Knitting for summer temperatures

As soon as the days get longer and warmer, we start thinking about our summer wardrobe. Knitted are then with preference tops. They are airy, light and knitted without sleeves nice and fast. Since we are big fans of tops in all possible variations, we present you these quickly knitted summer pieces today in more detail. In our selection you will certainly find a favorite part that you want to wear over and over again.
Because as a wise knitter once said? "If it doesn't have sleeves, it doesn't count as a project". If that's not a reason to add a top or two to your summer knitting list?

What makes a summer top?

Top Cosima
Top Cosima from Maschenfein.
Photo © Marisa Nöldeke

Do you also belong to the knitters who sometimes lose motivation when knitting sleeves? Then summer tops are the welcome change for you! Because this is the outstanding feature: Summer tops are always knitted without sleeves. What sounds simple is nevertheless very varied. Should the style be rather plain or do you like it patterned? And then there is the question of the neckline and the straps. Whether you choose a tank top with a relatively narrow neckline or a version with spaghetti straps and a low neckline is up to your preferences.
But first, let's look at the different types of straps. In addition to the classic "medium width" straps, we show you here the variants with very thin straps and very wide, which actually no longer resemble straps.

Also from Maschenfein there is already the first top and more will follow very soon - promised! The top Cosima from Marisa's pen you can knit from three different yarns and thus choose how summery you want it. Classically as a summer top from Cosma by Lamana or a bit cozier from Como (also Lamana), for example to wear it under a blouse in cooler temperatures. For the Cosima summer top, two triangles are worked separately for the front and the back and then joined to form a round. The stockinette stitch knitted body ends in a narrow I-cord. The final worked ribbons merge into the body at the sides and neckline and close the top on the shoulders with a bow.

Tank tops

Tops that are cut to resemble a t-shirt that comes without sleeves are called tank tops. Tanks, as they are also called, usually have a cool and casual look. They are just as suitable for a casual look with jeans and sneakers, as under a blazer for business meetings. Of course, everything is possible from the timeless basic part to the more playful version.
The THEA Top by Paula_M is a light and airy summer top in the said style of a tank top. The top should be knitted with some room to move to the body, so that it falls nice and loose. Brit by Lamana is a light A-line top with a crosswise narrow cable line on all neckline edges, knit in one piece top down.
The Wietske Tank by steffiestudio is a sleeveless top in double rib. It has a fitted shape and a high neckline. The hem ends at the level of the hip bone for a comfortable length.

Tops with spaghetti straps

When we think of spaghetti, we think of a tasty portion of our favorite pasta - with pleasure also in the ice cream variation. The fact that there are also tops with this name is no coincidence. The word "spaghetti" comes from Italian and means "little string". In fashion, it indicates the narrow width of the straps of the garment. Such tops are very airy and show more skin.


The Cumulus Top by PetiteKnit belongs to the simple Cumulus series. The necklines are edged with an I-cord, which also becomes the strap. Camisole No. 4 by My Favourite Knitwear is a feminine summer top in bohemian style. The decorative increases on the front panels give the top a nice fit and character, while the ribbed pattern combined with the yarn texture creates an almost crocheted look. The Chrysler Top from Knitting for Olive is also made with I-cord straps - but a little wider. It's a simple and elegant ribbed top inspired by New York's famous Chrysler Building.

The glorious agony of choice in design

Once you have decided what kind of top you want, you still have to decide on the style. We can basically help ourselves to the entire range that knitwear designers:inside have in their repertoire. Most of them have at least one top in their portfolio. We have already shown you rather plain tops above with the tanks and the spaghetti straps. Now we want to take care of something more striking designs.

For example, a plain top becomes more eye-catching by giving it a melange look. To do this, simply knit the top in two yarns with a thinner yarn - and choose these two yarns in different colors. You can knit the June Top by PetiteKnit in the same way, for which we have created a single-threaded version in Mandarin Naturell by Sandnes and a double-threaded version in Pure Silk by Knitting for Olive. In the variant with Pure Silk you knit two-threaded and have plenty of room for melange: with a lot or little contrast or completely multicolored.

June Top
June Top
Photo: © PetiteKnit

Structure

If the top is rather plain in terms of cut, you can have a good romp in the structure of the knitted piece. So or so similar must have been the thoughts of the designers of the tops we have picked out for you for this category. As nice as mindless knitting is, sometimes it's even nicer to keep your mind alert by knitting varied patterns.

Pure T by ChrisBerlin is a ribbed top with beautifully structured increases and decreases, giving it a great feminine shape. The lower diagonal lines running across are optional, you can omit them and knit an A-shape for it.

The structure of the RENO Top by Paula_M comes from the fact that it is crocheted. It's a simple, cropped tank top and goes perfectly with summery highwaist pants and skirts. The Slanting Slip-On by Anne Ventzel comes up with two kinds of structure at once. A graphic pattern runs from the neck cuff, over the shoulders and out past the chest, into the bottom cuff. The torso of the elegant tank top is knitted in a great relief pattern.

Pattern

Structure is still too little for you? Your top should rather have more patterns? No problem, we have also prepared that for you! Hole patterns are particularly popular for tops. This fits especially well in the summer, the wardrobe becomes even more airy. And if it should be a little cooler, you can wear tops with lace pattern excellent with a fine, light undershirt underneath.

