FO Roundup - Into Fall 2018

One of the most fun parts of being a designer is seeing how others interpret your designs.

We’re in October already, leaves are starting to change color, which means we are entering peak knitwear season! Instead of the most recent FOs this go round, I thought I’d share some of my favorite of your autumnal knits.

Click on any image to visit the maker's Instagram or Ravelry page!

I LOVE seeing your makes! Tag me @mscleaver on Instagram, or if it's on Ravelry, I'll see it. :) 


Leading Bird Shawl by Mindful Folk in her own yarn!

Leading Bird Shawl by Mindful Folk in her own yarn!

Cormac by Fullosheep (pattern available via Interweave)

Cormac by Fullosheep (pattern available via Interweave)

Marketa Mitts by Irr-Saukh (pattern available via Interweave)

Marketa Mitts by Irr-Saukh (pattern available via Interweave)

Hemingway (Men's) by karencampandknit (pattern available via Twist Collective).

Hemingway (Men's) by karencampandknit (pattern available via Twist Collective).

Madalynn by Wolfcreeker

Madalynn by Wolfcreeker

Breakwater by Kahlefam

Breakwater by Kahlefam

A Two-Color Dolan Beret knit by Frances 75

A Two-Color Dolan Beret knit by Frances 75

Honeymaker by Shortrounds

Honeymaker by Shortrounds


Want to make one of your own? Grab the patterns below!

Honeymaker - PDF Pattern
$6.00

A feminine take on the traditional aran sweater, with a bee-inspired twist, the Honeymaker pullover features stitch patterns inspired by netting, hives, and, of course, the honeycomb. Knit in the optional bee inset, if you like.

  • 33 (36, 38 ¾, 41 ¾, 45 ¾, 48 ¾)" [84 (91.5, 98.5, 106, 116, 124) cm] bust circumference
  • 1020-1700 yds of Aran weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Osprey in Clay 113
  • 36-inch circular needle and set of dpns, US 9 - 5.5 mm and US 7 - 4.5 mm
  • 22 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch with larger needle

Learn more about Honeymaker in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Quince & Co.

Leading Bird - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Inspired by the song “The Leading Bird” by Markéta Irglova, I designed this cozy half-pi shawl with the idea of creating a wooly piece with a rustic, yet graceful feel. Worked top down in Owl and featuring garter stitch and dropped stitch techniques, Leading Bird is the perfect project to take with you wherever you may go.

kills required : knitted cast on,  increasing, decreasing, working with dropped stitches.

  • 52 “ wingspan, 20” depth
  • 720 yds of Worsted weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Owl in Abyssinian 309 / 6 skeins
    Note: Sample used all of 5 skeins. Extra skein is required for swatching purposes.
  • 32-inch circular needle, US 7 - 4.5 mm
  • 17 sts and 33 rows= 4 inches in garter stitch, after blocking

Learn more about Leading Bird in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Pam Allen

Dolan Beret - PDF Pattern
$5.00

Knit stitches, purl stitches--the basic bits of knitting. Used together they can create all manner of fancy fabrics. But even in simple repeating combinations, like those in the Dolan Beret, they can be dramatic.

  • 18” brim circumference, unstretched, 10” diameter
  • 170 yds of Aran weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Osprey in Leek 131
  • 16-inch circular needle, US 9 - 5.5 mm and US 8 – 5 mm; dpns in US 9 – 5.5 mm
  • 16 stitches and 25 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch

Learn more about the Dolan Beret in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Carrie Bostick Hoge

Madalynn – PDF Pattern
$5.00

Inspired by cross-stitch embroidery and old wallpaper, Madalynn is a subtly-toned infinity scarf which features stripes on one end and a simple colorwork pattern on the other.

The scarf is knitted in the round as a tube in stockinette stitch, first in cross stitch pattern, then stripe pattern. Scarf is then blocked flat before the ends are grafted together.

Instructions are given for working with dpns, and links are provided for working with 2 short circs and magic loop.

  • 52" [132 cm] circumference and 4" [10 cm] wide
  • 724 yds of Sport weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Chickadee in Kittywake 151 (MC) and Frost 103 (CC)
  • 16-inch circular needle or dpns, US 5 - 3.75 mm
  • 36 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in cross stitch pattern

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Carrie Bostick Hoge

Breakwater Pullover - PDF Pattern
$8.00

Inspired by traditional Aran sweaters, but simplified to the essentials, this sweater is a great introduction to cable work. This simple bottom-up raglan pullover features a striking woven cable panel down the center, while the back and sleeves are just simple stockinette. The knitting on Breakwater will keep you interested, but not overwhelmed. This fit of this sweater works equally well on both guys and gals. The unisex pattern is sized to fit both.

