Crocheting in the Summer
By Rachel Choi – 43 Comments| Does it matter if it’s winter or summer? To me I crochet whenever I want, no matter what the season or weather may be. The other day I was at the craft store buying some yarn and the lady at the cash register looked at me like I was crazy, asking me what I was doing with all that yarn in the middle of the summer.
Don’t people crochet and knit in the summer too? Or maybe because the weather is nice and no one wants to sit around crocheting when they can be outside swimming in a pool. But if you’re a real hardcore crocheter you’d be the one who crochets on the beach! I mean you can crochet and enjoy the weather at the same time. |
 |
Plus, if you’re like me and get cold very easily, all that air conditioning blowing in the summer just says, “Rachel! Rachel!! Go get some yarn to keep you warm.”
So what about you? Do you crochet less in the summer or are you one of those hardcore crocheters?
Maybe to her yarn meant afghans and blankets and those don’t mix during the summer. Like you, I’ve probably bought more yarn this summer than ever before! I blame my dishcloth and sponge addiction. And I just went through a whole skein making an airplane for my son. I guess I’m hardcore!
I’m a pretty hardcore crocheter. I don’t ease up in the summer at all. I ALWAYS have several projects on the go. Don’t want to get bored ya know!
Rebecca in Toronto
I’ve been crocheting all summer long too! Right now I’m making a couple baby blankets for the upcoming babies in the family – both due this winter but I figured why not start now!
And I’m always making scarfs and hats just because I like them!
I know what you mean about getting cold. People look at me odd when I wear jackets around but I’m always freezing. So right now I’m making a few things to keep myself warm, though I have a friend who keeps making fun of me, saying that I’m trying to cement the hobo look.
I get cold in the AC too! Last night I was sitting at the computer drinking hot tea with a beanie on! 🙂
I am always crocheting. It does not matter what season it is! 🙂 At this moment I have three projects going on and I found a new project that I wanted to try last night!
As far as being cold, I am always cold! At this moment I am at work with a blanket around my legs and a sweater on! 🙂 hee. hee.
I love to crochet with cotton yarn. Makes no difference to me what Mother Nature is dishing up outside. I am inside doing my thing. I also crochet on long road trips or long waiting at the doctor’s office.
Why not crochet in the summer? We have a motorhome, and I always take some crocheting to do when we come to a camping site in the evening. Sometimes I crochet on the road as well if the scenery is not too exciting. I don’t know about you (all) but I don’t like to sit and do nothing even on vacation.
Maggi in Edinburgh
I think this is the first summer in a long time that I’ve been really crocheting regularly.
It’s usually more conducive in the winter when it’s cold and staying in is often preferable.
Also, psychologically, it’s warming to crochet blankets, scarves, hats, etc.
But this summer, I’ve been going strong.
I’m almost done with my 3rd blanket.
I did start one that I put aside because I wasn’t crazy about the yarn a third of the way into it.
Made about 4 hats, a couple of scarves, a couple of shawls, a couple of ponchos.
It seems the more I do, the more I want to do more.
I’ve also been stocking up on yarns, which I really need to slow down on because I think I have way too much.
P.S. I also made Rachel’s rose.
It came out really pretty.
Thanks, Rachel.:)
Flower child that I am, I’ve been eying the daisy pattern in your store and will likely be getting it soon.
I’m always cold in the AC, too. It doesn’t help that the classrooms at my college are ridiculously cold. As proof, I can say I’m not the only one who has worn hoodies and mittens in class when it’s the middle of summer and about one hundred degrees outside.
Anyway, about crocheting in the summer, I don’t see why not. Crochet Today even puts out ‘summer projects’ in their magazines — like beach totes, beach afghans and stuff like that. To me, the yarn defines the season of the project (I see thick yarn as ‘winter yarn’).
I crochet all year long. My kids are getting older so I am able to have more time. One of the many things I find great about crocheting is how I can do it anywhere. I always take a project wherever I go in case I will get a chance to complete more rows! 🙂
I do it all year round! Of course, it doesn’t get very hot here, but even when I travel to hotter places I take my yarn, so I guess I’m just hooked. =)
I crochet year round. Even though I live in Florida, I’m in a freezing cold air conditioned house so the yarn helps to keep me warm! lol I get cold easily and sit and read or crochet with an afghan or quilt over me. The other day I was finishing up an afghan and it felt so nice and warm on my lap. Who cares if it’s July and 93 degrees outside!
It’s winter here in Australia so I am up to my neck in scarves and granny rugs. I have only recently begun to crochet and I am finding it to be quite addictive. I can’t wait for the warmer weather to try some different lighter yarns and cotton. Hopefully by then my skills will have improved to a level appropriate for a fancier piece of finery.
