Tag Archives: summer

Inspiration: Warm Weather

It’s been absolutely gorgeous in Seattle for the last week- sunny and around 70. (Unfortunately, the fact that I’m typing this out means that the rain will start up again in the next 15 minutes. That’s just how good weather in Seattle works- it turns cold and damp as soon as you acknowledge that the sun is out.) The windows have been open, the dog has been snoozing in the sun on the back porch, and I’ve been wearing fewer sweaters (I’ve still been wearing some, because I’m me and constantly feel like it’s 20 degrees colder than it actually is).

Which made me think about warm-weather knitwear. I start thinking about it every year about this time. What can I knit, or what can I wear, that would be comfortable in 70+ degree weather. I always feels a little silly thinking about knitting up tank tops and shorts, skirts and t-shirts. But people do it- heck, I even designed a tank top a couple years ago (which I think turned out pretty cute, if I say so myself).

I’ve dug through Ravelry, and picked out three (non-ugly) summery tank tops just for you. (And, I guess, for me too, in the off chance that the sun sticks around a little longer.)

(I was going to look up an assortment of summery clothing instead of just tank tops, but I defy any of you to find a not-terrible pair of knit shorts for anyone older than in infant. I don’t think they exist.)

I really like this top (I guess it’s got a tiny little sleeve, so it’s not really a tank). It’s feminine and pretty, with an interesting neckline. I love that it’s made with stretch cotton-a perfect yarn for summery tops- and it’s a lovely, flattering shape.

Tee Top in Lace Daisy by Ekaterina ArndtThis tank top is totally adorable, too. It’s so simple and such a classic shape. And, anything with mini stripes is OK by me.

#02 Simple Tank by Debbie BlissSome (most?) knit tank tops end up having a weirdly ’90s vibe about them, but I love how modern this one feels. I love the racer back, combined with the wide neckline and loose, draped silhouette. I might actually have a go at knitting up this one… some day… when I have time…

Flying Buttress Tank by Andrea RangelDo you have any warm-weather knitwear? What do you knit when it gets warm outside?

The End of Summer

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When I was a kid, growing up in a tiny town surrounded by cornfields in the middle of Illinois, I would have sworn that summer went on forever. And I don’t mean in a “nostalgic movie about kids on bikes where they hope that this summer will go on forever” kind of way. I mean it was hot, muggy and gross…forever. Our junior high school was built with these teeny-tiny windows to keep the heat in during our epic winters. But, that meant for the first month of school, the building was insanely hot, without a breeze to help. We’d spend the first (and last) few weeks of school sweating, trying to stay awake in classrooms with the lights turned off to make us think it was cooler than it really was. That’s what I mean by “summer lasted forever.”

I’m not sure if that sentiment is correct anymore. Maybe it is still that way in Central Illinois, or maybe it was just the perception of a slightly dramatic (and easily overheated) kid. But, this year, here in Seattle, the moment the calendar flipped to September the temperature dropped, the clouds rolled in and the rain started to fall.

And I love it- perfect knitting weather.

Unfortunately, though, it means that the summer camps I’ve been teaching at are all done for the year. The kids are going back to school in this week, and I’ve got nothing to do until after-school programs start up again at the end of the month.

Which brings me to my point. What on earth am I going to do for almost a month of unemployment? I’ve got some designs I’ve been working on (stay tuned!), some Christmas presents to get started, and a few half-finished projects I’d like to get closer to being done. But, since I’ve got a good chunk of free time, do you have any requests? Anything you’d like to see?

What do you like to work on when you have a big chunk of free time?

Summertime, and the living is… muggy

Inspiration: Early Summer

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It’s weird outside, guys. And it’s starting to freak me out.

We’ve been having ridiculously good weather here for the last month or so. It’s been sunny. The sky has been cloudless, and we haven’t had more than a sprinkle of rain in the last few weeks. It’s even gotten over 80 degrees. That’s August weather for Seattle, and it’s only the beginning of May.

If it wasn’t 8 in the morning, I’d want to be sitting outside sipping on a can of my favorite IPA and a reading good book.

Like I said, it’s weird.

But, as a former resident of Austin, Texas, I know how to knit for warm weather. So at least I’ve got that going for me.

First, focus on light, flowy layers knit in thin-gauge wool, like this lovely summery cardigan with beautiful openwork detailing.

Summer Festival by Georgie NicolsonOr if you were determined to go big, instead of a chunky pullover, think about an adorable sundress, like this one.

Summer Sundress by Mari Lynn PatrickBut, sometimes, even the thought of knitting up something bigger than a handkerchief is too much in hot (OK- 70 isn’t actually hot, it’s just Seattle hot) weather. In that case make something tiny and fun, like this ridiculously adorable floral headband. (If only I could pull this off… sigh.)

Summer Girl- crocheted headband by Monika SirnaWhat do you knit when it’s too hot for sweaters and blankets?

It’s too %^*$ing hot

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I don’t like it.

I refuse to accept that it’s this hot.

It’s been in the upper 80s/low 90s for weeks at this point, and I’ve really and truly begun to melt.

This is not why I moved to Seattle. I was promised 60s and raining. Sweater weather.

Not tank-tops and shorts weather.

Sure, I lived in Austin for several years and central Illinois for almost a decade, but in those places at least people had air conditioning. We don’t have AC, and most businesses around here don’t either.

My work sure doesn’t. There’s nothing like hanging out with a dozen cranky pre-teens as they sweat and dehydrate. Ugh.

And, my poor pup is handling the heat about as well as I am. (Here he is waiting for us to fill up his pool. Notice how all my grass has died-except for the dandelions. I am convinced that nothing short of nuclear winter will kill dandelions.)

I know, I know. I’m being whiny. But, it’s exhausting.

And It’s made me thoroughly uninterested in knitting. (Which really stinks.) In fact, this post was supposed to be an update on my progress on the “Husband Sweater.” But, honestly, I’ve probably knit about one inch of sleeve since I last posted about it in May (sorry, Tristan!).

Instead, I’ve been drinking lots of water, eating Popsicles and trying my best not to move.

I hope your summer is going well, and you’re staying cool and hydrated. And that you’re still interested in your knitting. I’m sending you happy, air-conditioned vibes and best wishes for your summer knitting.

Inspiration: Hippies

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This weekend is the Freemont Solstice Fair. It’s where all the hippies and weirdos in Seattle (and there are a lot of them) get together and put on a fantastical parade and street fair. There’s music, dancing, crazy costumes, giant puppets, and naked people on bikes. (I try to keep this blog PG, or at least PG-13, but if you want to see the naked bikers, do a quick search for “Freemont Parade.” They all wear crazy body paint, which is actually pretty cool.)

The parade is super impressive. Motorized floats and advertising are not allowed, so everyone who participates is doing so because they love the Solstice Festival, and they love making things.

There’s the giant Flying Spaghetti Monster.

People make entire outfits, floats and puppets made out of recycled materials.