Knitting brings to mind mittens and scarves, sweaters and cozy hats – all the things we love and need to stay warm against the bitter chills of winter or the nip of late autumn and early spring. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of projects suitable for summer.
Translate traditional items into lightweight fibers and watch your summer wardrobe grow. Keep in mind that, though summer brings sweltering hot days, the evenings often grace us with a soft cool breeze. A light sweater for inside when the air conditioning is turned low – like in many stores – comes in very handy.
Lighter thinner fibers can be used for nifty knitting projects which are perfect all year long.
Spring and Summer Weight Fibers for Knitting
There are so many beautiful lightweight fiber options today, that it may be hard to choose.
Consider just a few.
Silk sari yarn comes in gorgeous hues. It is soft to the touch and feels like a cross between cashmere and very soft cotton.
Bamboo yarn is a soft, antibacterial, non-allergenic, replenishable fiber, so it’s great for babies as well as the environment.
Noro Taiyo sock yarn is 50% cotton, 17% nylon, 16% silk but only 17% wool.
Anny Blatt Libertine matte nylon ribbon yarn or Victoria shiny nylon ribbon yarns knit up with excellent stitch definition and drape.
Debbie Bliss Eco Baby Cotton is 100% organic cotton yarn.
Mercerized 100% cotton yarn like Tahki Ripple is a lightweight 100% mercerized cotton yarn designed for spring and summer.
100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/linen blend denim yarn is light worsted weight, soft and absorbent.
Ella Rae Rimini is a light drapey 50% cotton, 45% rayon and 5% silk yarn just perfect for summer knits.
Fingering-lace weight 100% cotton yarn like Rowan Siena is extremely soft and great to work with.
Prism Cool Stuff yarn contains cotton, rayon, nylon, poly, silk, viscose, eyelash and metal fibers twisted in gorgeous combinations of colorways
The Bonus of Yarn with No Wool: many of these fibers can be machine washed with no worries and no need to block for drying. Read Hand-Knit Items Usually Require Special Handling and Washing.
Wait, don’t stash those knitting needles away for the summer! There are plenty of summer weight yarns and knitting projects that won’t make you break a sweat while you’re knitting or when you wear them.
Tanks and Skirts
A simple knit tank can be styled for a hot casual summer day or a more professional look perfectly suited to the office. Sure, knitted sweaters are traditional, but a knitted tank is hip and unique. Stick to bright spring pastels and bold summer shades and use thin yarns made from cotton and other non-wool fibers for maximum cool.
What’s cuter than a knit miniskirt for tweens and tweens? Use thin needles and a tight stitch. If you can still see through the weave, sew a lightweight lining inside the skirt panels or attach a slip to the waistband.
If you have the time and patience, merge your tank and skirt knitting techniques to create a super stylish knit sundress. Look for patterns in your favorite knitting magazine’s spring and summer issues, as well as the pattern section at your favorite craft store.
Light Throw Blankets
Summer nights can be chilly. Or you may feel cold in an air-conditioned house while the rest of the family is comfy. A light cotton throw blanket is perfect for warming up bare legs exposed below shorts and skirts and great for draping over bare arms and shoulders.
Throw blankets look great flung over a chic wicker chair or sofa, perfect for enjoying summer nights on the front porch or sundeck. Read Home Decorating Ideas Using Knitting Supplies: Yarns, Needles, and Projects-in-Process add to Décor.
Accessories – Handbags, Headbands, and Belts
Accessories are great all year round and they’re fantastic for spicing up a summer outfit. Knitted handbags are ideal for casual evenings out on the town. Headbands keep hair back so your face stays cool. Knitted belts go great with shorts, capris, and sundresses, plus they can double as a skinny scarf to help ward off the evening chill or for a handy item that works in both winter and summer wardrobes.
If you enjoy knitting, you’re good with your hands and like to keep them busy right? If you haven’t yet, you might also consider crochet or macramé for your summer fiber projects.
Here are more Knitting Articles.
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