With my non-bra friendly knit tank tops, I switched to wearing them over tight t-shirts. It’s definitely not everybody’s style to wear a knit tank over a tight long (or short) sleeve top but if you’re looking to still give those pieces some love, that’s a good way to do it. Love this video. Wish more would do this. I love learning from people reviewing their work.

I worked with Tynn Line last summer and I liked it so much that I bought 2 batches to make summer tops this year. The yarn is excellent from a finished-garment perspective. It produces an FO light enough to wear in 30C plus weather and humidity (the kind of summers we tend to have in Toronto). It wears excellently - can be put in washer and dryer on delicate setting (I experienced no shrinkage, just yarn recovery). It does stretch out quite a bit so I'd treat it like linen and size down. The hand is cool and dry - doesn't have that cotton feel though it is more cotton in content than the other fibres. Its downside is that it splits like a bitch while you're knitting with it. But I'm making a black cardigan with it now and it is entirely a project knit. I want the end result so I will use the black splitty yarn. One other thing I'll say about summer knits - and most people who get into them discover this after a season or 2 - you probably want to work with fingering or sport-weight at the largest (esp if cotton which is so heavy). Addition of viscose or tencel makes the yarn durable and less harsh on the hands. Making a summer garment with even a little bit of animal fibre is likely going to inhibit warm-weather wear, unless you live in the UK 🙂 Summer knits are totally doable and wearable, but one has to be willing to use (often) ropey fibre that isn't a joy to knit like wool. The more fun it is to knit (presuming animal fibre is included) the less likely it is to be actually wearable on a regular basis when the weather gets mega hot.

Summer knits are my absolute favourites - I wear them with cardigans in Autumn and Spring, Shorts in summer and under jumpers in winter and cami's can be dressed up for a night out any time of year

Oooo I like that you looked back on past years and explained the pros/cons and what you’ve learned about the piece since knitting it. Very useful information for beginners, like myself, who haven’t actually knitted a garment yet 😂😅

An easier fix for your cami 4 is to secure some of the same yarns at the base of the strap with some stitches then thread the yarn through the i-cord pull it to your desired length then secure the yarn at the other side it takes 5 minutes and the yarn won't stretch

I very much appreciate a maker’s perspective on patterns they’ve actually knit and worn themselves and how it’s worked out for their wardrobe overall. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the spring/summer garment knitting. I’ve never knit a full size garment for myself and am contemplating a couple for the summer so your comments are super timely for me as I consider the project time and materials investment.

My grandma made a loose tee in cotton perle with moss stitch for my mom in the 90s and it has been my summer basic for years, has the most beautiful drape and is super fresh (I would wear it in Sevilla, so long hot summers). I learned to crochet and knit last fall and I cannot wait to start with summer items!

This was such a good video idea! I get so frustrated that my favorite tank patterns are all by My Favorite Things Knitwear because I'm a size or two too large for their patterns. It's doubly frustrating to know that the only reason their patterns aren't size inclusive is because they don't want to design for larger bodies (as opposed to small designers who don't have the resources for size inclusive patterns).

As a beginner knitter, I find your reviews so helpful. You gave great tips on choosing the right fibers to make wearable knits for the summer.

Super helpful video for those of us who are entering their 1st knitting/crocheting summer, like I am. Thank you for such a detailed and insightful video!

This was such a helpful video! I love that you were able to explain things that worked and didn't for each project, even ones that you seemed to feel were clearly worth it or not worth it. This video definitely inspired me to make some summer knits, which I haven't until now. Thank you!

Thanks for talking about the pros and cons of each pattern. I have the Anker's Shirt, Riley Tee, and Streamline Tank in my Rav queue, so this was very helpful.

Very in-depth evaluation of your own choices, i like how you didn't blame it on any patterns etc! I might not be knitting my own garments but i do crochet them and i find myself wearing many cardigans during the summer time. I spend a lot of time in a cold-ish basement office, so layering is my way to go, which also means i don't exactly have to pay attention to making a difference between seasons for my homemade clothes.

Excellent video! I really appreciate how you explained / displayed each top. I live in Arizona so "summer" tops are my go to knitting.

The Ellie summer top by Rust Knitwear might be a good alternative for the cami no 4. Also broken rib but more size inclusive and wider straps :)

So glad to hear the Streamline Tank is work it, as I’m halfway through it.

