Need some more ideas for summertime knitting? Check out Kristi Porter's two excellent books on the subject.

Knitting in the Sun by Kristi Porter. Wiley.

Knitting in the Sun and More Knitting in the Sun are written by a California knitter who still finds ways to knit -- and use her knits -- all  year long. In these books you'll find accessories, sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved items, wraps and other goodies for the warm weather, whether that's just a couple months of the year where you live or all year round.

The first book focuses on projects for women, while the second book is all about kids. I actually liked the second book better because of the variety and the fact that many of the projects go up to size 12 -- and you don't find a lot of knitting patterns fitting that demographic.

If you've read or knit from either of these books, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Cotton yarn is not just for washcloths, though of course that's a great use for it and I have made a bunch of knit washcloths through the years (my daughter loves using them, too, which is a bonus). Here are some more project ides for working with this versatile yarn.

I love this Slip Stitch Baby Blanket, and the parents loved that it was machine washable. © Sarah E. White.

• The Slip Stitch Baby Blanket is one of my all-time favorites. Cotton is perfect for a summer baby and parents will appreciate that it's machine washable.
• Speaking of summer babies, the Cotton Beanie is a super-simple and quick knitting project that can easily be embellished to suit mom's taste.
• Bamboo stitch is a lot of fun to knit, and this three-color Bamboo Stitch Table Runner makes a nice statement on your table any time of year.
• Another interesting choice for the table is the Andalusian Stitch Napkin. It's a commitment to knit a whole set, but they sure are pretty.
• Finish off your knit table with quick and easy Cabled Napkin Rings.
• And if you're tired of knitting washcloths, try a Soap Sack to hold your favorite bar and give it a little scrubbing action.

For the past couple of months I've been sharing some articles from Creative Knitting magazine's editor, Kara Gott Warner, that have given us a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into putting a knitting magazine together.

A photo shoot for Creative Knitting magazine.

She told us all about the submissions process and how themes and color stories come into play as the knit garments are produced, and today she's sharing all about the photo shoot. It's always interesting to me how the knit items are presented in magazines, and I imagine that's a really fun but difficult job to decide how best to show off a knit while showing the readers exactly what they need to see to decide if it's a project they want to knit.

I hope you've enjoyed this series, and I'd love to hear if its inspired you to try your hand at knitwear design, or if you have any other thoughts. Kara and I are brewing up more goodness, so stay tuned for that as well.

Cotton is one of the most environmentally hazardous fibers to produce, because so many pesticides are used to grow cotton. That's why it's worth considering using organic cotton if you can afford it or if you're knitting for children or someone who might be particularly sensitive to environmental chemicals.

Galler Yarns Inca-Eco Organic Cotton yarn. © Sarah E. White.

The good news is there are a lot of different organic options on the market for knitters who want to use them. Here's a look at a few.

• Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton is a really organic feeling, kind of bumpy textured yarn that's soft and squishy
• Kollage Hope is a lovely, creamy lightweight yarn made completely in the United States, further reducing its footprint
• Galler Yarns Inca-Eco Cotton is a highly textured organic cotton yarn that comes in lovely colors and is a lot of fun for simple projects

I admit I don't use organic yarn all the time, but I do think it makes a difference when you're knitting something really special. Have you tried organic yarns? Did you notice a difference? I'd love to hear your thoughts.