Summer is coming
Seasonal knitting is a thing, right? Previously, when spring/summer came around I would park my knitting in a box until the autumn. Nowadays, I can’t imagine not knitting for such a long time and there are so many cute summer projects out there!
While you may want to steer clear of bulky wool yarns, you could consider more natural ones, like cotton, linen or silk for warm-weather projects like tops. These fibers are lightweight and breathable, making them more comfortable to wear on hotter days.
Here’s a round-up of a few summer tops you can make and wear during the next months. Enjoy!
(If you are interested to learn more about how I choose to include patterns in my round-up, you can read my post Making the cut.)
Copyright: Handmade by Kunbi
Rosy Posy tee by Handmade by Kunbi
Simple stockinette in the front, delicate lace design in the back. What a lovely combination, Kunbi designed here - both for knitting and wearing! Knitted with DK weight on 4mm needles, the Rosy Posy tee comes in nine sizes with a finished bust range of 102-180cm.
Tolsta tee by Rebecca Clow
The Tolsta tee was designed for cotton yarns, thus making it perfect for summer. But Rebecca Clow also made the wardrobe staple highly customizable, including a lace pattern, stripes and stitched on daisies, which are so cute. Just have a look at the pattern page! The pattern now comes with options for both fingering and DK weight as well as ten sizes with finished bust circumferences of 80-169.5cm.
Copyright: Rebecca Clow
Copyright: Naked Knit
Wrap top/bra by Naked Knit
When Naked Knit entered the ‚knittersphere‘ (it’s a thing, no?), I was hooked by the idea to knit your own bra. Any chance to work with luxurious yarns like cashmere, I am here for it.
If you aren’t quite there yet to knit a bra, check out their Wrap pattern - it comes as both a bra or (crop) top and could make for a lovely summer piece on its own. The pattern comes in six languages and instead of prescribed sizes, both the cups and the body are knitted after personal measurements. A truly bespoke garment!
Sunset Camisole by Sari Nordlund
If you are looking for a summer top with spaghetti straps and that little bit of extra, check out the Sunset Camisole. I love a good minimalist design with a detail, like the frill on Sari’s top, which makes it stand out.
Construction features such as increases on the sides to make the top slightly A-line round off a great pattern, which comes in nine sizes and is drafted for sport weight yarns on 3mm needles.
Copyright: Sari Nordlund
Copyright: Midori Hirose
Tulip Guernsey by Midori Hirose
What is more spring-like than tulips? The lace details in the front just scream „Warmer days are coming“ for me. Midori Hirose has designed a very versatile pattern with different sleeve and neck options (boatneck forever and always for me).
Depending on yarn choices, the Tulip Guernsey will work year-round in your wardrobe. The pattern recommends worsted weight yarn as well as 4.5 and 5.5mm needles. It features ten sizes and comes in both English and Japanese.
Thea top by Paula strickt
The Thea top is a simple tank top that will knit up quickly. I first noticed it as the sample is knit in a yarn I would actually love to try: a cotton, viscose, linen blend which just sounds perfect for summer! I can image that I would reach for this a lot during the hot days in Copenhagen (which are not *that* hot, I know) and wear it with my new oversized linen shirt I got in Japan. Unfortunately, the pattern comes in only five sizes (worsted weight, 3-4mm needles) and is recommended to be knitted oversized.
Copyright: Susanne Müller