June Topp by SandnesGarn impresses with a uniform and simple lace pattern. Tiril 15 Havre singlet by SandnesGarn - a tank top based on a design by Tiril Eckhoff - on the other hand looks a bit less plain due to the groups of lace patterns. The Olive Top by Knitting For Olive has a much more striking pattern. It consists klompett of the popular Olive pattern for which Knitting For Olive is known. The fine straps of the spaghetti top are made as I-cord.

Strips

Stripes always go! In the worn knitted piece and also when knitting, when you suddenly progress much faster by "oh, I still knit a stripe". You think classic horizontal stripes are boring? We prove to you with our three stripe favorites that stripes can be very versatile. They are simple, elegant but never boring.

With diagonal stripes in V-optics trumps the Lines Summertop of Rust Knitwear. The stripes are created from crossed stitches. But this cool summer top can do even more: in the pattern you'll find the option to knit it with spaghetti straps as well as with wide straps. Argil by Claire Lakewood, on the other hand, has classic colored stripes. However, the construction of this shirt is so clever that the stripes on the front are not only horizontal but also vertical in the lower part. The stripes on the CÉCILE top by Paula_M are much simpler. They are created by a wide rib pattern.

Fine details

Now we show you the supreme discipline of summer tops: simple designs with fine details. This always fits when you like it basically best plain, but still do not want to miss the little breeze of extravagance. Or also if you want to put an exciting pattern especially in the scene. Less is actually more here.

The Sunset Camisole by Sari Nordlund is a pretty top that is knitted from the top down. The highlight is a large ruffle that crosses from the right spaghetti strap across the chest to the left hip.

In the Virginia Top by Miriam Walchshäusl, the back is the highlight of the otherwise simple and figure-flattering top. It is formed by a fine triangular lace insert that holds the two shoulder straps and can be finished with a lace trim.

The back of the Tulipe Top by Matilda Kruse is also the special eye-catcher. In front, the top is kept very simple in stockinette stitch. The back is a deep V-neckline, which is framed by a beautiful lace pattern.

Undecided?

Now we've made your mouths water, haven't we? So much so that you can't decide where to start? If you can't decide at all, something small would be just right to sort out your thoughts and wishes. Because children should not miss out in our selection.

But if you're still looking for the perfect summer top for you, you can browse through all the knitting kits and wool packages for tops here again at your leisure. Have fun!

A question of yarn

But wait, we should still take a look at the appropriate yarns. For summer knits are best suited animal hair-free fibers, because they do not warm so much. They are rather temperature balancing and have the great advantage that they are also well tolerated by people with sensitive skin. This is especially true in warm and hot temperatures that make you sweat easily.

That's why you are best advised to use the fibers cotton, linen or silk for summer knitting. Of course, these are also available in the most wonderful blends. Here we present you our favorites from the department "summer yarns".

Organic Cotton Krea Deluxe
Organic Cotton
Photo: © Krea Deluxe

Are you a purist and prefer to knit yarns from one fiber? Then the question remains as to which fiber it should be. Especially with vegetable fibers, you should keep in mind that they usually feel rather hard when knitted and after washing. However, this changes in any case when worn. Therefore our tip: knead the gauge or the finished knitted piece carefully. You will notice how it becomes softer and softer. Your tops will be much softer and very comfortable to wear at the latest when you have worn them a little.

The classic among vegetable fibers is cotton. It is extremely versatile and manufacturers go to great lengths to bring it to market in all its facets. Our favorites are Ica by Lamana, Alba by BC Yarn or Willet by Quince & Co. Because it has such a special texture, we can't forget Suave by Pascuali!

Linen is extremely robust and durable. That doesn't sound very comfortable to wear at first, does it? But it's not, if you follow our tips from above! When we want to embroider linen, we prefer to use Løvetand from CaMaRose, Lino from BC Yarn or Reed from Shibui.
For that little bit of luxury that makes our summer tops the highlight of any outfit, we go for silk - and knit from Pure Sil k by Knitting for Olive, Jaipur Peace Silk by BC Yarn or Kinu by ITO, for example.

Or do you want the perfect blend of great fibers? There are so many gorgeous blended yarns for summer! Basically, anything can be combined. One vegetable fiber with another. To increase durability or elasticity, a man-made fiber of plant origin can be added - such as viscose.

Another option is the admixture of fibers of animal origin. Merino cotton yarns are basically wearable in any season and have the advantages of both types of fibers.

The decision is difficult!

Things get a little more sophisticated - and softer - with cashmere cotton yarns. Our favorites: Cosma by Lamana, Cumbria by Pascuali, Cotton Merino by Knitting for Olive and Morning Salutation Vegan Fino by Kremke Soul Wool.

Crap, it's so hard to decide, so we can't deprive you of a few more great plant-based blended yarns from Pascuali: Sole, Puno Winikunka and Nepal simply can't be missed here!

Økologisk Sommeruld
Photo: © Sandra Groll

By the way, did you know that there are also yarns made of paper? They are perfect for summer knitting!

Louisa

About Louisa

I'm Louisa, live near Munich and since February 2022 I've been taking care of the English-language site, our newsletter and, with Sophia, all sorts of things concerning the blog. I have been a test knitter for Maschenfein for much longer and knit one model each year for the Mother's Day shawl and the Christmas shawl.

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