Oh, hello summer. So that’s where you were hiding, you sneaky blighter. It feels as though there was scarcely time to take off a cardigan or two between the l-o-n-g cold grey spring we suffered and the sudden onset of superheated summer. But wa-hey sunny weather, look at the isobars on you!
And it’s a good thing that the sunshine has finally pitched up, because we Stylecraft Blogstars are thinking about heading to the coast. Today sees the launch of Blogstars At The Beach, a celebration of all things colourful and sunny. We’ve each designed an item for you to knit or crochet in luscious Stylecraft Organic Cotton or Bamboo + Cotton, and over the next few days, Stylecraft will highlight one pattern per day on their Facebook or Instagram page, with a chance to win the yarn to make it. Would you like a quick peek at some of the projects? Of course you would!
Here’s my own contribution, the ‘Strata’ top:-
It’s knitted in the round, using Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton, to keep you cool in the sun. Changes of colour and stitch pattern are used to provide texture. My inspiration was the dramatic Jurassic coastline of south Wales, where I spent late teenage years pottering about on the rocky beach with friends, hunting for fossils and admiring the cliffs. (I found a dinosaur once, but that’s a story for another day.) The texture and form of sedimentary rocks has always fascinated me, and I wanted to hint at this in my design. Yeah, I’m a nerd. For once, there’s no stranded colourwork whatsoever in this pattern, just plenty of colour.
The pattern is available in nine sizes ranging from XS to 5X, i.e. bust sizes from 71cm/28″ to 152cm/60″.
It’s available from my Ravelry shop HERE, for the sunny price of £2.99. And it’s a quick knit, so there’s plenty of time to make one for this summer.
Meanwhile, here are a few more of the projects. Enjoy!
Don’t they just make you feel summery?
Such happy, beautiful pieces! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and art!
And thank you for such kind words.
Beautiful! And it really does reflect that stunning coastline. Hooray for summer!
Thank you! (But talking of summer, is it due to the heat that my key to the allotment has suddenly stopped working??)
Beautiful work as always. Did you get to go to the beach or just your top? Here’s an opportunity for those who feel intimidated by stranded color work to make and wear a “Twisted Original”. Hello, Summer!
As always, thank you! No, it was only the top and not me who got to hang out beachside, sidely. Oh well. The downside of living right in the middle of the country…
Yep, your stripey Strata top is summery! As are the other items in your pics. A nice blast of summer colour and the thought of warmth, which is a lovely injection into Adelaide, South Australia’s damp, grey, chilly wintry days. Love your blog, always read it when it pops into my email inbox; and thanks for introducing a summer thought into the day with this welcome post!
Thank you so much! But apologies for invading your wintery days with summery colours.
All are so cute, love the top. Now for the sea water, when will it be nice enough to not have frozen feet? XD
No idea, I live in the middle of the country so don’t get many opportunities to sample the sea!
Another post so soon after the previous one; love it and the patterns!!
I know, you’d almost think I was competent! Almost…
One nerd to another, I love your strata top. Science Always Wins!
Fist-bump to a nerd-sister. Thank you.
Lovely! Any chance you could convert this to a crochet design as well? I can’t seem to co-ordinate both hands enough to knit!
Possibly, yes. I’m less confident about sizing garments in crochet but can try…
I love your summery colourful top..
Please tell me you have a pattern to make this into a cardigan ( a loose fitting one).. I have been searching forever..
Thanks
Awesome colors and layering of them. The coastal photo is mesmerizing. Am from a coastal environ in the US and can honestly say I cannot be parted from the ocean and its scapes.
hi phil,
i’t been over a month since this post, and i’m wondering if you are just really busy or if you are ill.
you are still on my prayer list.
rsvp,
thanks,
(margaret) daisy
ldeernest@aol.com
Hi Daisy, and a heartfelt thank you for your concern. I’m OK, but my knitting mojo did go for a wander. It’s back now, however, hence the latest post.
May all be well with you and your yarn.