Burgundy Stripe Color Combinations | 6 Knitting & Crochet Stripe Ideas

There is something timeless about burgundy. It carries the warmth of red without the loudness, the depth of purple without the coldness, and a richness that feels both classic and modern at the same time. In the world of knitting and crochet, burgundy is one of those anchor colors that works beautifully in stripes — whether you want something bold and graphic or soft and romantic. If you have been sitting with a skein of burgundy yarn wondering what to pair it with, this post is for you.

Below you will find six stripe color combinations featuring burgundy, along with ideas for how to use each palette in your next knitting or crochet project. Whether you are a beginner working on your first striped dishcloth or an experienced maker planning a full-size blanket, these combinations will give you a strong starting point.

Why Burgundy Works So Well in Stripes

Before we dive into the specific pairings, it helps to understand why burgundy is such a reliable stripe color. Unlike true red, which can be difficult to balance, burgundy has enough brown and blue undertones to make it feel grounded. It reads as sophisticated rather than aggressive, which means it can share a row with both neutral and saturated colors without overpowering them.

In striped projects, the goal is usually to create rhythm — a visual pattern that repeats and draws the eye across the fabric. Burgundy is dark enough to create strong contrast against light colors and warm enough to feel harmonious next to earth tones and jewel tones alike. This flexibility makes it a workhorse in stripe design.

When you are planning a striped project, think about the proportions of your stripes as much as the colors themselves. A wide burgundy stripe flanked by thin accent stripes will give a very different effect than equal-width stripes in two or three colors. Keep this in mind as you explore the palettes below, and do not be afraid to swatch before committing to a full project.

1. Burgundy and Cream

This is the most classic burgundy stripe combination, and it earns that status for good reason. Burgundy paired with cream (not white — cream is warmer and far more forgiving) creates a palette that feels vintage, cozy, and universally appealing. Think of Christmas stockings, heritage blankets, and old-fashioned dishware. This combination has been beloved in textile traditions around the world for centuries, and it translates beautifully into modern handmade pieces.

In knitting, a simple two-color striped scarf in burgundy and cream is one of the most satisfying beginner projects you can make. The contrast is strong enough that each stripe reads clearly, but the warmth of the cream prevents the finished piece from feeling harsh. Try alternating two rows of burgundy with two rows of cream for a fine, tight stripe, or work eight to ten rows of each for a bold, chunky effect.

In crochet, this combination shines in granny stripe blankets and corner-to-corner afghans. The texture of crochet fabric adds an extra layer of interest to what is technically a simple two-color palette. You can also use burgundy and cream in a tapestry crochet project, working one color as the background and one as the pattern — geometric motifs like diamonds and chevrons look particularly striking in these two shades.

For a more complex version of this stripe, try adding a third narrow stripe in dusty rose or blush between the burgundy and cream bands. This softens the palette further and adds a subtle femininity without losing the classic feel.

Project ideas: Striped scarf, classic blanket, dishcloths, pillow covers, Christmas ornaments, market bags.

2. Burgundy and Mustard Yellow

If the burgundy and cream combination is the classic choice, burgundy and mustard yellow is the choice for someone who wants warmth and personality. These two colors sit across from each other on the color wheel in a modified complementary relationship, and together they produce a palette that feels rich, autumnal, and deeply satisfying.

Mustard yellow — that slightly muted, golden-green shade of yellow — is the key here. Bright lemon yellow would feel jarring against burgundy, but mustard has enough depth to hold its own. The result is a combination that immediately reads as fall, harvest, and the kind of cozy that makes you want to curl up with a hot drink.

In knitting, this pairing works beautifully in heavier weights of yarn — think chunky or bulky for a throw blanket, or worsted weight for a cozy hat. Wide stripes in a ten-to-twelve row repeat allow both colors to show off their personality equally. You can also use this combination in colorwork, such as fair isle yokes or mosaic knitting, where the contrast between the two colors creates crisp, defined patterns.

In crochet, a chevron blanket in burgundy and mustard yellow is an absolute showstopper. The zigzag stripe pattern amplifies the interplay between the two colors, and the resulting blanket has a graphic quality that looks far more complex than it actually is. This is also a wonderful combination for crocheted baskets and storage organizers — the rich colors make even a functional item feel like a deliberate design choice.

