Those Hot Summer Knits

I have heard a terrible rumor! Can it be true? (Whisper voice.) Some people actually stop knitting during the summer!! What? I know, unbelievable, right?

Those of us who are dedicated to knitting are horrified by this thought. Here are the two main reasons why people choose to stop knitting during the summer months. I will attempt to debunk them.

The number 1 reason people give is: “It’s too hot to knit.” Well, yes, it is definitely too hot to knit a wool blanket at the beach. I usually don’t knit anything that has to rest on my lap. This is the killer. While that baby blanket may seem small, at some point, the knitting will hit your lap and then you are doomed. Yes, that is hot, hot, hot. If there is a baby shower coming up or you must get that blanket done before your little one goes off to college, try resting the blanket on a table. This makes a world of difference. I usually knit smaller items like

hats,

slippers,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oven mitts,

toys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fingerless gloves

and ornaments (yes),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

when it is too hot to knit the giant wool sweater.

And… speaking of wool. Non-knitters might think that working with wool on a small project is hot. Not the case! As knitters know, wool has the wonderful capability of wicking moisture away from the skin. It takes a lot to soak wool.  I also love to work with cotton, bamboo, linen, hemp and silk, none of which I would call warm. Since I am a (complete) yarn “snob”, I rarely work with 100% acrylic yarn, and that is the yarn I consider to be the hottest of all hot-feeling fibers on the face of the Earth. Talk about sweaty!

The second reason a person might say that they don’t knit in the summer is because they are too busy. What? So, there you are, on the plane or in the car going to your vacation spot, lake, family gathering. Knit away! The plane and the car (passengers only, please) are the two most wonderful places to knit. Many people think that you can’t take knitting needles on a plane, but I always do. The only time I have heard of people having problems with knitting needles on a plane is traveling in countries other than the US. I fly within the US and I have never had a problem.

Having a cocktail or glass of wine on the front porch? Knit! Summer concerts in the park deserve a knitting project. Waiting or watching the young ones at various summer sports or swimming lessons can be a bonus opportunity to knit. Get into the habit of having a small, easy project close by so you can chat and knit at the same time. Ok, so you might not be working on your favorite lace shawl, but what about a hat for a charity, a new baby, or as Christmas and birthday gifts?

The moral of this story? You can guess. Don’t Stop Knitting in the Summer! Just don’t.

Knityourselfhappy