Love your video, really appreciate your honesty and your going into detail about every pattern.

Such perfect timing! I just ordered the yarn and downloaded the pattern to make the Streamline Tank for my daughter-in-law. Itś just gorgeous! Thank you for the video and inspiration.

this came at the right time. i look forward to hearing your takes on other summer yarns and patterns. thanks! 🧶

I appreciated your detailed reviews of patterns and yarns, and that you could verbalize WHY each worked or didn’t work for you. I’m just now planning out my 2 first summer tops, and you have given me particular factors to consider. I feel more confident in my choices! Thank you! - Deborah

It's my last day of finals today so I am itching to start knitting again!!! This is just the video I needed. Thanks Amy!!!

Your summer knits look great and I enjoyed your analysis! This is my first summer doing summer knits (though I have a bunch of summer crochet tops). One thing I'm finding with cotton yarns is to get them to be lighter and drapey, you want to choose patterns with a very open stitch gauge. I'm using some cotton/linen blend for some patterns that recommend a 17-17.5 stitches per 4" with DK or worsted weight yarn: The Shima Tee, the Tolsta Tee, and the Simple Summer Sweater, for example. Also, I live in GA, and I do have a crocheted wool top that is fine for summer wear. It's done in fingering weight wool with lacy yoke and sleeves. The temperature regulating properties of wool work both ways, though I wouldn't want to wear a bulky wool garment in the summer, and it might not be a great choice for the most humid days, because it sucks up moisture. Again, you would probably want something with a fairly loose gauge, and a lighter weight yarn like sport or fingering, but wool is fine for summer wearables.

This is my first year diving into garment knitting, especially for summer knits, and since we live in similar climates (I'm in Atlantic Canada, so slightly further north) this is really helpful! I'm in the process of planning my spring/summer knits, and I'm trying to figure out what garments/fibres/styles make sense for the humidity here, as well as my lifestyle.

Hi! Thank you so much for sharing! I love all summer designs and quickly I’ve just begun to knit gauge of “Streamline Tee” 👏 with line. Your explications about them have been very useful for me. Thanks!!❤

Thank you for all your honest reviews helps so much ! Saves money on yarn , patterns and time spent on the project . Not to mention the frustration of not liking the finished garment.

I knit all year and usually make things a season ahead. So, I knit my spring/summer items in the winter and sweaters in late spring and summer. That way I am not rushing to finish a project before the season ends. And I knit socks all year long.

Hi Amy, this will be my knitting right now I have the Coboo in white. White is my favorite of all colors. I like the pale pink that you used. I love all of the knit’s for summer. I am one for layering with a cardigan and I think it’s perfect. I love Summer knits to wear year around with cardigan. I agree with you on what you’ve learned about the heavy cotton going to the fingering weight silk for sure. Thank you, Amy. I always watch you.

I am a new knitter and have really only made winter knits, but am interested in trying some summer knits. This video was really helpful! You have a calm and clear way of explaining, and I feel like I always learn from you. Thank you so much!

Well done. I'm a Massachusetts native. I have knit summer sweaters...many sleeveless. Your analysis of density and fibers is spot on. So, for the last three years, I'm knitting baby sweaters instead.. (By the way, try a shawl..nice drape and adds warmth).

Another great video, thank you! I’m sitting here knitting a summer raglan using the Lento pattern ( a loose gauge with US 10 needles) and using wonderful North Lights Fiber Seaside yarn (half silky long staple Egyptian cotton and half merino wool). I think it will feel great on bare skin and will be good for cool mornings and evenings in Maine this summer.

This is such an informative video - thanks for reviewing all the pattens in such detail. I have knit some smaller things in sandnesgarn tynn line, but never big garments. Its on my list though! I think its the viscose that makes it so nice and flowy, which I have never seen in other yarns.

I really liked the format of this video! It was a great pattern overview for warm weather knits. I've been knitting for many years and still find that yarn selection can be a challenge, especially as new combinations of fibers come out for sale. But that is part of the experience I think. You learn as you experiment with different yarns and patterns! I love knitting! Thanks for the video!😍🧶

Super useful video, thank you so much for sharing your experience ❤ I’d like to gently suggest another topic: a video like this but with socks! How did you wear them? Where? In shoes? It would be interesting because I mean I can imagine how to wear socks at home but no one talks about wearing socks outside and I’d be super curious to have your experience on that as well. Happy knitting everybody ❤❤

Thank you for another lovely podcast. I like it very much that you have a theme now and then, like this one about worth or not worth knitting.

