I didn’t set out to go on a sweater knitting run, but I couldn’t stop once I got started! They can be called tees or sweaters…either way, I wanted short-sleeved, summery knits in my wardrobe. The cotton, linen, and wool blends in stock at Yarn Bar were the perfect inspiration. It’s amazing how many projects pop into your mind while you are tagging and displaying a new yarn!
I started with Yume by Isabell Kraemer. I am always drawn to Isabell’s patterns, and this one was just simple enough for me to choose a marled effect that I absolutely adore. An extremely bright pink in Perennial is paired with a rust-colored cotton/linen from Pascuali called Nepal.
The lattice look of lace in the front of the Daybreak Tee by Destiny Meyer makes for a simple, beautiful tee. I grabbed several skeins of Tosh Wool and Cotton in a fun purple for this one. If you like garments in cotton during the summer, but don’t enjoy knitting with 100% cotton, this yarn is perfect! There’s enough wool to give it a little stretch and my hands were very appreciative.
Next up was our yearly four day Knit a Long with Marie Greene. The Fireworks sweater has a fun stitch pattern at the yoke, on the sleeves, and on the sides of the body. I chose an amazing color from Round Mountain called Bottle Hair Green. If you use Round Mountain or another superwash yarn for a sweater, I suggest steam blocking as opposed to wet blocking since superwash wool can grow a bit.
A 25-year friendship means tiny sweater knitting when a new grandbaby is on the way! You’ve probably heard us gush about Marie Greene’s book Knit A Little. There are so many wonderful patterns to choose from, and the Little Gansey Sweater in Rios made an extremely cute baby boy gift. I couldn’t leave out the new baby’s cousin, and I had been dreaming of using Rockwell from Jill Draper Makes Stuff. I added a cable down the front of Baby Raglan by Madelinetosh. This yarn was lovely to knit with, and the result is one of my very favorites!
I was fortunate to be able to sit in on Bonnie’s Cocoknits Workshop, and I really can’t speak highly enough about Bonnie’s instruction and Julie Weisenberer’s interesting sweater techniques. This was a fast knit with Silky Wool Aran from Elsebeth Lavold on size 11 needles. I’ll be heading back to the Cocoknits Workbook to choose another pattern soon.
If you need inspiration for your own “sweater run,” stop by Yarn Bar and I’ll be glad to get you off and running!
