Tag: summer knitting

A Collection of Summer Knitting Patterns

Sharing some favorited patterns from a summer knitting collection.

Spring is here and much of the country is ready for it – more than ready. And summer is close behind. Knitters may be thinking about starting new knitting projects with summer in mind. This page lists some of my favorite, saved patterns, and a few yarn ideas for summer knitting.

I live in central Florida and I love to knit. This was a challenge for me in the beginning of my knitting journey. I tried all kinds of yarn. Sock yarn comes in such pretty colors. Superwash yarn sounded perfect, but in the end, it droops horribly. I just didn’t like the looks of my knitting projects. They didn’t have that cozy feel. I like wool.

So what can I knit that I might possibly wear during the six months plus of heat? More importantly, do I want to bother with that type of knitting? Each year it seems that I continue to debate this issue with myself!

Summer Tops to Knit, Patterns From My Favorites

These patterns are saved in my Ravelry “favorites”.

  • Camisole No. 11, by My Favorite Things Knitwear. This is a cute, sleeveless, eyelet pattern top. It is also a new pattern (as of this writing). Yarn is DK weight.
  • Lima Top, by Pernille Larson. Sleeveless tank with colorwork. This one is knit bottom up. I’m not really sure how the colorwork is done at the top? (Fingering weight yarn)
  • Diamond Breeze cardigan, by Pascuali Designs. A lightweight, no-buttons cardigan.
  • Uptown Tee, by Tori Yu. A simple short sleeve tee with interesting little sleeve caps. (Fingering weight)
  • Ombre Tank Redux, by Espace Tricot. Wide stripes, ombre coloring, long sleeveless tank pattern.
  • Caesura Tuck, by Asa Tricosa. All one color tank, with a tuck in the back, and tiny, inset pocket.
girl on a float, illustrated image
Image by André Santana Design André Santana from Pixabay

No Plans to a Knit Summer Project

After perusing these patterns, here are my thoughts. Yes, a few of these tops could work for me. They take less yarn (cheaper maybe) and less time to knit (depending on the yarn) than something with long sleeves. But no, I don’t want to do it. It simply seems, for me, like a waste of time.

There are so many sweater patterns in my queue, just waiting for the chance to be knit. I have two collections of wool recently purchased for chosen patterns. There are four or five works in progress (WIPS) in my knitting bags. I’ll never get to them all as it is. Why would I want to throw in a summer top?

But maybe my readers need a starting point, and maybe they are looking for a cute summer top to knit. I sit in air-conditioning coolness all summer long. Many people do not, and they need a cooler project in their laps.

Summer Knitting Yarn Ideas

The second problem with summer knitting is selecting a yarn. Which yarn should be used to knit a summer top? Summer tops tend to need washing a lot more than a winter sweater. Hand knits should be hand-washed, but is there a nice yarn that would hold up to machine washing?

Well, I don’t know the answer to that question, but I will list some yarn brands that the summer knitters have been using. And yes, if you live anywhere but Florida and the Deep South, maybe you would use some kind of wool.

  • Silk, or silk mix: Knitting For Olive Pure Silk, Kinu by Ito – is a 465 yard cone.
  • Linen, or mix: Sandnes Garn Tynn Line (at Wool & Company, this yarn is listed as machine wash, lay flat to dry). Isager Trio 2 – a mix of Linen, Cotton, and Lyocell.
  • Cotton, or mix: Search – lots out there. Be careful of shrinkage and color fading. Knitting for Olive Cotton Merino – a mix of cotton and Merino wool. Hempathy – mix of cotton, cellulose, and manufactured fibers.

While I do live in a sub-tropical climate, I prefer knitting with wool. I love wearing hats and sweaters. They are worn only on the coldest of mornings and in my own yard, or for early morning walks. Floridians don’t want to be reminded of anything to do with actual winters. They came here to escape the cold. Dressing in wool here will get stares and glares.

girls by the sea AI illustration
Image by Seidenperle from Pixabay

If you have knit, or will knit any of these projects (or other summer projects) I’d love to hear how it goes. For now, I’m going to keep knitting my sweaters.

All Knitters Welcome

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Knitting the Lakeland Tee in Isager Palet

Knitting a summer tee pattern called “Lakeland” and using cotton yarn from Isager called “Palet”. This is my review.

I am finally knitting the Lakeland tee pattern (link to pattern at bottom of page) with short sleeves and a slight v-neck. This wonderful, easy pattern comes from designer Heidi Kirrmaier (link goes to her Ravelry pattern page). The Lakeland sample is knit in big blocks of color, but color choice is up to the knitter. Some knitters have done the top in one solid color. Others have used variegated yarn, or created stripes.