I love the tulip tee! You might just wear it with a lighter weight cardigan. It 's a great layering piece in fall and winter.

Your podcast just popped up, and I'm so glad it did. Love the idea of analyzing your summer knits and rating them. I am also a New Englander and have been disappointed to make a pretty pattern only to have the fabric be the wrong weight for the season. These end on my shelf all spring and summer only to go in storage again for the off-season. More "Is it worth it?" episodes for each season would be so helpful. Thanks!

This was very helpful. I appreciated your comments about how the specific yarns and fabric density affected wearability.

This is such an informativt video - thanks for reviewing all the pattens in such detail. I have knit some smaller things in sandnesgarn tynn line, but never big garments. Its on my list thought! I think its the viscose that makes it so nice and flowy, which I have never seen in other yarns.

Thanks for sharing your spring/summer makes! As I’m new to knitting summer garments, I found this very helpful!

I’ve just cast on the Minimalistic Tee with the Bio Balance fingering weight yarn. This yarn is a first to me and so far, I’m liking it. It’s a cotton merino blend. I live in Arizona, so we’ll see how it works. Mostly for indoor wear and not outside in 100+ heat. Let’s be realistic. I’m never out in the heat for any length of time anyway. Going from building to car and back. I’ve just discovered your channel and am now caught up. You are a natural and I love the amount of detail and information.

You really did a great job with this video. I really enjoyed it

I love your thoughts on the pattern and yarn, it was so comprehensive! I also love that you showed what they look like on you, such a great way to add to the discussion!!

This is so interesting! I am still stopping myself to start summer knits, as I am insecure about it and these aspects get more clear via your sharing. Thank you!

I liked your honest assessment of the summer tops. On the tank to with the spaghetti i-cord straps, maybe run some elastic in the straps to make them maintain the correct length.

Thank you for such an informative episode. It was such a great idea. I am going on a cruise this summer and you have really helped me choose some appropriate patterns to knit.

This was a fantastic and very informative video! Thank you for the time you took to put it together! I found some new patterns!

Thank you for adding budget friendly yarn choices too.

Very helpful, thank you Amy! I am currently knitting the Retro Button Top by Witre Design in cotton yarn that I reclaimed from a thrift store shirt. It's my first warm weather knit so I'm excited to see how it holds up this summer. I love the look of the camisoles but I have hesitations about knitting them for all the reasons you listed in this video. I'm looking forward to hearing more about what you knit this summer!

It's so great to meet a fellow knitter from New England!

I love my Anker summer shirt as well :D Made a really cropped version a few years ago, and this year I made one following the pattern lengths. One of my most worn summer knits is definetly my sunday tee. I would recommend you check out Witre design. She has some really Nice summer knits!

Loved this! These types of videos really help inform my knitting choices, haha. I especially love yours where you share so much information about the project! It’s super helpful to see how each piece fits on a person, especially since my measurements are very similar! I think I’ll be knitting up the streamline tank after watching this, and it’s not one that stood out to me before. Yours just looks so great! Thank you for sharing!!!

I found your comments very insightful and useful. Great content and looking forward to the next year episode!

Can I say that your last knit in cotton/poly it would look lovely with a roll neck long sleeve jumper under for winter. Will be lovely and warm

Hey, I’m from MA too! I’m really feeling your points about yarn choice right now as I’ve relocated (for the moment) to Florida. So sad not to be able to wear my knits!! But trying to adapt my choices to things that work better in this climate. So far, I’m in agreement that silk & linen mixed with either merino or cotton work better (are cooler). Let’s talk in 6 months and see how it all works out. 🙂🤷🏼‍♀️

Have you considered putting an elastic band into the eyecord straps? This might help with stretching out and give the straps some resistance/ memory.

This was so helpful, especially for me going into my first spring/summer as a knitter. I just recently cast off an aran weight cotton tee and haven't worn it because it's just too warm + heavy for my taste, so it was a quick lesson in choosing the fibres right. The streamline tank wasn't on my radar at all, but your finished version looks beautiful!

