The current heat wave in the Southeastern U.S. has been intense. An escape to the beach was a necessity this past weekend as “feels like” temperatures reached 110° F / 43° C in our area. The partly cloudy skies, beach breeze, and refreshing ocean became the perfect Sunday.
My personal enjoyment was elevated by the shade of an umbrella and the joy of simple knitting. This was my first attempt at knitting beach-side, and while I initially worried about sweaty hands and the sandy landscape, it was a truly wonderful experience that rejuvenated me more than either the beach or knitting could do alone.
A few days prior, I made a quick sunglasses case using the Lion Brand Yarn/Tom Daly collaboration, Made with Love “The Cottony One” in the color Marvelous Mushroom. I simply made a quick stockinette strip and seamed each side. I also folded/hemmed the top to create a thicker edge that helps keep the sunglasses snugly inside. On Sunday, I packed my newly protected sunglasses and the remainder of the ball to take to the beach.
I purchased the tan/taupe yarn with the intention of making several small summer-inspired items, which I thought might benefit from the cotton blend. I bought three 185 yd. balls, with no specific patterns in mind. The sunglasses case was a quick, successful test, and the feel of the yarn is exactly how I hoped it would be for the future projects.
Next on my list was a small crossbody phone holder, so that’s what I cast on while soaking in the sun. The yarn was a great beach choice and moved freely through my fingers and around the needle, even in the hot, sandy environment. The cell phone holder will be primarily stockinette stitch, and I went down a few needle sizes to reduce unwanted stretchiness. I may add some finishing touches or trim of some sort, but for projects like this, I’ll let my mood decide.
The goal of my first beach knitting session was relaxation. A simple project was a great fit. And, when combined with a simple setup, like being able to clip up my project to my seat when I walked away, I had a stress-free knitting experience that I’m hoping to turn into a weekly routine while the weather allows.
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