Soaring temperatures, pavements booming with heat and the busiest knit night of the year – I think we finally need to put that myth to bed, that knitting is a winter sport. It turns out that not only is knitting fun in the sun, but the knitwear you make can keep you pretty cool too. So here for anyone who still needs convincing, is Part 1 of our special guide to Knitting your own Summer, a collection of 4ply-sport patterns that Brontë and I recommend for knitters at a loose end looking for a non-vexing project to take away or sit under a tree with while you leave your woolly cardies to one side..
Judoka by Lia Moya Origami meets knitting in this ingeniously simple bag design by local designer, Lia. Have fun with stripes without losing your cool with over complex techniques. And once it’s done, use it to pack up your needles and left-overs for your next project. p.s. don’t be put off by the ebook purchase. We reckon this was Pompom Mag’s best ever and worth the download.Flying Home by Kat Coyle Lacey, but in a simple and easy to repeat way that doesn’t go on too long. This little shawl/bandanna (which could be bigger if you want to go on a bit more) can cover and soothe sun burnt shoulders or work as a hair wrap. Mine took two thirds of a single skein of Kalinka linen and has just got softer and lovelier over the years I’ve been wearing it.The Picture Hat by Imogen Denton Beautifully shaped sun hat with a modest brim to keep the best and the worst of the weather at bay. Buy Imogen’s patterns from her directly by DMing her via her Instagram account.Yoko Top by Pernille Larsen Super interesting side-ways construction and just such a lovely shape. Don’t say ‘That won’t suit me, my boobs are too big/too small’. Do say ‘Oh wow what inclusive sizing Pernille has used and don’t all those differently shaped people look fabulous in that top on Instragram’.Tarmac Tank Anna Maltz Floaty A-line by local favourite Anna Maltz, using a characteristically novel construction. Being a shortie, I decided to shorten the strap length by leaving out the plain rows at the beginning of the straps and going straight into the shaped bit for the neckline. The pattern calls for very light fingering but anything up to sport weight works fine too. Listen to your gauge swatch though – you want the fabric to have movement in itIngrid Top Gregoria Fibres Brontë’s just finished this one and we both love it! The pattern calls for sport weight yarn but the 20 stitch gauge means you could go thicker if you prefer. Brontë particularly liked the nice finishing details like the a Russian bind-off (new and easy!) and pretty folded hems.Tumble Tee by Lydia Morrow (out on Saturday 16th) We’re particularly excited about this one as Brontë is on the test knit team. Brontë has made her’s in sock yarn and she recommends making sure you use something with a bit of stretch. That means cottons and linens are not the best option for this one. Smooth 4plys are your friends here. Think Travelknitter Supersock or Fyberspates VivaciousMe Oh My Tee by Park Williams This quick knit uses short rows to emaulate set-in sleeves. Brontë modified her’s by leaving out the ribbed edge and letting the cotton create a pretty rolled edge.Rib Lace Raglan by James N Watts A light-weight fingering weight, top with interesting texture – cotton or linen would be an obvious choice but those holes mean you could work it in wool and still keep it breezy
Summer Yarns Part 1
Kalinka Linen: 320m/100g Kalinka looks like a 4ply, but works as a sport-weight too. Creates fabric that is cooling and drapey and just gets better and better over time.Fonty Bohéme 125m/50g Looks like a sport but works as a DK too. The cotton linen blend gives this one a more familiar cottonish handle but the linen adds a lovely worn feeling to your fabricOnion Nettle Sock 185m/50g Unexpected in a really good way – the 30% nettle fibre in this wool blend, brings a lustre and drape to the party. Onion sock yarn is just as super for light summer knits as your socks
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