Whit's Knits: Silken Straw Summer Sweater

I've always been surprised by knitters who put their needles down for the summer. How do they occupy their hands for those three months? I've wondered. Do they take up smoking? Even if I'd ever been able to break my knitting habit, I've never really seen a reason to. After all, some of nature's most beautiful fiber creations are best experienced on a hot day under the shade of a great big tree!

One of my all-time favorite summer yarns is Alchemy's Silken Straw. While I appreciate the gorgeous hand dyed color, what really makes Silken Straw so special is its one-of-a-kind texture. Rustic and elegant at the same time, Silken Straw is the perfect blend of country and city mouse. Plus its cool, crisp touch is just what I want when the thermometer is rising, never clingy or sticky!

The Silken Straw Summer Sweater is designed to cover you in just a whisper of silk. A slip of a sweater, its beauty is its understated grace and quiet confidence. Team it up with a camisole for dinner and a movie, or throw it over your bathing suit for a sea glass hunt. So simple to knit and so easy to wear, it's just like summer itself!

For a great summer project and a perfect hot weather sweater, visit my Silken Straw Summer Sweater Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney

Comments

[Cassi]

I garden in the summer which consumes a lot of time. That's at least why I end up knitting less.

[Tanis]

ha! I'm totally with you, what do people do when they're not knitting in the summer? I can't stop myself, I knit smaller, lighter items, or sweaters in pieces, but I'm always knitting.

[peanut]

Is there any chance we could see this on a person? I like the shape of it but I'm not sure how loose it is meant to fit.

[Katie]

I also garden in the summer and have been trying to make a couple quilts in preparation for the winter. I *should* also be working on some knitting projects for winter too, but the quilts are consuming my indoor time right now.

[Christa Koenig]

I do knit in summer as much as in winter but it wouldn't do any harm if I had more hands....

[lightbluegrey]

Just love it, also the way it is photographed.

[sandrine et cie]

il est merveilleusement beau ♥
merci pour les explications
ce fil est superbe !

[Suzanne]

For some reason, the summer months don't affect my fiber choices much but I do tend to do smaller projects--shawls rather than sweaters. This, however, might sway me to reconsider that.

[LT]

My knitting volume decreases in the summer, and I sew a lot more.

[Hana]

That yarn is so interesting and lovely.

[purl bee]

Hi Peanut-,

Thanks for your question about sizing. The Silken Straw is quite stretchy and the drape of the sweater is very forgiving, so I wouldn't say that exact sizing is crucial! That having been said, I would aim for a size that is about 2 inches bigger than your actual hip and chest measurements.

Good luck and please let us know if you have any more questions!

Thanks!
Whitney

[Ana]

I am so totally in love with that jumper - I definitely have to make it!

[Nancy]

i still knit in summer. Why not? The first time I read this I thought you said...Do they take up smocking? instead of smoking... too funny. I can't imagine not having knitting going all the time

[Melissah]

I just discovered your lovely blog. I'm just new into blogging this year & have put together a daily blog on design, fashion, food, travel and anything pretty.
http://scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com/
I had a lot of fun putting it together maybe you would like to check it out if you have a spare minute.
x
Melissah

[Karen L]

Oh my, oh my, what a beautiful top. Love the look and the color. I really need to learn to knit (I crochet).

[Clare]

I LOVE this top and am seriously considering splurging and making this a summer priority. Problem is, which color? There are so many gorgeous choices.

And, FWIW, I knit and crochet year round. I just finished a bridal shrug for my niece, and for myself, I have a pashmina cardi and a cotton/rayon shell (tweaked with gold thread) on the needles as we speak. I consider both of them season-less garments. I also think of summer as a time to get a jumpstart on my Xmas list.

[Cassandra]

I love, love, love the fact that you make 'crafting' into something very beautiful!

[Susan]

Love it, thanks for sharing!

This yarn would make a glorious light-weight scarf, yes? Any recommendations on patterns would be great.

[Susan]

Nevermind...I noticed you have the Icarus Scarf and the April Showers scarf...though I don't yet crochet and the April Showers scarf might be a little hard for my beginner self...

[rongycraft]

This looks so simple and yet feminin, elegant and easy to wear.

Great, thanks.

[karen]

Thanks so much for all of your inspiring ideas and creations. I love everything on this blog!!! The sweater is beautiful.

[Jenn]

I LOVE this yarn, but it's out of my price range. Any less expensive options?
I SO want to knit this top!

[purlbee]

Hi Jenn,

While Silken Straw is a unique yarn, there are a couple of other options that would just as beautiful! For a gorgeous hand dyed, super soft merino version I would recommend 2 skeins of Madeline Tosh's Tosh Merino Light (http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7957-Madeline-Tosh-Tosh-Merino-Light). And for a wonderful summertime option with a lovely drape, try 3 skeins of Louet's Euroflax Originals Linen (http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/380-Louet-Euroflax-Originals).

Thank you so much for your question - we're always happy to give less expensive alternatives!

Whitney

[lola]

Il est tout simplement superbe !

[theo]

I have just begun this sweater, and it surely is beautiful yarn! However, I'm having trouble with the yarn tangling, and not staying wound. Do you have any helpful hints for this? I have tried to contain the ball in a baggie, which has worked in the past for unruly yarn.I think perhaps I should try knitting directly from the skein (draped over two chairs) and hope this resolves my problems.

I am addicted to your website; tend to order whatever goody you currently have going. And of course, I knit in the summer. Thanks for all your fun projects - such a talented group of folks you are!

[purlbee]

Hi Theo,

The Silken Straw does tend to be a bit unruly, but working from the outside of the ball (rather than the inside) solved tangling problems for me. Are you trying to knit from the inside of the ball? Also, If you're really having a hard time, I would recommend hand winding the ball. I can't imagine you'd have trouble from a nice tight ball!

Let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for asking this one!

Whitney

[purlgurl]

i am one of those that retires my knitting in the hot months....the humidity and temperatures in florida are so uncomfortable even in airconditioned indoors that the touch of yarns leaves me itching and sweating....so i sew....and sew...and sew! when the first cold of winter comes, sometime oct/nov...i pull back out my knitting projects....just wanted to give an explanation of how/why we can "hang our harps on the willows." :)