Isager Palet Cotton Yarn

Also, I am using a yarn I have never used before. Isager Palet is a cotton yarn with a flat strand and comes in variegated colors. I am using Ocean blue (5 skeins) as my main color and plan to use brown – color “Dunes” (1 skein) – further down the body for thin stripes.

Isager cotton Palet yarn
Isager Palet is a flat, cotton yarn

The Knitting Pattern

The pattern for the Lakeland top is very easy to follow. I have just separated the body and sleeves and will now continue down the body and add some brown color at some point.

The pattern begins with some back and forth, flat, knitting which raises the back of the top (there are no short rows), shapes the neck edge and marks out the sleeve areas. All directions are very easy to read and understand. I used four different color markers as the pattern suggested, which was helpful.

All increases made at the edges of the neck should be done carefully and correctly because this part of the top will be very noticeable when worn.

I’m going to do something different for the sleeves and make them shorter.

knitting Lakeland pattern tee
The Lakeland tee, knit with Isager Palet yarn.

Knitting With Isager Yarn

I began knitting this top using metal needles and it made the Isager Palet too slippery. I changed to wooden needles and was happier. The yarn is very easy to knit with. I also went up a needle size, and my stitch gauge was exact, but the rows were short.

The fabric created by the Palet yarn is very nice. It is light, and will probably be fairly cool and comfy in the Florida heat. And let me tell you, it’s been hot!

One thing that I’m having trouble with is the way this yarn comes off the skein. If I pull from the outside, I tend to get a bunch of strands that fall off the skein and get tangled. If I pull from the inside, I can’t find the end easily, and there is a tangled mess. So, I’m not sure which is best.

I’m more used to using wool, and changing colors and skeins is a bit weird with this yarn. It seems like it won’t stay put when “tucked in”, but I guess it will.

Creating the Stripes

About five inches down the body I began to add stripes. I am doing two rows of “Dune” brown, and then seven rows of “Ocean” blue. I really didn’t know how I would do the stripes. All I knew for sure was that I wanted them to begin below the boob line. I’m carrying the brown by catching it on each blue row so I don’t have to break it every time.

thin stripes knitting Lakeland tee
Lakeland pattern – beginning stripes on lower body

The body rib is 2×2 with a split hem. This means that one half of the hem is knit first, then the other half will be knit to leave a split at each side. I like this look, but have never done it. I’m using a size 4 needle – one size smaller than the 5 used for the main part of the tee. The pattern directions were a little confusing here, when they say to go down one size, but the US sizes listed are 4 and 2. I used a size 5 for the main part of the sweater, then a size 4 for the ribbing.

Needle Problems

Unfortunately, I discovered that the Lykke blue needles that I bought were too rough to use! I ended up using the Chiao Goo metal needle for the ribbing. But, even after sanding down the Lykke needle (for the price this should not be a thing), it measures larger than a size 4! Hmmmm… I bought it on Amazon, so maybe it is not a real Lykke (Amazon is not to be trusted at times). I’ve never had problems before, but this was very disappointing.

2x2 ribbing split hem knitting
Doing the ribbing on Lakeland

July 4th… Happy Independence Day my fellow Americans! Yesterday I tried on my Lakeland tee, once the ribbing section (half of it) was done. The garment fits perfectly! This is exciting, and makes me want to finish up my project.

  • Corrugated ribbing on sleeve
  • corrugated ribbing on sleeve
    Corrugated rib on sleeve
  • Lakeland tee knitting
  • Lakeland tee knitting
    One sleeve finished
Lakeland tee hand knit
Lakeland Tee finished!

In The End…

Great pattern. I may use it to knit this top again using a wool yarn and making long sleeves. I love the shallow, v-neck. I’m not crazy about this yarn – for a shirt. The yarn color selection is a bit bland, and the end product is too heavy for wearing in summer in Florida. I wish I had NOT changed the sleeves and simply made them shorter.

Lakeland Tee Pattern Page

wearing the Lakeland tee hand knit

I already have a new sweater knitting project in the queue – this time back to using wool. The yarn order is in and the Blueberry Vodka Lemonade pattern is purchased!

cats and yarn

Continue reading…

Over the Top Tee, Knitting For Hot Weather

For summer, which is year round in Florida, I am knitting a pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier called “Over the Top Tee“. She knit it using silk yarn, and I am knitting it using linen yarn, which I have not used before.

Once I bought the pattern, I began searching for a good, summer weight yarn. My first choice was linen, but I looked at other options. I wrote a blog post about my search for summer yarns, and have collected a list of my favorites to try.

