Summer Sweater Knitting
I don’t usually place the words “summer” and “sweater” in the same sentence unless I’m complaining about the heat or sitting directly under an air conditioner vent at a restaurant. (Both occasions occur pretty frequently in my world.) However, I can’t imagine giving up sweater knitting for even a month—accessories have their place in my queue, but there’s nothing more satisfying than sinking my teeth into a bigger project. Maybe these contradictory factors were rolling in my brain as I put together Love of Knitting‘s Summer 2016 issue, because it’s filled with great workarounds. You too can embrace summer sweater knitting with these solutions.
Solution 1: Make Sleeveless Sweaters with Flawless Fit
This issue features three lovely tank tops AND an article on fitting sleeveless garments. (If you haven’t yet seen Carol J. Sulcoski’s series on different types of sleeves, you’ve really been missing out. She covered drop-shoulder sleeves in the Spring 2016 issue. Look for modified drop-shoulder sleeves in Winter 2016. The series will continue until we run out of sleeve types.)
Avoid the sweat in “sweater” with these lightweight tops.
Solution 2: Use Warm-weather Yarns for Your Summer Sweater Knitting
Projects in the Summer 2016 issue also use yarns that are perfectly suited to hot weather. You’ll find an all-cotton yarn in the Lazy Daisy Tank above; linen yarn in the Bright Domino Skirt; cotton and bamboo in the Carys Scarf; blends of linen, cotton, bamboo, and/or viscose elsewhere. Plant-based fibers create fabrics that breathe, even if they feel heavy. Some fibers, like bamboo, also possess antibacterial properties that you’ll love.
My favorite yarns in this issue, however, combine plant and animal fibers to get the best of both worlds. The Canyon Lace Tank above features a yarn of baby alpaca and pima cotton, so the light cotton gets some bounce from the alpaca. Our cover sweater, the Chloe Cardigan, similarly blends these two fibers to great effect. If you typically associate alpaca with heavy winter sweaters, these yarns will change your mind. They’re soft, supple, breathable—in a word, delicious! And though they’re perfect for summer sweater knitting, these yarns can also carry you into seasons that call for more layers.
Solution 3: Balance Big Projects with Small Ones
As always, Love of Knitting includes accessory designs if you prefer instant gratification or want a break between sweaters. Bags, blankets, shawls and scarves, a hat, and some great kids’ projects fill the pages. Preview the whole issue here, and don’t let the heat get you down. Summer sweater knitting is on!
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