Knitting for Different Seasons
Some tips to keep knitting year-round.
5/4/20263 min read
Most knitwear we think of is designed for winter, but with spring in full bloom and summer fast approaching, you should consider knitting different projects for warm weather. Here are some options to think about when choosing seasonal knitting projects.
Fiber Choice
Winter garments and accessories should focus on warmth and insulation, making wool or alpaca an ideal choice for these projects. Animal fibers have pockets of air within the yarn that act as insulation, keeping the wearer nice and warm. Moisture-wicking plant fibers like cotton, linen, hemp, or bamboo are a better choice for summer items. These fibers have little elasticity, making them ideal for warmer weather, but note that this also makes them prone to stretching, especially when they get wet. Wool and plant blends are a great choice for autumn and spring. They have qualities of both fiber types, making the resulting fabric warm but breathable.
Gauge and Fabric Density
The gauge and density of the knitted fabric play a big role in how the item is worn and how well it retains heat. Open lacework, for example, even if it’s knit with a wool yarn, will be light and airy, making it appropriate for summer. Cables, on the other hand, create a much denser fabric. Dense wool cabled sweaters have historically been made for fishermen, ideal for blocking wind and staying warm, even if they get wet. Your gauge also has an impact on the fabric density. With the same weight of yarn, knitting with smaller needles will result in greater density, whereas knitting with larger needles will reduce the density.
Ease
The concept of ease in knitting is how baggy or fitted a knitted item fits on the wearer’s body. Positive ease means that there is extra room in the item, making it oversized. Garments with positive ease are great for summer, as there is more room for airflow. Negative ease means that the item will stretch to fit. Negative ease works well for accessories made for winter, as the closeness to the body helps keep heat in.
Portability
Summer may seem like a good time to get a head start on projects to wear in winter, however, no one wants to be working on an afghan in their lap when it’s hot out! In warm weather, stick to small accessories that can be easily portable and won’t cause you to overheat. Winter is a good time to bring out the hibernation projects that will keep you warm as you work, like blankets and sweaters.
Seasonal Color Palettes
This topic is a bit more subjective and is less crucial than the other ideas, but choosing a color palette that matches the season can give an item the right mood for the time of year in which it’s worn. Spring calls for bright colors, pastels, and greens mimicking the plant life that grows in this time of year. Those who know me well know that I love rainbow everything, so these are my favorite color palettes, any time of year! High-contrast, highly saturated tones are great for summer, think bright yellows, cool blues, and white. Earthy tones and deep jewel tones work well for autumn, while whites and icy blues are perfect for winter.
Care and Storage
I go into a lot of detail about how to care for handknits in my blog post here, but a few highlights and key takeaways are to use cedar or lavender to prevent moth damage, do not hang garments, as they can stretch too much, make sure your storage container is clean, and avoid plastic bins. When taking your items out of storage, blocking them again can revive them.
Knitting can be for every season, and I hope you enjoy knitting year-round. Do you have a summer project planned? Use the form below to let me know! Happy stitching!