Materials: 
6 (7, 7, 8, 8) skeins Swans Island All-American Collection, 75% USA Rambouillet wool, 25% USA alpaca; worsted weight
(80 gms, 210 yds each) Color Shown: Newport #AAW416

US size 8 (5 mm) 29” circular and double pointed needles, 
or size needed to obtain gauge. 
US size 6 (4 mm) 29” circular and double pointed needles

Stitch markers, cable needle, stitch holders or waste yarn, yarn needle.

Finished Dimensions
Chest Circumference: 35¾ (39½, 42¼, 46¾, 50¾)”. 
Length: 25½ (26¾, 26¾, 27¾, 28½)


FO Roundup - Spring 2018

One of the most fun parts of being a designer is seeing how others interpret your designs. Spring is in the air, which means there's a lot more linen and short sleeves popping up on the internet - here are a few of my favorite finished objects (FOs) of late. Click on any image to visit the maker's Instagram or Ravelry page!

Want to share your knits with me? Tag me @mscleaver on Instagram, or if it's on Ravelry, I'll see it. :) 

Ripley knit by SkinnyHookerCreations 

Ripley knit by SkinnyHookerCreations 

Reed knit by Chrisstrickt

Reed knit by Chrisstrickt

Atlee knit by Beeweefibers

Atlee knit by Beeweefibers

Atlee knit bu Todoknits

Atlee knit bu Todoknits

Dal knit by Decosphere and clevery adapted to a men's sweater

Dal knit by Decosphere and clevery adapted to a men's sweater

Summer Rain knit by Carie May

Summer Rain knit by Carie May

Summer Rain knit by Carie May

Summer Rain knit by Carie May


Toulouse knit by Bad Apple Betty

Toulouse knit by Bad Apple Betty


Want to make one of your own? Grab the patterns below!

Ripley - PDF Pattern
$6.50

Bare those sun-worshipping shoulders in Ripley, designed by Leah B. Thibault. This racer-back tank is knitted in the round from the bottom up in Kestrel linen, shaped with side and back darts, and embellished with a beautiful vine lace detail at the back. For those seeking a true summer knit, this beauty is for you.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
30 (32, 34, 37¼, 40¼, 42¼, 45½, 47½)" [76 (81.5, 86.5, 94.5, 102, 107.5, 115.5, 120.5) cm] bust circumference; shown in size 32" [81.5 cm] with 2" [5 cm] negative ease

YARN:
kestrel / cove 503 / 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins

NEEDLES:
32" circular in size US 10 [6 mm] / one spare circular in size US 10 [6 mm]

GAUGE:
15½ sts and 22 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette stitch, after blocking

SKILLS REQUIRED:
Knitted cast on, wrap-and-turn short rows, three-needle bind off (links provided). Chart and line-by-line instructions included.

Reed - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Inspired by freshly plowed fields and the plants that grow from them, the botanical lace section is worked first, with the body picked up along its side and decreased to form a triangle. Pattern includes both charted


Finished measurements
50" [127 cm] wingspan and 25" [63.5 cm] deep

Yarn
Sparrow by Quince & Co
(100% organic linen; 168yd [155m]/50g)
• 3 skeins Frond 252

Needles
• One 24" circular needle in size US 5 [3.75 mm]
Or size to obtain gauge

Notions
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
19 sts and 23 rows = 4" [10 cm] in ladder lace pattern, after wet blocking.

Summer Rain Shawl - PDF Pattern
$6.00

As a child, I dreamed of summer storms.

Growing up in northern California, my summers consisted of soaking my swimsuit in the sprinkler and rushing to the driveway to leave an ephemeral body print on the concrete; of running barefoot across the hot asphalt to my friend’s house and trying not to burn my feet; of the dark towels my mother put over the windows in the daytime to keep out the heat.

I wanted my summers to be cooler, wetter. I thought a summer storm would be the perfect antidote to the dry California heat, a backyard sprinkler writ large.

Having lived in Maine for a decade, the dozen or so summer storms take on a different role than I imagined as child, offering not an invitation to play, nor to hide, but to simply be still. After a stretch of hot sunny days, the plants in my garden welcome the rain. I follow their lead, raise my face to the heavens and drink it in.*

This shawl is knit flat from the bottom up. You will decrease 4 stitches every right-side row through raindrop pattern and every row thereafter.

