‹ Back

Knitting Through a Heat Wave

 

 

It is hot.
As it looks now, this year is going to be the hottest year on record in Austria, and actually in most of Europe.

 

Knitting cheerfully while simmering in your own juice is a bit of a challenge, but I simply can not NOT knit.

I have a few tips for heat wave knitting that I have come up with through my own experience and I thought I'll share them with you, maybe you'll find them useful. 

 

• Stay hydrated, but keep your knitting safe.
  I know, I know, everybody keeps telling you to drink enough water. But it is really important as it helps our bodies cope with the heat.
  That said, liquids - especially colorful liquids - near my knitting make me a little nervous. I usually keep my drinks in a bottle or a travel mug with a lid. It only takes a second to open it and can prevent so much heartache. Just imagine spilling cranberry juice all over a delicate, light-colored silk yarn... the horror! Much better to use a closed container.
   
• Protect your knits from lotions.
  If you're using sunscreen or tanning lotions, wash your hands thoroughly before picking up your knitting. I once used a product that left stains which were invisible at first but turned yellow after a day. Fortunately I got those stains only on a cheap T-shirt and not on my knitting, that would have been so annoying! 
   
• Check your gauge frequently.
  Perspiration makes your hands sticky, so the yarn may not move as freely through your fingers as usual. This can affect your tension and make your knitting tighter. I noticed this a few years ago when I was working with a laceweight merino yarn. When the heat wave was over and temperatures went back to normal, my tension suddenly got too loose. I had to go down a needle size to get the same gauge as before. So make sure to check your gauge and adjust your needle size as necessary.
   
• Avoid having a heap of fabric in your lap.
  Don't under-estimate how warm a bit of knitted fabric in your lap can be. Choose a small project, or rest the bulk of your knitting on a table instead of holding it in your lap. It's amazing how much of a difference that makes! I'm going to get one of those trays with legs so I can knit in cool comfort on the sofa instead of being tied to my desk.

 

 

So there you are. Some simple but (hopefully) useful tips to make your summer knitting a bit more cheerful.
Have a great summer!