The yarn I chose for this project is Berroco Stonewash Linen Indio, which is a discontinued yarn. I first bought 7 skeins on sale at Wool and Company, but ended up buying the last 3 skeins just in case I need them for length. I was afraid I would not find matching yarn if I needed it. At $7 a skein, it was not as expensive as some yarn.

Gauge swatch after washing
Linen yarn gauge after washing

The Over the Top Tee is a pullover style which is knit from the top down. Because my yarn choice is not what the designer used, I knit a swatch using size 3 needles to see how close I was to gauge. It was a bit small, and after I washed and blocked it, it was even smaller.

Because the stitch count was just a bit short, I began the knitting project going up to a size 4 needle. I’m knitting size L2. For this pattern you need 2 extra needles that will hold provisional cast-on stitches. I used the crochet provisional cast on. The back of the top is begun on these needles and then connected with backward loop cast-on stitches and knit to the end. I could not picture how this pattern would come together.

Over the Top Tee provisional cast-on and beginning the project
Over the Top Tee provisional cast-ons (2) and beginning the project

Heidi’s pattern looks overwhelming (to me!) at first glance – it’s 9 pages long, but sizes are grouped into sections, so only one part of some pages applies to my size. I always read through and highlight all the parts pertaining to the size I am knitting – L2 in this case. I am familiar with this type of pattern writing from knitting her Fine Sand sweater.

After a few days of knitting, here is where I am on this project. The back sections have been knit and I am finishing up the second shoulder. I learned that my provisional yarn was too fuzzy, and I need to find something else to use next time. I had no problem picking up the stitches, but occasionally I would catch some of the waste yarn. A smoother waste yarn is what I need – notes made!

Over the Top Tee knitting
Provisional cast on’s removed

At first I was happy enough with this yarn, but further into the project I changed my mind.

Even though I am still a bit confused when looking at the project – I believe it will all come together as it should. The directions are easy to follow, so I am just doing as I’m told and expecting a top shape here soon… LOL.

Connecting to Work in The Round

Once the shoulders and front and back yoke areas are knit, the project is knit on the wrong side. Now the edges are connected, front and back so I am knitting, and purling a little, around and around. It’s stress-free knitting I can even do at night!

There are some short rows to do, and I am skipping those!!! When I knit the Fine Sand sweater, I had a lot of trouble with my short rows – mainly because I had never done them. I think this top will be fine for me without the shaping.

My Over the Top Tee knitting continues with back and front now connected under the arms with lots of circular knitting from here to the hem.

I now have lots of circular knitting (and a little purling) to do down to the hem, where a ribbing will be added. Then the neck and sleeves will need to be finished. I’ll be able to get this done quickly I think as I have other projects lined up behind this one. I’m trying to be a more monogamous knitter so I don’t have projects calling to me as I pass by the baskets.

Project on Hold

As I have been knitting down the body of this top, and there is a lot of that to do, I’m realizing that I don’t like the yarn. It looks and feels more like a burlap sack than a comfortable top. For now, this is on hold until I decide what to do. This yarn would be more suitable for a bag. I may use it to crochet one.

The pattern is a good one, and I would love to try again with a better yarn. But I am not going to continue with this.

Knitting a top
Putting this on hold

Also On My Needles

  • A linen cap (not using the linen yarn above) for myself to wear while we are flying around in our boat. Hair can become very knotted without a covering, and a regular hat flies off. I’m using the Ribbed Watchcap & Beanie pattern by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas.
  • Snowfall Socks, using Tukuwool yarn, which is very scratchy. I’m not sure I will finish these because of the yarn … and because I really don’t enjoy knitting socks!
  • Honey Cowl (#2) using Miss Babs K2 bulky yarn. This is a very easy, free pattern.
  • Need to get the fringe onto my Moon Sisters shawl.
  • Just finished, but plan to knit again, the Skiff Hat in pretty cables.

Yarn to Use for Warm Weather Knitting Projects

I want to knit a top I can wear in Florida’s jungle climate. It doesn’t have to be “summer” here where I live to need cool clothing. I wear capris and sleeveless tops nearly year round. I’m afraid that what normal summer people think is “cool” is not cool enough for me.

Please note that some links go to Ravelry, a popular knitting site, where non-members won’t see everything members will. If you knit, why not join, as it’s FREE!

Although most yarn I’ve used in the past is wool, or part wool, wool doesn’t work for a Florida lifestyle. I am branching out and looking into the plant-based yarns – haha….!

