Summer Fiber Arts Roundup: Knitting, Sewing & Spinning Projects for Hot Arkansas Day
Hello y’all! Can you believe it’s already July? Summer in Arkansas has arrived in full force with sweltering heat and sky-high humidity. When the temperature climbs, my crafting routine shifts gears—by day I’m often behind a sewing machine or at my spinning wheel, and by night I always manage to squeeze in a bit of knitting over a hot cup of tea with my husband. Let me walk you through what’s on my needles, on my sewing table, and in my spinning basket right now, plus a little glimpse of farm life and a pattern giveaway announcement at the end!
Knitting: Keeping the Stitches Moving
Craft Rotation to Beat the Heat
When it’s unbearably hot, my knitting mojo dips, so I switch to sewing or spinning to keep creativity flowing. But every evening—no matter how sticky the day—my husband and I settle down with hot tea, and those are precious knitting moments. Even if it’s just a few minutes of lace repeats, I never skip my daily stitch fix.
Secret Test Knit Tease
I’m juggling several test knits right now, and one of those secret patterns finally goes live next week! I can’t spill the details yet, but if you’re curious, Andrea Mowry’s Instagram has sneak peeks that will tide you over until I can share the full reveal here.
Speedy Summer Project: Lacey Loop Tee
My current “must-finish” summer knit is the Lacey Loop Tee by OtherLoops, worked in Yarn Jam Silk Linen Fingering held double (terracotta). Each skein offers 496 yards at 115 g, giving the drape of a dream. I’ve picked up the sleeves and plan to keep them short—no boxy, long sleeves for July knitting!
Plant-based fiber blends (and silk, which I lump in the same category) can be tough on my hands, so I nibble on fifteen-minute knitting sprints before switching projects. My goal is to have this airy tee finished in the next two weeks—y’all hold me to that!
Fresh Cast-Ons for Cozy Seasons
Prospect Pullover by Tori Yu (Tori Knits NYC)
Yarn: North Bay Fiber Heritage DK in Sand Point (leftover from my Paulie Cardigan). I adore this neutral—neither yellow nor white—and I’m casting on a textured pullover on US 6 needles to have a comfy cream sweater ready for fall. The test knit is due mid-September, and I’m aiming to breeze through it.
Secret Test Knit
I just received the Farmer’s Daughter oh dang lace weight in “The Den,” a deep spruce green (suri alpaca with a silk core). It blooms to a fingering-weight halo on US 4–5 needles. I’m pairing it with some spin Cycle Goldie for two-color play—expect a fluffy, ethereal fabric that’s soft enough to snuggle.
Laulu Tee Preview by Sari Nordland
Yarn: The Wandering Flock Cotton Lino in Pyrite (sport weight). This V-neck tee has lace-and-cable panels that follow the neckline and join down the front. I’ve picked a grungy green-gold because why not shake things up? This plant-plus-animal blend hits a crisp gauge and drapes like a dream—perfect for layering all year round.
Even without a finished object to show today, I’m proud of the progress. Test knits will bloom into FOs soon, and I promise to share as each pattern releases!
Sewing: Speedy Summer Stitching
Shoreline Shift Top
Pattern: Shoreline Shift
Fabric: Blue floral linen. This breezy top (or dress) has only three pieces—front, back, and optional pocket—and the neckline uses homemade bias tape ties. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4324647912/?ref=share_ios_native_control
I whipped one up in about an hour (excluding bias tape time), then French-tucked it to accommodate my bust shape. It’s light, flowy, and feels like a gentle breeze on a steamy afternoon. You can use code YOUNGFOLKKNITS for 10% off your order at the linen Lab
Oxbow Jeans Sew-Along
Pattern: Oxbow Jeans (Sew House 7)
Fabric: Merchant & Mills red denim. I made View B—the wide-leg, 70s sailor-style pants—and tweaked the hip seam allowances before adding the waistband so they’d start snug (denim grows!) My flat-felled seams, topstitching, and zipper fly all turned out beautifully thanks to the stable cotton weave. I’m so pleased I’ll be sewing a second pair in green next.
Spinning: Fiber Fun with Fleece Force
Pressed Flowers Cardigan Spin
Project: Contrast handspun for my pressed-flowers cardigan. I’ve nearly filled two bobbins of my combo spin, ready to ply against a deep blue main color (Red Stag Fibre polwarth Masham Sport). Spinning this yarn has been a joy, and I can’t wait to see it knitted up in colorwork.
Daily Spins and Community Vibes
My goal is ten minutes at the wheel every day, and if you’re up for a casual spin-along, join Team Fleece Force at the YoungFolk Knits forum. We share photos, swap troubleshooting tips, and cheer each other on. Creating a profile keeps bots at bay, and your fiber friends are waiting! https://youngfolkknits.com/community/spinning/fleece-force/
Farm Life: Harvesting Honey
It’s also honey-time on our small Arkansas farm! Every July 4th weekend we uncap bee frames and collect that liquid gold. To mimic store-bought consistency, we gently dehydrate honey to reduce moisture—especially spring honey, which can be runny.
The result is the most incredible clover honey you’ve ever tasted. My kids can’t get enough, though I might have sampled a bit too much myself yesterday (hello, sugar crash!). Now the jars are lined up in the pantry, ready to sweeten breakfasts all season long.
Pattern Giveaway Winner and Video!
And finally, thank you to everyone who entered our recent pattern giveaway! Congratulations to @KarenRitchie-k7o ! please email me at ka**@***********ts.com to choose your prize pattern, and I’ll send it your way right away.
That’s today’s update from my rotating crafty life in Arkansas. If you enjoyed this peek at my knitting, sewing, spinning, and farm adventures, please give this post a thumbs up and subscribe to YoungFolk Knits so you won’t miss any of our upcoming videos and blog updates. Until next time, happy crafting, y’all!
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