This post may contain affiliate links. Which simply means if you click on it, I get a small commission.
It is finally feeling like Spring! Summer, actually; temps in the high 80s and low 90s this week. That’s okay, because all Spring New Jersey has felt like a cold cavern. Winter coats and all that. Even a hint of snow, ugh!
Summer is my favorite season; it’s so nice to just go out the door without ever thinking about a coat or gloves.
May and June are busy months. From turning out summer clothes to planting flowers to keeping three very special people who have passed on in my prayers, to celebrating my grand daughter’s 6th birthday, then Memorial Day in May, to enjoying my grand daughter’s dance recital and my son’s birthday in June, there’s a lot to be thankful for!
If you don’t feel that way, it’s okay. Not every season is a happy one for everyone. We all go through times of trial and error; sometimes those days and weeks feel like they’ll never end. A family member is going through a nasty divorce right now (is there any other kind!) and he’s not on a road or even at an intersection. He’s just lost in a place right now where it will take some time to get re-oriented.
Time. Life forces us forward though. Never go in circles. It will take you nowhere. If you can’t see where you’re going clearly just yet, it’s just that you haven’t turned the corner to see what’s ahead of you. Give it time.
In the meantime . . .
Knitting is, of course, a great pastime when the weather warms up. I’m so glad we have two porches; an enclosed porch in back and a covered porch out front, where I can sit and knit.
3 Summer Knitting Patterns
Feather & Fan Afghan
Feather and fan is one of the easiest stitches to learn; 4 little rows that get repeated until you have your desired length. You can make the most BEAUTIFUL things using the feather & fan stitch.
I always knit afghans using soft acrylic yarn such as
Caron Simply Soft yarn.
Use size 11 needles and cast on 126 stitches and believe it or not you can get all of those stitches onto straight needles.
Here’s the pattern:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: *(Knit 2 tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; rep from * across.
Row 4: Knit.
Repeat these Rows 1-4 for Feather and Fan pattern.
You have numerous options; you can change colors after 20 repeats, you can make 3 panels and sew them together, you can add rows and do 4 rows of knit and purl before doing the third and fourth rows.
However you knit it, a feather and fan afghan will become one of your most beautiful pieces and you’ll love doing it over and over again!
Colorful Knit Washcloths
Now these are useful every day. Using craft cotton yarn, you can easily knit up lots of different patterns to go with any color or decor!
There are even scrubby yarns you can buy, but always use a COTTON yarn
when knitting up washcloths. They go in the washer and dryer fine and you get to use them repeatedly.
To find patterns, just Google, “knit washcloth patterns” and you will find tons! Most are easy and quick to knit and make cute accessories. There are many different colors to choose from, too.
Summer Blue Knitted Tote Bag
Nothing says summer better than blue, the color of tropical beaches! I have lots of shades of blue yarn in my stash and this deep blue is just perfect!
Use Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn in Dazzle Blue.
Tote bag is approx. 13″ x 12″. Simple.
Stitch patterns are the Basketweave Stitch and the Double Moss Stitch. You will make 2 panels.
Size 8 straight needles.
Starting with the Double Moss Stitch, then alternating to the Basketweave, Double Moss, Basketweave, and Double Moss to finish.
Look how nice it comes out!
Here’s the pattern: (Make two panels)
Cast on 44 stitches.
Double Moss Stitch:
Row 1: K2, p2, continue to end. (RS)
Row 2: P2, k2, continue to end.
Knit Row 1 and 2 until you have 14 rows total.
Purl the next row.
Knit the next row, increasing one stitch at the end of the row.
Continue in Basketweave Stitch.
Basketweave Stitch:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K5, *p3, k5; rep from *.
Row 3: P5, *k3, p5; rep from *.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: K1, *p3, k5; rep from *, end last repeat k1.
Row 7: P1, *k3, p5; rep from *, end last repeat p1.
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
Repeat Basketweave Stitch rows, 1 through 8 again.
Purl next row.
Knit next row, decreasing one stitch at end of row.
Using the Double Moss Stitch pattern, do 14 rows again.
Purl next row.
Knit next row, increasing one stitch at end of row.
Repeat Basketweave Stitch rows 1-8, twice.
Purl next row.
Knit next row, decreasing one stitch at end of row.
Using the Double Moss Stitch pattern, do 14 rows again.
Bind off all stitches.
With right sides together, sew up sides and bottom of tote bag.
Add ribbon handles or knit simple handles and attach.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Now that mid-June is upon us, I’m starting to see ads everywhere for the 4th of July! Wait a minute, can’t we just enjoy the day? Don’t you see what the culture does to all of us; it bombards us daily with thinking about tomorrow before yesterday hardly has a chance to be gone! Don’t get caught up in the culture stampedes!
Now that school is letting out, get your kids some crafts to work on during the warm months, take them to the library and have them READ books all summer long, and find a favorite place to just sit and knit.
Sit and knit.
No smartphone, no tablet, no TV. Just you and your needles. You will be astounded at what you can do!
Just another way to
“Homekeeping Inspirations for Knitting Your Best Life!”