I love this type of videos! i think they are very informative to know how certains yarns/patterns work with the time. You should definetly make more if you want!

This was a great video. I love that you spoke about everything you learned over the years!

I appreciated finding this video as i behin to think about my spring knits and would love if you decide to do another one this year!

Love the tulip tee...I'll have to get a cotton/linen blend yarn. I live on the East Coast beach town, where it is hot and humid in the summer! Love the TOW tank in white; very pretty!

Thank you so much for this video, this was such an interesting take! With winter knits I tend to like tight gauge fabric, but for my next summer top I'll definitely look into lightweight yarns on a bigger needle to see if I can get a breezy fabric that way.

I live in Australia so most of my knits are summer knits 😅 I wear tank tops or long sleeve garments more than knit tshirts. Same as you, if my torso is cold, my arms are also cold. Tops with no sleeves are much easier to layer so I end up wearing them a lot.

I live in Miami and am always trying to find summer knits that feel worth making. I love the look of a knitted sweater but they are just not that functional here. This was so helpful, thank you!!

I think the first couple of years of knitting garments for me was also really the time to explore what I like and don't like, particularly in terms of fiber! I learned that I don't like the heaviness and stiffness of pure cotton and like the coolness and drape of bamboo blend instead, so at this point I stick to the latter in summer. As for the sleeveless summer camisoles/tops with deep neck, I wear some plain store-bought sleeveless tank tops inside and wear the knitwear on top of it (I don't wear bra because I have zero boob lol) just to feel more secure haha. I got quite a lot of wear out of my camisole no 4 this way.

I’ve had that Streamline tank on my list for a very long time. It was great to see your review. I think a good sub for coboo is Yarn Bee Bambootiful at Hobby Lobby. A tank I knit a few years ago that I wear a lot is the Heya Tank. It’s very simple, but I love it . I used comfy cotton blend for it in off white. I just swatched for the Anker shirt last night and using Bambootifiul

Loved this ❤ the tulip tee would look so cute with long sleeves honestly. I live in MA as well and that would be so cute for spring/fall

Thank you so much for this video. As a beginner knitter, I had the same questions as your friends: is it worth knitting in the summer and are any of the projects wearable? Also, I am very impressed that you only started knitting less than 3 years ago. It gives me a lot of motivation as a new knitter 😮😊

I enjoy watching your podcast You have a great relationship and beautiful projects My next project is going to be the tolsta tee Thank you for sharing your time with us

This was a really helpful video! I am just starting to make summer knits and wanted to recommend the Malabrigo Susurro yarn. I just knit the Summer Secret Crop by Jessie Mae Designs and it turned out so lovely. I’ve only worn it once now but the silk/wool/linen blend was so breezy and draped so well. Based on what you said in the video, that particular design may not be as modest as you would like but I wanted to recommend the yarn regardless!! I used the color holly hock and it turned out sooo pretty!!

Great video! This is the first video of yours I’ve seen. You are quite a prolific knitter!

I wonder if you could thread an elastic through the i-cord straps the way we do with other collars?

I'm knitting with Lion Brand Coboo as I listen, and I love it!

I’m such a process knitter that I make “winter” knits through the summer. Years ago I made a Lydia tank in merino and I learned my lesson about wool tank tops lol. I think I’ll try making another tank in the Berroco Pima 100!

Thank you so much for your thoughts on summer knits! I have avoided them because of spaghetti straps, too thick of fabric, etc. But I might try that tank top you like. Lots of love from the Pacific Northwest 🧡

I just discovered your podcast and really found this episode useful as I too am trying to figure out which summer /spring knit patterns and yarn work well together.

Maybe you might like the ellie summertop by rust knit wear. Broken rib and as modest as a summer top can be. I love mine dearly!

Great info! I’m super impressed with how white your streamline tank stayed even with a ton of wear. Can you please give some insight to your washing care for your summer knits? Thank you!

This was so informative! Thanks Amy!

Thanks for your critique on these summer knits. If I'd made the ones you did I would take out the sleeve hems of the alpaca and heavy cotton sweaters and knit them into long sleeve garments. I have 2 long sleeve cotton sweaters that I wear year round. Jacki

For the tulip tee, the sleeves are so short you could almost get away with it as more of a sweater vest layered over a button-down or turtleneck. Might be cute for early spring when the weather is still pretty chilly.

