Summer knits

Five Knitting Patterns to Brave the Heat and Jump Start Your Knitting Mojo

Hi Friends,

It’s the middle of August. It’s hot. Even the nights have given up on being cool. You don’t even want to think about knitting your worsted weight cardigan WIP that just needs its second sleeve. Three quarters of a wool sweater, sitting on your lap… Ugh… On the plus side, at least it catches the condensation streaming off your wine glass every time you take a sip. That’s not really much of a silver lining though, is it?

A lot of knitters I know find themselves losing their knitting mojo in the summer, and we’re hoping to lend you some inspiration to pick up your needles again. Maybe you’ll even over-correct and end up with castonitis!

To enjoy knitting in the heat, I work on small knitting patterns like socks, hats, or the first third or so of a shawl.

You see, a HUGE silver lining is that you can use the heat and humidity as the perfect justification for casting on all the things! That shawl you’ve been dying to cast on as soon as you finish that worsted sweater? Do it! Knit it until it gets big enough to make you hot, then put it aside to knit a hat for a knitworthy friend, then cast on those socks you’ve been thinking about since you saw them on Instagram back in March. And since March lasted at least six months this year, it’s only fitting that you save the second sock for next month so you can cast on Jessie Mae’s Ripple Buttshorts and turn them into Butt PANTS! And so on…

Here are five of our favorite knitting patterns to brave the heat and jump start your knitting mojo:

Beautiful triangular shaped shawl in grey and bold stripes (emma's yarn) lying on wooden deck boards.

The Andy Shawl by Laura Dobratz is a fun and easy triangular shawl with subtle textures and pops of color. I always get excited when it’s time for a color change, especially with minis. There’s even evidence that knitting with bright colors lifts your mood! It’s just Becky and me. We’re the evidence, but try it and get back to us – we’d love to hear how many of you perk up a bit when it’s time to use that gorgeous flaming orange mini you picked up on vacation last year. I love using minis to knit my vacation memories into something cozy and comforting.

Pretty young white woman from the left side, wearing a ponytail, black tee shirt and a grey hand knitted shawl; knitting pattern by alicia plummer

Campside by Alicia Plummer is a beautiful DK weight shawl filled with simple textures. This shawl knitting pattern is free on Ravelry!  Alicia’s summer knitalong is happening right now in her Ravelry group Plum Dandi,, and it includes all of her Campside patterns!

White man with a grey goatee wearing a beautifully cabled grey hand knit hat; knitting pattern by fatimah hinds

This beautiful hat design is perfect for anyone on your list of knitworthy adults, including yourself!, and knit in DK yarn it makes for almost instant gratification. Alfreet Hat-Embers is one of many great knitting patterns we love by Fatimah Hinds.

Tracie Millar of Grocery Girls Knit, view of her feet, wearing black strappy clogs and hand knit socks in grey, pink, yellow tartan

These Sweet & Tartan Socks by Tracie Millar have been at the top of my list of dream knitting since the moment I saw them on Instagram. All the cuteness of plaid, with the ease of slipped stitches, they’ll fly off the needles as you see the clever design unfold with each passing thought of “just one more row”.

Jessie Mae's Butt Shorts knitting pattern using indie dyed yarn Beautiful Black woman with arms in the air in a joyous pose. She is wearing a white tee knotted at the front, with hand knit grey pants that flatter her beautifully

Guys. Becky and I both have Jessie Mae’s Ripple Buttshorts on our list of must – knits, and once we saw them in pants, that was the tipping point! Jessie is a genius at sizing and grading knitting patterns so they look great on every body type. Knit in dk, they’re fast, and only use 250 – 750 yards for the shorts! If you decide to go for the pants, you may need to pick up that second sock and wait for cooler weather to finish once you get to leg island.

What’s your favorite project for summer knitting?

xo

Melissa

PS: Be sure to check out our latest issue, Michigan, and sign up for a knitting magazine subscription or pick out a beautiful pom pom for your next hat!

 

2 Comments. Leave new

  • I’ve been knitting several one skein shawl projects. Not too much yarn in my lap, a relatively quick project & great for gift giving!

    Reply
  • Thank you for the great project ideas. The smaller ones are perfect “car knitting” for our travels. Stay well. I’m looking forward to your upcoming publication. They are always amazing!

    Reply

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