Stitch Witch

Here it is, already Thursday.  The time has flown by this week, but I feel compelled to share some interesting thoughts about color, online shopping, and a bit of psychology-or just a comment on psychology (read: how our brains perceive color, etc.)

As mentioned in the past week or so, I’ve been absolutely enamored with the Deep Sea Messy Handspun yarn that I purchased from Lonely Love Bird Supplies.  It arrived the other day, and I do believe I just sat and held it and dreamed of all the beautiful things I could make with it.  My only complaint…..there’s not enough :(  I need like 5000 yards, then I could just throw it on the bed and fall into it like a scrumptuous pile of yarny leaves!

Upon ripping open my package of fiberesque bliss, however, the thought occurred to me that we really, for the most part, only see what we want to see, and don’t often take the time to consider all the aspects that play a role in how something appears.  This applies to life in general, as well, but that’s for another blog!   So I decided to do some tinkering and give you tangible examples of how perception really can be 99% of our reality. Go grab a cup of something and come back, this is kind of long

Please read this first:  Any mention of my purchase from LLB Supplies is only for demonstration purposes, and does not in ANY way, shape or form deter from the 1000% satisfaction rating I give Lindsay and her beautiful work.  This is a post about color only!  

Example #1

This is the original photo that drew in me in, like a moth to a hot, hot flame!!  

This is a shot, taken by my poopy digital camera, at home, in normal room lighting with no sunlight.

And finally, this is a Photoshop-adjusted rendition of the original, which I did by holding yarn close to monitor-again in normal room light conditions-and tweaking color ranges and curve until it matched the yarn (at least from what I perceived the color to be!!)  As you can see, there’s quite a range of difference between the original photograph, taken by Ms. Lindsay, and the color of the yarn as it appears in my home. In my mind, when I looked at her store, and picture #1, I saw a deep turquoisey-blue, however, the yarn inside the package is not so much blue as it is green.  All which is still utterly delightful for me!!  Then, as you can see, when shot by a crappy camera, in crappy lighting, the yarn does not appear as vibrant and soul-captivating as it really, truly is!  Then, with the adjustment and my vision (which by far is not 20/20!), I can only attempt to show you the color that I see as I hold it in my hands.  But then, my perception may be far off from what you see.  We are at the whim of our monitors and our ingrained definitions  when it comes to buying anything, online, that involves color.

Even with the adjustment, I still cannot properly display to you the true beauty of the yarn, which is a shame, but also serves to remind us that the way we see things is comprised of about 50% sight and 50% mind.  To me, the name of the color-Deepest Sea-indicates some blue going on!! :)  To you, it might mean blue-green….to another, it might mean midnight blue.

Let’s move on to example #2.

This is the official picture of Lion Brand Microspun Yarn in Purple.  Not too much difference betwixt it and my HP digital shot at home.

This is the original home photograph.  Normal, no sunlight, room lighting.  

This is the same home photo, Photoshop-rendered to show the color as I see it, holding yarn up to monitor to make color and curve adjustments.  Even as I look at the modified photo, however, I can honestly say that while it is in this particular shade of purple, it is NOT as vibrant as the picture makes it seem.

Example #3:

This is the original photo from website of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn in Lagoon.   Left up to imagination and this picture alone, I never would have bought it.  And, their description states that there are hints of chocolate in it?!?!?  Either their dye lots vary substantially, or they were looking at another shade, because there is NO chocolate to be found in my skein of Lagoon. 

This is a closeup, in same room, same normal lighting.  Woot. 

Here, we have Lagoon leaning against monitor, compared to unrendered home photo, taken with flash.  (Bet you’re falling off your seat with giddyness, eh?)  

Here, however, we have Lagoon leaning, but taken withOUT flash.  Hmmm.  See the difference a little light makes?  The yarn looks absolutely NOTHING like that….it’s not pukely or brown or dull in anyway, and actually is going to go beautifully, entwined around the Deepest Sea :)  

In this shot, you get to see all 3 pieces together….notice how the Deepest Sea brightens up with a lamp to the right (not shown) and the burgundy wall behind?  Tres Excitement, I KNOW!

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I suppose my whole purpose in displaying these examples is to get you to see that you can’t truly hold it against a seller or retailer if you purchase something color-related  online and it doesn’t quite fit the vision you had when you first saw the photograph.  Even in stores, colors can look completely altered based upon the type of lighting that a store uses.

So, when buying yarns, threads, fabrics and clothes online, you will benefit from not committing to a very specific shade that you need to match at home.  Shop with an open mind, and use your eye and creativity once you receive an item!  Color, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, and you can’t judge a color until you’re beholding it, right?

I would like to take the time to thank YOU, faithful yarnaddicts, for taking the time to read this   Your input and suggestions and anything else you want to talk about is always welcome!  Spill it!  :D  Have a beautiful November day!