Weekend getaways during the summer months is one of my favourite things about the warmer weather. Getting away from the hustle and bustle for just a few days to enjoy the sun on your skin and sand between your toes can really help to relax you, leaving you fresh and rejuvenated to get back to work (and those time-consuming crochet projects)!Bright summer days are just ahead of us, so pack away those thick, chunky wools, and find those bold, vibrant skeins of cotton yarn that have gotten lost at the back of your stash this past winter.Now that you have your hook and yarn out, still somewhat lost about which crochet project to take with you on your summer holiday? You're in luck, as the creative minds behind I Like Crochet have gathered together a whooping 30+ pattern collection (available on iPad and Desktop for those of you that don't know), all inspired by everything we love about summertime... This latest issue is a pretty big deal for me too, as SEVEN of my designs were featured! I'll go into detail about every design below for those of you interested to see what I've been working on recently.
From airy, intricate tops to seriously cute baby patterns (such as the Captain Cutie Boat Shoes), this issue is sure to have you in a tizzy of excitement and creativity!
+ "SOMETHING BLUE" WRAP (Pattern
HERE)
This delightfully delicate wrap would make a wonderful accessory for any summer bride!.. But you don’t have to be walking down the aisle to flaunt this whimsical wrap, as it would make a beautiful addition to any wardrobe!
For this design I used
Cascade's Ultra Pima Fine and
DK in these gorgeous periwinkle shades. This cotton yarn was so smooth and soft to work with, that it just glided over my hook, helping me to whip up this wrap in no time at all...
+ SUMMER ROMANCE HEADBAND (Pattern
HERE)
Warmer weather, fragrant flowers and summer wedding invitations; Love is definitely in the air! The Summer Romance Headband adds a touch of whimsical charm to any feminine outfit, but especially that of a bride or flower girl! (did I mention, this headband comes in multiple sizes?) Designing this delightfully feminine headband was so much fun, but it's even more fun to finally be able to share it with you all!
Cascade's Ultra Pima DK came out once again for this design, as the soft hues of this yarn works perfectly for any delicate or lacy design, whilst the cotton is perfect to work with on those hot summer days!.. Did I mention you could whip up this headband in a day, ideal for any of you that also have an increasingly busy schedule.
+ PEACH BLISS CARDI (Pattern
HERE)
During summer as the sun slowly sets in the distance and dusk appears, the cooler weather unfortunately does creep in. At these moments, having a pretty lightweight cardigan on hand would not only be practical, but also enjoyable to wear!
There was a lot of trial and error involved in this design (and maybe a few tears), but I'm so pleased by end result, as the effortless combination of the 3/4 sleeves and shell stitch design (along with those adorable wooden buttons) is exactly what a summer cardigan embodies to me!
An old favourite of mine had to be used for this fun design, which is why I decided upon
We Are Knitters The Pima Cotton. I know I've gushed about this particular yarn plenty of times in the past, but I can't help not to as the yarn is some of the softest cotton I've ever worked with, and the stitch definition is remarkable (as you can quite clearly see in the design above). With 20+ colours to choose from, it was nearly impossible to pick a shade, but once I spotted the Light Salmon shade, there was no going back!.. There's no doubt in my mind that this shades oozes with everything I love about summer!
+ SWEET PEA BUNTING (Pattern
HERE)
Want to spruce up that dull corner of your home with some vibrant colours?.. A bunting is the perfect way to do it! Get prepared for those warm, garden picnics and summer parties with the darling Sweet Pea Bunting, a fun project for the weekend.
Inspired by the vibrancy of
Schoeller und Stahl's Record 210 yarns, it wasn't long before I was excitedly crocheting up these triangles, making sure each one featured a playful, colourful flower in the centre!
+ ENDLESS SUMMER RETRO CARDI (Pattern
HERE)
Some outfits are too timeless to ever stop being cute, and this darling retro cardigan definitely falls in that category. Decorated with clusters of sunny flowers, and a petite Peter Pan collar, it's no wonder this cardi has quickly become one of new favourite designs!
Every little girl would look so sweet and adorable as she skips through a garden in this little vintage outfit!.. Making this cute cardigan a wonderful handmade present for any daughter/granddaughter.
The very moment I envisioned this design for the first time, I knew that Drops Paris cotton yarn would be a match made in heaven, as there's such an array of colours to choose from, helping this design to remain lightweight yet still oozing with retro charm...
+ NEW BLOOMS BABY SANDALS (Pattern
HERE)
During the warmer months, there's nothing more enjoyable than adding a fun pop of summer colour to bub's wardrobe in the form these adorable flower-motif sandals! With a snug but comfy fit, those tiny tootsies will be looking extra cute and ready for baby's first trip to the park and first picnic...
When crocheting baby sandals and booties I always try to stick with soft cotton yarns, so that these tiny accessories always remain enjoyable and comfortable for any little one to wear. For this design, I decided to stick with an old fav of mine, Drops Muskat! Don't those colours just remind you of a banana spilt?
+ SECRET WATERFALL SHAWL (Pattern
HERE)
One evening, while enjoying a peaceful stroll along the beach, I was inspired by the crashing waves to design the Secret Waterfall Shawl (easily also worn as a scarf)... We all know that summer days are filled with sunshine and warmth, but as dusk sets in so does a slight chill... During these moments having a lightweight shawl/scarf to wrap around you would not only be a practical solution, but also an enjoyable accessory to wear!
Just like the Peach Bliss Cardi, this design required great stitch definition to really show of the intricate waves crocheted throughout, which is why I chose to use
We Are Knitters The Pima Cotton again. After playing around with this particular yarn, I knew that the smoothness of the cotton, and quality of the yarn would lend itself to creating some gorgeous tassels. I quickly added some to the finished shawl, which turned this delicate design into a true bohemian accessory!
- Sunshine, sand and ice cream; Summer is finally here! Time to pull out those light cotton yarns, in a selection of bold and bright colours and start crocheting... Not sure what to make? Luckily for you, the latest issue is overflowing with 30+ patterns to kick of summer!
- Lazy summer days at the beach are what summer is made of!.. Relaxing weekends are there for crochet, but unfortunately crocheting in summer can be tricky, as the very thought of breaking out yarn on a sweltering day can seem unbearable. But why give up one of your favourite passions for the next three months, when you can just swap over to lighter weight yarn and patterns?... Inspired by trendy street wear, the Deep Waters Tee (pictured below) features a lacy mesh stitch and a fun split sleeve for effortless style... The ideal project to crochet this summer!
- Flowing like the tides of the sea, the Ocean Air Top (pictured below) is the perfect compliment to your beach attire this summer! Throw it on over your swimsuit, paired with some chic sandals to create a free, breezy and lightweight outfit.
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