As a person who knits year round, mostly in climate-controlled comfort, it doesn't matter all that much to me what sorts of yarn I knit with at different times of year. I'm actually jonesing to knit a bulky hat out of the leftover Lopi from my Bulky Knee Socks, and since it would probably take all of an hour or two to knit, I'll probably do that soon even if I can't use it for months.

But I know some people prefer to knit more seasonally than that, or may not have air conditioning so they want to knit small, non-wool projects during the summer. Or maybe you get the joy of knitting on the beach, in a boat or at a cabin in the woods where you want something seasonal (and machine washable to get all the sand out of it when you're done!).

For those occasions, I have to say my favorite fibers for knitting in the summer are cotton and bamboo.

Cotton is of course a classic of summertime knitting, being relatively lightweight and breathable. It's colorful, strong, durable, machine washable and inexpensive (usually). It can be rough to work with if you're using cottons in the kitchen cotton world, but it can also be quite soft and delicate. Mercerized cotton adds some shiny summertime fun to the party.

Bamboo yarn is smooth, strong and flexible, and has a bit of a sheen making it look sort of mercerized. It's silky, cool and all kinds of drapey, perfect for slinky summer tops. It's also a renewable resource because bamboo grows so quickly, which is nice if you care about sustainability. Bamboo is often touted as having antibacterial properties, but how much of that remains after processing is difficult to tell. On the downside, bamboo needs to be handwashed because it's delicate when wet and can lose strength and swell and stretch considerably in water. (Don't try knitting a bikini in it!)

Do you have summer knitting yarn favorites? I'd love to hear what you like to work with this time of year.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, which marks the unofficial beginning of summer. It's already warm enough where I live to have been declared summer a few weeks ago, and I certainly feel the pull toward lighter-weight yarns and smaller projects these days.

So this week I want to know if you notice a change in your knitting habits when the weather gets warmer. Do you knit less because you're spending so much time outdoors? Or is it the only time of year you actually have time to knit because school is out?

Let me know by answering this poll, and please leave a comment about what you're planning to knit this summer! My bucket list includes socks for me and the girl, finishing up some long-lingering projects, and maybe actually taking a little break from knitting for a few days, too. (I do like other crafts, too, you know!)

It doesn't seem possible, but it's almost June, which means Father's Day is right around the corner. This is not the time of year when most people think about knitting gifts, but doesn't dad deserve a bit of handmade love anyway?

This Bottle Cozy works for cans, too. Just sayin'. © Sarah E. White.

A handknit Garter Stitch Tie knows no season, for instance, and if you know a dad who has to wear ties he's sure to appreciate the opportunity to sport a different look from all the other guys in the office.

Another great knit that any dad is sure to enjoy and that's a perfect fit with the season is a Bottle Cozy. This is a really easy knit and you can add it to a gift of a six-pack or case of dad's favorite beverage for a thoughtful gift that's sure to get used. (If dad is more of a wine person, make a Wine Bottle Cozy instead. It's just as easy, though it will take a little longer.)

If your dad taught you to always be prepared, you could also knit him a hat. That way he'll be ready when the first flakes fall, even if that's months from now.

Have you ever crafted a Father's Day gift? I'd love to hear what you made and how it went over.

If you're still mulling a project to take on for the Ravelympics or just for summer knitting, why not think about knitting something from a British designer in honor of that country's hosting of the Summer Games? There are so many great designers from across the pond, designing classic, colorful, wearable knits, some of which will provide you with a challenge and some of which are just fun summertime knits.

Here are a few books from Brit designers I've reviewed through the years; I'd love to hear about your favorites, too.

Knitting with the Color Guys is one of my current favorite Brit knitting books.

When most knitters think of British knitting, they probably think of Rowan. This iconic yarn company has been producing wonderful yarns and interesting patterns to go with them for more than 30 years, and 2009's Rowan's Greatest Knits offers up 30 patterns from the company's archive and offers a history of the trends that influenced the company's designs by the decade. Another fun book from Rowan is Vintage Knits from Rowan, which has 30 designs inspired by the fashions of the 1940s, '50s and '60s.

The other thing knitters probably think about when they think about British knitting is the colorful work of Kaffe Fassett and his protege Brandon Malby. Both have produced books on color knitting (check out Fassett's Kaffe Knits Again and Malby's Knitting Color), and the recently teamed up for the excellent and incredibly inspiring Knitting with the Color Guys.

Another famous Brit knitter is Debbie Bliss, and I've reviewed a ton of her books (she's incredibly prolific with her simple, classic designs). Check out The Knitter's Year for projects for all seasons, including sweltery summer.

And finally, if you want to knit something quintessentially British (and those Rowan books aren't enough for you) take a peek at Sasha Kagan's Classic Collection, a 20 pattern, 40-year retrospective of some of the designer's favorite knits and the stories behind them.

If all of that doesn't make you want to brew a little tea and sit down with some knitting and an episode of "Downton Abbey," I don't know what will.