I crochet all through the year, I love it and it helps me relax. Summer is usually when I get started on my Christmas presents for people 🙂
Summer yarn has the best deals because the craft stores (at least around where I live) think yarn is only for winter, so there are huge discounts on most of it!
It’s great. 😀
Also, a surprising amount of yard sales have yarn that has never been used, and those peak in the summer, so that’s a good way of feeding my addiction too!
oh i definitely crochet/knit whenever the hell i wanna! i also bought a bunch of yarn at the craft store the other day, i got some wool and sock yarn, and this sweet old lady behind the register was saying “aww are you getting ready for winter? you knit?” haha i was like yup! i knit AND crochet. (although what i bought there was specifically for knitting) but think about it, some people knit/crochet very slowly, they need to get hats/scarves/mittens/sweaters started this time so they actually have it in time for winter!
I’m surprised to hear all the comments about hoodies, scarves and hats during the summer. It’s a 106 here today and it’s all I can do to keep from melting! But needless to say.. I’m still crocheting! Guess I’m addicted!
Does not matter the temperature… if yarn is available.. I gotta be hookin’ it! LOL!
Hi all, I’m new to crochet blogs and after extensive surfing I like this one best:-) I’ve just gotten back into crochet after 11 months of some crazy shifts (during which I thought a lot about how I’d rather be crocheting). Now that I’ve the opportunity, I’m certainly not letting the hot Mojave Desert days deter me. I’m working on finishing a nifty afghan, weaving all the ends in and putting on a border; the extra light makes the stitches easier to see.
Like you, I love to crochet year round. Now, the yarn may get a little warm on the lap in summer, but I don’t think yarn projects have a season. It keeps my hands busy!
Summertime is the time I usually try to get ahead on Christmas crochet projects. I keep the project small enough to carry in a bag and the bag is always by my side.
I’ve just started back to crocheting after many years away so I’m crocheting this summer. In Arizona we are house bound in the summer instead of the winter. But I can’t wait to crochet in my backyard this winter.
I crochet different things in the summer and winter… This summer I actually completed a queen sized afghan for the state fair. I prefer smaller projects like pokeballs i made for my sone. Dishcloths. Doll dresses etc. In the winter i make afhgnas and scarfs… But I am a crochet addict… I love yarn …
I crochet more during the summer than I do the rest of the year. I’m off work during the summer and have more free time! And like you…I get cold. I work on afghans in the middle of july when it’s 100 outside. LOL
In Southern parts of India we have cold climate only on the hill ststions
that does not bother me.
i have been crocheting for the past 40 years. mostly cotton thread crochet. lately in yarn [here we say wool]crocheted 3 baby and two adult afghans
true cant breathe without the needle on hand. thank you for the beautiful Rose. did 4 0f them
I think the misconception is w/knitting and crocheting many people immediately think of afghans and sweaters and scarves – heavy wool things. But as we all know there’s hundreds of different things you can crochet which aren’t too warm and heavy for the summer such as doilies, fridgies, amigurumi, bags. Also the weight and material of the yarn can be lighter in the summer and heavier in the winter. Or you can crochet w/plarn. So there’s always a project or a reason to crochet no matter what the weather. I’ve been crocheting amigurumi all summer for sale on my Etsy and at anime conventions. Also, you can get a head start on winter projects. I mean, you’re not WEARING what you’re crocheting (unless you get very cold in the A/C) you’re just making it, and if this lady works at a craft store she should know there’s many projects you can do with yarn and that’s it’s not crazy to be stocking up on yarn in the summer and it’s not “too hot for yarn” LOL.
PS – Rachel, I was having a discussion w/a girl at my last anime convention b/c she loved my amigurumi and she said she was starting out crocheting and having a tough time getting the hang of it, so I told her about Crochet Spot because your tutorials are some of the best-explained and clear cut w/great pictures. So I’m spreading the word about your awesomeness to new crocheters 🙂
Add me to the crew that is getting started on Christmas gifts! I only started crocheting in April, so it was already warm. Most of what I do only needs cotton, though, so I have been bathing in Sugar n’ Cream all summer long! 😉 (Sugar n’ Cream is the name of an common inexpensive cotton yarn here in the States.)
In fact… I have decided that I detest the feel of Red Heart Super Saver, and have discovered that Sugar n’ Cream can substitute, even for the Red Heart Sport! Yay!
I crochet in the summer winter and any other weather, Like you Rachel I get cold easily and my husband has to have the AC on all the time, so i keep myself warm but playing with patterns and so on, my passion for crochet doesn’t end with the seasons.
I crochet during the summer, but he heat dictates what I’ll work on. Usually I make bags, dishcloths, and other things with cotton. If the weather is cooler, or I have to use AC, then I’ll work on afghans. For me, crochet doesn’t have a season, I just do it all year around.
