I’m mostly comfortable not knitting much in the heat. Sometimes though people use knitting as an anxiety calming activity. I do myself occasionally, a kind of self soothing for that grumpy, out of sorts feeling. I’m not sure it’s all about production as such. When I get like that in hot weather I change fibres. Cottons, linens, even a lace weight wool and silk mix are all possible, and soothing, in the heat. A bit of shade, a lightweight project on my needles and I’m soon back on an even keel. Mind you I do live near the sea so I can usually a bit of fresh air.
Reflecting after I posted this I did think about those times when knitting is more of a coping mechanism - and as such is more of a necessity. Having said that I often find that when I press on with knitting (due to lack of mojo or high temps, or whatever) I end up frogging it anyway :)
Texan here. I think our heatwave has broken, skies are various shades of gray puffy clouds.there is no blue even attempting to peak out.. the ground is damp, and the air smells different. I keep trying to knit, but also ripping out, wrong stitch count.
But the heat just wants to keep coming back! (Austin area here) I’m hoping that after this past weekend we might finally be done with the 100°F days. I want to actually be in the mood to bake and knit again. 😄
I'm with you in struggling to see how knitting at the beach would work. Aside from being in direct sun, would you really want to get sand in your yarn? I think not!
This is great advice for so many things Louise. Sometimes we need to walk away, life (or weather) may precipitate that or perhaps we simply need to rest fully or engage differently.
I hope your heat wave is easing off. I'm in Canada and it's cooling down here.
I live in the southeastern US where blazing hot is just a part of life July-early Sept. I find that I rarely knit during the summer even with air conditioning. And my peri-menopausal body is also finding the heat less tolerable than it used to. So, I understand completely what you are saying.
No guilt at all, Louise! I considered for a brief moment packing my Fair Isle project for an upcoming long weekend in Porto, but then I came to my senses!
Hi Louise, I have just found my way here, to Substack, to read your piece and jolly glad I did, you write so well. I also stop the minute my hands get sweaty and the fibres don’t glide any more... it’s all about how it feels, for me. However, I can usually find something stitching with fabrics to keep my hands busy instead, or, like you change the fibre to linen or something more ... erm... absorbant (? sounds a bit ewww, but you know what I mean). Hope life is treating you well. Claire
I’m mostly comfortable not knitting much in the heat. Sometimes though people use knitting as an anxiety calming activity. I do myself occasionally, a kind of self soothing for that grumpy, out of sorts feeling. I’m not sure it’s all about production as such. When I get like that in hot weather I change fibres. Cottons, linens, even a lace weight wool and silk mix are all possible, and soothing, in the heat. A bit of shade, a lightweight project on my needles and I’m soon back on an even keel. Mind you I do live near the sea so I can usually a bit of fresh air.
Reflecting after I posted this I did think about those times when knitting is more of a coping mechanism - and as such is more of a necessity. Having said that I often find that when I press on with knitting (due to lack of mojo or high temps, or whatever) I end up frogging it anyway :)
Yes I do understand. I’ve done that too. Socks are very forgiving in those circumstances.
Yes, absolutely this!
When it's hot and humid, I don't knit.
I agree with you and the suggestion that was made to “head to the beach”, no thank you.
Whoever wrote that article you read does not knit and does not understand heat and knitting does not go well together.
If someone knits in the heat and is okay with that, I applaud them.
The article that riled me was probably not even written by an actual human 😂
Texan here. I think our heatwave has broken, skies are various shades of gray puffy clouds.there is no blue even attempting to peak out.. the ground is damp, and the air smells different. I keep trying to knit, but also ripping out, wrong stitch count.
But the heat just wants to keep coming back! (Austin area here) I’m hoping that after this past weekend we might finally be done with the 100°F days. I want to actually be in the mood to bake and knit again. 😄
Sunday it was hot again 104? Go home heat! You have out stayed your welcome.
Seriously! 😂
I'm with you in struggling to see how knitting at the beach would work. Aside from being in direct sun, would you really want to get sand in your yarn? I think not!
Exactly 😂😂
This is great advice for so many things Louise. Sometimes we need to walk away, life (or weather) may precipitate that or perhaps we simply need to rest fully or engage differently.
I hope your heat wave is easing off. I'm in Canada and it's cooling down here.
Today we've had a tiny bit of rain so I'm taking that as a win 🌧️🌧️
I live in the southeastern US where blazing hot is just a part of life July-early Sept. I find that I rarely knit during the summer even with air conditioning. And my peri-menopausal body is also finding the heat less tolerable than it used to. So, I understand completely what you are saying.
Absolutely, it's just one of those times when you have to let the knitting go a bit isn't it.
No guilt at all, Louise! I considered for a brief moment packing my Fair Isle project for an upcoming long weekend in Porto, but then I came to my senses!
And now it's finally cooler and chucking it down here in Yorkshire, and has been all night. Fingers crossed we've watered our last pots for the year.
Although, of course, I'm out and about for work today and will be occasionally drenched.
Ha, that's always the way isn't it.
Hi Louise, I have just found my way here, to Substack, to read your piece and jolly glad I did, you write so well. I also stop the minute my hands get sweaty and the fibres don’t glide any more... it’s all about how it feels, for me. However, I can usually find something stitching with fabrics to keep my hands busy instead, or, like you change the fibre to linen or something more ... erm... absorbant (? sounds a bit ewww, but you know what I mean). Hope life is treating you well. Claire
Haha that last graphic! 🧶 🫥
Well said!