Knits for Canada Day

I know most people are probably thinking ahead to the Fourth of July, but just before we get to that holiday there’s Canada Day. Whether you live in Canada or just are a fan of maple leaves and hockey, creating something with a Canadian theme can be a lot of fun.

Here are a few projects to get you started.

First off there’s my Canada Coaster, which is a quick and easy knit that’s great for a backyard picnic or for protecting the table on hockey night. The Canada Day Placemat and Can Cozy from Knitca use red yarn and textured stitches for the maple leaves, making them good projects for newer knitters. Sue Sedlack’s Oh Canada Coffee Cozy worked in two colors is a great way to show your Canadian pride and keep your beverage warm.

Other projects for the home include the Garden Maple Leaf Dishcloth by Melissa Bergland Burnham, Audrey Ritchie’s Illusion Knit Dishcloth and the Maple Leaf pattern from KnitHit, which could be used on a dishcloth or washcloth.

The O Canada Toque from Amiable Knitting is pretty easy and really quick thanks to the giant yarn and needles used, while the Maple Leaf Earflap Hat by Michele Meadows has a really cute finishing detail in that the edging is worked in alternating colors of crochet. Add some of her Maple Leaf Mittens for a complete Canadian ensemble.

Katherine Matthews has a cute beaded cuff worked in a maple leaf pattern that would be lots of fun to wear to a baseball or hockey game or a Canada Day celebration.

This Felted Canadian Flag from Sabrina Thompson would be great as a little home decoration, or try a sweet Canadian Flag Garland, designed by Kristen Cooper. The mini sock from Denise Powell is really cute, too, and would be a great addition to your Christmas tree as well as a decoration for Canada Day.

Looking for more Canada Day Patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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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]

Knit an Easy Hooded Vest

Knit Vests to Help Transition to Warmer Weather

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