To expand this palette, consider adding a stripe of deep forest green or burnt orange. Both colors share the same warm, earthy undertones as the burgundy and mustard, and adding a third color gives the stripe sequence more movement without disrupting the overall feel.

Project ideas: Throw blanket, chevron afghan, hat and cowl set, crocheted baskets, wall hangings.

3. Burgundy and Navy Blue

Burgundy and navy is a preppy, polished combination that never goes out of style. These two deep, saturated colors sit near each other on the color wheel, which means they are analogous enough to feel harmonious but different enough to create genuine contrast. Together they evoke nautical stripes, Ivy League aesthetics, and a kind of confident, tailored elegance.

One of the interesting things about this combination is that it challenges the conventional wisdom that you need a light color to make stripes pop. Burgundy and navy are both dark, but they are dark in different ways — burgundy leans warm and red, navy leans cool and blue — and this temperature contrast is enough to make each stripe distinct.

In knitting, this pairing is ideal for accessories that benefit from a polished, grown-up feel. A striped beanie in burgundy and navy is something almost anyone would want to wear. A pair of striped socks in these colors has a classic, heirloom quality. You can also use this combination in a knitted tote bag or market bag — the sturdy visual weight of both colors makes the finished piece look intentional and refined.

In crochet, burgundy and navy work especially well in structured projects where the fabric has defined edges. A crocheted blanket with a simple single crochet or half-double crochet stitch will let the color do all the work. You can also use this pairing for crocheted scarves and infinity cowls — the combination looks particularly good in a simple slip stitch or moss stitch texture, which adds just enough surface interest without distracting from the colors.

To brighten this palette slightly, consider introducing a thin stripe of ivory or pale gold between the burgundy and navy bands. This gives the eye a place to rest between the two deep colors and prevents the overall piece from feeling too heavy.

Project ideas: Striped beanie, socks, tote bags, scarves, lap blankets, cowls.

4. Burgundy and Dusty Rose

For a softer, more romantic take on burgundy stripes, look no further than the combination of burgundy and dusty rose. These two colors are essentially different versions of the same hue — one dark and saturated, one pale and muted — which means they create a naturally tonal, harmonious palette. The result is elegant and understated, with a gentleness that feels both vintage and contemporary.

This is a monochromatic stripe in the truest sense. Where the burgundy-and-cream combination creates contrast through light and dark, burgundy and dusty rose create contrast through saturation. The interplay between the deep, wine-like richness of the burgundy and the soft, antique quality of the dusty rose produces a stripe that feels layered and thoughtful.

In knitting, this pairing is beautiful in fine to medium yarn weights. A striped shawl or wrap in burgundy and dusty rose would be a stunning accessory — the light weight of the fabric would allow the tonal quality of the palette to really shine. Lace knitting in these two colors can be breathtaking, particularly if you alternate sections of each color in a simple feather-and-fan or simple eyelet pattern. The openwork of the lace adds airiness to what might otherwise feel like a dense palette.

In crochet, this combination lends itself to delicate work — small granny squares, lightweight shawlettes, or baby blankets. A striped baby blanket in burgundy and dusty rose is a wonderful gender-neutral option (despite what pastel conventions might suggest, burgundy keeps the palette from feeling exclusively gendered). The combination also works well in amigurumi and smaller crochet projects, where the contrast between the two shades adds definition without the need for a completely contrasting color.

Consider adding a stripe of soft grey or warm taupe to this palette to ground it further. Either of those neutrals will sit quietly between the burgundy and dusty rose stripes without disrupting the soft, romantic mood.

Project ideas: Shawls and wraps, baby blankets, lightweight scarves, lace accessories, granny square projects.

5. Burgundy, Ivory, and Sage Green

Moving into three-color territory, the combination of burgundy, ivory, and sage green is one of the most versatile and wearable stripe palettes you can create. Sage green is a muted, grayish green with warm undertones, and when it sits alongside burgundy and ivory, the three colors create a palette that feels simultaneously earthy, sophisticated, and alive.

This is a palette that works beautifully across seasons. In autumn and winter, the richness of the burgundy and the warmth of the ivory feel cozy and seasonal. In spring and summer, the sage green brings a freshness that lightens the palette and makes it feel new. Few color combinations manage to span all four seasons this naturally.

In knitting, a three-color striped project allows for much more interesting stripe sequences. You can play with the order and proportion of the stripes to create entirely different rhythms from the same three colors. Try a sequence of six rows burgundy, two rows ivory, four rows sage green, two rows ivory — then repeat. The narrow ivory stripes act as breathing room between the two more dominant colors, and the asymmetry of the stripe widths adds movement to the finished fabric.