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
66" [168 cm] wingspan, 31" [79 cm] high
YARN
Milo by Manos del Uruguay (65% merino wool,
35% linen; 380 yards [350 m] / 100 grams)
2 skeins in Lisboa
NEEDLES
One 36" circular needle in size US 5 [3.75 mm]
GAUGE
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4" blocked
NOTIONS
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Atlee - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Summer begs for basics, and Atlee delivers. In Cleaner Cotton™ Willet, with an a-line shape, scooped neckline and textural details in the yoke, Leah B. Thibault’s tee is a picture-perfect essential for easy days in the sun.

Shown in size 35” / 89 cm with 1” / 2.5 cm positive ease

  • Bust Circumference: 33 (35, 36¾, 39¾, 43¼, 45, 48, 50)" [84 (89, 93.5, 101, 110, 114.5, 122, 127) cm] bust circumference
  • Yarn: 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) skeins of Willet by Quince & Co in Sail (701)(100% cleaner cotton; 160yd [146m]/50g)
  • Needles:

32” circ in size US 5 / 3.75 mm 
16” circ in size US 4 / 3.5 mm 
set dpns in size US 4 / 3.5 mm

  • Gauge: 25 sts and 33 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st on larger needles 

Learn more about Atlee in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Pam Allen

Dal - PDF Pattern
$7.00

I love textured stitches in Lark, and chunky cables on top of texture just pop! Knit and purl stiches combine for a cushy body, while a stockinette sleeve keeps this cozy raglan from being too busy.


Finished measurements
30¾ (34¼, 37½, 41, 44¼, 47¾, 51, 54¼)"
[78 (87, 95.5, 104, 112.5, 121.5, 129.5, 138) cm] bust circumference; shown in size 34¼" [87 cm] on a 31" [79 cm], 5' 7" [170 cm] tall model (3¼" [8.5 cm] positive ease)
Yarn
Lark by Quince & Co
(100% American wool; 134yd [123m]/50g)
• 10 (11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) skeins Carrie's Yellow 125
Needles
• One 32" circular needle (circ) in size US 8 [5 mm]
• One 16" circ in size US 6 [4 mm]
• One set double-pointed needles (dpns) in size
US 8 [5 mm]
• One set dpns in size US 6 [4 mm]
Or size to obtain gauge
Notions
• Stitch markers
• Cable needle
• Waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
Gauge
22 sts and 32 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking
19 sts and 32 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in basketweave pattern with larger needles, after blocking.


FO Roundup - Winter 2018

One of the most fun parts of being a designer is seeing how others interpret your designs. Here are a few of my favorite finished objects (FOs) of late, with a focus on cozy sweaters and comfy couches!

Caiterly - Knit by srblipscomb

Caiterly - Knit by srblipscomb

Willamette Coat - knit by TIcheek

Willamette Coat - knit by TIcheek

Alaria -  knit by wmcurella

Alaria -  knit by wmcurella

Alaria - knit by StephanieArrese

Alaria - knit by StephanieArrese

Cresting Waves Shawl - knit and dyed(!) by kquinnschroeder

Cresting Waves Shawl - knit and dyed(!) by kquinnschroeder

Summer Rain Shawl - knit by maplebuttermom

Summer Rain Shawl - knit by maplebuttermom

Fleet Fox - knit by littlelena

Fleet Fox - knit by littlelena

Want to share your knits with me? Tag me @mscleaver on Instagram, or if it's on Ravelry, I'll see it. :) 


Caiterly - PDF Pattern
$6.50

Sweetly feminine with all the right details, Caiterly is adorned with delicate cables against reverse stockinette. Leah B. Thibault's bottom-up raglan cardigan is worked in Cleaner Cotton™ Willet resulting in a medium-weight sweater to go with any and every last thing in your closet, from borrowed boyfriend jeans to sundresses.

Shown in size 33” / 84 cm with 1” / 2.5 cm negative ease

Bust Circumference: 31¼ (33, 34¾, 38, 40¾, 42½, 45, 46¾)" [79.5 (84, 88.5, 96.5, 103.5, 108, 114.5, 118.5) cm]
Yarn:8 (8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 12) skeins of Willet by Quince & Co in Sail (701)(100% cleaner cotton; 160yd [146m]/50g)
Needles:32" circular in sizes US 4 and 5 [3.5 and 3.75 mm] / set dpns in sizes US 4 and US 5 [3.5 and 3.75 mm]

Gauge: 26 sts and 35 rows = 4”/10 cm in reverse St st on larger needles

Learn more about Caiterly in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Pam Allen

Alaria - PDF Pattern
$6.00

A traditional triangle shawl featuring a flowing series of lace patterns. Inspired by the undulating forms of seaweed and the summer chills that result from overly air-conditioned offices.

