Every year, as the days grow longer and the temperature rises, thousands of quilters brush the stray fibers from their clothes and leave their sewing stations to bask in warmth of Summer. Whether you head out to spend time in your garden, enjoy barbecues with friends or set off on an annual family vacation, time away from your beloved machine can be crushing. Many summer activities take place away from your house in locations that don’t lend themselves well to quilting. Lugging that machine on a family camping trip is out of the question. Where will you cut fabric at the beach?

If you’re in need of a quilting fix but not willing to give up socializing and mobility, I have a suggestion. Crocheted Quilts.

Many popular quilt patterns have been written out into crochet patterns that are free online. Packing a few skeins into a bag with a hook and printed instructions will provide you with an easy project that won’t take up much space and was practically made to travel. Take it poolside, on the road or even to a ball game on a stitch n’ pitch night. You’ll find it easy to converse over and since all of the pieces are assembled at the end of the project, it’s easy to only work on small pieces at a time.

It probably won’t work as a replacement, but it might ease you through some Summertime blues.

Here are a few of the patterns that I found:

Around the World Crochet Quilt by Karen Buhr (Pictured Above)

Argylesque Crochet Quilt by Happy Yellow House

Wedding Ring Quilt Crochet Pattern by Red Heart

Country Star Afghan by Vicki Becker

Amish Baskets Crochet Pattern by Happy Yellow House