5 Faves from Interweave Crochet Summer

The Summer 2021 issue of Interweave Crochet is a celebration of colorful and airy designs. With citrus-themed home décor and summery tops and wraps, the issue is bright with color and airy texture. For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check it out yet (which I recommend you do!), here are five of our favorite projects from this issue. 

Floating on Waves Tank 

The stunning Floating on Waves Tank by designer Natalie Thomas looks unassuming from the front—half-double crochet stitches make up the front body fabric, and a touch of lace decorates the bottom hem. Turn around, though, and it’s a whole different story. The main fabric divides, leaving an open triangle filled in by more gorgeous lace. Crocheted in two pieces using a Pima cotton/Merino wool blend, this top is the ideal statement piece. 

Fluid Lines Crochet Cover-Up 

For the beach or the poolside, the Fluid Lines Cover-Up by designer Kirsten Joel is great for vacations at home and afar. The fabric uses elongated stitches to create a casual tunic that opens in the back for extra drape. Five delicate buttons close at the upper back, giving the garment a bit of structure. This top is worked in three separate pieces and then seamed.  

Citrus Grove Crochet Placemats 

Monika Evans’s bright and bold Citrus Grove Placemats can transform any dining room with their cheerful colors. Each placemat uses the corner-to-corner crochet technique, starting with the lower right corner and ending at the upper left. The placemats are worked in lace-weight thread, and a fabric backing can be added to each one for increased structure. 

Alfresco Tank 

Summertime is tank-top weather, and you’re unlikely to find a sweeter top than the Alfresco Tank by designer Alyson Chu. This cropped tank features an open back closed with crisscrossing ribbon laces. Worked from the side to side in one piece, the tank is crocheted in a Merino/silk/cotton blend yarn for structure, comfort, and breathability. Pair it with a pair of cotton lounge pants for a relaxed look, or dress it up with a colorful skirt and sunhat! 

Alinea Crochet Wrap 

The gorgeous Alinea Wrap by designer Adinda Hening combines graphic filet crochet with a bright gradient yarn for a truly summery look. The maze-like filet crochet pattern is engaging to make and beautiful to wear, and since the wrap is worked flat from end to end, the length is easily adjustable—with two balls of the gradient yarn, you could slide from one color to another and back again! 

Even though we’re entering August here in Colorado, summer has yet to fade. The evenings, though, are starting to cool down, and I can finally return to my porch once the afternoon heat has died down with a summer project on my hook. I hope you, too, will find a project worthy of your crochet as we start moving towards autumn. 

Happy Stitching! 
Julia