Add me to the list of hookers that crochet all year. It is addictive. I discovered amigurumi this year, and have gone crazy making “things” for my grandchildren. Dolls, also. am working on a scarecrow for Halloween. found the pattern online. if you cotton lovers have a holly lobby, their “I love this Cotton” is awesome, i think. A little bit softer than sugar/cream, especially good for baby stuff.
hey im like you i can pick up a hook and yarn and crochet any time i even have the crochet lites in all sizes so i can crochet in the bed in the middle of the nite if i cant sleep.i also take walks and crochet on them i made a little bag that hooks on a beltor belt loop to carry my yarn,this summer im teaching my self to crochet with the beads not so hard but for me it hard to remember to add the beads lol. any way its nice when your laying out to have somethig to do at least you wont fall asleep and get burned .ouch. and its a great time to start all those christmas presents we rush to get ready by Dec.25
HAPPY CROCHETING TO ALL
I crochet all the time. My husband encourages me. He says that it keeps me off the streets and away from gambling.
I also use it to help keep my fingers busy so the I don’t eat so much.
Season for Crochet??
Let’s not get silly here!! Crochet is year round, in fact, summer is usually my busiest time, as I crochet warm “snugglies” for the local no kill shelter’s cat room, and make birds nests, for a rescue rehab center for foundling, or homeless little animals and birds, or I try to get a bit ahead on chemo caps, and preemie caps and booties for the local hospitals! Not to mention what I have already started and want to complete for gifts for the holidays! ” ” Hardcore!!” You bet! anything less, would be pointless, lol Seasons! HA!
In my head I’ve been crocheting all summer but in reality I can’t stand to hold the yarn and project in my lap – it’s too darn hot and makes me sweat torrents. In Portland, OR it’s been over 100º for a week and most everyone DOES NOT have air conditioning in their homes. I DID take my crocheting to an air-conditioned car detail place for two hours last week, though, and crocheted my way through the process. I’m a beginning crocheter and can’t wait to cool off so I can crochet every day!
If you wait until the winter to crochet you’ll never finish your Christmas gifts on time!!! I’m crocheting all year long!!
I started in March crocheting for Christmas, thinking I had all the time in the world! Now, I’m freaking out, thinking I can’t get everything done in time! I have put a couple of heavier projects on hold till the weather gets a little cooler, but give me cotton yarn, and I’m ready to go on those smaller projects. Been making toys…what fun! Unlike you more delicate flowers, I sweat like a pig all summer here in the deep South! Cannot stand the humidity here! Us old desert rats have trouble here in Magnolia-land…but I do NOT give up my crocheting! I have 2 fans trained on my crocheting chair, so I get by just fine!…and we have A/C…just also have a cathedral ceiling in the living-room-dining-room-kitchen space, which, by the way is on the West side of the house! Argh. The poor A/C just can’t compete in the afternoon and evening! So, no matter what the weather, let’s just keep on hooking!
I’ve been knitting and crocheting this summer! Mostly it’s been finishing up WIPs (Works In Progress) because I managed to have quite a few of them, as I am one of those people who really doesn’t like weaving in the ends or embroidering or sewing stuff together. However, I talk myself into it because then I get something that looks really cool, especially without those darn ends sticking out. Plus during the summer, I have lots of time compared to the rest of the school year. This year, I’m going to be a senior in high school, and well, summer means lots of free time. Except for this summer, didn’t mean quite as much free time as summers in the past have but still. I had more time to work on projects. Oh, and our AC doesn’t really work that well, so I’m knitting in pretty warm weather. Currently it’s been about 80 degrees Fahrenheit around here, but I think it got up to 90ish.
I too crochet year-round. And it is wonderful to use the warmth of our yarns when the a/c is blasting out as us! I’ve been crocheting only since March 2008 — and I cannot imagine going an entire summer without crocheting. How boring!! Funny thing is, before I crocheted, I did *nothing* in the evenings when I would “veg out” in front of the tv. Now I cannot stand sitting idle. What a lovely addiction this is! 😉
I agree with Kat! 🙂 I don’t know what I would do. Crocheting is much more useful than just, as you put it, ‘veg out’ 😉 on the couch and do absolutely nothing. How depressing.
I wish I was good & fast at crocheting…our church sanctuary is quite chilly, I’d like to give each lady a shawl to wear during the service 🙂
With my busy study, I can’t crochet during the academic year.. but when summer is ON
I can’t wait .. 😉
My fav place to crochet is in front of the sea .. GOOD TIMES =)
In the summer I try to work on smaller pieces when I’m outside (granny squares, etc.) and leave the larger projects to air-conditioned spaces.
It’s also fun to take a bag of yarn and project ideas along with me when I travel. I’ve even used that bag to hide valuables. I managed to complete a huge afghan for a fall wedding by taking its squares with me everywhere I went.
(When my friend’s marriage ended, unfortunately, I asked him if he got custody of the afghan — he did.)