Warm Weather Knitting
If you usually put down your knitting needles as the temperature ticks up, you're in good company. Knitting when it's warm feels like sleeping with three blankets on top of you in 90-degree without air conditioning–It's not comfortable.
The truth is, you can comfortably knit in the summer, and you can even wear handknits in the summer too!
Knitting for warm weather takes only two considerations: fiber choice and garment. Trade in your soft merino, cashmere, and alpaca yarns for plant fibers like linen, hemp, and bamboo. Cast on for scarves and shawls full of yarn overs. Knit yourself a loose-knit tee and throw it on over a camisole.
Here are a few of my favorite yarns you can knit up into beautiful additions for your summer wardrobe.
- Sylph by Jade Sapphire – A laceweight blend of cashmere and linen, Sylph is the perfect yarn for a sheer tank or tee to throw over a camisole.
- Bambino by Be Sweet – Cotton and bamboo in aran weight form, bambino is great for warm-weather blankets and kids' knits.
- Hemp by Lucci – Lightweight and lacy, hold two strands together for a sportweight scarf or tee.
- XS-32 Bamboo by Habu Textiles – Sportweight, cool wearing, and unbelievably soft, Habu's bamboo will knit up into a comfortable tops with beautiful drape.
- Euroflax by Louet – The go-to linen yarn for years, Euroflax is machine-washable and dryable, softens with wear, and wears cool.
- Bella Lino by Class Elite Yarns – This richly textured and hued blend of cotton, linen, and bamboo knits up into the perfect summer scarf.
- CoBaSi by HiKoo – This wool-free yarn is ideal for socks, blankets, garments, and anything else you can think of. It's the all-natural animal-free workhorse yarn you've been looking for, and it comes in tonal and multi-colored flavors too!
- Soie et Lin by Knit One Crochet Too – This worsted-weight blend of linen, silk, and nylon is filled with tiny flecks of color for a tweedy look, and has a wonderful drape. Use it for your go-to summer cardi!
- Sandpiper by Classic Elite Yarns – Each ply of this DK-weight cotton yarn is a different color, forming a smooth, marled fabric. It's great for colorful–but not TOO colorful–garments.