Shawl begins at the long edge and ends at the point. The lace patterns used only have the yo’s and dec’s on the RS rows and all the WS rows are purled. Pattern includes both charted and row by row instructions.

Shawl size can be increased by completing additional 24-row repeats of lace patterns #1 and/or #2. Any modifications may necessitate more yarn.

  • 52 “ wingspan, 25” depth
  • 430-500 yds of Fingering weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Tern in Seagrass 143
  • 24-inch circular needle, US 6 - 4.0 mm
  • 19 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in lace pattern #1 blocked open

Learn more about the Alaria Shawl in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry.

Photos © Carrie Bostick Hoge

Summer Rain Shawl - PDF Pattern
$6.00

As a child, I dreamed of summer storms.

Growing up in northern California, my summers consisted of soaking my swimsuit in the sprinkler and rushing to the driveway to leave an ephemeral body print on the concrete; of running barefoot across the hot asphalt to my friend’s house and trying not to burn my feet; of the dark towels my mother put over the windows in the daytime to keep out the heat.

I wanted my summers to be cooler, wetter. I thought a summer storm would be the perfect antidote to the dry California heat, a backyard sprinkler writ large.

Having lived in Maine for a decade, the dozen or so summer storms take on a different role than I imagined as child, offering not an invitation to play, nor to hide, but to simply be still. After a stretch of hot sunny days, the plants in my garden welcome the rain. I follow their lead, raise my face to the heavens and drink it in.*

This shawl is knit flat from the bottom up. You will decrease 4 stitches every right-side row through raindrop pattern and every row thereafter.

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
66" [168 cm] wingspan, 31" [79 cm] high
YARN
Milo by Manos del Uruguay (65% merino wool,
35% linen; 380 yards [350 m] / 100 grams)
2 skeins in Lisboa
NEEDLES
One 36" circular needle in size US 5 [3.75 mm]
GAUGE
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4" blocked
NOTIONS
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

FO Roundup - Fall 2017

One of the most fun parts of being a designer is seeing how others interpret your designs. Here are a few of my favorite finished objects (FOs) of late, with a focus on cool winter-y gray and blues, and shawls on chairs. (click on any photo to visit the knitter's Ravelry and/or Instagram page):

Toulouse - knit by lovegrayhues

Toulouse - knit by lovegrayhues

Lamassu - knit by ninafer

Lamassu - knit by ninafer

Woodland hat knit by elainemaxseb

Woodland hat knit by elainemaxseb

Dal, knit by rie4

Dal, knit by rie4

Eiswasser knit by lucidfuse

Eiswasser knit by lucidfuse

Atlee - knit by kishpai

Atlee - knit by kishpai

Summer Rain knit by NeweJersey

Summer Rain knit by NeweJersey

Want to share your knits with me? Tag me @mscleaver on Instagram, or if it's on Ravelry, I'll see it. :) 


Dal - PDF Pattern
$7.00

I love textured stitches in Lark, and chunky cables on top of texture just pop! Knit and purl stiches combine for a cushy body, while a stockinette sleeve keeps this cozy raglan from being too busy.


Finished measurements
30¾ (34¼, 37½, 41, 44¼, 47¾, 51, 54¼)"
[78 (87, 95.5, 104, 112.5, 121.5, 129.5, 138) cm] bust circumference; shown in size 34¼" [87 cm] on a 31" [79 cm], 5' 7" [170 cm] tall model (3¼" [8.5 cm] positive ease)
Yarn
Lark by Quince & Co
(100% American wool; 134yd [123m]/50g)
• 10 (11, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) skeins Carrie's Yellow 125
Needles
• One 32" circular needle (circ) in size US 8 [5 mm]
• One 16" circ in size US 6 [4 mm]
• One set double-pointed needles (dpns) in size
US 8 [5 mm]
• One set dpns in size US 6 [4 mm]
Or size to obtain gauge
Notions
• Stitch markers
• Cable needle
• Waste yarn
• Tapestry needle
Gauge
22 sts and 32 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette stitch with larger needles, after blocking
19 sts and 32 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in basketweave pattern with larger needles, after blocking.

