11 Must-Try Yarns for Spring & Summer Knitting
The transition from winter to spring and summer is often delightful—the snow begins to melt, flowers begin to bloom, and birds return home to nest. Nature comes alive again; sometimes, it feels like you come back alive, too.
But for knitters, it can bring a different challenge—what yarn should you be knitting with as the temperatures get hotter or the air more humid? What patterns are suitable to work on—both for the comfort of knitting itself and for wearing the finished piece?
After living in Charleston, SC, for 7 years, I've experienced many hot and humid summers. Some days, it gets so hot that your clothes seem to melt into your skin.
While here, I've added many yarns to my stash that feel at home in this climate. I have also designed and collected a handful of patterns in these yarns to keep you as cool as a cucumber.
So, if you want to keep knitting year-round but aren't quite sure where to start, here are 10 yarns you need to try and a selection of patterns to accompany them!
11 Must-try Yarns for Spring & Summer Knitting
Rowan Summerlite 4ply
This looks and feels very similar to Knit Picks’ Comfy Fingering, but you might prefer the more muted colorway options.
De Rerum Natura Robinson
I loved using this for my Mariel Pullover. The worsted weight means your projects work up quickly, and the cotton / merino blend is ideal for spring knits and cooler summer nights. The fiber is soft in the ball and still feels very light when worn despite the heavy DK/light worsted weight. This yarn looks great in lace and stockinette stitch, and I can see it working really well for cables, too. I have a lot leftover from my Mariel sample, and I know I’ll be reaching for those leftovers for another spring piece.
Purl Soho Linen Quill
If it never gets that hot where you are, you'll love this blend of wool, alpaca, and linen. It magically combines the best of both worlds of warmth, coolness, softness, and strength.
Knit Picks Comfy (all weights)
If you're looking for the perfect yarn for all your spring & summer tanks and tees, look no further than Knit Picks Comfy. It is soft, has the perfect drape, and comes in neutral & fun colors.
Knit Picks Simply Cotton
I've just started testing this on a crochet beach cover-up, and I love the way it feels in my hand. I can already tell that it is going to wear well against the skin and won't feel sticky in the summer heat. If you could only reach through the screen and touch it you would be amazed by how good this feels in your hands.
De Rerum Natura Antigone
A crisp linen yarn that shines in the ball and in your project.
Brooklyn Tweed Loft
While wool, Loft feels so light and delightful against your skin on those cooler summer nights when you still need a little layer.
Knit Picks Lindy Chain
Another Knit Picks/We Crochet favorite is Lindy Chain. Lindy's chainette construction is unique but still feels soft and light. No sweating when you wear it! When knit, it has a really nice drape and feels smooth in your hands. Lace, stockinette, and texture stitches look great when knitted and has an interesting texture when crocheted. I love Lindy Chain for airy summer pullovers, beach cover-ups, fun tanks, and lightweight cardigans that are perfect for protecting you against chilly A/C. Check out my Wild Dunes pattern to see what Lindy Chain looks like on a finished garment.
Purl Soho Cattail Silk
Purl Soho Cattail Silk is a treat to work with. The slightly rustic feel makes it perfect for more casual wear despite being silk. The fiber is soft & strong with a gentle drape. Arguably, it's one of my favorite yarns; I've used it in 5+ patterns and counting! It feels delicate in the hand, but when knit, it can handle itself. I love my Rincon Caftan, and it is a staple piece in my summer wardrobe. I love wearing it over a casual dress as a chic layer, but I also reach for it to pair with tanks and shorts for beach days. A few other patterns I’ve used Cattail Silk with are my Brighton Wrap, Egret Shawl, and Jordan Shawl.
Purl Soho Cotton Pure
I have used Cotton Pure to knit samples for 4 upcoming designs, and I love it. It is a pure (haha) dream to knit with. The cotton drapes just so, retains its shape, has crisp stitch definition, and is delightfully soft. It is the quintessential summer yarn, and you will not regret using it.
Knit Picks CotLin
There is just something so special about Knit Picks / WeCrochet’s CotLin. Cotton keeps the stitch definition crisp and the linen gets softer with each and every wear (and wash). CotLin is a favorite for transitional projects where you still might want to wear a sweater but don’t want to overheat. The DK weight makes for quick projects so that you can create and wear your project in the same season.
