Alex

Posted on: PatternsJune 8, 2023

Top Summer Knitting Patterns to Pair with Our Best-Selling Summer Yarns

My partner loves to joke that there’s nothing I love nothing more than doom-scrolling what to order for dinner on Postmates, but he’s wrong – I love doom-scrolling Ravelry patterns the most! I’m putting my years-long practice to good work today to give you a curated list of fine knits & crochets that pair perfectly with Knomad’s summer-worthy yarns. Join me as we tumble down a delightful rabbit hole of classic knits, fun knits, slinky dresses, and more. Maybe you’ll find something to dye for (haha!), to knit undyed, or maybe you’ll tuck something away for the future – but I promise there’s something for everyone.

We have a few distinct favorites for summer knitting and crochet around here, and I’ll introduce you to them in each pattern below. But since we’re on the topic… this feels like the perfect time to formally announce that we will soon offer a 50% superwash merino, 50% cotton yarn in both a fingering weight & DK! We are so excited to expand our plant-based, summery options, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We have more cellulose blend options in the works as we speak, so keep an eye on our newsletters & blogs where we will keep dropping announcements.

The first set of patterns comes from a group I have recently started calling the “Knitting Rat Pack,” and I mean in it the most complimentary way ever – Jessie Maed, James Watts, and Park Williams. They design independently but work together as a hype crew of sorts, always promoting each other’s patterns, going on envy-inducing vacations, and taking beautiful film photos of each other! What I love most is that they all produce well-thought, fun, intelligent, and size-inclusive patterns. They photograph their patterns on bodies of all sizes, and they appear to test their patterns rigorously.

Totally Tank Top

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/totally-tank-top

The Totally Tank top by Jessie Maed calls for a fingering weight Cotton/Linen yarn and would be perfect knit with Asperitas. Asperitas is made with 50% recycled wool & 50% tencel, and so it has a good amount of drape – but not so much that it will get baggy and/or lose its shape. Its much cooler to the touch, and less insulating than pure wool – basically begging to be knit into a summer top. Asperitas will also dye into a heathered colorway because of its composition – if you use acid dyes, they’ll affix to the protein fibers, and leave the tencel relatively undyed!

Rib Lace Raglan

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rib-lace-raglan

James Watt’s Rib Lace Raglan is next up in my knitting queue. While it looks ornate and is to an extent, it’s an easily memorized two-stitch, two-row lace motif that’s a great introduction to lace. I’ve knit several of James’ thoughtfully constructed patterns, and I cast off each pattern wanting to cast another of his designs on. There are simple modifications to make this long-sleeved for chilly lake-side nights, and it’s easy to lengthen for those who don’t want a crop! The Rib Lace Raglan calls for fingering-weight cellulose-based yarn, and while we have a fingering-weight cotton-wool yarn coming soon, I recommend using Sand Dune or Asperitas. 

No Sweat Shirt

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-sweat-shirt

If you’re looking for an actual summer-scale project, check out this throw on over anything summer sweatshirt! Knit in a lighter yarn like Sand Dune carried double or Prism (held single), the no sweatshirt is one of my favorite knit sweatshirt options I’ve ever seen. I would knit this undyed, personally! This pattern is graded from a 30” chest to 65” and is knit top down in the round, so perfect for beach-side knitting when you just want to knit endlessly in the round!

Sea Breeze Tank Top

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-breeze-tank-top

This free crochet tank pattern by Grace ForTheThrills calls for a DK weight yarn – and Prism will work great with it’s silk content, as silk breathes easily and is a lovely fiber for summer projects. The Sea Breeze tank is sized from XS through 3XL and has video tutorials to help you through your first crochet garment.

Shore Tee

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shore-tee

The Shore Tee by Anne Ventzel is a timeless top that will work beautifully in most, if not all, closets! Anne is a Danish pattern based out of Copenhagen that has a collection of extremely wearable and beautiful patterns. The Shore Tee is knit with a strand of lace+sport, but we would recommend using two strands of Sand Dune or Asperitas. This top is simple but also has a lovely feminine vibe and would be beautiful undyed, as demonstrated in the pattern sample. This pattern is sized a little less generously, only sizing up to approximately 51”.

I hope you’ve found a pattern you’re looking forward to casting on! Let me know what you’re working on or planning to work on.