May
okay so summer crochet stuff
So the main thing about summer projects is you gotta use cotton or linen or something that breathes because acrylic is literally torture in heat. I learned this the hard way making a blanket in July 2023 with Red Heart Super Saver and my hands were just constantly sweaty and gross. Never again.
The best summer projects are basically anything small or wearable that won’t make you overheat. Market bags are huge right now and they’re actually useful which is nice because I have way too many crochet things sitting in drawers that serve no purpose.
market bags and tote situations
I made my first market bag in spring 2022 and it was this whole thing because I didn’t follow a pattern obviously, just kind of winged it. Used Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn in that cream color, made it way too small at first, had to frog the whole thing and start over. The annoying part was figuring out the handles because I wanted them sturdy enough to hold groceries but I kept making them too loose and stretchy.
What worked was doing a foundation chain that was longer than I thought it needed to be, then working in rounds from the bottom up. Single crochet mostly because it’s tighter and sturdier. For handles I did like… maybe 30 chains on each side? Then reinforced them by going back through with another row of single crochet. They stretched out anyway after a few uses but whatever, it still works.
You can get fancy with mesh patterns if you want that whole aesthetic instagram look. Just chain spaces between stitches basically. Chain 2, skip 2, single crochet, repeat. Makes it stretchy and shows off whatever you’re carrying which I guess is the point.
tank tops that actually work
Okay so crochet tops are everywhere but most patterns are either way too complicated or they look weird when you actually wear them. I made one in summer 2024, just a basic rectangle situation that you seam up the sides.
The trick is making two rectangles, one for front and one for back, in whatever stitch pattern you want. I used this sort of open shell stitch with Knit Picks Dishie yarn which is cotton and cheap. The annoying thing about this project was definitely the seaming because I hate seaming and also trying to figure out where to put the armholes without a pattern. Just had to hold it up to my body constantly and guess.
For straps I just chained until it looked right and attached them. Very technical process as you can see. The whole thing took maybe two evenings while watching Love Island or whatever was on.
If you’re gonna make a wearable top thing, measure yourself first I guess. Width should be your bust measurement plus like 2 inches for ease, maybe more if you want it loose. Length is however long you want it. Revolutionary advice I know.
beach cover-ups are easier than they look
These are basically just big rectangles with arm holes. I made one last June using some random cotton blend from Michaels, I think it was called Loops and Threads something? It was on sale.
You can make it as open and lacy as you want since it’s going over a swimsuit anyway. I did a basic granny stripe pattern which is just clusters of double crochet with chain spaces. Works up fast and looks intentional even though it’s super simple.
The rectangle needs to be wide enough to wrap around you with overlap, and long enough to cover whatever you want covered. I made mine knee-length ish. Then you just fold it in half, seam up the sides but leave openings for arms. Or don’t seam it at all and use it like a poncho type thing.
My cat kept attacking the yarn while I was working on this which made it take way longer than necessary. She’s obsessed with cotton yarn specifically for some reason.
lightweight shawls or wraps
These are good for summer nights or over-air-conditioned restaurants. Triangle shape is easiest, you just increase at the beginning and end of every row until it’s as big as you want.
I made one during a breakup in August 2023 which sounds dramatic but honestly I just needed something mindless to do. Used Caron Simply Soft which I know is acrylic but it was what I had and the lightweight version isn’t terrible. Worked a basic V-stitch pattern which is just double crochet, chain, double crochet in the same stitch.
Start with a small chain, maybe 4 or 5. Row 1 is setting up your increases. Then every row after you’re adding stitches at each end and working the V-stitch pattern across. It grows into a triangle without you really thinking about it.
The thing that annoyed me was the yarn kept splitting because Caron Simply Soft does that, and I had to redo stitches constantly. But the finished thing was actually pretty and I still wear it sometimes.
baby stuff if that’s relevant to your life
Summer baby blankets should be cotton or bamboo, not the chunky acrylic stuff. Bernat Handicrafter Cotton is good for this and comes in actual colors not just pastels.
Small blankets work up faster and are more practical for summer anyway. Like 30×30 inches or something. Granny squares are classic and you can make a bunch of small squares while doing other things, then connect them later. Or just do a simple stitch pattern in rows, whatever.
I made a baby blanket for my friend’s kid last summer using the moss stitch which is single crochet and chain stitches alternating. Creates a nice texture and lays flat. The border was just single crochet around the whole thing a few times to clean it up.
home stuff that’s actually seasonal
Coasters are quick and you can use up scrap yarn. Just make circles or squares in cotton yarn. I made a set using that Sugar’n Cream stuff again because it’s cheap and washable. Single crochet in rounds for circles, or rows for squares. Make them thick enough to actually absorb condensation, so maybe two layers crocheted together or just use a thicker yarn.
