We are in the miserable, dog days of summer here in Wisconsin. I take a few medications that impact my ability to regulate temperature, so I’m hiding from the heat and humidity inside with my knitting. I’m working on some light weight summer projects, and also listening to some great audio books, and I wanted to share with you all.
July means it’s time for Olive Knits annual MKAL (and this year will be the last one!). If you aren’t familiar, Olive Knits releases a pattern for a summer sweater in July and does a four-day knit along. If you’re like me there’s no way you can finish a sweater in four days, but I plan to get it done this month at least.
This years pattern is called Watermark and it’s a lacy pullover or cardigan. I’m doing the pullover version because I hate purling. I’m using The Croft DK in Harkland 226.
I’m also working on socks because I’m ALWAYS working on socks. Socks are the perfect project for summer days because they are small and light and don’t sit heavily in your lap like a blanket or large sweater.
I have a couple of go-to patterns for textured socks. I like to use really brightly colored yarn with lots of variegation and speckles, so I want socks with some pattern but nothing that will be overwhelmed by the color.
Bembe from 52 Weeks of Socks is the perfect blend of “I don’t really have to think about this” and textured knitting. It’s a pattern you don’t need to look at much while knitting, but the results are very pretty.
For even more texture I love these Crunkled Socks. This pattern is just a knit and purl repeat over 12 rows that is easy enough to remember to be TV knitting.
They have almost a scale texture to them which could be really fun to knit while watching House of the Dragon. I’m knitting mine with this Life of a Showgirl yarn from Blue Barn Fibres because I’m an unabashed Swiftie feeling all the wedding vibes right now.
Right now, my audio listening and my knitting are colliding the best way. I too am on the Dungeon Crawler Carl train. I don’t know that I would enjoy this book on it’s own, since I tend to glaze over when they’re talking stats, but the audio is a fucking delight. This is a book that lends itself so well to voice acting to add color to the scenes.
The knitting community has embraced DCC as well, especially Mongo and Princess Donut.
I splurged on this Mongo colored yarn from Undercover Otter.
Blue Barn Fibres has an entire DCC collection and I am waiting for my skein of Goddamnit Donut!
I’m also listening to Nine Goblins by T Kingfisher which is a wonderfully funny light fantasy read in the vein of Terry Pratchett.
Need something Goblin-core to knit? For Colorwork, I’m making the Magical Mycelium socks from Stone Knits. I’m using a kit I got from Fiber MacGyver that I got at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool last year.
What summer crafty projects are you working on? Are you listening to anything on audio?
I’m on my second “Italian Summer Scarf” of the summer, even though it is WAY too hot (even here in the UK!) to wear them this summer. The pattern is just so soothing to work!
I finally just finished knitting a tank top that I did all sorts of meticulous planning and math so that it would actually fit me, and I did a really good job of accounting for ease for a change, so I wouldn’t feel like a sausage – I have a tendency to try to use the absolute minimum amount of yarn/stitches so it’ll be cheaper and done sooner … and totally coincidentally I rarely find anything I make myself to be comfortable. Sigh. Unfortunately, I neglected to factor in how the weight of the cotton yarn (I hardly ever knit anything but wools and wow is cotton heavy) pulls the whole thing down. So I am sulky about knitting, knitting is mean, and I am not working on the legwarmers, or finishing a sweater that were both meant to be presents last year. Or the one before. Oh god, actually the… what even is time?
Instead I am working on turning torn old sheets into a no-sew rug, which is slow but satisfying.
Audiobooks are mostly the Show Horses series, again, but that’s only when trapped in the car. I tend to craft in joyous silence.
Oh the Crunkled Socks are adorable! I might buy that pattern.
Agree that the DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL audiobooks are fun to listen to and not to taxing to follow while I’m knitting. Recent audiobook listens: “reread” via audiobook of Donna Andrews’ cozy MEG LANGSLOW mystery series (she’s a blacksmith and ultra competent support system for her wacky family; there’s a supportive and smart and funny love interest) and THE HUSBANDS by Holly Gramazio was also fun to listen to (an unmarried woman suddenly finds she has a husband and whenever the Husband goes into the attic, he is replaced by a new Husband).
NEWCOMER by Keigo Higashino has vignettes about a new police detective in Tokyo and the cases he comes across. I like the character, his gentleness and his logical deductions in cases.
My summer knitting has been trying out new types of knitting. I had never done i-cord before, so I made a SOPHIE SCARF. Now I’m trying colorwork with QUICK OMBRÉ HAT
Just finished two big shawls https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quadri-shawl in mohair silk blend.
Love all of the yarns, and that sweater looks so lovely.
I need to go fabric shopping for my quilt class.
I just cast off my Mui top but unfortunately it is too small 🙁 It fits on me but it doesn’t have the drapey off the shoulder look that the pattern is supposed to have. I’m debating wearing it a bit before ripping it out because I’m a bit over knitting it and want a break! Not sure if I will re-do it or try another pattern with the yarn. I’ve also got yarn for socks so I will probably cast those on soon so I have a new project to distract me
The yarns are lovely. I’ve always struggled with socks. Does anyone have an easy pattern that you can suggest I start with?
Winwick Mum gets mentioned a lot for beginner socks. I’m still working up to it, but a friend did the pattern as her first socks, and it worked. Here, and on Ravelry.
What lovely yarns and projects, Elyse!
My crafting consists of making bookmarks from old library date due cards. My latest batch were all eye themed. If you scroll up at this link, you can see others I’ve made which are mah jongg and steampunk themed.
https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/742513-artist-boardies-please-show-off-your-creations-here/page/3/#findComment-9830326
If you look carefully, you will see some snippets of SBTB stickers on a couple of the bookmarks!
@Nina : that scarf is stunning! Before I purchase the pattern, can you tell me if a beginner could do it? Thanjs!
Oooo – some great sock designs! I love making socks. However, I’m currently working on a jersey/pullover/sweater called “Snow Maiden” https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/254-16-snow-maiden
I don’t audiobook often, but I’m part way through The Dictionary of Terrible Ideas by Dominic Knight and Daindreth’s Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley.
I am currently knitting a grey and aqua version of Lily in Stripes (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lily-in-stripes), and very much enjoying the Agnes Sharp audiobooks – such fun characters (I am team Edwina all the way), and genuinely funny moments. I think next in the queue will be finishing some WIPs, since I always do Joji Locatelli’s Fall KAL from September to November and I SHOULD NOT cast on something new before the KAL. Especially since I have umpteen number of UFOs. Right? Right???
Whoops forgot to add – I LOVE Nine Goblins so much! Top 3 Kingfisher for me, and the Audio was great 🙂
@Kris — Getting Started Knitting Socks (an interweave book) by Anne Budd and Big Foot Knits by Andi Smith for fit.
I just started the Casapinka Tabby Road knit-along. I enjoy working her patterns and she has a genuinely nice Rav group to follow along with. Have my MC skein left to wind before I can cast on!
@ catscatscats@CarolS…thanks for the suggestions. Looks perfect for me.
My favorite beginning sock pattern is easy peasy socks for beginners https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-peasy-socks-for-first-timers
@Kris I started socks by making Christmas stockings. The large scale helped me to understand the construction with a yarn weight and needle size I was more comfortable with. YMMV if you’re already used to using sock weight yarn and DPNs. Thanks to everyone for the audiobook recs. I’ve been listening to Dolly Parton’s “Storyteller” which I’m enjoying well enough.