Sweet Cardigans to Knit for Summer

June 4, 2015 by Sarah White

I’m on a bit of a cardigan kick right now. I stitched up but haven’t yet sewn together the Quickie Cardigan by Amy Gunderson, which I think will be perfect for summer thanks to the shorter sleeves and allover eyelet patterning. I also pulled out my Spoked Cardigan (designed by Carol Feller) recently, which I’ve been working on intermittently for about three years, and which is about 30 rows away from being done if I would just do it.

Cardigans are great for spring and summer because they’re easy to throw on over whatever you’re wearing when you get chilled, and just as easy to toss aside or into your bag when you get warm. They can also be a little more forgiving than pullovers if you choose one without closures that doesn’t have to fit your chest perfectly.

If you’re a summer cardigan fan, here are a few options that have crossed my computer screen lately.

Berroco’s textured Ametrine, designed by Emily Nora O’Neil, is one of those cardigans that hangs open, making it easy to knit and to wear. It’s pieced and uses an allover textured rib pattern that’s easy to memorize and calls for a yarn that’s a shiny blend of alpaca and rayon for warmth and drape.

I also like Watson from Berroco, designed by Amy Christoffers. This one is a cotton yarn cardi covered with cables and a textured rib. They call it a classic New England summer sweater, but it’s great everywhere.

Yarnspirations has lots of great cardigan patterns, but some of my favorites are the three-quarter sleeved Walk in the Park Cardi, which has just enough colorwork to make it fun; the simple Bright and Breezy Kimono, with its blocky shape and easy eyelet pattern; and Cardi Gras, a pretty little A-line cardigan with three-quarter sleeves that only buttons at the top.

Another really cool collection of sweaters comes from DROPS, which has a whole set of patterns you can knit either as a cardigan or a pullover. It’s so interesting to see how the projects look different when worked as a cardigan or a pullover. One of my favorites in this collection is the Fox Jacket, a round yoked lace cardigan worked with fuzzy and sparkly yarns to make a really fun and fabulous project.

Do you have a favorite cardigan you’ve knit for the summer months? I’d love to hear about it!

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Comments

Donna H says
June 5, 2015 at 2:31 pm
LOVE these cardigans. Walk in the Park is already on my knitting list and I’m thinking about my color choices. Thanks, as always, for sharing these great patterns!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.