A lot of people associate knitting and crochet with heavy winter sweaters but your hooks and needles can also create some lovely summer items.
Unless you live in a very warm part of the world – which the UK KnitPro team certainly don’t – summer knitwear is a must. It doesn’t need to be bulky but that extra layer is very welcome if the breeze gets up or when the sun goes down, as well as a layering garment on cooler days.
For women a summer cardie is the answer – something lightweight that can easily be rolled in a bag when not in use.
There are so many variations of the summer cardigan that there is bound to be the perfect one for you.
Yarn choice
Some fibres such as cotton, linen or bamboo are seen as “summer materials” because they are lightweight, crisp and cool. However, there is a trade off because these fibres don’t have the same spring as wool so they are at greater risk of stretching or dropping.
But don’t rule out wool. Wool is naturally breathable and temperature regulating so is still a good choice for summer especially if you use a fine yarn and a loose or lacy stitch pattern.
Style
Talking to people, there is no one style that is everyone’s perfect summer cardie. For some it is a short-sleeved shrug or a lacy bolero. For others it is a classic vintage style cardigan or a cropped version with long sleeves. Then there are the long draping versions that you can often wrap round you.
We have picked a few stylish examples to give you some inspiration.
The Breezy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig is a classic example of the long drapey cardigan which will work in a smooth 4-ply wool or in blends using silk or bamboo. Make something like this in a neutral tone so you can pull it on over anything from a crisp summer frock to a pair of cropped trousers.
A short lacy cardigan is great over a dress or with a skirt. Anaheim by Andi Satterlund uses a DK cotton yarn so will have cool feel. It also shows that summer knits don’t have to be pastel, go for a colour that suits your style.
A short-sleeved bolero will add warmth to your shoulders and can be work over a casual top or a smarter dress. This one, Ribbed Lace Bolero by Kelly Maher, also shows that thicker yarns do work for summer – this one uses aranweight cotton.
And finally, Emelie by Elin Berglund is a classic buttoned cardigan. This one uses sportweight wool but the classic cardigan can be in a range of fibres and yarn weights – find your perfect combination.