Placemats are basically bigger coasters. Rectangle shape, any stitch pattern that lays flat. The moss stitch works here too or just rows of double crochet. I started a set of these but never finished because I got bored, they’re still sitting in my project basket.
Table runners if you’re fancy? Long rectangle, decorative stitch pattern. I haven’t actually made one because it seems like a lot of work for something that just sits on a table but the concept is straightforward.
accessories that won’t make you die of heat
Headbands are fast and use barely any yarn. Just make a long strip in whatever stitch you want, try it on as you go to check the length, then seam the ends together. I made a few with single crochet worked in the back loops only which gives it a ribbed look and makes it stretchy.
Scrunchies are having a moment I guess? You need elastic hair ties and then you just crochet around them. Single crochet or half double crochet around the elastic, join at the end. Takes like 10 minutes. I made a bunch of these with random leftover yarn and they’re actually useful.
Earrings if you’re into that. Small circles or shapes with earring hooks attached. Haven’t personally made these because I don’t wear earrings but I’ve seen them around and they look cute. You’d need jewelry findings from a craft store and probably thread weight yarn so they’re not huge and heavy.
actual tips for summer crocheting
Use natural fibers. Cotton is the main one, comes in every weight and color. Lily Sugar’n Cream and Knit Picks Dishie are both cheap. Bernat Handicrafter Cotton if you want more color options. Linen is nice but more expensive and can be rough on your hands, though it softens up after washing.
Bamboo yarn is good too, very soft and breathable. I used We Are Knitters bamboo yarn once and it was nice but pricey. There’s also cotton-bamboo blends that are more affordable.
Avoid acrylic if possible or at least get the lightweight versions. Regular acrylic in summer is just… your hands will be so sweaty and it’s unpleasant.
Smaller projects are your friend because you don’t want a huge blanket sitting in your lap when it’s 85 degrees. Unless you have good air conditioning I guess.
Openwork patterns with lots of chain spaces keep things cooler and use less yarn so projects finish faster. Basically any pattern with holes in it. Mesh, filet crochet, lacy shell stitches, whatever.
patterns vs winging it
I almost never use actual patterns because I didn’t learn that way, just figured stuff out as I went. But if you want patterns for summer stuff, Ravelry has literally thousands of free ones. Search for cotton, summer, or whatever item you want.
Most summer projects are pretty forgiving though. Bags don’t need to fit perfectly, cover-ups are meant to be loose, shawls are just triangles. You can honestly just start with a basic shape and see where it goes.
If you do use a pattern, read through it first to make sure it makes sense and you have the right yarn weight. Gauge matters more for wearables than for bags or home stuff. For a tank top or something that needs to fit, you should probably do a gauge swatch even though they’re boring.
finishing work that I always hate
Weaving in ends is tedious but necessary. Use a yarn needle and weave them through the back of stitches, change directions at least once so they don’t pull out. Cotton yarn is less forgiving than acrylic for this, it doesn’t stick to itself as much.
Blocking makes things look more professional but I rarely bother unless it’s something I’m giving as a gift. For cotton you can wet block or steam block. Wet blocking is just soaking it, squeezing out water, then pinning it to shape on a blocking board or towel and letting it dry. Steam blocking uses an iron on steam setting held above the work.
Seaming I already mentioned I hate. Mattress stitch is the invisible one that looks cleanest. Or you can just whip stitch things together if you don’t care that much.
random other summer project ideas
Sunglasses case is just a small rectangle folded and seamed. Plant hangers if you’re into the 70s vibe, those are basically macrame but you can incorporate crochet. Keychains or bag charms with small motifs. Bookmarks with thread weight cotton and a simple pattern.
I made a phone case once that was basically a small pouch with a button closure. Used it for maybe a week before I went back to my regular case but it was a fun quick project.
Water bottle holders with a strap are actually practical for carrying drinks around. Just a cylinder that fits your bottle size with a long strap attached. I keep meaning to make one of these but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Face scrubbies or makeup remover pads are having a whole sustainable moment. Small circles in cotton, you can make a bunch in an evening. I made like 20 of these and gave them to friends who actually use them which was surprising.
The main thing with summer projects is just picking stuff that won’t make you miserable while working on it. Cotton yarn, smaller items, patterns with breathing room. And honestly if you start something and hate it just frog it and try something else, there’s no crochet police gonna come after you for unfinished projects.
