Add Some Texture to Your Summer Knitting

Andalusian stitch is a basic knit purl knitting stitch pattern that I love but I never think to use on projects. It’s a pretty easy four-row repeat where three of the rows are just stockinette stitch.

You need a multiple of two plus one stitches for it to work, and you knit the first row, purl the second, then work knit 1, purl 1 across the next row (ending with a knit 1) and purl the fourth row.

This also gives you some practice in reading your knitting because you can count rows on the fabric instead of marking them down on paper or with a row counter if you want.

Andalusian stitch is so easy you don’t really need to practice it before you dive into a pattern using it.

This time of year I’d love to recommend the Aosta Summer Top 2.0 from The Knit Purl Girl. (It’s 2.0 because it was a relaunch of an older pattern.)

This top down raglan is worked in the round with allover Andalusian stitch (other than ribbed edges; because it’s mostly stockinette it does tend to curl without them). The pattern calls for two strands of fingering weight yarn to be held together but you can also use a single strand of DK weight yarn, so long as you can get gauge.

The pattern comes in 12 sizes, with an actual finished chest measurement of 30.75 to 58.75 inches, or 78 to 149 cm. It’s meant to be worn with what the designer calls neutral ease, ranging from 1.5 inch/3.5 cm positive ease to 1.5 inches/3.5 cm negative ease for smaller sizes, or 2 inches/5 cm positive to negative ease range for the larger sizes.

That way it’s up to you if you want a super snug fit or a little more room. It’s meant to fit like a cozy t-shirt.

I love the refined look the Andalusian stitch gives this one and I just might need to make it for myself soon! You can grab the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: The Knit Purl Girl]

Knitting Patterns for Your Summer Picnic

Add a Gorgeous Little Knit Cover to Your Summer Outfits

Summer Gansey Knitting Pattern

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As I was starting to write this post I thought that it was true that I’d never done a roundup of bucket hat knitting patterns before. But then I looked, and I actually did one last year (which you can find here) but there are plenty of cute bucket hats to do another post about, right?

The one that made me want to write about this (again) is the Red Heart Knit Fanfare Bucket Hat from Yarnspirations. This cute striped hat can be worked in team colors, and while I might prefer a non-acrylic yarn for a summer hat, it would be fine when it’s not too hot outside (or try a cotton yarn instead).

Claire Slade’s Sunlit Bucket Hat has an angled brim to help keep the sun out of your eyes. It’s worked from the bottom up using worsted weight cotton yarn, and comes in three sizes. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Get a little air flow in your bucket hat with the Shady Bucket Hat from Wool & Beyond. This one uses DK weight yarn and an eyelet pattern throughout the body to keep it cool. It comes in sizes ranging from newborn to adult large, and is worked in one piece from the top down. You can grab the pattern (in English or Swedish) on Ravelry.

If you’re looking for a fun, floppy sun hat for kids or adults, this pattern from Muki Crafts is a little more slouchy than a traditional bucket hat but it’s super cute. It comes in baby, toddler and bigger kid sizes and adult. I uses worsted weight yarn and is worked from the bottom up.

Another variation on the classic bucket is this one that’s more of a cloche style. Made by branda, it uses bulky yarn so it’s more of a winter bucket hat, but now’s a fine time to knit it if you live somewhere that’s warm right now (or even more so if you live somewhere that’s cold right now).

Another one to get you ready for colder weather is Tirmety, a two-layer bucket hat from ViTalina Craft, which has a textured stitch pattern on one side and stockinette on the other. You can wear either side out or even make them different colors if you want. The pattern is sized for toddlers, kids and adults.

And if you want to add some extra cuteness to your bucket hat, I love this (of course totally optional but also totally adorable) embroidered deatila on the New York Bucket Hat from Pauline Fanguin. It uses two strands of DK weight yarn held together for extra sturdiness, and uses changes in needle size to shape the hat. Of course you could also knit stripes or use different textures of yarn to change up the look. This pattern is made to fit your head and is available in French and English.

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