Pacific Northwesters have the reputation of being “outdoorsy.”  And this is a pretty fair generalization in Summer when many of us will do whatever we can do to be outside during our precious sunny-blue-skies days!  True, our climate is mild enough that getting outside to walk, run, bike, etc. is an option year ‘round (not necessarily pleasant, but do-able) — but sitting outside is purely a Summer sport here.

Parks, patios, beaches, lawns, decks, ballparks, boats, cafes, restaurants….you get the idea.  Wherever there is a chair or bench, a patch of grass or stretch of sand, a rock or log some Pacific Northwester is sitting sun-warmed and smiling.  My favorite is when it is warm enough to sit comfortably in the shade with a breeze as slight as a breath to keep the mugginess at bay.

So with all this traipsing about outdoors, I find that my most essential Summer knitting accessory is a good bag!  And I found one — quite by accident — in Bellingham in May.

I was not looking for a bag (in theory, I have plenty of knitting bags), but this one had an octopus on it!    So, I admit that I bought it for pure cuteness.  But it has become my “go to” (or, actually, “go with”) bag all summer because of its functionality!  It is squared up like a suitcase (not like the usual tote) and has a heavy zipper — it holds a lot and everything is enclosed and protected.  It is waterproof (I wouldn’t try letting the tide wash it up and down the beach, but it seems impervious to general damp and splashes).  It has sturdy handles.  It fits nicely beside my feet in the car (when I am the knitting passenger).  It sits open so I can work out of it and does not tip over when I pull out a project or jerk on my yarn.  It is perfect!  And it is adorable.

I picked up two smaller bags by the same manufacturer (Blue Q Bags) — which were also too charming to pass up.  One as a project bag and one for tools.  Again, perfect.  And adorable.

And so what is in the bag these days?  What projects go to the pool and to the park and baseball games?  What went camping with me last weekend?  What rides with me to the zoo?  Pretty much the plainest knitting I can bring myself to do 🙂

Garter bias and a simple lace rectangles for a Summer q’mitl

Garter bias stripes for a Summer top

My Mariners shawl (I am on the final section which is just knits and purls — tho it will have a lace edging to finish it off — the edging pattern is called Pennants! Ideal for post-season knitting, right?!)

Just enough knitting to keep my hands pleasantly occupied while my brain and senses take in the glory of Summer.