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Sabine has been knitting with our wool for many years. Here she writes about her personal knitting experiences, her tips, ideas and knitting inspirations, exploring interesting questions and topics.

Light and airy summer knits

Light and airy summer knits

In the fashion industry, work is seasonally displaced. In spring and summer, everything has long been about thick jumpers and warm hats. And while it's wet, dark and cold outside, creative minds are brooding over the designs for the new swimwear collection—because everything has to be in the shops on time.

So far, I have not followed this principle. Instead, I have always knitted in "real-time" whatever was appropriate at the time. The cosy scarf over tea on the sofa. The summer top with iced coffee outside on the terrace. That felt good. Knitting is slow fashion—wonderful and sustainable! Only sometimes, it was so slow —or rather, I was— that the season was almost over before the knitting was finished.

Highly motivated, I therefore decided back in autumn to plan my knitting projects better in future. I wanted to work on several pieces at the same time and thus always have the right thing on the needle for every occasion. Once I've decided on the instructions, yarn and colour, and the stitch gauge is right, the really enjoyable part begins: the knitting.

The more uncomfortable the weather, the more I looked forward to spring and summer. My longing for warmth and lightness became more bearable at the thought of being able to wear beautiful new knits as soon as the first rays of sunshine showed.

A knitted children's top with ruffles in powdery pink with a skein and a ball of yarn in the same colour, in the middle a small watercolour painting

It was clear that the first thing I had to knit for my daughter was the beautiful Svala Top by knitbyTrineP. I've loved it ever since I saw it for the first time. Unfortunately, nothing came of it last year, so this time, I opened my personal summer knitting season directly with it. With our Lovely Merino Treat and 4 mm (US 6) needles, I reached exactly the stitch gauge, and the colour Pink Orchid goes great with the romantic lace and ruffle details. A dream for my little girl! I wish I could still wear something like this...

A child siting with her back to the camera. She is wearing a knitted top in powdery pink with a lace detail in the back

Much sportier, but also with a simple lace pattern, is the Rigmor Tee by PetiteKnit. I like that it is classic and simple but has a slightly feminine touch thanks to the lace pattern. This design also works wonderfully with 4 mm (US 6) needles and Lovely Merino Treat, according to my stitch gauge. I chose the colour Tea from the Moods palette because I think it will go well with jeans or colourful long skirts.

An unfinished knitted piece in beige on a wooden table. Next to it skeins of yarn in the same colour and a summery watercolour painting

Another shirt from PetiteKnit that I really like is the Friday Tee. I love the fit and the broken rib stitch—and I love stripes anyway. At first, I wasn't sure if this design could be done with Cheeky Merino Joy or if Merino d' Arles wouldn't be the yarn of choice. My first sample didn't work out, but the second one with a 2.75 mm (US 2) needle was perfect, so I started knitting my Friday Tee with Cheeky Merino Joy in Edelweiss and Melange Terra. And I probably need another one with blue stripes, like in the first sample, because it's so summery and maritime!

A knitted gauge swatch with stripes in white and terra on a wooden table. Next to it skeins of yarn in the same colours and a summery watercolour painting

We also have lovely designs for warm days in our knitting pattern shop. Lightweight shawls, such as the quick-to-knit Contact or the pastel Tahniah, lighten up many a summer outfit. My favourites among the tops are the simple top Mengeti, the airy Kairaku sweater and the cardigans Veselie and Be Mine, which go beautifully with dresses.

With the latter, the Be Mine Cardigan by Matilda Kruse, I have started my biggest project: It's going to be a real long-term relationship. The colour choice was difficult for me. After all, our Cheeky Merino Joy comes in Pure, Moods and Melange shades. Blue whale? Melange Sage? Cedar? Or perhaps Melange Honey Pie?

A printed knitting pattern on a wooden table. Next to it a ball of yarn ans some skeins in a caramel colour as well as a small summery watercolour painting

After some pondering, my choice fell on the wonderfully warm Caramel because I've always wanted a long golden-yellow cuddly jacket with pockets. I usually choose more subtle tones, but this knitted piece is meant to bring colour into my life. And with the lace pattern on the back, a bit of variety - both in the knitting and in the outfit. It will be an absolute joy when the cardigan warms me up on balmy summer evenings.

I am very pleased with my four summer projects. I finished the top super quickly, and I've been knitting the three tops for me in parallel since winter. Maybe you feel inspired to knit something summery, too. Or maybe you just feel like planning your next knitting projects early and then start the next season with freshly knitted pieces... Have fun planning, knitting and wearing!