Patriotic Summer Knits for Beaches, Barbecues, and More

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We’re super excited for the return of summer fun here at Interweave, after over a year of social distancing! That means we also can’t wait to show off our summer knits while having all that summer fun. Here are a few of our favorite lightweight accessories and garments for warm weather, all of which could be knit in patriotic red, white, and blue, or in whichever colors make you happy.

Laura’s Pick: Pop, Lock, and Rock It with the Rocket Pop Socks

Whether you’re lining up to get them from an ice cream truck at the pool or your BFF’s mom is handing them out at a backyard cookout, nothing says Fourth of July better than rocket popsicles! The adorable Rocket Pop Socks by Katherine Rollins are perfect for summer knitting, using stranded colorwork to make the distinctive treats pop. Change up the colors to create other frozen treats. Try orange and white for creamsicles, rich brown for fudgesicles, or even bright green for lime twin pops!

Tammy’s Pick: Warm Weather Style and the Mitte Tee

Recently, I finished knitting a wrap that turned out to look very patriotic. I didn’t see that coming when I chose the yarn—bold hot pink, bright blue, and a variegated white, but it’s how it turned out and I love it and I’m proud to wear it. This time, being intentional, I’m going to knit something that will be perfect for any occasion but specifically for days when we’re honoring our heroes and country.

Since these holidays tend to fall when the weather is a bit warmer, I’ve chosen to work on a lightweight garment made with a lightweight yarn. The Mitte Tee is perfect for me in style with a drop shoulder and open neckline. It also fits the bill with a yarn weight of 1, needle sizes of 1½ and 2½, short sleeves, and positive ease. To increase the patriotic flair, I’ll carry some white yarn along to create a fun and on-point pattern.

Andrea’s Pick: Summer Vibes with the Strata Scrunchie

I have a lot of larger long-term projects running this summer (like my wedding accessory!), so I’ve been all about speedy summer knits lately to fill in the cracks—things like easy crops to accessories I can work at warp speed. The Strata Scrunchie by Quayln Stark is just the thing for a busy summer. And it’s perfect for keeping hair off your neck while attending all those summer activities, from barbecues to outdoor concerts.

Julia’s Pick: Fireworks and the Flash Point Top

When considering my favorite red, white, and blue summer knits, I immediately thought of the Flash Point Top by designer Lana Jois. This bias-knit top uses two yarns—100% Pima cotton and 100% linen, respectively—to create the stripes. The combination of linen and cotton yarns makes this top eminently breathable. This top is worked back and forth in separate pieces and uses short-row shaping for the shoulders. The red and white color combination is perfect for the Fourth of July, and I can easily imagine pairing this with a light summer dress or capris for a more relaxed look.

Stephanie’s Pick: Beachy Fun with the Cloud Forest Cover Up

For me, Fourth of July is usually spent lakeside, with plenty of swimming, sunbathing, and boat parading. The perfect coverup is an essential part of the holiday (no one likes changing in and out of wet swimsuits!), and this year, I have my eye on the Cloud Forest Cover Up by Fiona Munro. The allover lace paired with a silk/linen yarn make for a lightweight, breathable garment that’s super cute to boot. Choose red, white or blue for something extra festive.

Joni’s Pick: Cap it Off with the Echinacea Hat

Summer is the perfect time for small, portable projects—the kind that can easily be stuffed into a knitting bag during those pandemic-delayed trips to see family and friends. An additional advantage of working on small summer knits is that they often only use one skein, which makes them the perfect stash-busters. My current project is the Echinacea Hat by Sarah Jordan. The ribbed lace pattern is a simple 10-stitch by 8-row chart and the crown decreases are integrated perfectly into the ribbed lace pattern.

The pattern is so quick and easy that I made two hats—a beanie-style and a slouchy version. By coincidence, the colors align perfectly with a Fourth of July celebration!!

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We hope these picnic-friendly summer knits are just the thing for your adventures, wherever they take you!

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More Summer Knits for Warm-Weather Fun