Ten Projects to Keep You Busy This Summer

As we enter the summer months, here in Southwestern BC, the days are getting significantly longer and (for the most part) warmer. We are naturally more drawn to outdoor activities and pursuits like gardening, camping, or spending time at our beautiful parks and beaches. If you have children, you now have to deal with how to keep them occupied over the school holiday too. It can mean that activities and hobbies we take great pleasure in while the 'weather outside is frightful' can lay forgotten for days, weeks, or even months.

If you are a knitter or crocheter and you don't want your skills (you know, the ones you spent months working on) drying up to the point of feeling like a raw beginner the next time you pick up a WIP, don't panic! While you may not have time to finish a massive blanket, or the bandwidth to learn a complicated colour-work sweater pattern, you can still keep your skills current this summer. Here's how.

Keep stitching!

Last summer I took my crochet to the park a lot.

I know, that sounds so obvious, right? But hear me out. When you're packing for a trip - either cross country or to the lake - don't forget about bringing quiet time pursuits. When you're making your mental checklists, add 'crochet/knitting WIP' along with all the toys, books, and electronics for the rest of the family.

To make this really easy, here's my Top Tip: have a couple of simple WIPs ready to go in a project bag. Together or separate, that's your call. Include your hook or needles, scissors, stitch markers, pattern, and whatever else you need to work on the WIP. Then, when you're packing up the house, all you need to do is grab the bag and throw it into the car. Even if you only get one or two rows done, that's enough to keep your hand in the game. Quite literally!

Summer projects need to be different than winter projects. I've got some tips below for what types of projects to reach for when time and attention are short, but before we get to that, let's address another major issue that can arise when you crochet or knit in the summer months.

Heat!

To combat that, here are a few tips to keep your experience as pleasant, and least sweat producing, as possible:

1 - It's probably hot where you are, so a giant blanket on your lap causing you to overheat is not a good idea. Try working on smaller projects like washcloths or market bags. Want to work on a blanket? Try granny squares. They are small, portable, and won't cause you to require a third fan to keep cool. Wait until the weather cools off or the kids go back to school to sew them all together.

2 - Switch fibres to ones that are naturally cooler to work with. Wool and acrylic are warm to the touch. Even if you're not making a massive blanket, having them run through your hands constantly is going to be an added source of heat so skip them for a few months. Opt for cotton, linen, bamboo, silk, and other plant based fibres.

3 - Find a cool place to stitch, preferably one with air conditioning. My house is old enough that we do not have built in a/c so in the height of the summer it can be almost as hot inside as out. That's when it's nice to head to the library or my local Starbucks to stay cool. Or, invite yourself over to a friend who has a/c!

4 - If you love to stitch outside (me, that's me, I love to stitch outside!) then make sure you have shade, plenty of cold fluids, and wear sunscreen. On super hot days, I've been known to sit with my feet in our dog's paddle pool just to keep cool. Sexy, right?

Now that you know how to stay cool while stitching away your summer, let's talk about what projects are perfect for these months. The following projects are all in my personal WIP pile or Ravelry library waiting to become a WIP (or I've already made them and can vouch for them!) My criteria for a good Summer WIP is as follows:

• it's got to be portable! Remember that grab bag?

• it's got to be easy enough that I can minimally refer to the pattern

• it's got to be in a fun colour!

Summer 2026 Crochet WIPs

1. Caribbean Breeze Cardigan by MJ's Off the Hook

   

   Click to buy this pattern on Ravelry

I talked about this one in a recent email newsletter (don't get that? You can sign up using this link.) It's currently paused as I need to frog many many rows and ... well, that's a bit disheartening! I am navigating the pitfalls of changing the suggested yarn weight with mixed results. That really doesn't tell the whole story but ... that's not what this blog post is about.

This particular designer has quite a few light weight summer cardigan, top, and cover-up patterns to choose from. You can find all of her patterns in her Ravelry shop, or head to her website for free (ad heavy) versions. Bonus: she's got YouTube tutorial videos for pretty much all her patterns which is a great tool if you get stuck and don't understand what the written instructions are saying.

Oh, and you're probably wondering what fun colour I'm making it in, right?

Deep Sea Coral - Noble Cotton

2. Drifting Leaves Shawl by Made by Gootie

   

   Click to buy the pattern on Ravelry

As soon as she emailed her list about this pattern, it was in my shopping cart! Check out that stunning lace work! This one is in my WIP pile and I'd like to try to run it as a CAL (Crochet-a-long) but I'm honestly not sure what that could look like. If you're interested, please pop me an email.