Because currently it is Spring, knitters are thinking about summer knitting, so this is the time of year for me to find the best summer knitting projects which I can wear year round. Designers are offering summer knits and shops are advertising summer yarns.

Popular Plant Fiber Yarns and Their Properties

After two years of continuous knitting, I have acquired a list of my favorite yarns. None of them are meant to use for summer tops because they consist mostly of wool! Warm weather tops need airy, light yarn such as linen, cotton, or other plant material.

Since I know next to nothing about knitting with summer type yarns, I searched for articles with good information. Those are hard to find too!

I was excited and thankful to find this Summer Yarns article at Interweave, which covers the Pros and Cons of knitting with cotton, linen and hemp.

Linen was my first choice, and when I found some (Berroco Indio / Stonewash Linen) on sale for $7.00 a skein at Wool and Company, I bought it. Reviews on Ravelry for this yarn were generally good.

I’m still researching, and planning to try, various plant-based yarns in hopes of coming up with some favorites to use for life in Florida and hot places.

A List of Yarns For Summer Knitting

  • Purl Soho‘s “Sweetgrass” is a mix of 65% cotton and 35% alpaca and comes in large, undyed, skeins (I love the gray) of 437 yards – fingering weight. Will the alpaca make this too warm? Also, I’m not crazy about knitting something to wear in cotton yarn.
  • Purl Soho‘s “Lantern” is a worsted / aran weight yarn of 61% cotton and 39% linen – 164 yards. Cotton and linen would be cool together, so might be worth a try. Comes in many pretty colors, **BUT some knitters mentioned it was rough – good for dishcloths but not clothing…FYI
  • Purl Soho also has “Linen Quill” yarn, but it is 50% wool, 35% alpaca, and 15% flax / linen.
  • *Quince & Co. offers us “Sparrow” – fingering, and “Kestrel” – worsted, which are both 100% organic Belgium linen. Both come in lots of nice colors, including a marl, and they get good reviews.
  • Shibui Twig is a combo of 46% linen, 42% silk, and 12% wool. Skeins are 190 yards, in Sport weight. I don’t like that there is wool in this one, but it is a small amount.
  • Hempathy is a cotton, hemp and rayon yarn. This one gets some good reviews at Ravelry.
  • Bamboo – Found the Dye Diana Dye (see page of bases) website which offers hand-dyed silk, linen, and bamboo yarns – very pretty and unqiue.
  • Burnish, by Purl Soho is Rayon from Bamboo.

A New Knitting Project / Pattern For Linen Knitting

After some searching, I decided on a pattern called “Over the Top Tee” designed by Heidi Kirrmaier. I had successfully knit her Fine Sand sweater last year using Miss Babs “Tarte” yarn (which I loved by the way).

I bought 8 skeins of the Berroco Linen for my “Over the Top Tee” project. Then, I went back and bought the remaining three skeins just in case I need to add length to my top. Because the yarn is discontinued, I was afraid I would need more and it would be gone!

Berroco linen yarn
This linen yarn is Discontinued

For this tee, the designer used silk yarn (Ito Kino) holding two strands together. I’ve always thought of silk as too hot to wear in hot weather, but many “summer” yarns include some silk, so I am still questioning that. The Ito Kino silk was a bit expensive too, so I found some cheaper linen yarn.

More Summer Top Patterns I Like

Florida does not have a normal summer. It is very hot with the heat index usually near or over 100 degrees because of the extreme humidity. When I went back to live in New Hampshire, people would complain about a humid day and I would laugh at them!

Here is a partial list of some favorite hand-knit top patterns by various designers. After I knit Heidi’s pattern I may try another, or knit hers again with different yarn. It is not as easy to find something to knit when it won’t cover my body as nicely as a big old sweater! Here are a few of my favorites.

  • Cullum, by Isabell Kraemer is a cap sleeve pullover with some lace at the top. The sample was knit with Sparrow, 100% linen – see link below.
  • Lakeland, by Heidi Kirrmaier is a short sleeve, two color blocks top, with opportunities to modify sleeve length and colors.
  • A Hint of Summer, by Isabell Kraemer offers lots of options. Make it with short or long sleeves, in stripes or solid. Looks very interesting.
  • View my ever-growing Collection of Summer Tops to knit on Pinterest.

I understand why knitters generally do not choose plant-based yarns for knitting. When we think “knitting” we picture hats, mittens and sweaters to keep warm. Where I live, no one wears scarves, shawls or any type of winter items – except very rarely. If I could knit some wearable clothing for myself, it would be wonderful.

(Yarn bowl graphic credit to AnnaliseArt @ Pixabay.com)