Your projects & yarn choice will change as you move through various seasons of life. There may be times when wearing a silk knit is appropriate and others when you need a hearty wool that can withstand the demands of toddler life. My thoughtful designs and careful approach to suggested yarn choices will help you find the right project & yarn for whatever season of life you’re in.

When thinking about a new pattern, yarn choice is a critical component. Like most knitters, I have certain favorites that I’ll turn to time & again. Once I find a good yarn, it’s hard to try an unknown. So with every new pattern, you’ll find a corresponding non-sponsored yarn review post so you can purchase the suggested yarn with confidence.

Now that we are in the thick of summer with some of the hotter days still ahead of us, I wanted to share the different criteria I look at before purchasing yarn for summer knitting & crochet projects.

4 Criteria When Evaluating Summer Yarns

Fiber

Look for yarns with a fiber content that contains linen, cotton, bamboo, tencel, silk, or hemp. These yarns are guaranteed to help keep you cool while knitting with them, and when wearing your finished project. Cotton is naturally cool, and linen is excellent at softening up with every wear. My linen knits have become wardrobe staples for me in Charleston's hot & humid summer climate.

Depending on the fiber you choose, it may also be worth considering the material of your knitting needles. For example, some people find knitting linen with metal needles too slippery. I prefer metal needles for almost all of my projects since they help me knit faster. Test a few combinations and see what works best for you.

Weight

Consider the weight of the yarn in addition to the fiber content. Worsted-weight cotton may be less fun to work with during the summer than lace-weight merino wool. I've knit a fair number of shawls during the summer months since they are small enough to travel with. The yarn tends to be lace or fingering weight, keeping me from overheating. If you are in a building with the AC on full blast, it can help keep you a little warm when you lay your project on your lap.

Price

Because summer knits tend to be smaller projects and require less yardage than a typical sweater, I'm willing to spend a little more per skein. This is undoubtedly a personal choice, but it could create opportunities to play with new-to-you yarns. I particularly like the treat of Purl Soho Cattail Silk and De Rerum Natura Antigone.

Fabric

The drape & stitch definition of a design is highly dependent on the yarn's fiber content. If you're looking to knit a slinky tank, choosing silk, bamboo, or tencel yarn over other options makes more sense. Cotton yarns tend to wrinkle easily, and linen yarns soften with each wear. Think about where you’ll be wearing the finished piece the most, how you want it to drape and feel against your skin, and choose accordingly.

Need some yarn suggestions?

Check out this post for my 11 must-try yarns for spring & summer knitting.

What are some things that you look at before buying a new yarn? What are some of your favorite yarns for spring & summer knitting? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.