This pattern calls for fingering weight yarn (sock weight) which I know can be intimidating for some crocheters, but - and here's where I may get a little spicy, fair warning - if you want to grow your skills, if you are even remotely considering making your own garments, you need to get comfortable with finer yarns! There, I said it. No shame on you if you are perfectly happy working with worsted weight and making hats and blankets. Really, there is nothing the matter with that! If you dream of more though, then you need to leave the worsted weight comfort zone and experiment. While you totally can make garments out of worsted weight, the magic comes when you use finer yarns and discover that crochet can drape like knitting if given the chance.

All that being said, I think this would be amazing in a sport or DK weight yarn and I've got plenty of those in my shop for you to consider.

As for what yarn I'm going to be using ... I'm undecided! Help a girl out okay? Which of these should I use?

From the left we have the new Estelle Cotton Socks in Tidal Wave; Sock Twins Crazyball in Rocket; or Evolution Silk Socks in Cactus.

3. Market and Tote Bags

I've made quite a few Market and tote bags and I love them all. Whenever I head out to a farmers Market, they get slipped into my purse to hold all my goodies. And these suckers can hold a lot! Check it out.

Instead of giving you a specific pattern to make, here are patterns that I have made from designers that I know have other great market bag patterns.

• Circle Leaf Market bag by BrianaK Designs. She has a new one out that looks fun too.

• Crisscross Market Bag by Rich Textures Crochet. She has a TON of market bag patterns on her website, this just happens to be the one that I've made. She also does a market bag CAL once or twice a year - follow her and get on her email list to be notified of the next one.

• Laurel Tote Bag from Blue Feather Crochet. She also has a new one out.

While you could use an acrylic yarn to make these, there are certain benefits to using cotton that I think make it the superior fibre for market bags. For starters, cotton (and other plant based fibres) have less stretch than acrylics and wools, so your bag will maintain it's structure better. The stitch pattern you use will dictate how much stretch there will be in the bag, but once washed, a plant based fibre will tighten back up to its original shape more easily. While we are talking about washing, cottons are superb in the machine! And no pilling, especially if you use a mercerized cotton. And lastly, cottons tend to be available in a rainbow of colours and can be found at decent price points.

4. Time to Bloom Blanket by HanJan Crochet

   

   Click to visit her website and read more

   I've talked about this blanket before when showing you my various WIPs. I looked at it briefly during Finish it February to see if I could make any progress on it, but it's back languishing in the Time Out Corner.

   I started this in the summer of 2023 and have most of the full hexagon patterns made. But, in true Alison form, I decided I wanted this to be bigger and that's when desire to work on it over "fun, new WIPs" left the building! However, as a summer blanket project, this is perfect. You only have to work on one hexagon at a time so no issues with a giant blanket on your lap causing you to over heat. And it uses a DK weight yarn which also helps keep things light and cool(er).

   But honestly, there are so many granny square blanket patterns out there, like the Summerburst Granny Blanket we made in class recently. The pattern can be made either joining the squares together as you go, or after you've made all the circular centre pieces.

   

   

   
   
   

   Or use one of the Granny Square Card Decks in my shop to make up your own blanket using your scraps.

5. The Woven Ridge Coaster by Tangled by Karina

   

   Click to buy the pattern on Etsy

   I had the priviledge of testing this pattern for Karina and can vouch for it's simplicity. If you are looking for quick projects for a gift or to make and sell, this one fits the bill. I used two strands of 3mm Bobbiny braided cord to make mine but you could easily substitute cotton. You'd need to change your initial chain count and add more rows, and your finished coaster wouldn't be a chunky as this one, but equally lovely. And how fun would these be as scrappy, colourful versions to help you use up your cotton leftovers?

BONUS IDEA: washcloths, dishcloths, face cloths ... whatever you want to call them, most have a very simple pattern repeat which make them perfect for easy, on-the-go projects. If you're looking for pattern inspiration I've been uploading some of the Washcloth Wednesday patterns from last year to the website. There are also a TON of patterns out there in both paid and free versions, you just need to do a search. And, I'm planning a 31 Days of Dishcloths event in August so stay tuned for that!

Sneaky peek at some of the patterns coming your way in August.

I think that's plenty of crochet inspiration to get you through the summer. Now let's look at some knitting projects. These are again a combination of projects I've made, am currently making, or ones I want to make.

Summer 2026 Knitting WIPs

1. The Sophie Scarf by Petite Knits

   

   This is the Sophie Scarf made by Fiona (@knit_storrm) as a class sample

We did a side by side class where knitters used the original Sophie Scarf pattern and Painted Power DK yarn, while crocheters used one of the many knock-off patterns and Evolution Silk Sock yarn to make theirs. At one point I had a Battle of the Scarves going!

