Thread + yarn
Quantity discount
CHF8.– per piece for 4 units CHF0.08/1m
Sandnes Garn Line col. 9523 lime punch ca. 110 m 50 g
110 m
Knitting in summer? Of course!
7.6.2026
Translation: machine translated
Whether at the lido, on the beach, or sipping an Aperol Spritz in the evening sun: knitting in summer is wonderful! I’ve put together a few ideas and tips for you, so that you too can get knitting in comfort from your deckchair.
There are certain moments during the warmer months that I simply love. Enjoying my first coffee in the still-cool summer air in the morning and starting the day with a knitting project, whilst the sun shines pleasantly on my face. Sitting in the shade with a cool drink in the afternoon, working on my summer top whilst the children splash about happily in the water. In the evening, watching the swifts circling in the garden and chasing mosquitoes (thank you!) whilst, of course, knitting – what else?
OK, I suppose not everyone is as mad about knitting as I am. But I want to show you that this hobby isn’t just for winter.
Source: Julia Escher
Light and airy T-shirts and tops
Shirts and tops are the classics when it comes to summer knitting projects. They’re naturally particularly comfortable and airy if you choose a loose-fitting style with a bit of extra width. If you want to knit a summer top for those hot days, it’s best to avoid fluffy mohair yarns or warming fibres such as wool or alpaca. Yarns containing plant fibres or silk are more suitable. These summer yarns are often made from a blend of cotton, linen and viscose. They’re wonderfully cooling and machine-washable, which is certainly important in summer for removing sweat, sun cream and mosquito repellent.
A great starter project is the THEA Top by Susanne Müller: the pattern is knitted on 4 mm needles, so it comes together quickly. As you don’t have to knit any sleeves, the top is finished in no time and you can cast on a second one in a different colour straight away. Incidentally, the designer has recently updated the pattern and expanded the sizes up to 3XL. I particularly like her new blue version and I’m tempted to knit one for myself.
Source: Susanne Müller
Recommended yarn for the THEA Top:
If you get started now, you’ll finish it in time for the summer holidays and can even take a second knitting project with you on holiday. At least, that’s my own ambitious plan. It also includes a striped top, which is a must-have for my summer outfits.
So I picked out two balls of yarn from my stash and started on the Seaside Tee Light by Cheryl Mokhtari. However, I didn’t like my original colour choice (pink with brown), so I bought two more balls of white yarn to go with it. As the pattern is worked on 3 mm needles, progress is a bit slower. The stripes make up for it, though, as you’re always looking forward to the next colour change.
Source: Julia Escher
Trying something a bit different
Summer is the perfect time to have a go at some different projects, such as small accessories or bags. I’m particularly taken with the Slip Stitch Summer Bag by Anna Husemann. This shoulder bag is the ideal little companion for when you’re out and about. What’s more, the design is perfect for using up small bits of leftover yarn and playing around with colour combinations.
That suits me down to the ground, as I’m keen to use up my yarn stash. So this is a big plus for me. The pattern uses intarsia colour changes. So, on a relatively small scale, I get to try out and learn a technique that’s quite new to me.
Source: Anna Husemann
As the perfect addition – for cosy afternoons by the lake or at the swimming pool, for example – you can just about manage to knit yourself a larger bag. How about the Medano Beach shoulder bag by Heidi Kirrmaier?
Cotton yarns are particularly well suited to projects like this, by the way. They’re hard-wearing and easy to wash. If you want the bag to be especially sturdy, you can also knit it using a blend of cotton and linen or hemp.
Suggested cotton yarn:
Colourful socks are brilliant
Some people find knitting with plant-based fibres more tiring on the hands, as these yarns are less elastic. That’s why it’s a great idea to give your hands a bit of a rest every now and then. But if you still don’t want to put your needles down, I recommend having a woolly project to hand so you can switch things up a bit. That’s why lots of people like to knit socks in the summer – they’re small and light, so they fit easily in your bag.
In my opinion, summer sock knitting is particularly fun when using sock yarns with colour gradients in cheerful colours. That way, you can just get on with knitting and watch as the colour changes all by itself. As a bonus, you’ll have lovely new woollen socks ready for autumn to enjoy.
Thread + yarn
Quantity discount
CHF10.50 per piece for 4 units CHF0.02/1m
Myflower Premium Sock Wool Ocean
420 m
Have any of my ideas inspired you? What are your knitting plans for the summer? Or do you prefer to knit in winter? Let me know in the comments!
Header image: Julia Escher
Julia Escher
Freelance Editor
julia.escher@ik.meI started knitting 14 years ago and love experimenting with fibres and colours. When I'm not working with wool, I’m gardening or pursuing my other great passion: reading and writing about Chinese (art) history. You can find my knitting projects on Ravelry under Julia-knitsalot.
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