I just got back from my vacation and I feel so refreshed. It was a much needed break but probably the only trip we’ll really take this summer. There will be some days off here and there but my husband and I want to save money to take a nice trip for our 15th anniversary next year and our 40th birthdays, so I’ve got to set my priorities straight! Less spending, way more saving and to be honest, if you give me weekends all to myself to knit and dig through my stash this summer I’ll be insanely happy. It doesn’t take much for me. I’ve got some ideas of things I want to make and small knitting goals I want to achieve so I thought I’d share them here.
- Create more by making my own patterns. I read knitting magazines, buy patterns but in all honesty I’ve started to really enjoy modifying and improvising more and more. All the fundamental knowledge is already out there in books that I own and love, so I just need to explore more. I need to start combining my stitch dictionaries and construction books and use my sketchbooks to draw out what I want and then make it a reality.
- Knit a sweater for Jellybean. Beanie does have a knit sweater but I bought it instead of making it. She’s so small that I kind of need to make my own pattern but that also goes along with the first goal!
- Try some new things. I really want to tackle colorwork and I feel like now is the time to do it. Plus all those single leftover skeins of yarn can be put to good use, right?!
- Knit some socks. Yup, you read that right. I want to knit some socks. I’ve knit a pair before but not in fingering weight. I’ve got a few skeins of fingering weight yarn and some sock patterns in my library. It’s time to see what all the hype is really about.
So those are 4 small things I’m thinking about right now and there are some other bigger things swirling around in my brain too. I just want to do as much as I can with my free time this summer to do creative things. And with this long holiday weekend ahead I’m hoping to at least cut out the pattern to sew myself a summer dress (despite the cool temps here on the east coast) and spend a lot of time snuggling the dogs and knitting. Anyone else have good weekend plans? Or summer goals?
Yards of Happiness 
Welcome back! I love to see your designs and modifications of others, so look forward to your summer plans. I’m on a stash-busting rampage myself. Hats, mittens, cowls, new stitches, new short-row methods… I’m hoping one of the tees you’ve made will be right for some polished cotton I’ve been hoarding. Here’s to a thrifty summer and good savings for your celebration.
Indeed!!
I’m making my summer bucket list this weekend which includes places to go; things to see, do, make; and foods to indulge in! I have a few knitting projects I hope to get done too. I’m devoting this weekend to getting the house in order and some relaxation. Have a great weekend!
You have a great weekend too!
I am all about lacy summer tops right now and have 3 lined up ready to knit. You should most certainly make socks! Warning they can be addictive 😉
I figure socks are a good always carry with me kind of project and I always need something with me.
I’ve tried to knit a jumper for my parents’ dog recently but it’s hard without having her next to me and trying it on while knitting. I wish she was closer to make knitting easier… but I love dog sweaters so I’m very curious to see how yours will turn out.
Colourwork and my own patterns are something I’m looking forward too. One day, in the future – I don’t feel ready yet, but it’s great that there is always so much more to learn and new challenges, and knitting never gets boring!
It’s never boring! And I’ve made dog sweaters for other dogs with a pattern and their specific measurements.
YAAAYYY to knitting socks! It honestly took me a few years and probably 12 pairs of socks before I really became comfortable knitting socks, but they are really and truly one of my favorite things to knit. They are small and very, very portable, they’re are SO many variations, and at least for my friends and family, they’re great gifts. I really like Hermoine’s Everyday Socks (which are free on Ravelry) and am planning on knitting pair for all the awesome women in my life – I’m on pairs three and four (of about 12 total) and I’m hoping to get quite a few more knocked out before the end of summer.
I have that pattern downloaded so I may give that a go. There’s a short pair, city rollers, that I’m thinking of making first.
Recovering from periodontal surgery, hopefully getting in some knitting and some sewing, and watching more TV. I would like to knit for myself a cotton, airy like vest or pullover to wear over ribbed tanks.
Yes, rest! Do you already have cotton yarn? I know people love Quince’s Kestrel but I like Berroco Maya as a less expensive alternative and it’s super light and creates a great fabric.
I’d like to create my own knitting patterns too, but right now I’m working on a cover for my dressform in my exact dimensions that I’m going to pad out, so that I have a duplicate for easier fitting!
That sounds like a great project with even better end results for you!
Just finishing up my me-to-me birthday Shawl and designing my first own Shawl. I’m not surprised that you’re venturing into designing, as it’s the next step beyond adjusting and modifying. Which construction books would you recommend?
I highly recommend: The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges
by Ann Budd It gives you the best understanding of a bunch of top down styles. Once you get that down then you can start to expand beyond that.
Thanks! Love a new knitting book to hunt down and dive into!
My summer goal is to finish the Gnarled Oak cardi I promised my daughter for last fall…but what I really need to know is, what’s that amazing orange yarn in your swatch at the top of the post?
The yarn is Neighborhood Fiber Co Studio Worsted in Otterbein. I made my godson a pair of socks with this color last summer: https://yardsofhappiness.com/2016/06/27/fo-rye-socks/