I have been seeing more and more makers in my Instagram feed posting about the Summer of Basics – #summerofbasics. Intrigued, I decided to check it out. Fringe Association (a very cool blog) is running a make-along (MAL) this summer to create 3 wardrobe basics in June, July, and August. Since I have been considering my own wardrobe lately the idea was immediately intriguing!
The idea of a summer of basics started bringing forth all kinds of questions, because what is a basic? Do accessories count as basics if you wear them practically every day? Will I sew something too (it’s been a few years…okay a lot of years….since I’ve sewn a garment) or just stick to knit? I still have more questions than answers, but I’ve decided a few things:
- I will take these items one at a time. I’m late to the game since June and July are already gone, and while 3 items is a great goal, it’s a busy time and one basic would be pretty nice!
- I’m going to knit a sweater. I’ve wanted to up my knit sweater game in my wardrobe so now is the chance! I have 2 great sweaters that I would consider basics (a mustard yellow Flax and a tweedy brown Antler), and I want to add to that collection.
- Maybe I’ll sew something too, I love a challenge!
Now, the question I’ve been working on for the last week is which sweater to knit? Should I cast on a new design? Something really simple but lovely like the Harvest cardigan? I’ve been itching to cast on a North Shore sweater for myself for ages… I know I want something in a DK weight or lighter because I have 2 worsted weight sweaters already. Here are a few sweaters in the running:
1999
North Shore, Hearthstone, Tenderheart, 1999, Harvest
Decisions decisions! While I was on my Alaskan Adventure I picked up a sweater quantity of Brooklyn Tweed Arbor in ‘humpback’, a lovely grey with just the slightest hint of green, so now that I have yarn it’s time to narrow down my sweater choice!
So, what are your favourite knit basics?
Basic Basics from Tin Can Knits:
November 3, 2017 @ 6:09 am
! 😊
September 29, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
! hi Jo – it is the 1999 pullover, happy you like it!
September 19, 2017 @ 9:10 pm
! 😊
September 8, 2017 @ 4:59 pm
! I have a gray fingering weight cardigan modeled off a vintage Shetland wool cardigan that I have almost literally worn to death…I’m always drawn to strongly colored yarns but perhaps I am in need of another monochrome, go-with-everything piece!
August 5, 2017 @ 3:53 am
! 😊
July 31, 2017 @ 11:44 am
I really like the flax light which I have yet to make a sweater. I am intrigued by the Playdate since it has pockets
July 31, 2017 @ 11:29 am
I have a gray fingering weight cardigan modeled off a vintage Shetland wool cardigan that I have almost literally worn to death…I’m always drawn to strongly colored yarns but perhaps I am in need of another monochrome, go-with-everything piece!
July 27, 2017 @ 2:21 pm
I knitted “fougasse” cardigan last year and added a zip. great basic cardy for mooching around! what is the pattern of the greeny coloured jumper above the “harvest” picture? I love the stitch on that! 😊
August 2, 2017 @ 8:32 am
hi Jo – it is the 1999 pullover, glad you like it!
August 2, 2017 @ 1:22 pm
Thanks! that’s going on my ravelry library wish list!!! 😁
July 27, 2017 @ 8:14 am
A basic, whether knit or sewn, has to have pockets! I’m always picking up something and have to have some place to put it. When the lil Gramps and the lil Antler are done I think a big Antler with pockets.
July 27, 2017 @ 1:46 pm
So funny, I have been thinking about adding pockets to my Antler!!