Summer Vacation? I think not.

For many, Memorial Day weekend is the high water mark of the knitting calendar; only the most dedicated, or as my husband says obsessive, knitters religiously work on projects over the summer. For most, the bag with the half finished, 100% wool sweater disappears until the cooler temperatures of the fall descend. I usually take a break until Labor Day Weekend, when I know that I absolutely must start my husband's Christmas sweater if I have any hope of finishing it on time.

But does our favorite pastime have to go on hiatus, bookended by holidays which mark the unofficial start and end of summer? This year, I think not. I've queued some fabulous projects, light enough to keep my fingers nimble through the summer despite Pennsylvania's oppressive weather. I'm already well into Kayleen Pullover, featured in the summer issue of Interweave Knits. Worked in Juniper Moon Farm's Sabine, a blend of wool, llama, and cotton, this is a lightweight project with fun details such as a reverse stockinette front and cable motif around the neck.

Now, I confess momentum was lost in the middle of June, but I can't blame the heat alone. My trip to Austin for a conference, the looming deadline for a cowl swap, and my fear of seaming contributed to my brief lull, but a week on Chebeague with the refreshing breeze of Casco Bay gave me the jumpstart I needed to pick it up again!

So as we celebrate the 4th of July, the cowl is making its way to Wisconsin, Kayleen has one sleeve sewn on, Boxy and Buttony has been frogged, the first set of short rows for a_simmetrie are almost complete, and I just purchased Shinui Heichi in Brick to knit up another pattern from the summer issue of Interweave Knits, Go to Market Cardigan, that will look fabulous in the fall!

My needles are clicking away: k to M, SM, RLI, k to M, LLI, SM, k to previously wrapped st and process it, k2, w&t