Summer yarns: my 5 choices for this season 🌻
It's -1°C on the thermometer on my window, and just now, a tiny terrier in a neon-yellow puffer jacket strutted past the street (a miniature, furry traffic cone, seriously ☺️). He looked so cute it almost made me want to knit him his own little sweater!
But summer knits are calling, so I'm cozied up in my Artist's Sweater, surrounded by yarn swatches, trying to choose the ideal yarn for my upcoming designs. I've been on a serious hunt, and I've got some exciting discoveries.
Yes, I have my favorites, but I wanted something fresh for you—light, pleasant, and easy to knit with. I swatched tons of yarn, and it felt like I was having conversations with the skeins themselves:
Me (to a linen blend): "You're pretty... but kinda scratchy, huh?"
Yarn: "Textured, dear! It's called character!"
Me (to a silk mix): "Silky, but a bit... hefty?"
Yarn: "No, I'm bold! Perfect for those statement pieces."
Me (to a basic cotton): "And you? Why so quiet?"
Yarn: "I'm simple. Reliable. And I come in every color you could wish for."
Before we dive into my top picks, I wanted to share a quick note about bamboo yarn. One yarn I tried - Rainbow Bamboo by Hobiii (often discounted)—felt like liquid silk, but it's made for 3.5 mm/US 4 needles, which is quite fine.
Have you ever knitted with bamboo? Let me know, I'm curious if you liked it.
I also found two beginner-friendly bamboo-cotton DK blends on LoveCrafts that you might love, and they're great for patterns with a gauge around 20-22 stitches in 10 cm/4 inches (means the yarn is a comfortable thickness—not too thin. It's also the gauge I design for most often):
- Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK - 60% Bamboo, 40% Cotton, 250m (273yds)/100g (3.53oz)
- King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK - 50% Bamboo, 50% Cotton, 230m (252yds)/100g (3.53oz)
Well, I've finally chosen the yarn for my summer knits—3 designs for Summer 2025 are in the works! Let's dive into my top picks !
1.DROPS Belle:
This blend of 53% cotton, 33% viscose, and 14% linen feels cool and crisp – like that first sip of iced coffee on a hot day.
It’s soft, with a hint of linen’s natural rustic charm, breathable, and lightweight. With 120 meters (131 yards) in a 50g skein and a recommended needle size of 4 mm (US 6), DROPS Belle knits up at about 20-21 stitches per 10 cm/4 inches.
I consider this yarn a top option for summer garments knitted with DK weight yarn and 4 mm needles. It’s easy to work with, easy to care for, and the color range is great. And, let's be honest, we all make mistakes! It's super forgiving, so you can unravel and redo as much as you need. If you're like me and always want more options, there's also the Sandnes Garn Line. It's pretty much the same kind of yarn, and just as lovely to knit with!
2. Sandnes Garn Line:
Sandnes Garn Line is very similar to DROPS Belle. It felt a touch softer initially, but after knitting my Mellow Mood top(Line in pink color, Belle in brown), the texture felt identical!
The main differences are the price, with Belle being more affordable, and the yardage, where Line has 110m compared to Belle's 120m.
These two are absolutely my top picks. I recommend them to everyone, especially for summer knits. They're both pretty widely available, too. You can find them at many online yarn shops, and if not, lots of sellers on Etsy ship internationally.
Since they're so similar, I rank them equally. It really boils down to your price and color preference. If I see a color I love in the DROPS Belle range, I'll grab that, because it's usually significantly cheaper. So, basically, it's a win-win situation.
3. Friends Cotton Silk by Hobbii (49% off now!):
This is the yarn I picked for my collaboration with Hobbii, and I was blown away when I opened the package. This unique texture of the thread and the incredible softness—that's the silk doing its thing. It's just...luxurious.
This yarn is surprisingly accessible. A single skein is very reasonably priced, and if you're planning a larger project – say, 6 skeins for a top, or 10 for a summer sweater – the discounted price puts it right in the same range as DROPS yarns, but with that extra touch of silk softness.
It's a bit thicker than most cotton blends, which makes it ideal for those summer evenings when there's a little chill in the air, or for air-conditioned offices, or even for pairing with a suit.
It feels like it's going to hold its shape really well, due to the silk content, better than those cotton-linen mixes.
4. Rico Organic Cotton-Silk:
This yarn offers the same luxurious feel and beautiful drape as Friends Cotton Silk. The main differences are price and availability, which may vary depending on your location. It's a great option, and if I need a specific color, it's definitely high on my list.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any English-language stores that offer international shipping for this particular yarn. So, my best advice is to get searching! Try googling 'Rico Cotton-Silk Blend' along with your country or region. Some local online retailers carry it, and that's how I was able to purchase mine.
5. Paintbox Cotton DK:
This is just your classic, good, old-fashioned cotton yarn – no fancy blends, just plain, reliable cotton. It reminds me of DROPS Paris (aran weight) which I used for my Halcyon Sweater and Sunlit Top.
While it might pill a bit and stockinette might lose some crispness, it's amazing for textured patterns (cables, ribs, etc.)because the stitch definition is fantastic.
The color options are absolutely insane! Seriously, if you're looking for a huge variety of colors and a straightforward cotton for your summer projects, you really need to check this one out. Plus, knitters rave about its affordability, which makes it perfect for larger projects.
Your mission this week: Knit a tiny swatch with any summer yarn! 🤗 Even if it’s snowing. Try one of these recommendations, or explore your local yarn shop.
❤️ I hope this Esenote was useful and inspiring.
Warm regards,
Julia Piro
Knitwear Designer & Esenotes Curator
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