Usually I have more self control and knit-scipline than this. I can pick one or two projects and work at them diligently. I may have yearnings after other patterns and yarns, but I’m able to stay committed to the  ones I have chosen.

Not this spring. And it’s not my fault. It’s the fault of the designers. If they didn’t create such tempting patterns I wouldn’t have fallen into this sorry, schizo-knittic state.

Culprit #1: Julie Turjoman

Julie Turjoman just came out with a glorious set of summer-friendly patterns: Knits That Breathe: 12 Breezy Projects To Keep You Cool.  I can’t say enough positive things about this collection. I can imagine living in these tanks, tees and tunics all summer long. I can imagine actually being comfortable in my knitwear in August. How often can one really say that? 

The patterns use an outstanding variety of warm-weather fibers: linen, cotton, bamboo and silk, tencel, and even milk whey/soy. My favorite is Still Waters, a breezy tee in sport-weight linen. The original pattern calls for Claudia Handpainted Yarns Linen, but I’m going to try using some Louet Euroflax Sport from my stash.

Culprit #2: Jean Chung

The designs in Knitscene are sometimes a little too “trendy” for me. I am leery of knitting a top that will be out of fashion by the time I’m done knitting it. But the Summer 2014 issue is different. It’s full of quirky interesting patterns that are just…me. Designer Jean Chung is responsible for one of them: Austin Tee.

I was attracted to this tee because of the lovely lace. So many of the summer tops are dominated by large sections of stockinette. Sometimes I need something a little more stimulating. This tee is just the ticket. I’m knitting this one in Classic Elite Yarns Cerro, a sumptuous pima cotton/alpaca blend. I can’t wait until this tee is done. I wish I were wearing it now.

Culprit #3:  Bristol Ivy

Here’s another pattern from the Summer 2014 issue of Knitscene: Linum Tee, by Bristol Ivy.  I’m totally, irrevocably in love with this pattern, like I’m a teenage girl and this top is a sparkly vampire.

This top just gets me. The asymmetrical lace panel at the top says, “hey, I’m creative and adventurous and I make my own rules.” The solid stockinette body says, “you can wear me to work without violating dress code.” I haven’t cast this one on yet, but I will just as soon as I can get my hands on some fingering weight linen or a suitable substitute.  My LYS doesn’t have anything quite right in stock and I want to use just the right thing. Soon, soon Linum shall be mine.

Culprit #4: Klever Knits

I saw this elegant tank on KleverKnits blog and was instantly enchanted. The original is knitted in DK weight cotton, but I imagined an alternate version knitted in purple Hempathy. I’ve been dying to try Hempathy in a pattern and here’s the perfect opportunity.

I’ll be casting this one on as soon as my yarn arrives in the mail.

Culprit#5: Rusty Baker

I always look forward to the seasonal knitwear collections from HollaKnits. They’re not afraid to be edgy, not even a little bit. I love the young, hip, urban vibe to their designs. The latest collection features Stonybrook Top, a spunky, funky design I can’t help but love.

I hear mesh is going to be all the rage this season. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’ve never been a big fan of mesh. But I could get behind mesh it looks like this. This is definitely a top you need to wear with a tank underneath. The original was knitted in a woolen yarn, but I think I would choose something different to lighten it up. I’ll have to search my stash.