5 Fun Things to Knit in the Summer

Easy Summertime Knitting

It's August.  The dog days of summer. By now, your knitting is probably languishing in a basket by the couch or stuffed in your knitting bag while you host barbecues or hang out at the lake.  Thinking about wool when it's 100 degrees outside is enough to make you break out in a heat rash. But what if you want to knit?  Are your hands (and your brain) are bored without something to occupy them?

Here are 5 things to knit in the summer:

[caption id="attachment_5064" align="aligncenter" width="205"] Teri modeling a hat made from Cascade Pure Alpaca and Misti Ayllu Overdye.[/caption]

1. Hats

No, you probably don't need a hat now.  But this is North Idaho.  It will be cold enough for hats again in about two months or less.  That's eight weeks or 60 days.  Hats are portable, great stash busters, and may be knit out of pretty much any fiber and weight imaginable.  Most importantly, they don't take up room on your lap.  Here's some hat patterns (Many are FREE!) to get you started.

2. Mittens/Gloves/Fingerless Mitts

Nope, you don't need these either.  Unless you work in an office where they keep the air conditioning set to the approximate temperature of a meat locker.  In which case, a nice pair of fingerless mitts might just keep the circulation going in your hands enough for you to do your work.  Also, these are small, portable, and won't make you sweat while you're working on them (unless you're working on them outside when it's 100 degrees.  But that's the sun making you sweat, not your knitting.)  Here's some fun Gloves and Mittens patterns to get you started.

3. Cowls

Scarves are too long for me.  I don't have the patience and follow through necessary for scarves to be part of my knitting list anymore.  Cowls, though, can be knit on straights or circulars. They're quick and easy and useful once it's cold again (see #1.  It will get cold again, never fear.)  You can make plain stockinette workaday ones, pretty lacey ones, or ones covered in cables.  A cowl is a blank canvas of self expression!  Knit a couple now and you'll have choices to coordinate with your outfits when the time comes.   Here's some unique Cowl patterns to get your started. [caption id="attachment_5062" align="aligncenter" width="225"] A baby hat and sweater set by Angie, one of our Open Knitting group members.[/caption]

4. Baby Things

Want to knit a sweater in the summer?  Knit a baby sweater.  Baby hats can be done in a couple hours.  Booties?  They're tiny and cute and the definition of instant gratification for a knitting project.  Soft toys for babies are also great.  Put some beans in an old Easter egg and insert it into a knitted ball and you've got yourself a soft sided rattle for your favorite infant.  Baby things are great summer knitting projects.  They can be as simple or complex as you like, they're small enough to complete quickly, and they won't weigh you down when you're taking your knitting on vacation.    Here's some cute Baby Knit and Crochet Patterns to get you started. [caption id="attachment_5063" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Socks![/caption]

5. Socks

I love knitting socks.  I nearly always have a pair of socks on the needles.  It's my go-to project when I don't know what else to knit.  The thin yarn and the small size make socks perfect for summer knitting.  They won't make your hands as sweaty as a thicker yarn can, and if you knit socks all summer, your feet will be happy come winter.  Here's some fun sock patterns to get you started. Do you knit in the summer?  What do you like to knit?  Let us know in the comments!