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
Christmas has always been a big deal in my family. When my great-grandmother was alive (she lived an exceptionally long life), we hosted a huge annual Christmas party. Our extended family—great aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents—would all gather. Hosting that many people wasn’t easy on their budget, but for a few years in my early childhood, we rented a cabin, squeezing everyone inside and sharing a big potluck dinner.
We put on a Christmas program that included everything from off-key musical numbers belted out at top volume to a reading of the Christmas story, with all the great-grandchildren acting it out. The evening ended with a white elephant gift exchange and the left-right game, creating total Christmas chaos—and some of my best holiday memories. When I saw this photo, I knew it had to be the inspiration for my Christmas color palette.

These colors feel like they’ve been pulled straight from my memory. Warm browns are everywhere: in the cabin walls, the logs in the fireplace, even the “brown paper packages tied up with string.” The tree is a deep green, snow-flocked, and bright pops of red come from the draped blanket, the striped stockings “hung up with care,” and the ornaments gleaming on the tree.
I chose Paintbox Yarns for this color palette, specifically their Simply Aran acrylic and Cotton Aran lines. I love using their cotton yarn for all sorts of home decor—seasonal cushion covers, kitchen dish towels, and pot holders. Cotton is also a great option for wearables, especially for those who dislike or are allergic to wool. Acrylic, on the other hand, works well for large throw blankets or kid-friendly projects that can handle plenty of washing and drying.
Yarn Recommendations

Paintbox Yarns Simply Cotton
- Coffee Bean
- Soft Fudge
- Light Caramel
- Champagne White
- Racing Green
- Elephant Grey
- Red Wine

Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
- Coffee Bean
- Soft Fudge
- Light Caramel
- Champagne White
- Racing Green
- Elephant Grey
- Red Wine
What will you create with this gorgeous color palette? Tag me @knottedupinstring on social media so I can see how you brought these colors to life!
Do you want to save these colors for later? Pin this image to find them again quickly!
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