It’s kind of a conundrum…

You’re looking ahead to sweater weather, but you’re not yet in the mood to work with heavy wools.

Loops Trooper Evelyn solved the puzzle with this super-cute, transitional top in Gusto, a lightweight tonal merino dyed especially for Loops!

“Tilly” by This.Bird.Knits is a wearable little top with airy lace and simple sleeves. It’s knit in the round from the top down, and simple short rows are worked across the back for easy shaping.

Evelyn says: “It only took 2 skeins of Gusto and knit up really fast! I loved the tonal color variation of the yarn and knitting the loose gauge on larger needles gave the yarn a nice drape. It blocked out beautifully and the lace opened right up. The pattern was easy to understand and with the loose breezy fit, it’s a great style for all body types!”

Knit your Tilly top with 2 or 3 skeins of Gusto and Size 9 needles. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Pick your Gusto color (“Red River” or “Grey Day”) here.

Click your heels together 3 times… 👠👠👠

Loops Trooper Jane and her sister paired up to create these amazing new bags with our trademarked Loops logo and a little reminder of how truly magical Loops is! ✨

We have a limited number of Jane’s “There’s No Place Like Loops” bags – perfect for holding your current project.

Follow the yellow brick road to get yours here.

P.S. Have you planned your own visit to the Land of Loops yet? We made this handy travel planner for you…check it out!

Around Loops, we don’t look at our linen as a “summer” yarn. To us, it’s the ultimate trans-seasonal fiber. And Quince & Co. has the ultimate linen yarns in our opinion (we’ve tried them all!)

Our lovely Carla made Leila Raven’s “Deschain” – a spring-to-fall favorite with striking textured lace. The focal point is an easy shale lace motif that dances down the front and is echoed in the hem. Designed with plenty of ease for a relaxed fit, this cropped boxy pullover is worked flat and then seamed, with slim sleeves picked up and worked in the round down to the cuff.

It’s perfect in Quince Kestrel – the faster-knitting aran weight option.

Our other must-make for Kestrel – an organic linen ribbon yarn in an aran weight with *spectacular* stitch definition – is Elizabeth Smith’s “Mira.”

Mira is a great layering piece for year-round. The oversized shape and relaxed gauge aim for maximum drape, which is then compounded by eyelets and garter stitch. There’s very little shaping in this piece, making for a relaxing knit.

Ravelry user CoolKnitannia said:

“I really enjoyed knitting this, as it’s such a quick knit, because of the loose gauge, and the effect is brilliant. This is a piece I will wear again and again.”

For fingering weight fans, the favorite it Quince Sparrow. Its clean, smooth hand is crisp as you knit it. And after washing this fingering weight, it becomes handkerchief soft.

“Argil” by Clare Lakewood is a fantastic warm weather top (that would look so cute with a cardigan or deconstructed jacket this fall!) and skims the body beautifully in Quince Sparrow.  (photo credit: Laura Morsman)

This size-inclusive pattern (bust sizes 33.75-64 inches!) is knit flat with flattering angles, graphic stripes, and that cute tie in the front!

One more linen pick to consider is “Cullum” by Isabell Kraemer. This seamless tee is a breezy top knitted in Sparrow. It’s embellished with lacy details at neck and hem and has an easy fit that works with everything in your wardrobe.

This classic silhouette is great with a casual pair of jeans and looks adorable over your favorite dress or overalls. The gentle Sparrow palette will put a smile on your face as you watch Cullum’s lace open up in these linen stitches.

You can find all of these patterns on Ravelry.

Shop Kestrel here to make Deschain or Mira.

Shop Sparrow here to make Argil or Cullum.

We wanted to share another summery recipe that’s perfect outside on the grill or inside on your favorite cast iron skillet. It’s another great “3-ingredient” recipe from epicurious.com!

Pesto Grilled Chicken with Peaches!

Find a great prepared pesto and you can have dinner in no time! The pesto works as both a simple marinade for the chicken and a finishing sauce. Grilling the peaches caramelizes their natural sugars and adds a smoky flavor to the subtle fruit, turning them into a delicious side.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups store-bought or homemade pesto, divided
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided, plus more for grill
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
8 small bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
4 ripe peaches, halved

Directions:
1. Whisk 1 1/2 cups pesto, 1/2 cup oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add chicken to bowl and slide your hand between skin and meat to loosen skin. Rub half of pesto mixture under skin, then half over outside. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

2. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat or heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high; oil grate or pan. Season chicken with remaining 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Grill chicken, skin side down, covered, until golden brown and lightly charred, 7–9 minutes. Turn and grill until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F (5–7 minutes). Transfer chicken to a plate.

3. Brush peach halves with oil. Reduce heat to medium and grill peaches, cut side down, until warmed through, 2–3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup pesto and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl. Arrange chicken and peaches on a platter and drizzle pesto sauce over. Serve remaining sauce alongside.

Yum! The taste of summer!