Lamassu – PDF Pattern
$6.00

The shawl is worked from the top down. It consists of a trinity stitch body, with crescent shaping, and border of Gilgamesh’s beard and Lamassu feathers. The crescent shape of the body is acheived by increasing 2 sts at the beginning and 1 st at the end of every row.

Skills required : knitted cast on, increasing and decreasing (single and double).

Charts and line-by-line instructions included.

  • 52 “ wingspan, 25” depth
  • 504 yds of Fingering weight yarn, sample shown in Quince & Co. Sparrow in Blue Spruce 204
  • 32-inch circular needle, US 6 - 4.0 mm
  • 20 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in trinity stitch

Learn more about the Lamassu Shawl in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Quince & Co.

Eiswasser - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Inspired by the snowpack on top of the mountains that melts into rivulets, which turns into streams and rivers, Eiswasser (or ice water in German) recreates those streams in a densely-cabled toque that is incredibly warm, despite its name and lighter-weight yarn.

Top it off with a fluffy (faux) fur pompom or leave the spiraling crown open to view.

Size

  • 17”/43 cm circumference unstretched at brim, to fit 20-21”/51-53.5 cm head circumference. 9.5”/24 cm high.

Yarn

  • Manos Del Uruguay Milo in i2464 Lisboa (65% Merino/35% Linen, 380 yds [347m]/100 g/3.53 oz.)
  • Alternatives: approximately 380 yards of heavy fingering/light sport-weight yarn.

Gauge

  • 64 sts and 36 rnds = 4”/10 cm in Cable Pattern on larger needle.
  • 36.5 sts and 36 rnds = 4”/10 cm in k1, p1 rib on smaller needles.
  • Adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Needles & Notions

  • US 2 [2.75 mm] 16”/40.5 cm circular needle or dpns
  • US 6 [4 mm] 16”/40.5 cm circular needle or dpns
  • Cable needle
  • Tapestry needle
  • Removable stitch marker
  • Bernat Faux Fur Pompom in Grey Linx (optional)

Read more about Eiswasser in the Ms. Cleaver Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos (c) Bristol Ivy/Ms. Cleaver Creations

Woodland Hat - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Woodland is a colorwork hat and mitten set. The thick fabric from the colorwork makes it perfect for keeping you cozy during your walks in the woods.


Size
16”-26.75” circumference, depending on gauge (see chart)

Yarn
1 Skein Each: Nature Spun Sport by Brown Sheep Company (100% Wool; 184 yd [168m]/50g)
MC: Ash (720S)
CC: Pewter Green (401S)
OR yarn you can achieve a gauge w/ between 6 -7.5 sts/in.

Gauge
Because the pattern repeat is so wide (32 sts), the easiest way to change sizes is by changing your gauge, in conjunction with adjusting the stitch count. Use the chart below to match your gauge to the desired finished circumference.


Measure gauge in blocked colorwork pattern, using suggested needles, then reference chart to choose size.

Sample shown in 128 st cast on at 7 sts/inch (18.25” circ) on an average adult woman sized head. The smallest size would fit a young child, and the largest would fit a man.

Needles & Notions
US 4/3.5 mm 16” circular or dpns
US 6/4 mm 16” circular or dpns
OR SIZE TO ACHIEVE DESIRED GAUGE
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

Available as part of and ebook or as a kit
 

Atlee - PDF Pattern
$6.00

Summer begs for basics, and Atlee delivers. In Cleaner Cotton™ Willet, with an a-line shape, scooped neckline and textural details in the yoke, Leah B. Thibault’s tee is a picture-perfect essential for easy days in the sun.

Shown in size 35” / 89 cm with 1” / 2.5 cm positive ease

  • Bust Circumference: 33 (35, 36¾, 39¾, 43¼, 45, 48, 50)" [84 (89, 93.5, 101, 110, 114.5, 122, 127) cm] bust circumference
  • Yarn: 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) skeins of Willet by Quince & Co in Sail (701)(100% cleaner cotton; 160yd [146m]/50g)
  • Needles:

32” circ in size US 5 / 3.75 mm 
16” circ in size US 4 / 3.5 mm 
set dpns in size US 4 / 3.5 mm

  • Gauge: 25 sts and 33 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st on larger needles 

Learn more about Atlee in the Chronicles

View it on Ravelry

Photos © Pam Allen

Summer Rain Shawl in Taproot Magazine

As a child, I dreamed of summer storms.

