March 2009 marks the beginning of the 4th cycle of Project Spectrum! This year’s theme is the compass rose and the four cardinal directions. In many cultures, each of the cardinal directions – North, East, South, and West – are associated with a certain color. Using this traditional model of four distinct colors representing the directions on the compass rose, we will explore the ways that these four colors can be mixed, blended and combined with others through our projects, as well as taking notice of these colors around us day to day.
Just as the cardinal directions are linked to a color, each direction is also linked to a season, an element, and a natural material in many cultures. This quartet of features (color, material, season, and element) are a part of this cardinal direction. As a participant in Project Spectrum, you can choose to simply explore the colors associated, or even the textures of the natural material. If you choose, you can interpret the directions through the lens of the associated season or of the element. Your interpretations can be literal or esoteric. You can explore the science or the philosophy. Like the Project Spectrums of years past, it is totally up to you!
NORTH (March/April)
Color: Green
Material: Stones/Gems/Rocks
Season: Winter
Element: Earth
EAST (May/June)
Color: Yellow
Material: Wood
Season: Spring
Element: Air
SOUTH (July/August)
Color: Red
Material: Metal
Season: Summer
Element: Fire
WEST (September/October)
Color: Blue
Material: Glass
Season: Autumn
Element: Water
Think of the liberty of having four colors – you can blend the colors and explore the different hues, or you can combine the colors with others in the rainbow, comparing and contrasting. You can play with hues of color where green meets yellow, or before red shades into blue.
The natural material aspect is something that I have wanted to incorporate in to Project Spectrum for some time. I love playing with texture in my own 
projects, and wanted to find a way to bring this aspect to the group. I think that the material may, in fact, be one of the most rewarding aspects of this Project Spectrum cycle! It also encourages participants to, once again, think outside of the box – expanding the creative process past 
the needles and the yarn. (Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that!) Stonework, wooden buttons, metal pins, and glass beads – how do you interpret these natural materials alongside the colors? If you want to focus solely on the natural materials, this is also your decision.
I am most excited about the basic cardinal directions aspect, because it gives us the opportunity to think about where we are on this planet, and how our interpretations of the directions are very different. If we allow it to, this Project can teach us a lot about ourselves, and about others. Be open to it!
If this is your first time trying out Project Spectrum, there is a lot of information on the basic premise behind the “create-along” here. For some great discussion, inspiration, and project planning, please check out the Project Spectrum Ravelry group and the Project Spectrum Flickr Pool!
It would be a wonderful pleasure to have you join me in this fourth cycle of Project Spectrum!
Sounds great, can’t wait!
I’m so excited about this! I’ve never participated before, but I’m in this year. It should be interesting because I’m knitting from my stash; I’m excited to see what I’ve got there that will work!
I’m in! I think this will be great motivation to craft up a storm!
Ooh – I’m excited to start this. I should be done with my two current projects by the end of Feb and I have a few lovely greens in the stash to start me off right. I’m intrigued by the natural elements and am already plotting ways to incorporate them.
Thanks for organizing this again!
I will I will
This will be my first time to be in Project Spectrum….
Is it contingency or what – I am already knitting my jamper in green …
Think I’d like to tag along too!
Sounds exciting!
This is such a great idea. I’m looking forward to all the fun
It’s a wonderful pleasure for you to present these wonderful ideas to us! Once again, PS gives us an opportunity to expand our creativity and explore our relationships with color. Thanks again for hosting!
it happend by total luck that i have casted on a green sweater with earthy toned accent yarn! phew
I’m in. First time, but I’ve been watching. Thanks so much for organizing this event.
Sounds great!
You’ve been tagged for a Kreativ blog award over at http://knittingfreestyle.blogspot.com. Thanks for sharing your projects!
Definitely in!
I’d love to join! This will be my first project Spectrum experience, too. I’m looking forward to it!
Jenny
i am so excited! this will be my first project spectrum! and i have a blog now to help me explore all these options. so exciting!
[...] New Project Spectrum to start soon!!!! Yip! Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)My Creations in 2008Rockin’ Test [...]
[...] Sprectrum for 2009 is almost here. See all the details over on the Lolly Knitting Around blog post that we’ve been waiting [...]
I’ve been feeling the need for something to jumpstart my creative juices, and I think this may just be the ticket. I was reading your description and just getting all kinds of ideas. In fact, I did a pattern ages ago in my former life as a textile designer that incorporated the four elements and some of the ideas you talk about above–I am going to dig that out and do something with it–maybe a quilt or something. I am at work today, doing some mundane things, but my brain is focussed on this. I skipped it last year, but this year, I am definitely in. As always–appreciating the work you put into this!
I’m already feeling inspired by this round of Project Spectrum (my first). Ideas are brewing and I’m looking forward to some ‘focus’ for my visual consciousness. Focus is good – very good. Thanks for organizing this!
I’m in:)
[...] of new colours, Lolly has announced the new format for Project Spectrum 4: The Cardinal Directions. It’s a new take on a familiar project, one that I’m sure we’ll all enjoy [...]
Yay! I’m glad you’re doing this again. I did it with you 2 years ago, but skipped last year. I’m really excited to start again this year.
I’m in!!! I love the idea and am anxious to begin.
thanks lolly! it looks like it is going to be a fun ride.
This is such a great idea – I was really curious about what could be this year’s theme.. I’m really looking forward to all the fun, again.
Thank you for inspiring us with this great event again!!
Great idea!
I’m totally on board! There seems like so much room for play in this theme!
I am hoping to complete a knitted fo and spin up (and knit if I have time) some handspun for each of the four colours during the designated months.
How interesting to see blue, glass, and water associated with west, and this only a few days after meeting someone in Vancouver (one of the westernmost cities in the country, with water every where in and around the city) who told me about her beach glass collection, saying that she had lots of trouble finding blue ones. Interesting coincidence!
Count me in. I’m not sure what areas I’ll make things in but I think I can manage 4 projects.
Hello! I am in again!
I’m in again this year!!! Great!!
For the first time I wanna be in this
I´m definitely IN! I have already started my Fern Belle in green without knowing that green would be the first color in the “wheel”
In again!
I would love to join in!
Tagging along too!!
I’m in, for the first time!
I’m really excited about this approach. I missed PS last year, so I’m going to have to be really creative this year to make up for it. I really want to explore some of these ideas, and PS gives me a little bit of structure and support in my exploration. Thanks for continuing such a great create-along.
Yay! I’m in time! Sign me up, please! Have been enjoying your blog for some time and have admired many Project Spectrum creations in blogland over the last year or so. Looking forward to playing along! Maybe I’ll even figure out how to get the button on my blog! (Will miracles never cease?)
[...] sounds and looks really interesting. If you haven’t checked it out yet, hop on over to Lolly’s blog, she does a fabulous job of explaining [...]
I’m in. This is my first time =)
I’m in, and I’m a first timer too!
I’m in! This will be my first time participating in Project Spectrum too, and I can’t wait to see the many interpretations of the theme.
this one sounds great. I’m in.
I am very excited about this. I love project spectrum!
I am in again! Thank you for organizing this.
Love the idea, finally found out about it in time
I’m in. This is my first time