There's an undeniable sense of joy that comes with the arrival of summer. It's a season of blossoming flowers, lazy afternoons spent lounging in the park, and a burst of creativity sparked by the longer days.
Summer knitting opens up a world of possibilities— think light and airy creations to evoke the essence of this sun-kissed season. To inspire you on this creative journey, we've gathered a collection of delightful and free summer patterns that will make your knitting needles dance with excitement. Remember that the true beauty lies not only in the finished piece but also in the memories and experienced sensory feelings knitted into every loop. This is also a great opportunity to work with your yarn stash. The leftover yarn from previous projects can be used to include some bright colours in your projects.
Bikini tops and Bralettes
You have seen them crocheted in all shapes and stitches, but did you know you can also knit a bikini top? @uma_knits has published an irresistible bralette pattern that features twinkly stars all over. Once you get going, it becomes an incredibly swift knit; however, the preparations can be tricky. It's crucial to accurately measure your bust for a perfect fit and ensure your yarn has the right amount of elasticity before casting on.
While cotton, linen, or bamboo yarns are ideal for sweltering summer days, they tend to offer less stretch compared to fine summer wool or acrylic sock yarns. To achieve a snug fit around your bust, a gauge swatch is indispensable. If you tend to knit with looser tension, consider using smaller knitting needles to downsize accordingly.
You can either work with single pointed needles in pieces and then assemble the project. Or, work without seaming with any pair of circular knitting needles.
Knitted Shorts
While we're on the subject, why not complete your knitted bikini ensemble by crafting a matching pair of shorts? Although they require a bit more effort compared to their crocheted counterparts, knitted shorts offer a superior fit and an elegant drape. Typically, you'll knit the bottoms from the top down, using a circular knitting needle for seamless rounds. Begin by casting on the appropriate number of stitches around the broadest part of your waistline. From there, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the 'Make one left' (M1L) and 'Make one right' (M1R) increase stitches or in fact any other methods of how to increase a stitch in knitting—these will be key to your project. Once you've reached the leg section, transfer half of your stitches onto a separate cord and finish each leg individually. For a detailed tutorial on increasing knit stitches, check out our free resource here.
You can find a detailed tutorial of a remarkable pair of sports shorts designed by Kaitlin on her Originallylovely blog. The pattern uses cotton yarn for 3.5 mm knitting needles and includes sizes ranging from L to XL, ensuring a perfect fit for a wide range of body types. Be sure to visit the blog and explore this fantastic offering.
Knitted Home Decor
Pimp your patio or balcony with new stylish accessories and prepare for outdoor living! Knitted cushions are a great place to start your home decor journey; you can make them in all shapes and sizes to adjust them to your furniture’s measurements.
A stunning cushion pattern that showcases the mitered squares knitting technique, this elegant pattern creates a visually striking fabric adorned with bold stripes. Crafted using 2.5 mm circular knitting needles, the cushion is knitted flat to achieve its exquisite design.
Learning the ins and outs of mitered square knitting is easy: Either cast on an even number of stitches, ensuring it is sufficient to cover two square edges. At the center, you can employ two single knitting decreases to knit two stitches together, namely ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together), forming the miter. Alternatively, you can cast on an odd number of stitches and utilize a double decrease at the center to achieve the desired mitered effect.
Summer Bags and Pouches
Are knitted bags a thing? Yes, they are! Turn your knitted summer bag into a canvas to showcase your favourite stitches and patterns. Whether airy lace or sturdy bobbles, now is the time to test new techniques and learn that new stitch you always wanted to try. Also, can you ever have enough bags and pouches?
This charming shoulder bag is ideal for leisurely shopping trips or socializing with friends! The bottom section is knitted flat, and subsequently, stitches are picked up to continue knitting the main body in the round. For a detailed tutorial on picking up stitches, follow this link. The handles are individually knitted flat and seamlessly joined using the Kitchener stitch technique. This two-colored summer fling is published in English and French for free download by Espace Tricot and is a must-have for your summer adventures!
And while we are at it, how about a knitted water bottle holder? Knitwear designer Georgie Nicolson has developed a free mesh lace pattern that is quickly crafted on a short circular knitting needle or double-pointed needles.
With these patterns under your belt, we hope you're fully prepared to dive headfirst into a lovely summer’s day and create your own designs. It’s time to grab your favorite knitting needles and let the rhythm of your stitches interlace with the blissful sounds of the sunny season.
KnitPro has the widest range of knitting needles available for all your projects. For wood lovers, Symfonie and Ginger are popular series offered in options of single-points, DPNs, fixed circulars as well as interchangeable circular knitting needles and sets. The Mindful Collection offers stainless steel needles. Zing is the vibrant range of aluminium needles that lets the yarn glide. Bamboo is ideal for beginners as well as knitters who prefer a grab on the yarn. For all your knitting needs, explore stitch markers, bags and cases, and other accessories.
