It's Time for Summer Knitting!

April 26, 2010

It's Time for Summer Knitting! It was in the mid-70s here in Spokane last weekend and I've got summer fever! I spent about 10 hours in the garden, pruning roses, weeding, and spreading mulch. It was heaven! I also spent a couple of hours at my LYS, browsing the new summer yarns and patterns. Even though I have enough yarn to last at least a couple of years stranded on a desert island, I bought some 100-percent-silk yarn to make a beautiful lace stole. I absolutely love knitting with silk in the warm months, and I love wearing it even more! Its natural properties keep me cool even on a hot summer day, and it speedily slides through my hands as I knit. I thought you might be ready for some summer knitting, too, so here are a few patterns to get you in the mood! The Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt by Theresa Schabes is one of my favorite patterns; a perfect mix of dressy and casual. The tuxedo-style bib is made up from an easy lace pattern, as are the straps. The A-line design is figure-flattering, and the yarn, Louet Euroflax Sport Weight, is the consummate summer fiber: linen. This will be one you wear over and over again. Teva Durham's Ludlow Top is a lovely little summer shirt. Its lacy details at the hem and sleeves add just a little dressiness, perfect for a garden party or an outdoor concert in the park. The Ludlow is also super cute with a pair of crops or even jeans and sandals! Knit from Teva Durham Birch, a cotton-silk blend, this is a cool, easy-to-wear top. Butterfly by Katie Himmelberg is a study in casual elegance. This top showcases the fabulous drape of bamboo yarn, with a curve-skimming, feminine design. The empire waist is flattering on many body types, too. This is one of those timeless designs that you'll wear year after year.     The Ballet Neck Twinset by Annie Modesitt is two patterns in one! You get a beautiful, slim tank with pretty detail at the neckline, and a loose, lacy cardigan. The cardi is a boxy, swingy design with a drawstring closure at the neckline. Coordinating yarn colors bring this twinset together—the neckline accent on the tank is knit from the same color as the cardi. The cardigan's lace pattern is a great offset for the sleek tank, too. This is a versatile, attractive knit. The Frock Tank by Katie Himmelberg is a quick, easy knit. The racer-back style tank is fashion-forward and flattering, too. You can use just about any yarn for this project, just check out the variations on Ravelry! This could be the stash-buster you've been looking for. The Frock Tank is cute on its own, but it would also work over a coordinating color cami or close-fitting tee. And ... this one's a FREE PATTERN! These are just a few of the summer tops that are available in our pattern store and on the Knitting Daily website, so check out the rest of them before you plan your summer knitting. Cheers,

Kathleen Cubley is the editor of Knitting Daily. Kathleen's Knit-Along We're knitting the Minimalist Cardigan and I'm using Cascade Venezia in a beautiful cream. Come knit with us! More Knitting Daily •  Blogs •  Galleries •  Knitting Daily TV •  Free Patterns •  Join Knitting Daily •  Share Your Comments

Get Inspired for Summer at the Interweave Knitting Store Online Celebrate the summer knitting season with a visit to the Interweave Store for inspiration on summer projects and to find the tools to fine tune your techniques. Magazines Patterns Books KnitScene Easy 2010 Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell Fearless Knitting Perfect for new and seasoned knitters alike! Handy stitch reference guides are sprinkled throughout the issue, so newcomers can easily master the projects, while advanced knitters will love the simple-yet-stylish accessories—perfect for busting that stash! A perfect summer project—a simple lace pattern with an ingenious use of short rows in the body to shape the V-neckline. A garment sure to delight for a balmy summer evening. Discover everything you need to knit with confidence. With the guidance of Fearless Knitting Workbook, you can courageously approach any knitting pattern and deepen your understanding of how yarn becomes fabric.  Visit interweavestore.com