Summer Stitch Along: Escape from Sleeve Island!

Summer heat getting you down? Not sure what to do about icy cold offices and humid days? Dreaming of autumn and transitional pieces? Just tired of dealing with sleeves? Us too.

Join us for our Summer SAL where we bid farewell to sleeve island*, and focus on some of our favorite sleeveless garments! We’re looking at tanks and tees and vests and shells of all styles, none of them asking you to pick up for sleeves. Starting on July 3, and running through Labor Day, we’ll be working on our best sleeveless projects.

We’ve curated some of our favorite inspiration patterns to get you started. If you’re feeling ambitious, consider a lightweight shell for summer nights and a heavier vest for season transitions.

*”Sleeve island” is the whimsical term stitchers use to refer to the stage in sweater-making when you’ve finished the body, the only thing left is sleeves, and inertia sets in.

 

What’s a Stitch Along?

A Stitch Along (or knit/crochet along) is when a group of stitchers work on a similar pattern, or work towards a shared purpose, together–that’s it! Some are more formal, others less so. You guessed it—we want this to be low-stress, so we’re on the less formal side.

How do I join?

Pick your pattern. We have a collection of pattern suggestions to get you started, but the goal is simple: find a sleeveless pattern you like. If you have another pattern in mind, go for it!

Share your progress on social media with #fssleeveisland26, and cheer your fellow stitchers forward!

Meet up, if you’re local! You can join us in person on Thursday nights for Stitch in Space, in our second-floor space, as we stitch together. We’ll also be stitching at our Cosmic Craft Nites in June, July, and August, a gathering for queer stitchers. Keep an eye on our social media to see some of our team share their progress.

The fun part

We invite you to use yarn from past purchases at the shop. If you do choose to purchase new supplies for this project, let us know, and we’ll provide 100 bonus loyalty points to you!

Show off your makes and cheer on your fellow stitchers by tagging your makes on social media using #fssleeveisland26! At the end of the summer, we’ll randomly pick a winner from our sleeveless stitchers—complete your project, tag us, and include #fssleeveisland26 and #fiberspaceFO for a chance to win a $200 gift card!

Knitting Pattern Picks

Beginner

Summertide by Isabell Kraemer

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases
• Reading charts
• Prior experience with lace

Finished Size

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9)
• finished bust circumference: 43.5 (46.5, 49.5, 52.25, 55.25)(57.5, 60.25, 63.25, 66.25)”

Materials

• Approximately 865 (952, 1009, 1093, 1182)(1258, 1368, 1431, 1492) yards of sport weight yarn. We love De Rerum Natura Alice, Pascuali Suave, or Kelbourne Woolens Mojave for this!
• US #2½ (3.0 mm) circular needle, 24” or longer
• US #4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 24” or longer
• Stitch markers
  

Midsommar Tee by Caitlin Hunter

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases

Finished Size

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6){7, 8, 9, 10}
• 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54){58, 62, 66, 70}”

Materials

• Approximately 765 (850, 944, 1029, 1122, 1207) {1301, 1377, 1479, 1573} yards of bulky weight yarn. Create a summery version with Rosários 4 Bouquet or a soft and fuzzy version with Woolfolk Luft.
• US #10 (6.0 mm) circular needle, 24” or longer
• US #11 (8.5 mm) circular needle, 24” or longer
• Stitch markers
  

 

Intermediate

Mini Mock Neck Tank by Jessie Maed Designs

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases

Finished Size

• (XS, S, M)L, 1X, 2X{3X, 4X, 5X} to fit chest measurement of (28, 32, 36)40, 44, 48{52, 56, 60}“

Materials

• Approximately (375, 425, 475)525, 600, 675{750, 825, 900} yards of fingering-weight yarn. We recommend Knitting for Olive Pure Silk or Merino Fingering, or one of the bold hues of The Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors!
• US#4 (3.50mm) circular needle, 24” or longer
• US#2 (2.75mm) circular needle, 24” or longer, plus preferred needles for small-circumference knitting
• Stitch markers
  

Maybel

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases

Sizes

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9); finished circumference 36.5 (40.5, 43.75, 47.75, 50.5) (54.5, 58.25, 62,25, 67)”.

Materials

• DK-weight yarn in the following amounts. We like Woolfolk Brise and Woolfolk Stra !
  • approx. 450 (492, 656, 656, 820) (820, 984, 1148, 1148, 1250) yards DK-weight yarn
  • US 2.5 (3 mm) 24-32” circular needle
    US 4 (3.5 mm) 24-32” circular needle
  • Tapestry needle
  • stitch markers
  • stitch holders or waste yarn
  • row counter

Advanced

Outside the Box by Klara Nilsson

 

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases
• Reading charts
• Cables
• Stranded colorwork

Finished Sizes

• Size: 1 (2) 3 (4) 5 (6) 7

Materials

• Aran-weight yarn in the following amounts. We like De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, Rosários 4 Terra, or Noro Malvinas!
  • Color A: approx. 313 (379) 396 (449) 528 (558) 617) yards Aran-weight yarn
  • Color B: approx. 219 (263) 274 (311) 364 (383) 427) yards Aran-weight yarn
• US#8 (5 mm) 24” or longer circular needle 
• US#6 (4 mm) 24” or longer circular needle

SAUVIE by Woolfolk Design Team

Skills Needed

• Knit, purl
• Increases, decreases
• Reading charts
• Picking up stitches

Finished Sizes

• Size: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Materials

• • DK-weight yarn in the following amounts. We like Woolfolk Stra!
    • approx. 450 (492, 656, 656, 820) (820, 984, 1148, 1148, 1250) yards DK-weight yarn
  • US#4 (3.5 mm) 16-32” circular needles, depending on size
  • US#4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles for front bands
  • US#6 (4 mm) 16-32” circular needle, depending on size
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Removable markers
  • Stitch holders
  • 4 ¾” buttons

Crochet Pattern Picks

Advanced Beginner

See My Vest  by Zeens and Roger

Skills Needed

• Chain stitch
• Single crochet
• Double crochet

Finished Sizes

• To fit bust measurement of 28-30, 32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62″

Materials

• US G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Approximately 506, 587, 622, 784, 868, 1,048, 1,117 yards of DK-weight yarn. We like Rosários 4 Regata or Re-use for a cotton version, or have some fun experimenting with the various hues of Kokon Bleu!

Virgo Vest by Ana-Maria

Skills Needed

• Chain stitch
• Single crochet
• Double crochet

Finished Sizes

• Bust/hip circumference: (28, 32, 36) (40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60)”

Materials

• US G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• US H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• DK-weight yarn in the following amounts. We suggest Spincycle Dream State, Kelbourne Woolens Scout, or Malabrigo Arroyo!
  • (515, 600, 710) (825, 915, 1035) (1150, 1250, 1350) yards of color A
  • (365, 435, 460) (520, 545, 590) (655, 680, 680) yards of color B

Jasmine Slipover by LelaArapi

Skills Needed

• Chain stitch
• Single crochet
• Double crochet

Finished Sizes

• XS, (S), M, (L), XL, (2XL) to fit a bust circumference of: 31 ½ – 33 ½; (33½ – 35½); 35½ – 37½; (37½ – 39½); 39½ – 43¼; (43¼ – 47¼)”

Materials

• US H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• US I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• Approximately 657, 875, 1,203, 1,532 yards of DK-weight yarn. We suggest Rosários 4 Regata or Re-use for warm weather wear, or Di Gilpin Lalland DK for a cozy delightful lambswool version!