Celebrate the Season in the Southern Hemisphere

For those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re just getting into the cold part of the year, but in other parts of the world it’s slowly warming up.

The flowers of the Pohutukawa tree begin to bloom in December and January, earning the tree the nickname of New Zealand’s Christmas tree.

Francoise Danoy was inspired by the tree and its blooms for her Pohutukawa shawl. Textured sections evoke the bark of the tree, while the lace and fringe are inspired by the red blooms.

The shawl is a 3/4 round knit top to bottom. The pattern has a base price of $12, but she also has pay what you can options.

[Photo: Francoise Danoy.]

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I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.

To introduce you to the joys of summer garment knitting, I offer the Tied Vest from Lion Brand Yarn.

This easy project is great to make and wear throughout the year but it’s especially good for summer. It’s worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, mostly in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch edging. The I-cord ties are worked directly onto the garment so you don’t have to sew them on.

The project uses worsted weight yarn, and calls for a blend of cotton and hemp that’s great for warm weather.

There are eight size options, ranging from a finished chest measurement of 35 to 62.5 inches, or 89 to 159 cm. That makes it sound like it should be worn with at least a few inches of positive ease, but the pattern doesn’t specify.

The ties at the front give it a casual look and make it great to wear over a tank top or T-shirt when the weather is warm.

I also think this one would be good to knit in wool or a warmer fiber, too, to make a version you could wear more comfortably in the winter months, too. Though of course you could layer the summer version over a long-sleeved shirt and wear it throughout the year, too.

The tied vest is a free pattern available from Lion Brand. You can also purchase a kit that includes the yarn and optional needles and stitch markers if you need them.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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