Why stop at one?

Today I am continuing this series of suggestions for Summer Knitting with another idea: Think in Multiples! And if you would like to read the first post in this series, then please click here and follow the links to get back to this point.

We've all experienced the phenomenon of having to concentrate at the start of a pattern to make sure everything is going just right, haven't we... Then all of a sudden it seems to get easier, and by the time you reach the end you are almost knitting on auto‐pilot.
​
Well, you can tap into that for some easy summer knitting. So here are five ideas for repeats that really work.

#1 ‐ One pattern, two or three yarns:

If you have a pattern that you have enjoyed working, then try it out with a couple of different yarns. You will be surprised how different the end result can be! A fine gauge yarn might turn into a lovely skinny scarf, while a chunky yarn would give a fashion-forward winter version which will be pressed into service as soon as the weather turns colder.
​
For example, a pattern such as the Elizabeth Scarf lends itself to many different weights of yarn. The photo above shows a North Ronaldsay Aran‐weight yarn being worked in this pattern and it has a completely different feel to the original – very rugged and a really nice width to the scarf.
​
Pop into some knitting shops along your travel route and see what yarns "speak" to you. You might find something quite inspiring in a new store.

#2 ‐ Same yarn, different pattern:

Then you could work the other way around... Use the same yarn in a new pattern. After all, when you have used a yarn that was especially good to work with, you just want to find more excuses to use it! I loved the yarn I used for the Kimpton Scarf and Wrap, for example, and am about to order some more of that in different colours. It just has such a lovely crispness and I love the stitch definition and drape.
​
The advantage of this approach is that you already have an idea of how the yarn behaves and what type of projects it might be good for. You will have some notes of the size and type of needles which are most suitable too. So you’ll be able to get going on a new project straight away.

#3 ‐ Don't just make one – knit a set:

Cushions and pillows always look better when there are a lot of them, so why not plan to make a whole set such as the Rare Earth Cushions pictured above, or the Derwent Cove Cushions at the top of this post. Then when all the knitting is done you can sit in a quiet place and finish them all off at once.
​
In fact, you could do the knitting during the summer and then sew them together when the kiddies go back to school in September. It is always very satisfying when you can turn a stack of knitting into finished objects very quickly, so this would be a good two‐season project!
​
You could also make several sets in different colourways so that you can change your cushion covers to suit the season. Then you could have pumpkin coloured cushions for Halloween or a red and green set for the holiday season.

#4 ‐ A basketful of socks:

Socks are a great summer knitting project and it is easy to knit a whole basketful of socks with only a small amount of yarn. They don't take a lot of yarn, so are easy to take onto a plane and would not add too much to an already well-packed suitcase.

Once you are in "sock knitting mode", it is easy to just keep on going to make three or four pairs ready for the cooler weather ahead. The socks in the photo here, for example, were all made from the Druidstone Socks pattern, but look so different in their various yarns!

#5 ‐ And don't forget patchwork afghans:

Small items such as squares are perfect for working on at the beach, or in a quiet moment. You could knit just a few squares for charity using oddments you have around or gather co‐ordinating yarns specifically for a larger project such as in the log‐cabin blanket in the photo here. These were all made from hand-dyed yarns, and if you would like to read more about how you could expand your craft skills by adding hand-dyeing into your repertoire, then please click here.

I hope that has given you some more ideas for #summerknitting to keep those knitting needles going! By the time September comes around you will be amazed at how productive you have been over the summer months.

Next time, I am going to take you on a stroll around a garden as an inspiration for some summer wraps and shawls. 

Happy Summer Knitting!
​
Moira

---

 For information about any of the patterns featured here or our
Reversible Knitting Stitches book, ​please click the Patterns tab above.

For more blogposts & knitting notes
​please see the index list on the right of this page ---->

---

<--- Previous post: Dyeing in the kitchen

Next Up: The Murmur of a cool stream --->