Nautical Knits for Summer

	Share this on:

June 2, 2010

Nautical Knits for Summer My brother and sister and me on our dock at Lake Coeur d'Alene. I think that's the last time I wore a bikini! When I was growing up my family had a cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. All summer long my brother and sister and I spent time sunbathing on the dock, swimming, log-rolling, beachcombing, playing games, and generally being really happy kids! My favorite activity, though, was boating. We had an old ski boat and we drove it all over the lake and up the various rivers that flow off the lake here and there. I remember one time seeing a beaver building its dam; we must have watched for almost an hour. There's a lot of truth to that saying "Busy as a beaver!" Just how does this relate to knitting? Well, several years ago I saw an issue of a knitting magazine that showcased a series of beachware that was all red, white, and blue. The colors didn't appeal to me at the time, but I did love one of the pieces, a cabled vest. I made this vest in a beautiful china blue, and I wear it a lot. Lately I've been wishing I made the vest in the red, white, and blue color-scheme. Maybe it's because I'm missing our lake cabin and the feeling of being a footloose child, busy-as-a-beaver playing and being carefree; or maybe it's because I really like those colors now, and I've been fantasizing about being on a boat with a red, white, and blue sweater keeping me warm in the breeze. I could knit the vest again in the tri-color pattern, but I don't like to knit anything twice—there are so many patterns out there to try! So I thought I'd take a look through our pattern store to see if there are some nautical knits that might inspire me to dig for some red, white, and blue yarn in my stash. Maybe they'll inspire you, too! Kat Coyle designed Breton Girl  with a boatneck and hourglass shaping, and the blue stripe design calls for the sea. (And it would be cute with a little red accent!) Kat Coyles' Indigo Ripples is so cute. I think the open, airy style would be great over a bathing suit with a tank top. I've never knitted a skirt before, so this one might be it. Kathleen Power Johnson's Isis Wrap is so pretty; a little lacy wrap that's perfect for land or lake. This would be beautiful in red or blue, but I think I would make it in white, maybe out of mercerized cotton to add a bit of shine. Vicki Square designed the Sweet and Lowdown Chair cover to fit over and existing chair. While not strictly "nautical," I can imagine roasting marshmallows on the beach in this chair (especially if it's knit with red yarn!). There are so many potential nautical knits in our pattern store, but these four just jumped out at me. Which one do you think I should make? I hope you're planning lots of outdoor time this summer, maybe even some fun on the water! Cheers,

Kathleen Cubley is the editor of Knitting Daily. Kathleen's Knit-Along We're knitting the Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt. Come knit with us! More Knitting Daily •  Blogs •  Galleries •  Knitting Daily TV •  Free Patterns •  Join Knitting Daily •  Share Your Comments

Shop New Summer Patterns at the Knitting Daily Pattern Store From Cardigans to Easy Pullovers, Your Summer Knitting Projects are Just a Click Away!  Ribbons and Lace Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio Carefully restrained details add to the Ribbons and Lace Cardigan's vintage charm. Connie Chang Chinchio uses inset lace panels at the front edges and back skirt, a built-in casing for a twisted-cord closure, and a subtly modified A-line silhouette to build a versatile, unfussy piece. Learn more. Elemental Boatneck by Hannah Fettig Hannah Fettig's Elemental Boatneck fits a wide neck line into a boxy, swingy shape for an easy, polished look. A simple lace repeat and linen stitch create vintage-inspired tactile richness. Twisted ribbing at the neck, cuffs, and hem create a frame for lace and woven-look linen stitch. Learn more. Ruffle and Pleat Skirt by Cecily Glowik MacDonald Cecily Glowik MacDonald breaks up stockinetter in the rough with columns of dropped stitches to build the outerlayer of this skirt. A chiffon-like underlayer of laceweight softens the hemline. Learn more. Laura's Cardigan by Annie Modesitt This cardigan fits an intricate slip-stitch and intarsia pattern into the yoke of a very simple silhouette for a cardigan that looks much more complicated than it is. Annie Modesitt uses a cleverly planned stripe sequence and simple ribbing to create a precisely tailored fit that's quick to knit and easy to wear. Learn more. Sprout Tee by Kathy Zimmerman This tee's crisp twisted stitch lines gain a bit of softness when worked in a textured organic cotton yarn. Kathy Zimmerman uses honeycomb accents, cap sleeves, and a wide U-neck to give a casual sweater a bit of polish. Learn more. Adobe Table Runner by Vicki Square The Adobe Table Runner combines subtle, organic geometric texture with linen's sheen for a fully reversible piece with drape and versatility. Learn more. Great Gatsby Dress by Mari Lynn Patrick This dress combines vintage inspiration from across the last century: a Victorian lace border here, a 1920's lingerie silhouette there. Careful gores and borders separating panels and elements provide dressmaker definition. Learn more. Linda's Wrap Vest by Mari Lynn Patrick Mari Lynn Patrick makes simple knitting interesting with directional panels and varied ribbings in this vest. A curving shawl collar, floating fronts, and a springy, structured linen yarn create wrap-the-body fit that looks good on everyone. Learn more. Shop More Great Knitting Patterns for Summer!