6 Tips for Selecting the Best Yarn for Summer
If you have ever worked with cotton yarn, you know that not all clothing items created by knitting and crocheting provide you with warmth. There is a lot more that you can do! There are plenty of options in summer yarns apart from cotton. You can use the right yarn to create items to keep you cool and comfortable in hot weather.
What are Summer Yarns?
Naturally, you can't use bulky yarns for making summer clothing. In the hot weather, animal-based yarn is definitely not an option. Therefore, if you want to take on knitting projects for the summer, plant-based yarns are the safest bet.
You need to select the best summer yarn among the various options available. All of them have lovely textures that you can use to make things like dishcloths and other accessories.
Most people think of cotton yarn as the knitting yarn for summer. However, there are a lot of other materials you can use. Let us take a look at some of the garments you should look for the next time you come across yarn on sale. This will make your summer fun.
Bamboo Yarn
This is undoubtedly one of the best fabrics for knitting for summer. The material is breathable and cool. It will keep you comfortable in the hot weather. The bamboo yarn has plenty of other features that make it an appealing option.
For one thing, it is anti-bacterial and strong. It has a soft texture and a luxurious look to it. Furthermore, you can usually find it in plenty of colors. This yarn provides an excellent stitch definition and adds sheen to your garments.
If you come across this yarn while going through online yarn stores, consider it for your next knitting project. You will love the results.
Benefits of Bamboo Yarn
- Breathable
- Cool
- Biodegradable
- UV protective
- Anti-bacterial
- Soft
- Strong
- Flexible
- Shiny
Cotton yarn
This is perhaps the most obvious choice. Most people prefer using 100% cotton yarn for their summer garments and rightly so. The fabric is breathable and cool. It is also typically available in a huge assortment of colors.
Usually, people like wearing light and cool colors during summers. You can also use worsted weight cotton yarn to create shrugs and open-air shawls for the summer. The options are limitless.
Cotton yarn is an ideal choice for those who experience excessive sweating during the summer heat. The fabric is absorbent and also dries quickly so you won't find the garment clinging to your body due to the sweat.
You will find plenty of variations in cotton on the market. Each blend has something unique to offer. Pure cotton is a good option while blends too can cater to your requirements. It all comes down to your specific knitting projects.
For instance, bamboo pop yarn is an excellent choice as it offers you the best of both worlds. You get the breathability and comfort of cotton along with the shine of the bamboo fabric. They feel relatively light and soft against the skin. Perhaps this is the reason many yarn brands offer this blend.
Benefits of Cotton Yarn
- Absorbent
- Dries quickly
- Cool
- Breathable
- Versatile
Linen Yarn
Linen yarn for knitting is quite popular and for a good reason. The fabric is quite durable and strong. It does not stretch and also has high abrasion resistance. You won't have to worry about dirt and stains spoiling your hard work with linen knitting yarn.
While there is no lint tendency in the fabric, it can wrinkle easily. Furthermore, initially, linen yarn would feel a tad bit stiff when you start working with it. However, the material softens after washing.
Benefits of Linen Yarn
- Strong
- Durable
- Breathable
- Absorbent
- Naturally shiny
Hemp Yarn
Hemp was once referred to as the king of plant fibers. Indeed, hemp knitting yarn has plenty of features that make it an appealing option for summer use.
For one thing, it is resistant to salt-water damage. If you love beaches, this fabric is the one for you. It feels cool to the touch and it will give you a pleasant and luxurious feel during those sweaty and hot summers.
It dries quickly, so you won't have to worry about the sweat making your clothes wet and uncomfortable. Hemp yarn is also quite strong and abrasion-resistant making it an excellent choice for ropes and rugs too.
Benefits of Hemp Yarn
- Not damaged by washing
- Absorbent
- Not damaged by salt-water
- Cool to touch
- Durable
- Dries quickly
How to select the best yarn for summer?
This depends on your preference. Personally, I love cotton yarn that is breathable and keeps me comfortable. However, if you want something more luxurious, you can go for a cotton and bamboo blend.
If your knitting project is meant for gifting and you want a bit of shine in it, bamboo might then be the perfect option for you.
The yarn sizes and materials suitable for your project depend on your requirements. Think about the use of the item you will be knitting and select the material accordingly.
6 Tips to select your Yarn
Selecting the best yarn for summer can be tricky. Should you go for cotton yarn or something else? Knowing what to look for will make your job easier as you surf through the online yarn stores.
1. Use of Worsted Weight Yarn
Most knitters and crocheters love working with worsted weight yarn. Beginners might be wondering what is worsted weight yarn and what the big deal about it is.
This one is the most commonly used yarn weight. It is thicker compared to DK yarn but thinner than bulky yarn. The material is typically used in knitting projects with a knitting gauge of four to five stitches per inch. Its medium thickness makes it easier to work with. It is often used to make items like hats, scarves, and mittens, among other things.
Although it is an all-purpose yarn, if your area has a hot summer, look for something lighter. You can use it if it's breathable and feels cool to touch.
2. Go for Thin Materials
A lot of thicker yarns work great for summer. However, thinner yarns are more comfortable. They are lightweight and breathable.
3. Selection of Acrylic
While acrylic yarns might seem to be an excellent choice for knitting, they are fluffy and fuzzy. The material is not very breathable and thus can get uncomfortable in the heat. Some types of acrylic that are blended with plant fibers are suitable for summers.
4. Avoid Fuzz
Ensure that your yarn is not fuzzy. Fuzziness reduces the breathability of the fabric. It becomes uncomfortable in the heat. Smooth yarns are most suited for summer garments.
5. Avoid Non-Superwash Animal fibers
Animal fiber yarns have a soft coating on them that prevents them from felting. Non-superwash animal fibers will make your summers unbearable. The sweat, coupled with the friction of the fabric, will make things quite difficult for you. Furthermore, the garment might also be damaged within a short span. All your hard work will then go down the drain. If you are using animal fiber yarn for your knitting for summer, ensure that it is superwash.
6. Quality
While selecting summer yarns, quality should never be undermined. Summer garments are subjected to moisture and heat. If you use cheap yarn of subpar quality, your garment will not withstand the tests of time.
Summer crochet patterns
You will come across plenty of spring and summer patterns for summer knitting online. Opt for a light pattern with open weave designs.
During the warmer months, you can make lacy shawls, halter neck tops, skirts, and knit tank tops, among other things. You can even use cotton yarn to make lightweight hats.
Open stitches allow the free flow of air through the fabric. This, in turn, keeps you cool and comfortable. Lacy crochet patterns work quite well for summer. You can also opt for a solid stitch pattern. All you have to do is ensure that the gauge is larger than usual for air to pass through. This will make the garment more breathable.
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