Summer Project Ideas

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are officially into the warmer months, which brings around the age old crafting question; Are you a seasonal knitter?! If, like us, you never put your needles down, do you find yourself looking for warm weather projects?

If the answer is yes, and you are looking for a few project ideas, we have you covered! The increased temperatures and the introduction of Antigone*, the gorgeous pure linen yarn from De Rerum Natura that you can now find in the webshop, has us thinking of all the summer knitting projects, and I want to share a few with you below!

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*About Antigone

Antigone is De Rerum Natura's first vegetable yarn! Composed of ten strands of combed flax well twisted, its hand is smooth, silky and deliciously fresh. It can be knitted with fine needles for a regular result or with larger needles to take advantage of its natural drape which allows it to adapt to a large number of patterns. It will be perfect for knitting summer layette, mid-season sweaters and little tops for sunny days, a little lace cardigan to go with a pretty dress or even pick up a shopping bag! Particularly resistant, linen likes to be washed and worn; it will become more and more soft over time and you can enjoy your favourite sweater many seasons. This yarn has been spun in Poland from flax grown in France respecting the standards of organic farming. It has been then twisted and dyed in France. 

Specs:

Gauge: ( 10 x 10 cm, 4 x 4" in stockinette) = 22 sts x 30 rows, 3 mm needles

260 m (284 y.) / per 100g

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Rift Tee and Antigone

Photo credit: Jacqueline Cieslak 

The Rift Tee from Jacqueline Cieslak has been a firm favourite with knitters ever since its release, and it's easy to see why. This lightweight, bottom-up knit includes instructions for two necklines, optional bust darts, short or long sleeves, and a custom fit bicep. The design features a slightly cropped body and a split high-low hem in twisted rib, giving it enough detailing to be interesting while maintaining a timeless simplicity. It's a pattern that you can come back to again and again, building a truly versatile and wearable wardrobe.

Antigone would be the perfect yarn pairing for the warmer months. If I had more hours in the day I'd like one in every colour, but I'm particularly taken with the soft, buttery shade of Tilleul.

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Orage and Finnwool

If sweater knitting in the Summer doesn't appeal to you, how about casting on a pair of socks? Since launching Issue 6 last year, one pattern that continues to jump onto people's needles is Orage by Elena Solier Jansà*. A vanilla sock with an electrifying cuff, Orage is the perfect project for a relaxing knit with just enough interest to stop you getting bored.

The Orage socks are knitted cuff down, with a heel flap and French heel. The pattern features a cable motif that works as the ribbing and represents lightning. Elena was inspired by the electric storms that she could see when living in France so she decided to name it after the beautiful word for ‘storm’ in French: Orage.

Mominoki's Finnwool is such a beautiful natural sock yarn, sourced and produced entirely in Finland from Finnsheep, an old landsheep breed which is very well adapted to the colder climate of Northern Europe. I love the original colour we used for the Issue 6 sample, Curry, but there's something about Sage that just shouts summer to me.

*Orage can be found in Issue 6, but it's also available here as an individual pattern from our Indie Pattern Marketplace.

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Florence Tank and Antigone

Photo credit: Sari Nordlund

Sari Nordlundis a master at creating wearable wardrobe staples with rich, engaging stitch patterns, and the Florence Tankis no exception. For me, this piece transitions across all the seasons. I can see it worn over tank tops and summer dresses, but also layered long sleeve tees and light jumpers for Autumn and winter.

For summer, Antigone would work beautifully and really show off that intricate stitch pattern. This soft sage green - Amande - would really let those stitches shine.

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Wandelbos Socks & Snowdonia Sock

Photo credit: Mieka John

We love knitting socks, and we love a sock with an interesting construction. Enter the Wandelbos Socks from Mieka John. They are knit toe-up, starting with a Provisional Cast On at the widest part of the Toe knit flat with German short-row shaping. Immediately after, the work is joined in the round to knit the Foot and intarsia stripe is started. German short-row Heel is worked over 60% of the stitches. After working the Heel, continue with the Leg with an intarsia stripe to the desired length (ankle, mid-calf or individual). Finish with a Half-twisted rib Cuff to keep the socks from sliding down, while giving them a slightly more sophisticated look. Ankle version also has an optional tab at the back of the cuff to make it easier to pull the socks on and ensure they stay in place while wearing.

Snowdonia Sock comes in so many stunning colours that would work well together, but I particularly like Glaslyn and Stonecrop together!

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Outline Tank & Antigone

Photo credit: Jessie Maed Designs

I love a design that combines simple stockinette with clean lines and interesting details, and the Outline Tank from Jessie Maed Designs really hits that sweet spot. Structural dropped stitches frame this modern, minimal make, a cropped tank with the perfect amount of airiness and ease for warm weather wear.

As Antigone is 100% linen, it would give the perfect amount of drape while keeping those dropped stitches looking crisp. The soft grey lavendar of Héron is the perfect neural with depth.

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Have any of these project ideas got you reaching for the needles? If you've been inspired to cast on, or have a summer project on the needles you'd like to share with us, let us know in the comments below. And for more inspiration, don't forget to check more patterns on our Indie Pattern Marketplace and or collection of sustainable yarns in the Wool Cave!