It has become tradition every May/June that we celebrate the promise of good weather to come by casting on a summer top in our Summer Top Knit-Along (KAL). While this spring is different from any other spring any of us has seen, we are determined to stick to tradition. Summer WILL come. We WILL get to be outside. And we hopefully will get to see friends and family and neighbours who will admire our summer tops and ooh and aah at our impressive knitting skills.
For inspiration, I'm sharing pictures of previous creations to come out of our Summer Top KALs.
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Vickie has been the most prolific. This sweater is Heart of Glass by Mary Annarella, and Vickie knitted it in Rhichard Devrieze's sturdy yet soft Thede yarn, a hand-dyed merino/nylon blend. |
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Edie of course had to knit Isabell Kraemer's Edie in Estelle Rainbow Confetti. It required just more than one cake, so she had to play a bit with the yarn to keep the gradient effect. (We had a green gradient version of this on a store mannequin. You may remember seeing it!) |
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Pat's Jersey Hiedra (by Lola Dacosta) turned out beautifully in BC Garn Bio Balance. She said she loved working with this wool/cotton blend and it feels wonderful! Just look at the gorgeous detailing of this sweater! |
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| Below are a few more of Vickie's gorgeous creations: On the left is Marettimo by Caitlin Hunter, knitted in Thede (she does love Thede, as I'm sure all of you who've worked with it do!). In the centre is Cullum by Isabell Kraemer, knitted in Berroco Remix Light, a soft, tweedy, easy-care blend of recycled fibres. On the right is Alison Green's Derecho, also in Remix Light. |
| I knitted Isabell Kraemer's A Hint of Summer last year with BC Garn Tussah Tweed, a 100% tussah silk that is incredibly soft. This top is so light and airy that I practically feel naked when wearing it! (Note that the price of this yarn has increased significantly, but I still have some lower-priced stock for now!) |
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Pat and Jane both knitted Morning Sky by Heidi Kirrmaier a couple of KALs ago. Pat's, pictured here, was knitted with Louet Euroflax, which we unfortunately can't carry anymore. Jane knitted hers in Diamond Luxury Tropicalia, which is available but not yet pictured on the website (I'm hoping to get photos soon!) I'm considering knitting this top (or Sunshine Coast, also by Heidi) in Sugar Bush Cabot or Cascade Ultra Pima Fine. |
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The first summer top I ever knitted was for one of my very best friends, Kelly. I don't have a photo of her in it (I must ask for one!), but here is Knit Me Baby One More Time by Mary Annarella on a mannequin shortly after I opened the store. Maybe I should knit it again for me! I do love that it's very T-shirt-like!
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I just finished Fresh Start by Suvi Simola, probably more a spring knit than a summer one since it has 3/4 sleeves and is knitted in worsted weight. I do love how oversized and flowy it is, though, and since I knitted it in 100% cotton (Juniper Moon Farm Neve), it may get summer wear too!
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So that gives you a glimpse into projects some of us have done for summer. Not all knitting has to be for winter wear! Some of our favourite designers are sure to come out with more summer designs in the months to come. Keep an eye on Ravelry and/or join our KAL page on Facebook!
