Chances are, diehard knitters and crocheters aren't creating thick wool scarves and ear-flapped hats during the summer months, but most don't let high temperatures and excessive sunshine stop them from enjoying their yarn time.
According to Caitlin Walsh, owner of Loop, 2963 N. Humboldt Blvd., summer doesn't usually attract newbies to the hobby, but many pre-existing knitters and crocheters craft the same amount as they do during the other three seasons.
"People tend to knit smaller items, not garment-based things, and generally knit with plant based fibers like bamboo and cotton," says Walsh.
Riverwest's Lisa Desmond says she actually knits more in the summer because she has extra down time while her 5-year-old spends time outdoors.
"I want my daughter to be outside as much as possible and having a knitting project keeps me from dying of boredom while she swings for the millionth time or builds another sandcastle," says Desmond.
Monica Thomas, a self-described "hooker," says she crochets just as much in the summer as she does in the winter, but her projects change.
"Winter is hardcore scarf and hat season for me. I make arm warmers and mittens and sometimes butt sweaters," says Thomas. "Summer inspires hats with a more open-work design, also ponchos, bags and utilitarian accessories like sunglasses cases and cup cozies. I have yet to crochet a bikini to wear myself, but I meant to make one to put on the Bronze Fonz for International Yarn Bombing Day."
International Yarn Bombing Day was Saturday, June 11 and encouraged fiber artists to "tag" public structures, signs, trees and more with their yarn creations.
"I missed it this year, but maybe I'll do it next year," says Thomas, who has also crocheted cupcakes, fish, squid, dragons, sperm, eyeballs and prayer shawls.
Many summer knitters alter their projects for the season simply because they don't want a lap full of hot yarn.
Carmen Ballman and Melissa Cofa co-operate The Green Yarn Company that's based in Eagle, Wis. They make yarn from recycled sweaters, blanket and scarves. In the summer, the women say they knit a lot of dishrags and "squares" for future larger pieces that they put together in the winter.
"Squares are much easier to carry around," says Ballmann. "And cooler."
The Green Yarn Company is at the Public Market's outdoor market the first Saturday or every month, excluding August.
Some knitters and crocheters turn to lace projects in the summer, according to Walsh.
"People are making lace projects like small shawls and shrugs," says Walsh. "And wash clothes kitchen curtains and hand towels are big this this time of year, too."
In 2007, the National Needle Arts Association started hosting "Stitch 'N Pitch" events that invite knitters to bring their yarn work to stadiums across the country. On June 5, 2010, Stitch 'N Pitch set a new Guinness World Record for "Most People Crocheting Simultaneously" at the Mets' Citi Field.
This year, the Milwaukee Brewers offered a Stitch 'N Pitch game at Miller Park on June 21, and the event drew 1,200 participants. Cully Swansen, the grandson of the late international knitting guru Elizabeth Zimmerman, threw out the first pitch of the game.
"Even the sausages were working on their knitting," jokes John H. Steinmiller, media relations manager for the Brewers.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
