It's Time for Warm Weather Knitting!

It’s that time of year again!  The time when we start thinking about what we will make in the warmer weather.  Some of us tell ourselves that we can still knit with wool when summer comes.  We can make fingering weight projects that won’t be too hot in our laps.  Somehow, that isn’t the way it usually works out.  If you’re like we are, wool sticks to your fingers and hands.  We need something different to work with!

From left to right, Quince & Co Willet, Sparrow, and Kestrel

Enter linen and cotton, ideal warm weather fibers to knit with. We went on a little treasure hunt around the shop to see what we could find.  

Upstairs we found three Quince & Co yarns:  

• organic cotton sport or DK weight Willet 

• organic linen fingering weight Sparrow 

• organic linen aran weight Kestrel

Downstairs we found four Shibui yarns:  

• Twig, a sport weight blend of 46% linen, 42% silk, 12% wool

• Reed, a fingering weight linen

• Fern, a sport weight cotton

• Vine, an intriguing blend of 41% paper, 31% cotton, and 28% silk

These yarn choices offer a superb assortment of colors and ‘hands’, the way the yarn feels as you work with it. 

We are huge fans of these fibers for both wearing and knitting!  They breathe and draw moisture away from the body when worn and glide easily through your hands when knitting or crocheting with them. Some knitters are hesitant to use these fibers as they are not elastic and can be a bit stiff on the needles.  However, the end result is wonderfully comfortable and wearable once they have gone through the wash!

Willet and the linens can be machine washed on either a delicate or hand-wash cycle.  Linen can also be put in the dryer on the lowest heat and becomes softer with each washing.  If you’re planning on doing this, be sure to wash and dry your swatch!  This will give you an excitement for the finished fabric and an accurate gauge, both crucial for a successful project.  

Several designers have patterns using these yarns specifically.  You can choose from summer tees and tops, lightweight shawls and elegant scarves, a bag, summer cardigans, a sophisticated summer poncho/cover up, the possibilities are practically endless!

To see these patterns while we’re all still at home, click on the yarns above and choose ‘pattern ideas’.  This will give you something to ponder! 

Remember that we will help you find the yarn you’re looking for and we will ship, deliver, or hang it by the front door to Julie’s house for you to pick up!  Call us at 970.407.1461 or email julie@mysisterknits.com.  

Mothers’ Day is May 10th!  You can let her pick out something special from the shop with a gift certificate available on the My Sister Knits website!