Top 5 Breathable Yarns and Patterns for Your Summer Top Knitting Projects

Yarns to use for summer top knitting

When choosing a yarn for a summer top, look out for fibres that are breathable and lightweight. The obvious candidates are yarns made from cotton, linen, bamboo, and silk. These fibres will help keep you cool and comfortable, even on the hottest days.

Cotton is a tried-and-true choice for summer knitting. Not only is it soft and gentle on the skin, but it's also incredibly breathable, which makes it the perfect material to wear during the hot summer months. There are so many different types of cotton yarn available, each with their own unique texture and qualities.

Smooth mercerised cotton is a popular choice for summer knitting because of its lustrous appearance and smooth texture. It's made by treating cotton yarn with a caustic soda solution, which gives it a glossy sheen and makes it more durable. Mercerised cotton is also less prone to pilling and can be machine washed and dried, making it incredibly easy to care for.

However, if you prefer a more rustic, textured look and feel, there are plenty of options available as well. Cotton blends with wool, linen, bamboo, viscose and other fibers are becoming increasingly popular for summer knitting projects. These blends offer the best of both worlds, combining the softness and breathability of cotton with the added durability and texture of other fibers.

Linen-cotton blends are particularly popular, as they provide a crisp, lightweight fabric with excellent drape and breathability. Bamboo-cotton blends are also a great option for summer knitting, as bamboo yarn has natural moisture-wicking properties that can help keep you cool and comfortable.

In summary, cotton is a classic choice for summer knitting that offers a range of different options to suit any project. Whether you prefer a smooth and lustrous yarn or a more rustic, textured option, there's a cotton yarn out there that's perfect for your next summer top knitting project. So go ahead and experiment with different cotton blends and textures to find the perfect yarn for your summer top!

Linen is another great option. It has a lovely drape and a natural, slightly slubby texture that gives a top a casual, beachy feel. Bamboo yarn is silky soft and has a beautiful sheen, making it perfect for a dressier top. And silk is always a luxurious option, with its elegant drape and lustrous shine.

However, it's worth noting that non-superwash wool can also be a great choice for summer tops. Superwash wool has been treated to prevent felting, which can make it less breathable and therefore less suitable for warmer weather. Non-superwash wool, on the other hand, retains its natural properties and can be a great choice for a lightweight, breathable top. Merino wool, in particular, has good breathability properties and can be a great choice for a summer top.

My top 5 summer yarns with pattern suggestions:

1. Sandnes Garn Sunday - a lightweight fingering/4-ply non-superwash merino with a high-twist. This yarn comes in an amazing range of colours, including plenty of zesty summer colours. Despite being wool it's lightweight and breathable with great stitch definition and a satisfying stretch, making it perfect for tight fitting summer tops. Perfect for the Sundial Top and Eyelet Bralette.

2. Knitting for Olive Pure Silk - a lightweight fingering/4-ply 100% bourette silk yarn made without killing any silk moths! Again there's a lovely range of colours from dusty neutrals to saturated pinks. Being 100% silk it has incredible drape and breathability. Perfect for loose fitting floaty tops like the Bedruthan Camisole.

3. Go Handmade Tencel Bamboo Fine - a lightweight fingering/4-ply 40% Tencel, 60% Bamboo yarn. Super drapey and with an amazing shine, perfect for the strawberry top light.

4. BC Garn Big Bio Balance - a double knit weight blend of 55% wool, 45% cotton, this yarn is the best of both worlds, it has the breathability of cotton with the lightness and stretch of wool. Perfect for the Seashell Top.

5. We are Knitters The Cotton - a heavy double knit weight 100% cotton yarn. This yarn knits up super quickly and comes in a great range of colours. Not ideal for tight fitting garments as it's 100% cotton and quite heavy but great for smaller tops like the Coffee Shop Top and Strawberry Top.