The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

Finished sweaters for the Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge are coming fast now! I’m so proud of everyone for sticking with their sweater knitting through these hot months! These sweaters are getting more and more fall-like, so I can tell that everyone is looking forward to sweater weather hitting.

In the mean time, we are stocking up on fall sweaters to have them waiting in the wings! I’ve got a BIG TIME FO coming your way tomorrow. Hint: It’s a DRESS! Ok that is more than a hint. I’m just that excited to show it to you!

In the mean time, here are some beautiful finished August sweaters:

Kristen TenDyke Test Knit Cardigan

Wendy knit this beautiful cardigan as officially her May sweater, but who’s counting? This is a Kristen TenDyke test knit so the pattern isn’t available for us just yet, but I know I’ll be keeping my eye out for it! It looks like a great fall sweater that will go with everything.

Baby Sweater Buffet Zebra Sweater

Lori knit up this adorable zebra sweater from my Baby Sweater Buffet pattern and it couldn’t have turned out cuter! Well, Cayo here would have probably preferred it be finished in January and not July, but he was a trooper and posed for some FO shots before demanding the huge sweater be taken off. And yes! Lori even made those fabric covered buttons. Way to rock it, Lori!

Coachella

Cindy over at A Sparkle a Day finished Coachella, pretty much the most popular summer knit top ever. Cindy did a lot of math to figure out how to change the gauge of her sweater completely and I’m super proud of her! And the colors she chose for it are so fun! The perfect summer knit.

Mondo Cable Cardi

Lin (rav) has an amazing knack of picking a sweater and making it better than the original. Take a peak at the Mondo Cable Cardi pattern for the sample picture. I wouldn’t even think this was the same sweater! This is so wearable and that sweater looks like a big heavy sweater jacket. Again, Lin, great job!

Yoga Hoodie

Vicki at Purple is a Fruit knit this Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie and I just had to post a picture of the back of the sweater because that pop of detail makes this hoodie really special! It’s got really cute front kangaroo pockets at the zipper in the front, too. This pattern is so wearable and cozy and, yes, even yoga ready! Great job, Vicki!

Lace Cardigan Duster Test Knit

I was scanning Ksana’s (rav) pictures of this gorgeous sweater thinking, ‘There is too much sweater to pick just one picture!’ I’m sure she was thinking the same thing when she took this picture, obviously standing on her toilet to get the full length! It is, clearly, gorgeous, and worth the look at her project page to get the full scope. It’s a test knit, but Ksana thinks the patter will be available soon. I know my mom would LOVE this pattern!

I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest sweater design, and with a forecast with temperatures only in the 80s I might even be able to model it! More about that sweater tomorrow.

First we’ve got finished July sweaters galore!

River Tweed Cardigan

Ksana knit this beautiful River Tweed Cardigan (every time I try to type tweed I type tweet. Addicted much?) as a test knit. I love the flattering cables on the sides and the corresponding cables on the collar. So pretty!

Anney

Robin knit this super seasonally appropriate and adorable sweater Anney.  I’m a sucker for ribbon details and cables becoming figures, so when I saw this FO I knew it was for me! So cute!

Miss Dashwood

She also knit this super cute shrug, Miss Dashwood! I love the color choice. Most shrugs are knit with safe neutrals so they are super wearable, but this simple lace shawl is a knockout in the lime green! Way to go out on a limb and rock it hard, Robin!

Corvallis Cardigan

Clara finished this fun cardigan, the Corvallis Cardigan, which is the perfect pattern for Clara because it has sizing for all 3 of her kids! This picture is a work in progress; you can see the ends and it needs some buttons, but you can see it’s going to be super rad! Great job Clara!

And we’ve got another two for one! Rachel finished two sweaters:

Corona Camisol

The Corona Camisol is one of my favorite patterns from this last issue of Interweave. The front detail is cute and the sweater is totally wearable! Summer sweater win for sure.

Emmaline

And this is the second Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge appearance of Emmaline from the summer Knitty. The more I see this pattern the more I like it! Those little sleeves! Another amazing example of a summer knit. Way to rock it out Rachel!

Didn’t think there were so many summer knitting patterns available? Where have you been?! Email me if you have questions about finding a summer sweater pattern or yarn choices. I’m here to help!

Keep the finished sweaters coming ladies!

Summer is in the air and in all our finished sweaters this week! There isn’t a sleeve in sight and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Looking for more summer knitting ideas? Look no further:

Little Black Blouse

Alexandra (rav) knit AND designed this Little Black Blouse. How perfect is this top for summer? It looks so nice and airy. Check our her project page here.

Coachella

Robin knit the very popular Coachella, a pattern featured in Knitty a few years ago. It’s another perfect summer tank! A lot of knitters had trouble with the armhole size and bra straps showing, and Robin talks about her mods on her project page. I think the key with this sweater is to wear a bra you don’t mind people seeing! But Robin has some good tips on her page.

Imagine Peace Vest

Ksana has been knitting up a storm and shared two FOs with us for May! First up is the Imagine Peace Vest which I’ve loved since the first time I saw it. Any time you can put such a simple, hopefully message on a baby is pretty awesome.

Test Knit Cotton Top

She also knit this top using Debbie Bliss cotton as a test knit. I’m floored by that perfect bust shaping! It fits like a glove and is super flattering.

Now if only the weather would cooperate! I keep gazing longingly at my summer knits as I throw on my huge winter sweaters.

Everyone keep up the good work and I can’t wait to see the sweaters the last week of May brings!