A Midsummer Knit Dream

Though these patterns be but light, they are fierce!

Spring has finally become summer! Did anybody do anything fun to mark the solstice? I want to say I was wildly partying at Duddo stone circle until dawn while the local druids worked the smoke machine, but no such luck.

It is only just up the road from Whistlebare Farm. Maybe the goats snuck out and partied all night, instead? Every night’s already a party night when you’re a goat, and that’s after a hard day of professional frolicking. I bet they’d show the druids how it’s really done.

Today is Midsummer’s Day, though I imagine most of you are more likely to be wrapping yarn around a needle than ribbons around a maypole! The days can be a bit much, but these long, hazy nights are perfect for a spot of laid back knitting.

This week you’ve got three comfy, lightweight pattern suggestions that’ll pair perfectly with a chilled drink if you want a summery project to work on while we have the gift of so much natural light.

---

Avenue Tank by Tori Yu

Another bra-friendly beauty! The coverage on this one will sit nicely over a wide strapped crop-top/sports style bra, too (they really are incredibly comfortable!), so bonus points on that one.

The pattern comes with instructions for both a round and v-neck, has some lovely decorative shaping along the back of the shoulders, and a modern, raised edge to the rib.

It comes in 9 sizes, with finished bust circumferences ranging from 28”/71cm to 60”/152.5cm, and is designed to be worn with neutral or slightly negative ease.

To knit in Yeavering Bell 4 Ply or Cheviot Marsh 4 Ply, you’ll need: 2, 2, 2 (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3) 100g skeins

---

Stromboli by Caitlin Hunter

A beautiful all over lace cable top, worked from the bottom up. The casual shape makes it easy for everyday wear, but it’s still a proper showstopper. One to really get your teeth into if you like a pattern with a lot of engaging stitches to try out.

The pattern is available in 6 sizes, finished bust circumferences run from 44”/112cm to 73”/185.5cm, and is designed to be worn with a roomier fit to allow for some drape.

I’d recommend Yeavering Bell if you’d like to maximise drape, though it would be just as beautiful in Cheviot Marsh, with the tradeoff being a more structured fabric in exchange for mega stitch definition.

To knit in Yeavering Bell 4 Ply or Cheviot Marsh 4 Ply, you’ll need: 3 (3, 3, 4) {4, 4} 100g skeins

---

Lyra Tee by Irene Lin

I absolutely love this one! I’m not sure whether it’s the styling on the sample photos or the top itself, but I feel like it has a touch of ‘20s glamour to it, though not in a costume-y way.

The sleeves and hem feature long runs of twisted rib that pass in and out of a cable flourish near the edge, and the double-knitted boat neck balances out a floaty and cropped stocking stitch bodice.

The top comes in 10 sizes, with finished bust/body measurements from 34”/86cm to 60”/153, and is designed to be worn with either neutral or a small amount of ease.

Again, I’d recommend Yeavering Bell for the kind of soft drape you see in the sample photos, though that twisted rib would be absolutely stunning in Cheviot Marsh if you wanted more of a sculptural showpiece.

To knit in Yeavering Bell 4 Ply or Cheviot Marsh 4 Ply, you’ll need: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 5, 5)(6, 6, 7) 100g skeins

---

This is also a bit of a farewell from me (but not the newsletter!), as it’s my last article before passing the weekly writing torch to another lovely member of the Whistlebare team! A combination of health wobbles of caring responsibilities are demanding my full attention at the moment, so I’m stepping back to give them just that.

I am, however, looking forward to popping back in from time to time with some knitting diaries! I’ll be documenting my projects made with Whistlebare yarn, along with the odd snippet of things I’ve found on my local travels. Think of it as a sort of yarn-y Northumbrian scrapbook.

Until then, I wish each and every one of you the happiest of knitting.

It has been an absolute pleasure!

Claire

---

Feeling proud of a project you’ve made with our yarn or fabric? The Creators’ Gallery on the wall of our shop is crying out for your lovely photos! If you’d like to be a part of things, please drop us an email at studio@whistlebare.com with your project photo and accompanying info (your first name, details of yarn/fabric and pattern).

As a little thank you, once a month, we will be choosing one of the pictures at random and sending the lucky creator a 10% discount off anything bought from our website or from Whistlebare Fold!

We’d love to see you at our Wednesday Open Stitch Book Club and Knit and Natter Nights, 7pm-9pm, £7.50 including hot drink and cake!

We’ve also got two utterly heavenly Yoga & Knitting Day Retreats coming up in July and September.

---

A warm welcome awaits at Whistlebare Fold from 8.45am - 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am - 5pm on Sundays. Online orders remain open as ever.

If you’d like to visit, you can find us at: 17A Bridge St, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ES

Many thanks to Walter Baxter for allowing reuse of his photo under Creative Commons Licence.