Although the weather may not be showing it yet, it really has been spring for a while and it’s nearly time to start our summer knitting. The very first summer issue of Knitscene is here just in time to remind us that there are plenty of reasons to keep on knitting even though it’s warm out!
This issue’s exclusive Designer Collection features four designs from Amy Christoffers. You’ll look smart enough to take tea with the Queen in the Windsor Cardigan, with its classic styling and pretty lace pattern – we think Louisa Harding’s new Ianthe yarn will suit this pattern to a T with its wool & cotton blend. The lace continues on the Strafford Tee in Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy – always one of our summer yarn favorites. This pattern looks to be a staff favorite too; who doesn’t need a great little summer top?
Icy air conditioning a bit much? Wrap yourself in all the colors of summer with a Shelburne Scarf, wide enough to serve as a shawl in a pinch. Create your own color palette with hand-dyed Miss Babs Yummy 3-ply Sport & Sock.
A fitted boat-neck pullover with three-quarter length sleeves you say? Sign me up! I can never get enough of this classic style that calls to mind fashion icons like Coco Chanel. You too can feel fresh and French in the Vergennes Pullover – the lightweight drape of our yarn pick, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, can’t fail to flatter!
Next, get far from the madding crowd with the “Summer Cottage” collection, starting with the easy wrap style of the Genesee Cardigan featured on the cover. Perfect to toss on over a t-shirt on a cool summer night, you’ll have this knit up in no time. We’re picking machine washable Berroco Weekend Chunky to make caring for this cardi as quick as knitting it!
The lovely Loon Island Shawl will have you looking forward to warm summer nights and long lazy walks on the beach with that special someone – pick a color of hand-dyed Fiberphile Super Squish Lace to set off your suntanned shoulders. The lacy texture of the Mayville Cardigan calls for a stunning semi-solid hand dye – have you seen the new colors of Studio Sport from Neighborhood Fiber Company?
The French Creek Skirt will make a pretty swimsuit coverup in Tahki Yarns Ripple – we’re choosing this unique thick & thin cotton tape yarn for its lovely sheen and drape. Knit on US 10’s, you’ll have this done in time to hit the beach this weekend! The lacy Seneca Shrug is the perfect little something you need to top off a sundress – choose your favorite fingering weight hand-dyed yarn from our ever-growing assortment of amazing dyers!
Relax in the drapy Mountour Falls Cardigan with its pretty cabled edging – we think The Fibre Company Savannah will really set off your stitches here with its summery blend of wool, cotton, linen, and soya. Or perhaps you prefer the slimmer styling of the Lodi Cardigan designed by our very own Tanis Gray? The top-down raglan construction set off with a bit of garter stitch for texture would make a great first cardigan project in easy care Spud & Chloe Sweater.
Heading north for the summer? Snuggle up in the soft Sackets Harbor Pullover – Cascade Alpaca Lace is a great affordable option for this Hannah Fettig design.
Summer is all about “Freedom”, the next story up, featuring a whole series of great tops and tanks to complete your warm weather wardrobe! The Sigma Tee cools you off with its dropped-stitch detailing – try cool cotton & linen Mirasol Lachiwa. The scoop-back styling on the Joule Pullover will show off your tan – we think this would look great in solid or multicolored Berroco Linsey. Keep the color going with a Heliosphere Tank in Berroco Origami!
The swingy lines of the Penumbra Tee are as carefree as a summer breeze in tweedy eco-friendly Berroco Remix. Wendy Bernard’s Radian Yoke tee is another pattern where Elsebeth Lavold’s Hempathy is the natural choice. The Rayleigh Tee has cute nautical-inspired styling and is knit up in one of our favorite organic yarns, O~Wool Balance from Tunney Wool Company. Finally, the scoop-necked Mie Pullover with its flattering ribbed side panels will work up a treat in soft Berroco Pure Pima.
Speaking of nautical style… this fashion trend is huge for summer! “Sail Away” into the next group of patterns, starting with the Insignia Shawl. This garter stitch shawl cleverly uses different size needles to create its textured stripes – what could be easier? A bold color of Berroco Weekend will pop against your navy & white!
Plot your course in the Astrolabe Vest, worked up fast in garter stitch on big needles – DK weight yarn makes it extra drapy. Hand-dyed Dream in Color Everlasting DK in aquatic-themed colorways like Dive or Tidewater will make it extra gorgeous!
You’ll be ready to set sail in style with the pretty, vintage-inspired Starboard Cape knitted in The Fibre Company’s Canopy Fingering. Or drop those stitches overboard for an Embassy Scarf in Miss Babs Yasmin silk & merino laceweight.
We love summer berets to pop on over windblown hair! Knit up the Champlain Hat in Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton – this organic cotton yarn comes in so many colors you’ll want to make one to go with everything. Work up some snuggly Clipper Mitts in Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby.
Last but not least, the Figurehead Shawl is striped in two colors of Spud & Chloe Sweater and has a pretty scalloped edging and sweet button closure detail (check out the picture on page 83!)- go as subtle or as bold as you like!
Don’t forget the articles! Stephen West plays with garter stitch, Melissa J. Goodale explains the intricacies of mitered corners, and Selma Moss-Ward muses on summer knitting. (There’s even a recipe for chocolate zucchini bread, yum!) Check out the great KnowIt section with instructions for buttonholes, seaming, cast-ons, and more!