Ten Tips for Knitting When It’s Warm Outside

The official end of summer this year is September 22nd. Fall has the reputation for being prime knitting season, but summer is full of so many great things to enjoy: long days for knitting in natural light, opportunities to spend time knitting outdoors with like-minded friends, and a more relaxed schedule to enable you to knit at a leisurely pace.

As the summer winds down, our thoughts turn to autumn and the changes that come with it—shorter days, cooler temperatures, and changes in routine. But there’s a lot of summer spirit left, especially since warm temperatures can linger long after the first day of fall. Let’s not forget the many people who live year-round in warmer climates.

Whether you’ve savored the heat or escaped to chilly indoor spaces and can’t wait for cooler weather, here are some of my favorite ideas to help you make the most of the seasons.

For those who love the heat

Can’t get enough of summer’s sizzle? If you love beachy, sunny environments and long, languid days outside, here are some knitting-themed tips to help you savor the best of these final days of summer as you get set for fall.

Pops of color can enliven your knits, and make you think of summer all year round.

1) Hot yarn colors
Hot fun in the summertime means lots and lots of saturated colors—including strong reds, bright pinks, and intense yellows. Choose yarn colors that are inspired by all that summer has to offer, and you will be basking in that glow long after the temperatures change.

2) Lightweight garments and knitted accessories
Think sunlight, sand, beach, and other warm weather associations as you plan your late summer projects. Sleeveless tanks can be worn now and layered under jackets and coats when the temperatures dip. Lightweight cardigans are perfect for beach cover-ups and for late summer/early fall nights with cool breezes. And a knitted bucket hat is a great go-to for any time of year.

3) Light-as-a-feather yarn picks
Choose yarns that are easy to work with when the heat is on. Linen and hemp are light as can be. Cotton works for all weather and comes in a rainbow of colors. Choose a fine-gauge yarn to knit versatile layering pieces.

Choose an open stitch for airy projects that will keep you cool. Photo by rocknwool on Unsplash

4) Knits that breathe
If you love a heatwave, embrace projects with open stitch patterns. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a gauzy, airy top knitted in an open honeycomb or open knot stitch pattern. Search for lacy openwork stitch patterns that feel good now and will do double duty over a t-shirt when weather conditions change.

Knitting on the patio is a great way to enjoy being outside when the weather is warm.

5) Outdoor seating
Between barbeques, pool parties, and casual hangouts, summer offers so many chances for fun crafting and socializing. Grab your knitting and head to the shore, or claim the closest park bench or picnic table for you and your knitting companions. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

For those who crave the chill

Hot, sticky, sunny, heated? No, thank you! Your idea of a perfect day for knitting includes cold-themed items, frosty imagery, and a whole lot of chill. Check out some tips that will help you tolerate the rest of summer while getting ready to fall into a new, cool season.

Keep it cool with yarn in water shades. Photo by Nika Benedictova on Unsplash

1) Cold color
Nature provides plenty of inspiration for those naturally drawn to cooler temperatures. Waterfalls, oceans, lakes, and pools provide just enough blue-themed imagery to get through even the hottest day. And when all else fails, indulge in yarn hues that invoke the crispness of autumn, like soft olives, deep greens, claret reds, and honey browns.

2) Comfy coolness
For the perfect late-summer knitting project, think anti-beachy vibes, like the crunch of autumn leaves, the smell of hearty spices, and the warmth of a perfect pumpkin latte. Shawls, tunics, and cardigans with airy, drapey shapes are versatile layering pieces that you can either toss on or abandon when the temperatures change.

3) Yarns with substance
Textured yarns with pops of color (think cold treats like ice cream or popsicles!) are ideal to span the seasons, including wools and tweedy blends for a variety of between-season knits.

4) Simple and carefree
When you’re trying to beat the heat, the last thing you want is a heavy knitting project that sits in your lap and weighs you down. Choose projects with comfy, relaxed designs, small pieces, and simple patterns that require minimal concentration. That way, you can knit freely and stay cool as a cucumber at the same time.

5) Climate controlled
It’s very refreshing to knit inside while sitting in front of a fan or in an air-conditioned space. Libraries and community centers are great places to congregate with like-minded, heat-avoidant knitters. Don’t forget to take along some ice-cold lemonade or sweet tea!

Knitting in all seasons

The impending change of seasons can be energizing, and the transition time from summer to fall is a great time to try out an interesting knitting technique, a unique yarn, or an unusual pattern. Let this time of year inspire you to think about color, design, and style in a brand-new way. Stay cool (or warm, if you prefer), and happy knitting!

We’ve put together a collection of patterns that are great for knitting in warm-weather seasons, and your Farm & Fiber Knits subscription grants you access to all four patterns in the collection. Plus, read what makes them great as transitional kntting patterns as we head into the fall season.

Marsha Borden writes, knits, makes art, and tracks terrapins on the shoreline in Guilford, Connecticut. She has written about paper needlebooks and other subjects for PieceWork magazine and the PieceWork website.