fall knitting – Sycamore Cove Knitting

It’s mid-August, when days are getting shorter, though temperatures still hover in the hot zone. With the first whisps of fall breezes that occasionally waft by in the evenings, I’ve started to think, “what’s my first knitting project of the fall season?”

Here in the heat and humidity of the Tennessee Valley, I haven’t thought much about wool sweaters lately. Though I’ve ordered a few skeins of wool (on sale), the thought of even touching fuzzy wools gives me hot flashes. But the time has come to get busy if I want a new project on my knitting needles at the first sign of fall leaves.

What do the fashion magazines say is going to be in style this year? We knitters can probably whip it out pronto.

Cropped sweaters and jackets. In looking at fashion websites, I have seen slews of “cropped” (i.e. short, stopping at the waistline) tops, sweaters, and jackets. No problem. Just knit shorter pullovers and cardigans than you usually make. Save yarn in the process.
Sweater vests. I’ll believe this when I see it. I’ve seen very few of these for sale on the websites. However, I’m game, having fond memories of a navy-blue sweater vest I wore often back in the late eighties and nineties. Again, these are easy-peasy to whip out; knit a front and a back of a sweater and you’re done.

Of course, fashion is what we actually wear and feel comfortable in. Personally, I can’t wait to pull on one of the oversized, striped wool pullover sweaters I made at the end of the season last year, along with a couple of late spring cardigans I barely wore before the temps went up.

For knitters, we make and wear what we love. If it’s considered “fashionable,” more power to us!

Happy Knitting, Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls.

Today in the grocery store, I spied a new knitting magazine full of new autumn designs. Cozy sweaters, cowls, wool hats, and mittens – all in autumnal colors of burnt orange, yellows, greys, and harvest greens. I grabbed that magazine and hurried home to plot and plan my fall knitting season.

For North American and European knitters, fall is truly our season. After wearing thin cotton dresses, shorts, and sleeveless tops throughout the hot summer, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and envision ourselves actually wearing wool sweaters again. Not yet, but it’s coming!

Of course, most of us who have knitted for years already have fall sweaters in our wardrobes, ready to wear after a good airing. But no matter, it’s time to get knitting new ones anyway. We can always swap out new ones for the old ones, give away a few garments to make room for new ones, or even donate some things to a charity shop.

And then there’s Christmas. Who hasn’t given at least a passing thought as to what family and friends are getting in the way of handknitted gifts for the holidays? Between the turning of the season and an impending holiday, we knitters have plenty to do in the coming months. With no apologies whatsoever, we can now stock up on lovely squishy yarns and hit the “buy” button on interesting new patterns.

Just don’t forget to enjoy it all! After all, what’s the point of all this knitting if we can’t relax and enjoy a little “me” time each and every time we pick up the needles?!

Happy Fall Knitting! Cindy

Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, a collection of interrelated short stories about knitters and those they meet through knitting and sharing prayer shawls.

Tag: fall knitting

So Have You Started Your Fall Knitting Yet?

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