This pattern uses less than one ball of yarn and has a fairly simple pattern repeat, which makes it perfect for a summer WIP. If you are looking to make Christmas gifts this year, start now and think about making this pattern on repeat to cover all your recipients. I've got enough of that beautiful green to make at least one more, and other partial balls of this same yarn that could easily turn into their own scarves ...

On the left, the original colours and on the right, the new colours that launched this spring - Dark Peaches, Beach Pebbles, Summer Fruits, and Aqua Shades.

2. Simple Top-Down Tee by Amanda Kaffka

   

   Click to get the FREE pattern

   This is currently on my needles and I'm enjoying the process so far. I am using the new Estelle 50 Cotton Lux in the colour-way Popsicle. This self striping yarn is a DK weight cotton blended with a metallic thread to give it subtle sparkle. I've posted a few progress photos in my Instagram stories. My first ball is almost finished and I am nearing the point when we separate the sleeves. Eep! Wish me luck!

   What is making it a good summer WIP? Light weight yarn, fun colours, and a super simple pattern repeat! Also, did I mention it's a fun colour with sparkle?!

   

3. Socks!

   

   Reliable Toe-Up Socks sample from Fiona (@knit_storm)

   We ran this as a class also and I've linked the photo above to the pattern page on Ravelry that we used. In between the time Fiona purchased the pattern and our students went to purchase the pattern, it was discontinued. The pattern page is there, and it contains a ton of information about the pattern, but there doesn't seem to be a way of getting the whole pattern. Which is too bad as this was a well written pattern for a beginner sock knitter.

   There are an absolute TON of sock patterns out there and I even have a book on my site full of sock patterns and tips. Socks fit the portable requirement for a summer WIP, and they use fine yarn which isn't going to cause you to over heat, but certain parts of the pattern will require more focus than others so it's not a completely brainless project.

   My socks are in a Christmas sock yarn with the idea that I may get the entire pair finished by Christmas. Bets?? I've started sock #2 and I've finished the toe increases. Odds are maybe 50/50!

   

4. Step Into Lace Shawl KAL (Knit-a-long) by Knitting with Chopsticks

   

   Click to read all about the KAL

   One of my personal goals for this year is to grow my knitting skills. The t-shirt is stretching me to follow a garment pattern, but it is basically simple stockinette. Which is what makes it a fantastic first garment for a beginner. But I want to learn all sorts of stitches. Part of my crochet journey, and part of the reason my skills grew so quickly was because I tried as many different stitches I could. When this KAL came across my inbox I knew it would be the perfect vehicle to expand my knitting skills in the same way.

   This shawl calls for a DK weight yarn and I have a set from Okanagan Dye Works, purchased during Fibres West, that I plan to use. My quandary lay in what yarn to use for the border and separator stripes. Then I found a coordinating yarn by the Dandy Doe Studio, that I think will look amazing. Check it out.

   

   I've been busy with other projects so this is firmly in the "I'll get to it one day" WIP pile, but if you are interested in participating in this KAL, I think the Cherub DK yarns would be amazing for this shawl.

5. Knitted Knockers

   

   Click to learn more about Knitted Knockers of Canada

   We have been knitting and crocheting these soft prothesis for breast cancer survivors all year. It's a cause I learned about through my Estelle Yarns rep back when I owned Ladner Village Arts & Crafts, and one we decided to embrace this year as a group. I've crocheted many pairs of knockers - so many that I basically know the pattern off by heart - but I've never attempted to knit a pair yet. It's time.

   These are perfect summer projects. Small and portable. Once the pattern is established, not too difficult. And bonus - they're for an excellent cause so you can feel good about adding to your stash knowing you're making someone's day!

BONUS IDEA: I'm going to suggest the same bonus idea for knitters as I did for crocheters. Washcloths! If you still have patterns from the Washcloth Wednesday series, dig them out. I need to confirm with Fiona which patterns I can add to the website so while there aren't any knitted washcloth patterns on my site yet, you can find plenty on Ravelry or with a quick internet search. If you're "bi-stitchual" you can check out this kit that has both a knitting and crochet pattern to make maple leaf cloths.

Click to add to your cart.

And that brings me to the end of my list. Did you see any projects that you'd like to add to your summer WIP list? Let me know in the comments. And if you are ever looking for a park pal to knit or crochet with - hit me up!

Happy Stitching everyone!