Welcome to the second instalment of my new series: Summer Knitwear 2019!
In this series I look at the trends in summer knitwear this year and make pattern suggestions for knitters inspired to replicate these looks.
See here for an overview and links for the whole series.
In today’s post, the focus is on the widespread trend of lace.
Lots of lace
With their airy, openwork designs, it is perhaps unsurprising that lace garments are almost always in fashion in the hot, summer months. This year is no different and there are many examples of classic lace knitwear– usually pretty and delicate, with a soft, whimsical feel and in a colour palette of whites, creams and pastels.
However, in the past couple of seasons, designers have also seemed to enjoy challenging these expectations of lace, playing with proportion and colour to create lace garments that are oversized, feature dramatic silhouettes and cut outs or are in bold, bright colours.
See more examples of lace in knitwear- and knitting pattern suggestions- in my post from 2018: Trending: openwork lace knits
Mesh motif
The orderly eyelet rows that were so widespread in last summer’s knitwear seem to have morphed into more relaxed, mesh fabrics this season. At designers such as Marc Jacobs, Missoni, Calvin Klein and Brunello Cucinelli, mesh lace was used as a fabric for whole garments.
Chloe played with texture and colour by layering lace with solid contrast fabrics and Balmain used it as contrasting panels amidst solid knits. Sonia Rykiel went for a more playful look with bright sweaters that combined mesh with fruit themed motifs- bananas, strawberries and apples!
Clockwise, from top left: Sonia Rykiel Oversized Two Tone Macrame Wool Blend Sweater (here), Missoni Beaded Crochet Knit Top (here), Marc Jacobs Metallic open mesh knit cardigan (here).
From left: Sonia Rykiel Short Sleeved Apple Jumper (here), Balmain Sequin Stripe Sweater (here).
Knitting inspiration
Clockwise, from top left: Beleza by Alison Green (here), 259-30 Lang Yarns Baby Cotton By LangYarns Switzerland (here), Sceles by Anna Maltz (here).
From left: Manson Sweater by rock n wool (here), Washed Ashore Sweater by we are knitters (here).
Pretty traditional
See by Chloe led the way in pretty, delicate lace designs in knitwear this season- from grids of lace punctuated by crochet ruffles, to mesh mixed with wavy stitches, to soft, alpaca, marked with a dainty, all-over lace stitch (here).
Pointelle featured in a number of collections, the classic eyelet lace patterns often given a new look with the choice of vibrant, strong colours, such as neon green at Les Reveries and mustard yellow at McQ Alexander McQueen.
Traditional eyelet accents were also given new life at designers such as 3.1 Phillip Lim (here), Ganni and Isabel Marant, who combined them with chunky, oversized jumpers, rather than the more classic, lightweight, neat sweaters.
Clockwise from left: Les Reveries Neon Pointelle Trimmed Knitted Tank (here), McQ Alexander McQueen Pointelle Knit and Chenille Top (here), Ulla Johnson Austen Crochet Knit Cotton Blend Sweater (here).
From left: Chloe Ruffle Trimmed Pointelle Knit Sweater (here), Isabel Marant Crop Sweater (here), Ganni Mohair and Wool Blend Sweater (here).
Knitting inspiration
Clockwise from top left: #01 Lace Turtleneck by Yoko Hatta, photo copyright SoHo Publishing (here), Arizona Tee by Amy Gunderson, photo copyright Interweave / Harper Point (here), Boxy Lace Tee by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas (here).
From left: Azalea by Pam Allen (here), Ranunculus by Midori Hirose (here).
Clockwise from top left: Adine Pullover by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (here), Veza by Jimenez Joseph (here), Silvered by Dieuwke Schack-Mulligen (here).
Over to you
Do you prefer the traditional, pretty lace designs or the more unusual, oversized, irregular eyelet styles? I’d love to hear suggestions for any further examples of lace in knitwear this season or pattern ideas.
knitting through the back loop 
The traditional designs are beautiful as ever, and the mesh ones seem pretty exciting!
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Yes, I really want to try out a mesh design-maybe a little top? I’m currently finishing a more traditional lace edged shawl and love that look, but it is fun to try out lace in a slightly different style!
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