I’m not sure what it is about summer, but as the warm weather approaches, I seem to get more in the mood for sweater knitting. The lack of sleeves might have a little something to do with it, but there are also just so many beautiful fingering-weight garments.
Speaking of which, I finished my Waterlily a couple weeks ago! The days have been a little too hot and humid to wear it, but I did take it out for an FO fashion shoot (photos taken by my ultra-patient husband). I really liked this knit, though fitting the back was a little challenging — the pattern calls for P2togs, and because of the lace, a lot of people had to modify it. I ended up having to redo it with P3togs and P4togs. It was worth the extra work, and I’m SO happy with how it turned out. I even did kitchener for the first time, and it wasn’t quite as scary as I’d imagined. Kettle Yarn Co. Islington is a dream to work with, and the top is perfect for cool summer nights (if we ever get any that don’t end in thunderstorms).
After completing Waterlily, I immediately started swatching for my first Custom Fit sweater, a tank top that I’m planning to make with my Fiber Optic gradient set. Amy, Lauren and Jackie over at Custom Fit have organized a summer sweater KAL, and I’m hoping to finish up by the Aug. 15 deadline.
If I could spend all summer knitting, there are quite a few patterns that would be in my queue. Here are several of my faves:
Sleeveless tops
Summer Vines by Nicole Montgomery
Interleaf by Sandi Rosner
Sommer sleeveless top by Mari Chiba
Urban by Veera Välimäki (This one I’ve already made and I loved knitting it.)
Oud Tank by Sarah Hurwitz (It calls for worsted-weight wool, but Michelle, who blogs at My So-Called Handmade Life, knit it in Valley Yarns Goshen, a cotton/rayon/silk blend, to make it a little lighter. It reminds me of something I could buy at Anthropologie!)
Tees and short-sleeve pullovers
Frontier by Olga Wedbjer Rambell
Nesoi Tee by Miriam L. Felton
Whispers by Veera Välimäki
Gemma by Andrea Black
Gemini by Jane Richmond
Campbell and 2nd by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark
Frost Thread by Veera Välimäki
Ruched Yoke Tee by AnneLena Mattison
Cardigans
Creamsicle by Sara Hurwitz
Summer Dawn by Andrea Black
Fieldwork Cardigan by Nadya Stallings
Lineal Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Lobelia by Meghan Fernandes
Grace by Jane Richmond
Matcha by Lauara Chau
Rocio by Joji Locatelli
Wanda Nell Cardigan by Jennifer Hagan
Simplicity Cardigan by Mary Annarella
Audrey in Unst by Gundrun Johnston (This pattern calls for sport weight, but you can easily use fingering. This is the Ultimate Sundress Cardi.)
Light pullovers
…a hint of summer by Isabell Kraemer
Ivyle by Quenna Lee
Here’s my complete list of summer faves on Ravelry and my Summer Sweaters board on Pinterest. Tell us some of your favorite patterns in the comments!
Lisa
2 Responses
You have curated a beautiful collection of designs here! I see at least six that are in my “to knit” list, especially Waterlily and the Grace cardigan. Your Waterlily is so gorgeous in that lilac color. Isn’t that the recommended yarn in PomPom? I’m still hoping to knit a PomPom knit before summer ends, maybe Riverine. Oh, and thanks, Lisa, for including one of my knits in your post!
So glad you like this list! Yes, the Islington was the recommended yarn and it has the perfect drape and sheen. And your choice of yarn for Oud was just perfect. Now I just have to learn to crochet beyond a chain or an edging…