Summer Knitting
I am not a fan. I don’t particularly like working with cotton, linen is good but I’ve been there done that, silk is great but can break the bank, and it’s often too hot and sticky for knitting with animal fibers. I don’t mind knitting out of season but it tends to look a little weird to those around me. Plus, anything I knit can only be worn late at night or it has to wait for cooler months. Not to be a complete downer but I miss winter already and it’s only July!
In order to perk myself out of my summer knitting blues I decided to create something practical for summer. I knit these sampler placemats with the intention of giving them as host/hostess gifts at a summer BBQ (which, by the way, are my favorite part of summer, nothing like a backyard BBQ). Having finished them, I kind of want to keep them. I wanted a bit of fun colour and some different patterns to hold the interest. They are also a ridiculously quick knit as they are made with Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton held doubled on 8mm (US11) needles. One ball per placemat.
There are 4 different stitch patterns and each placemat is knit with a seed stitch border. If your friends are a little more subdued you could go with the undyed organic version of the same yarn. These placemats are a fun and practical little knit, perfect for a gift or to brighten your patio/kitchen table. Although the label says hand wash only, I have machine washed mine and they are a titch smaller but none the worse for wear. Alexa’s Sampler Placemats pattern is available for free here: Alexa’s Placemats
Michelle said,
July 10, 2009 at 5:31 pm
These are very pretty and your photography is also lovely.
Jill said,
August 14, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Haha, I love your comment in your pattern on the gauge “Meh not important”.
I’m loving how this pattern is free as I need quick and easy knits to make up for Christmas gifts – or for myself . . . Kudos on the colors and patterns