A Lovely Cardigan to Knit for Summer

I love layers all the time, but for a lot of people I know adding layers in the summer isn’t a comfortable option, so you might not wear knit garments in the summer.

I try to share lots of knit summer tops, tank tops and other wearables to get you through the hot months and dispel the notion that you can only knit and enjoy wearing knit projects when it’s cold outside.

Crosscurrents, designed by Yumiko Alexander, is a project that can help you think about how wearing knits in the summer works.

It’s a boxy cardigan with no shaping, so it’s easy for any skill level to knit and for anyone to wear. It’s mostly stockinette highlighted with a fun lace pattern worked asymmetrically on different pieces of the garment to add interest. And it’s knit with a combination of cotton and silk that makes it cool and comfortable whatever the weather.

The pattern includes lots of design options for you as well. You can make it with a regular or a more boxy fit, and the length can be slightly cropped to long.

There are three size options for the chest measurement (40, 50 and 60 inches, or 101.6, 127 or 152.4 cm) and four for the length: 19.5, 22, 24.5 and 27 inches, or 49.5, 55.9, 62.2 or 68.6 cm. You can also make the sleeves different lengths depending on your preference and how much coverage you like.

It’s meant to be worn open or you can add a button at the very top, so you can decide if you want to have the front panels close enough to be able to close or a more open look depending on your chest measurement.

This cardigan has a really fun look and it also looks really comfortable to wear, even when it’s warm out.

You can grab the pattern in English or Japanese on Ravelry.

[Photo: Yumiko Alexander]

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The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

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