Davis, California is a quaint little college town about two hours northeast of San Francisco - a perfect place for escaping the city and enjoying some Northern California summertime heat (wasn't it Mark Twain who said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco?")

Last Thursday, I popped up to Davis for a few hours with my hubby - who was headed there for a meeting. My plan was to stroll along tree-lined streets, drink fresh lemonade on a veranda, and antique into the late afternoon while he toiled away in an office somewhere. Sounds dreamy, right?

Well, when I got there the intensity of the 90 degree heat caught me by surprise. I tried to take it all in stride but the fact that I was lugging around an overstuffed purse and a 600 page hardbound novel made wandering the grid that makes up Davis's downtown not quite as charming as I had imagined.

Fortunately, the reality was close enough to the dream if you substitute a killer Ethiopian buffet (Queen Sheba on E Street) for "lemonade on a veranda" and  a quick visit to Found, a beautifully curated ephemera shop, for "antiquing into the late afternoon."

Found was certainly the crown jewel of the day for me. The proprietress, Ingrid, is so charming and unassuming - and her tiny place so intimate and steeped in creative energy, that I thought I had wandered into her private art studio.

Found's collections are ever changing as each piece is literally one-of-a-kind, making return visits absolutely essential. Ingrid procures her extraordinary wares while traveling throughout the States and beyond, and via parcels from friends and colleagues abroad. She took great pains to tell me that the store was pretty well depleted - I should have been there last week!" - but I found no lack at all in her offerings and was overwhelmed by the gorgeous little bits and pieces that were carefully strewn about every surface and tucked away in numerous curio cabinets.

While I was there she had hand quilted blankets from India made of recycled saris, an insane collection of mint condition, hand folded, crepe-paper Hawaiian leis from the 1940s (with their original tags intact!); vintage, hand carved, block printing stamps from Northern India; dried lotus pods, a collection of insanely beautiful vintage buttons, and about a million other grand things I can't quite recall.

If you are in Davis now, or find yourself simply passing through - you must pop in to Found. You never know what you'll discover.

Found
132 E Street
Davis, California 95616

Seems odd, but in August I am thinking of merino wool and cashmere – sweaters, scarves, and hats. I am sure this has to do with my programming as a designer (which, if properly calibrated, would actually have me thinking next August in August) but regardless, around this time of year I am fantasizing about kettle-dyed merinos and handspun cashmere on a daily basis.

Now, it does make sense to begin your fall knitting at the end of the summer, but lugging around a bunch of wintry yarns in the hottest months of the year makes me feel like some sort of knitting martyr. And why make life tough when it’s summertime “and the livin’ is easy”?

 I’m a big believer that you should be able to have your cake and eat it too, so here is my list of 3 tips for summertime knitting that can easily transition into fall. The cashmere will have to wait.

1.      Choose the right yarn: Cottons, silks, and rayon blends (bamboo, modal, viscose) are wonderful for summer knits and can become great layering pieces as you transition into fall. Be sure to choose a light gauge (sport weight or lighter) as heavier yarns tend to have a less polished look in a finished garment. A few additional tips:

• Rayon blends have a tendency to drip or stretch over time. Do some research on your yarn to see how it will respond to wear, and make sure your pattern will work well with a rayon blend yarn
• I personally love a 100% cotton soft-spun or a boucle yarn for summer knitting. These yarns will give you an infinitely softer finished product than a plied yarn (e.g. feels like cashmere at a fraction of the price) and create fabrics with breathability AND warmth. Extra points for versatility, but shedding and/or pilling may be an issue.
  

2.      Choose the right color for you: Knit a solid or tonal piece in a color that works well with your skin tone AND your wardrobe. It may seem “too safe” when you are in the yarn shop but you will be happier with the end result if you show some discipline up front.

3.      Choose a simple pattern: Keep it simple, light, and soft. Your summer knitting should be like a summer read – quick, easy, and satisfying. Save the tough stuff for the months you’ll spend by the fireplace!

That’s all for today. Happy knitting!