knitscene Summer Solstice Collection: Projects for All Your Journeys

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2020 was the first year I ever ventured into sweater knitting. I’d avoided it for many years, worried about the time commitment (and the yarn cost), before I finally dove in. And, as I’ve written previously, knitting sweaters ended up being a truly pleasurable activity.

Now, however, as summertime arrives (seriously, how is it June already?!), I find myself returning to making accessories.

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Featured Above: Road trip image from Getty | Alluvium Shawlette by Rachel Brockman from the knitscene Presents: The Summer Solstice Collection

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Accessories are the perfect summer knitting project, especially when you plan on traveling. Many knitters know the importance of travel knitting, and I tend to select projects based upon where I’m headed. Our recent collection of patterns in knitscene Presents: The Summer Solstice Collection has a lovely mix of both garments and accessories. You can get them all together individually, or save big when you get them all as a collection.

Today, I wanted to take you on a tour of the accessories from the collection, as well as where I think the perfect places to make them would be.

Perfect for Long Flights: Echinacea Hat

The Echinacea Hat by designer Sarah Jordan is really the perfect project for an airplane. As traveler knitters know, knitting on an airplane requires forethought and preparation. This project is quick to knit and easy to pack, using only two skeins of a worsted-weight yarn. The body of the hat uses a simple lace pattern to create a breathable beanie, ideal for any of your travels.

Road-Trip Approved: Alluvium Shawlette

For road trips, I would choose the Alluvium Shawlette by designer Rachel Brockman. This lovely shawl uses slip-stitch colorwork to create a design reminiscent of the sedimentary deposits for which it’s named. The soft, 100% Merino yarn used for this shawl is wonderful for chilly nights on the road, and the colorwork is straightforward and beautiful. I can easily imagine knitting this in the passenger seat of our car on a long stretch of highway, with the landscape flying by outside.

Beach-Friendly: Amaranth Lace Cowl

The airy Amaranth Lace Cowl by designer Jenny Williams is the perfect project for visiting the ocean. The lace-weight, silk/Merino/cashmere blend yarn is incredibly buoyant and makes for an equally airy accessory. Like the Echinacea Hat, this cowl uses a simple lace pattern repeat to create a breathable fabric. This would be the perfect project for some light knitting after a long day at the beach.

Make it and Leave It: Featherfoil Cushion

The Featherfoil Cushion by designer Blazenka Simic-Boro is a wonderful project to take with you when visiting friends for a long weekend. Think about it: You haven’t seen each other in a long time, perhaps even longer because of the pandemic. You bring with you enough yarn to whip up a wonderful, comfy pillow cover during your stay. Then, you leave it behind as a thank you! The Featherfoil Cushion uses super bulky Merino wool for a project that’s quick to knit and cozy to rest your head on after a long day of adventures with your friends.

For Alpine Enjoyment: Estival Wrap

Towards the end of summer, as long summer days begin to dwindle, the Estival Wrap by designer Monica Christine is the perfect project to take with you on a trip to the mountains. This gorgeous wrap is worked in two pieces and grafted at the center. That means you only need to take enough yarn for one half with you. The 100% fine highland wool yarn will keep you warm as the nights begin to cool down; by the end of the season, you’ll have a stunning new wrap for fall and winter.

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If you like these accessories, check out the rest of the collection. Wherever your journeys take you this year, I hope you bring a project with you that gives you joy.

And, as always,

Happy Knitting,
Julia

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