a model; I choose yarns that are machine-washable. I have many more patterns and ideas than I could possibly knit in my life time, but I still keep collecting.

  • I love these colors, especially the Chili. Might pair it with something vanilla….
    Not a fan of the fashions shown, but that’s okay.
    My only wish is to see some smiling models! Those young ladies look downright bored, and slightly menacing.
    I eagerly await knitting some of these luscious colors…thanks!

  • Yes, I, too as surprised that purple is the pantone color color of the year, that it is absent from your colors. I liked the vanilla and the sapphire. The rest are all earth tones which do not appeal at all to me. It may be why few of the yarns in my stash are made by Lion Brand.

  • Can’t stand oranges, mustards and browns, no matter what names you give them. The fashions are ugly, as well. Last year’s Pantone colors of rose pink and sky blue were beautiful.

  • I love love love Persimmon and Chili but also love vanilla and more neutral colours LOL Only one i’m not fond of is the mustardy yellow in May, never was a fan of that shade.

    But those outfits? I will never understand how they can call that fashion, would never be caught dead in those LOL

  • I favor the late summer to early winter colors (September to November) in this bunch. That time of year has such richness in nature.

    Not a fan of a lot of the outfits, but how often are runway and model-shoot garments worn by the average person? I can’t decide whether I like the high pant hems with heels. Anyway, too each their own.

  • I love the concept, but think I’m the only person who actually read the article! It wasn’t meant to be about the fashions, but the COLOR! I’m loving Vanilla, Succulent, Persimmon, Clay, Wolf, Chestnut and Chili! And very much look forward to each months patterns that you will be presenting.
    I have been a Lion Brand customer for over 50 years, and am a Knitter and Crocheter since I was 8 years old!
    Your products are the best! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the colors and patterns for 2018!

  • I love all the Lion Brand Colors of the Year 2018! Oh my goodness, they are beautiful. I especially like March and the month for Plumwood!

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