What to Knit and Crochet this Spring and Summer
Design Information
The Sister Peplum draws inspiration from the supportive bonds of sisterhood and community, evoking the quiet resilience of women who navigate the demands of life, family, and society with grace. Each eyelet accent underscores the softness within, serving as a tangible reminder to pause, take a breath, and gradually return your body and mind to a state of calm amid the ebb and flow of daily tides.
Sister is a top-down, double v-neck tank featuring delicate eyelet accents at the neckline, armhole, waist, and hem. It's worked flat, back and forth in rows, from the shoulder cast-on to the armhole shaping, where stitches are joined for working in the round. Stitches are decreased for flattering shaping from the upper chest to the waist, and then increased from the waist to the high hip to create the peplum silhouette. Once the body is completed and blocked, stitches are picked up around the neckline and armholes to work the eyelet trim. With its delicate lace accents and comfortable fit, Sister will be a thoughtful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.
Measuring for a comfortable, modern fit across 12 sizes, it's designed for sport-weight yarn like Cascade Ultra Pima Fine, knit on US 3-5 needles for a smooth gauge that's quick to knit in 1-2 hour sessions.
Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine is a 100% Pima cotton sport-weight yarn (136 yards/50g) that's special for its silky smoothness, excellent stitch definition, and breathable lightness—creating a fabric that's soft against the skin with a subtle sheen and durability that withstands washing without losing shape.
For the Sister Peplum, Ultra Pima Fine works exceptionally well: its fine gauge enhances the eyelet accents' delicacy and peplum's flare, providing a refined, non-itchy drape that's perfect for warm-weather wear, while blooming beautifully after blocking to create an elevated, everyday tank.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #sisterpeplum. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
Myrtle is a long cardigan worked in an overall lace stitch. The fronts and back are worked from the top down, back & forth in rows, before being joined under the armhole. The body is worked back & forth in rows to the desired length. The top-down construction allows for easy customization of the cardigan’s length to suit your style preference (note: any change in length will change your yardage requirements). The sleeves are worked in the round from the upper arm to the cuff.
The sample is crocheted with O-Wool’s O-Wash Sport, a 100% machine washable organic merino wool, in Brook Trout. This is a great cardigan to use as a layering piece throughout the summer. The stitch pattern is a joy to crochet and the cardigan works up relatively quickly.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #myrtlecardigan. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
The Brighton Wrap is a rectangular wrap featuring two delicate lace stitch patterns. Each half of the wrap is cast on separately, worked from the bottom edge to the center, and grafted together or the joining method of your choice. The wrap can be customized to your desired length and width. Just know that your yarn requirements will change accordingly. Worked in crisp Cattail Silk, this lovely project will elevate any outfit.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #brightonwrap. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
Rincon is a mid-thigh length caftan worked in a delicate lace stitch, featuring a horizontal garter stitch hem. The fronts and back are worked in pieces from the bottom up, back & forth in rows, and seamed after all pieces have been knit. Stitches are picked up around the armhole to work attached sleeve cuffs.
The sample is knit in Purl Soho Cattail Silk, a 100% fingering weight silk, in Patina Blue. This is a great layering piece for hot summer days, cool summer nights, and protection against the office a/c. The delicate lace pattern is balanced with sturdy garter stitch to add a modern touch to an otherwise timeless knit.
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #rinconcaftan. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
Design Information
Egret is a simple triangle shawl worked from the top down starting with a section in stockinette stitch. The lace panel section showcases an easy-to-memorize lace and rib stitch. The bottom edge of the shawl is worked in a 1x1 rib for a clean and minimal finish.
Knit in light-as-air Cattail Silk, a light-fingering weight 100% silk yarn, Egret will please all summer long and is a great transitional piece for those early fall days. The sample was knit in Moon White
Please share your progress on Instagram by tagging me @kirstenjoel_designs and using the hashtag #egretshawl. I love to see all of your works in progress and finished projects!
I could go on and on about my favorite spring & summer yarns, you could say it’s a hazard of living in a climate which requires humid-friendly yarns for 4-5 months of the year. I’m always looking for and trying new yarns like Knitting For Olive’s Cotton Merino and Pure Silk. But I’m curious to hear what your favorite summer-friendly yarns are. Share your favorites in the comments below!