Thanks for the helpful feedback on those patterns!

A good Joann fabric store yarn for summer tops is Paton’s Linen. It’s 65% cotton and 35% Linen. It feels very lightweight but I haven’t knitted with it yet

Hi Amy, thanks for your video. Cotton is a tricky fiber. I live in NYC an is very hot and humid in the summer but my Mercerized 100% Cotton knits are so heavy I don't want to wear them a lot. The Cotton from Rowan is quite nice and soft and not too heavy. I love the feather weight of wool but any wool content in the heat makes me so itchy, I can't take it, therefore I've tried linen and bamboo and mixes and like everything is a learning curve that one day I may conquer😁

This is an excellent video! I think I'm doing the Streamline tank.

Thank you for your opinion on the various Summer knits.

You're a very good knitter for someone new to top down knitting.

Honestly, I feel like summer knits are "worth it" if you make what you wear. IE, you choose knit styles you'd actually buy from fast fashion. For instance I love tanks/camisoles so last summer I made 3 ripple bralette's (i knit it longer ) to pair with my loose high waist linen pants and lived in them. The Ogee by Sari Nordland is one of my favorite tank tops and I would love to knit it again but in 100% silk. I think it would work well casually and for the office if it was knit in silk. If the Camisole No 5 works out the way I want, I think it'll be a staple and one I'll knit several versions of since it's a design I buy often in fast fashion.

What a super useful video! Thank you so much! ❤

I just paused your video to buy the streamline tank and some Coboo in Mauve lol. Thank you for the enabler moment and hello from CT

You definitely have a beautiful wardrobe 😍

It is my understanding that alpaca and wool make great summer fabrics so it's probably more about the yarn weight. I haven't finished my alpaca socks so I have no working knowledge of alpaca. They are supposed to maintain temperatures. Could you put a thin elastic in the i-cord of the olive tank? I wish I wasn't allergic to wool. I would totally make a wool fingering or sport weight tee for summer if I wasn't allergic. When I have the money, I'll be getting some alpaca to work up. Maybe next summer.

So helpful, thank you

I love knitting spring/summer garments but I just haven’t been able to get as much wear out of them! I think it’s because it goes from cold to hot in 2 days and there isn’t much transitional time.

Hello, thank you for the review on your knit items I think the one I feel confident about knitting is the Lanikai Summer Tee, living in Florida is a total change from knitting in Calif. LOL ..I loved Malabrigo in California but living out here my fingers won't go near it or anything wool...LOL I have been knitting a lot with Emma's yarn very silky and smooth very comfortable to knit with. Would you ever consider doing a knit along series of classes? I would definitely so join, and I think it would be so much fun..

I can totally relate, I've never made anything for myself that fit the way I wanted. I just finished a raglan sweater made with 100% alpaca, it stretched in length both sleeves and body. Besides that it seems to ride high on my shoulders. I realized that I couldn't wait to put on a cheap $10 cotton tee rather than wear it. Now I have really slowed down on buying yarn, and in making things that have to fit. I just started the Desert Bloom Tee and got stuck on: Raglan ROW 3 - if anyone has some wisdom on how to do ROW 3 in that pattern please share. The directions say to k1, m1L, [k to marker, m1R, SM, k2, SM, m1L] When you k1, m1L at the beginning of the row, you're at the first marker, so there is no need to [k to marker] the next instruction is m1R. I don't understand how you would m1L, then m1R on the same stitch. This row is the heart of the Raglan increases, so getting it correct, is essential. Any clues anyone?

I haven't done a lot of summer knitting but the one that I have is the secret summer crop by jessie mae and i knit it in a cotton and really like it! Since it's my first summer knit I definitely have similar gripes just because i didn't understand gauge as much as i do now but despite that i enjoy it and would make it again (and a little longer since it's definitely cropped lol)

High neak tank tops with 3/4 length sleeves. With deep v tank top.

Excellent podcast.. interesting comments and well thought out .. helpful +++😊😊

I'm still as ching and still such a fan of your talent.him improving but nothing completed lol. I love the process though. I'm learning. I just want to encourage you to start designing your on. You can do it. MS Hurt yourv71 year old fan. Lol

Here on the NC coast, our warm weather is longer than winter. I am an older heavier gal so camis are not on my radar. I love tees with plant fibers.