Growing up in northern California, my summers consisted of soaking my swimsuit in the sprinkler and rushing to the driveway to leave an ephemeral body print on the concrete; of running barefoot across the hot asphalt to my friend’s house and trying not to burn my feet; of the dark towels my mother put over the windows in the daytime to keep out the heat.

I wanted my summers to be cooler, wetter. I longed for days that passed like a Country Time Lemonade commercial: afternoons spent floating in an old tire inner tube down a lazy river, swinging from a rope into the old swimmin’ hole, taking laps to the dock in the middle of the lake, numerous bodies of water inexplicably available to the same child in a 30-second spot.

I thought a summer storm would be the perfect antidote to the dry California heat, a backyard sprinkler writ large. I imagined I’d see the clouds building up, pull on my one-piece and hurry outside to dance in the warm droplets falling gently from the sky. Summer perfection wrapped up in a single moment.

Later, in my twenties, when I lived in Chicago, I learned that the reality of summer storms could be a very different thing. Chicago summers were hot and sticky. I slept on a futon mattress on the floor of a studio apartment in Hyde Park, a fan positioned on either side of my bed, hoping for a respite from the heat. The storms I wished for a child would come frequently, but no gentle sprinkle, these; instead, soaking torrents of water, best avoided, but quickly gone.

My second summer in Chicago, my husband and I had relocated to the north side of the city. I’d walk the blocks of my neighborhood on summer nights, the sticky nights made more bearable by the cool lakeside breeze. Our apartment was just blocks from Lake Michigan, and though we visited the shores often, I only swam in its waters twice. My first swim in that wide body of water was on a hot day, the water sufficiently warm, and the feel of lake-bottom plants and tiny fish against my legs a constant reminder that this was no tile-lined pool.

My second swim was on an equally hot day, but the water shocked me with it chill. I paid no attention to the flora and fauna as the icy water stung like daggers and made my toes go numb. I wrapped myself in a towel and we rushed home to change. By the time we reached the apartment, a tornado warning had come in and we watched as the clouds folded in on top of themselves, faster and faster, building up into a dense grey wall on the horizon. My hair still damp from the lake, we sat in the windowless lobby of our building and waited the storm out – the menacing clouds giving us thunder and hail and rain.

As a child, it seemed silly that summer only truly started June 21st. School had been released weeks before and the season of short-sleeves and flip-flops had been in swing well before that. In Chicago, the march of time was marked by the swing from biting cold winds to sweltering humidity. Even so, I didn’t really understand the seasons until I moved to Maine.

Not spring, summer, winter, fall. We had all of those, even in California.

But the 16-day window of Lupine Season, when the highways burst forth in spires of purple and blue and pink, or the two weeks when the strawberries are available for picking, its arrival watched for and counted in pint baskets at the farmer’s market. There is the weekend in July when the window air-conditioning units go in and month-long debate in September on when to take them out. Each week in June, July, and August seeming to be a short-lived season of its own.

Perhaps it is because I no longer live in a land of continuous produce, or because I am a gardener now, that so much of the summer is measured in food – not the dwindling canisters of powdered lemonade of my childhood or the cheap takeout of my twenties, but rather, in limited runs of fiddleheads and sugar-snap peas, of strawberries, then raspberries, then blueberries, to finally end in the bags of apples that are picked in that time between the seasons that can be alternately cold or sweltering hot.

The brevity of these seasons brings a different rhythm to my Maine summers, a sense of urgency and a need to take advantage of everything at its peak that I had never felt before. In this environment, the dozen or so summer storms take on a different role, offering a break from activity. They are not an invitation to play, nor to hide, but to simply be.

In the winter, the Nor’easter asks us to stay inside and enjoy the quiet; in the summer, the rains do the same. The storms are a chance to lay in bed and hear the raindrops ping against the top of that window air-conditioning unit, drumming out a steady tattoo that seems to say “Be still, be still, be still.”

As child, summer storms were illusive, illusionary things; in Chicago, they were wild and sometimes terrifying. Now, as an adult, they are a respite. After a stretch of hot sunny days, the plants in my garden welcome the rain. I follow their lead, raise my face to the heavens, and drink it in.

.............................

The Summer Rain shawl, inspired by my longing for those summer storms and the peace they now bring can be found in the latest issue of Taproot Magazine: GROW. They also carry kits for the pattern, which uses 2 skeins of Milo by Manos Del Uruguay, a gorgeous merino & linen blend with amazing drape that is truly one of my favorite yarns on the market right now. The issue is available on newstands and online now and you can queue up the project on Ravelry