Summer Knitting

I’ve heard that there are some knitters out there who actually put down their needles all summer long.  (Insert dramatic pause of horror here.)  To that I say, what is wrong with you, people!  I mean, I understand why you might not start a merino gansey, or even an acrylic afghan in the middle of July, but there are other options!  There are some great (affordable) cottons, bamboos and silks which you can always substitute for heavier wool for the summer months.  Or, you could work on small projects like socks, baby clothes or mittens, where even if you are working with wool, the project is too little to smother you.  On that note, here are a couple summer knitting projects that I’ve completed. Enjoy!

Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2010

One of the best things about my birthday is that (since about sophomore year in college) I receive lots of yarn as presents!  This is true, especially of my mom’s friend (whom I have called Auntie since age 2, and has been a sort of fairy godmother of sewing and knitting to my sister and me).  Her last birthday present to me was a brown basket and 6 or 7 colorful skeins of Catania yarn by Schachenmayr Nomotta.  Having a fall birthday, I didn’t really fancy starting on the Catania right away as it is a 100% cotton yarn, and so it ended up in the bottom of my stash, until two weeks ago when I looked at it and the Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2010 issue and realized that the yarn was destined for one of the patterns within. 

Since the beautiful sleeveless tunic (by Star Athena) was calling my name, and since the pattern called for similarly textured yarn (albeit a wool-cashmere blend instead of cotton) I cast on.  The tunic is knit bottom up in two flat pieces and is sewn together at the sides and shoulders (although if you really are seam-phobic you could probably work the first 5 or so inches flat of each piece, and then work in the round until the arm-holes).  I knit both the front and back at the same time to ensure an even tension across both.  This may seem strange if you are like me, and are a chronic instant-gratification-knitter, but it is worth it to have both pieces knit slowly at the same time, thereby avoiding late nights spent trying to decipher how and why you knit four pattern repeats with six decreased stitches on one side and 5 on the other. (Believe me, I’ve been there!)

As I’ve knit along both sides, I’ve come to appreciate the beautiful drape and stitch definition the Catania yarn has.  This is especially important with all the cables, ktb’s and the twisted stitch bunches, which border the hem and bust.  (Side note: the twisted stitch bunches look complicated, but were actually really easy to knit and add such a cool textural element!)  With the cotton yarn, the finished garment is breezier for summer, and softer on the skin.  I’d definitely knit with it again (if I had more of it, especially a solid color) probably something lacy or cable-y as it seems to show both techniques well.