Summer knitting calls for lightweight yarns, small projects and lace when at all possible. When knitting in the summer heat, the last thing you want is a big pile of wool sitting on your lap. It's also prime travel season and the knitting project I love to travel with is socks. They are fun to knit and won't take up a lot room in your carry-on.

Since moving to California, I've nearly stopped knitting. I make a pair or two of socks a year, sometimes a hat or an occasional baby sweater. Whereas when I lived in Oregon, I knit countless hats, mittens and a fair number of big bulky sweaters. Here in southern climes though, I have little need for sweaters, especially bulky ones. So my knitting has dwindled and sewing has stepped in to fill my making hours. For a few years now, I've been thinking that I was just knitting the wrong things and should try a summer knit. So to inspire myself (and you!) I put together this little roundup of summer knitting patterns.