In crochet, this three-color palette is particularly well-suited to a planned pooling or gradient project, though simple stripes will look equally beautiful. A modern striped blanket in this palette — think clean, horizontal stripes worked in a simple double crochet stitch — would look right at home in any interior design style, from Scandinavian minimalism to rustic farmhouse. The sage green particularly grounds the palette and gives it a botanical, natural feel that pairs well with natural fiber yarns like cotton or linen blends.

If you want to add a fourth color, dusty mauve or a warm terracotta would integrate beautifully without disrupting the earthy quality of the palette.

Project ideas: Striped blankets, cardigans, tote bags, pillow covers, market bags, modern wall hangings.

6. Burgundy and Charcoal Grey

The final combination on this list is arguably the most graphic and modern: burgundy and charcoal grey. Where the other pairings in this post tend toward warmth and coziness, burgundy and charcoal grey have an edge to them — a clean, architectural quality that feels bold and deliberate.

Charcoal grey is a much more interesting stripe partner than true black. Black can flatten a palette and make colors feel heavy, whereas charcoal grey has enough lightness to let the burgundy breathe while still providing strong contrast. The result is a stripe that feels modern and confident without being aggressive.

In knitting, this combination works particularly well in geometric colorwork — fair isle, mosaic knitting, or intarsia. A mosaic knitting pattern in burgundy and charcoal grey produces a fabric that looks like it took enormous skill but actually only requires you to work with one color per row. The strong contrast between the two colors makes the geometric pattern crisp and dramatic. You can also use this pairing in a simple ribbed or seed stitch stripe and let the texture of the stitch pattern add interest in place of pattern work.

In crochet, burgundy and charcoal grey are a natural fit for modern, graphic projects. A crocheted pillow cover in this palette with a bold herringbone or diamond stitch would look stunning on a neutral sofa. A wall hanging in this combination has a contemporary, almost masculine quality that makes it suitable for almost any home setting. This pairing also works beautifully in functional crochet items like zipper pouches, market bags, and crocheted cord organizers — the bold palette elevates everyday objects into something that feels designed.

For a subtle addition to this palette, a thin stripe of rust orange or deep teal between the burgundy and charcoal stripes would add an unexpected pop without disturbing the overall graphic quality of the combination.

Project ideas: Mosaic knitting accessories, fair isle yokes, pillow covers, wall hangings, pouches and bags, modern geometric blankets.

Tips for Working with Burgundy Stripes

No matter which combination you choose, a few practical tips will help your striped project come together more smoothly.

When changing colors in knitting, always twist the new yarn around the old at the beginning of the row rather than cutting and reattaching at every stripe. For narrow stripes of two or four rows, you can carry the unused yarn up the side of your work and keep the yarn attached throughout the project. This saves a huge amount of ends to weave in and keeps the edge of your work neat.

In crochet, the same principle applies for narrow stripes. For wider stripes — anything more than about four rows — it is usually tidier to cut and rejoin the yarn rather than carrying it up the side, which can create visible loops along the edge. If you do carry the yarn, work over it as you go to keep it hidden.

When choosing yarn weights for striped projects, consistency is key. All of your stripe colors should be the same weight and fiber content, or as close as possible. Mixing a fluffy mohair with a smooth cotton in the same project can create tension differences that distort your stripes. If you want to mix textures, do so intentionally and swatch carefully first.

Finally, pay attention to the light source when choosing your yarn colors. Colors that look harmonious under fluorescent store lighting can look very different under natural light or in a warm evening lamp. If possible, take your potential yarn choices outside or near a window before making your final decision.

Final Thoughts

Burgundy is one of those rare colors that feels right in almost every pairing — classic with cream, bold with mustard, polished with navy, romantic with dusty rose, grounded with sage green, and graphic with charcoal grey. The six combinations explored in this post each bring out a different quality of the color, and together they represent just a fraction of what is possible.

The best way to find your favorite burgundy stripe combination is to experiment. Pull out the skeins you already own, lay them alongside a strand of burgundy, and see what speaks to you. Trust your instincts — if two colors make you feel something when you hold them together, that feeling will come through in the finished piece.

Whatever you make, stripe by stripe, the richness of burgundy will carry it.