A free year-long color journey
for knitters and crocheters
Join thousands of makers exploring color through monthly patterns, color theory, and creative inspiration.
Every month brings a new palette, a new granny square (crochet), a new blanket square (knitting), and a deeper understanding of how color works.
By December 2026, you’ll have 12 beautiful squares ready to join into a lapghan – and a whole new confidence with color.
What You’ll Get Every Month
- A new granny square pattern (crochet)
- A new blanket square pattern (knitting)
- Color theory and history deep-dives
- Curated Cascade Yarns color palettes
- Weekly Saturday emails with inspiration and tips
All completely free. All year long.
Your 2026 Color Journey
How It Works
- Sign up Join the Year of Color list and get your first patterns on January 1, 2026.
- Make one square a month Choose crochet, knitting, or both. Go at your own pace – there’s no falling behind.
- Learn about color Each month includes color theory, history, and inspiration to deepen your understanding.
- Join your lapghan together By December, you’ll have 12 squares ready to join into a beautiful, colorful lapghan.
Questions?
Do I have to make every month?
Nope! Jump in whenever you want. Make just the months that speak to you, or go all in for the full year.
I only knit / only crochet. Is this for me?
Absolutely! Each month includes both patterns. Make whichever fits your craft.
Is it really free?
Yes! The monthly patterns and color articles are completely free all year. At the end of 2026.
What if I fall behind?
All patterns stay on the website forever. Catch up whenever you’re ready. No pressure!
Year of Color 2026 is created in partnership with Cascade Yarns.
I have purchased my yarn through April 2026. I’m very excited to do something different.
I now think I will place a second order for my Mother to crochet. I will gift it to her on her B’day in March.
She will catch up very quickly
Hi! I have what might be a silly question. Do the patterns involve all of the colors selected? That is, do January’s patterns use the three shades (Snow, Frost Gray, and Macadamia), and June’s patterns use the four shades (Bachelor Button, Marine, Mango, Pumpkin)? I ask because I want to get all the yarn in one swell foop, so to speak. Thanks!
They do use all the colors.
Of course, if there’s one you don’t like you can swap something else in). Same goes for a full month. Heritage has SO MANY colors!
Do you have yarn suggestions for a non-superwash alternative?
That’s a great question. Truthfully, I didn’t consider it since I was thinking that people wouldn’t want to be stuck handwashing a blanket.
But of you have the question, I’m sure that others do too.
I’ll look into this.
How do I get the yarn
A lot of LYSs has Heritage, or you could get it online.
It’s a great yarn – smooth, takes multiple froggings and it’s superwash.
I am looking forward to this. Thank you
You’re welcome!
Glad to have you with us!