It has been a glorious few days here in Scotland and while I am in the midst of knitting a warm woolly sweater I have also been day dreaming about summer knitting. It is the time of year when I want to have light airy tops and something cool between my fingers as I knit. Ravelry is bursting with fabulous summer knits and I thought I would share my pick with you.
The original idea for this post came from my obsession with two summer knits that were released a few months ago. The first is the Folded Lace Tank that was released in April 2014 by Bristol Ivy. It was published in the magazine knit.wear, which never fails to produce a stunning collection of stylish knits. The tank is knitted with Manos del Uruguay Serena a wonderful combination of alpaca and cotton. I am so in love with this top.

Copyright: Interweave Knits. Used with permission from Bristol Ivy.
Back in February Pom Pom Quarterly released their Spring magazine and ever since I have toyed with the idea of knitting the Waterlily top by Meghan Fernandes. The sample is knitted from Kettle Yarn Co. ISLINGTON, a silk / wool blend with a fabulous drape and the lustre on silk can provide.
I have seen a few examples of this top knitted up by fellow Ravelers and heard it is a great pattern to work with.

Copyright: Juju Vail. Used with permission from Pom Pom Magazine
In true Clare style I have also trawled the pages of Ravelry to find some other gorgeous summer style tops to inspire you.
I really love the clever construction of this summer tee Sun Tea by Laura Aylor. Perfect for using that one special skein of sock for the top / yoke paired with a complementary or contrasting main colour for the body.

Copyright Laura Aylor. Used with permission.
The clean lines and simple details of these designs make for pretty summer knits that are interesting to work on too.
Laura has also released another fabulous design that has me itching to cast on. Sirocco, a stunning t-shirt stye top knitted in Madeline Tosh Merino Light. I only spotted it this morning and I am smitten.

Copyright: Laura Aylor. Used with permission.
Laura has a 40% discount on her summer knits until June 27th. I might have to stock up on some of her patterns.
Camelia Tee by PlaySweetMusic uses a merino silk blend, meaning it will be heavenly to wear, soft and so silky. I love the cute little lace details on the shoulders and the shape of the neckline. Beautiful.
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Another silk / wool top with beautiful details is Grace Kelly by Susanna IC, perfect for dressing up and dressing down. This top is a winner all round.
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Fancy something a little lighter? Maybe this one is for you. Mediterranean by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud. Relaxed but stunningly beautiful details make this a real winner in my book. Knitted from lace weight silk and plant fibre it will be perfect for the warmer weather, while equally good over something a little warmer for cooler weather. Another top that can easily be dressed up and dressed down.
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The next two pattern ideas are similar in style but also very distinctive in their own right.
The first is Portico by Sarah Gresbach and comes in both adult and “little people” sizes. This is always a big pull for me. Not that I want to be matchy matchy all the time but I do like the idea of mini versions of the designs I love.

Copyright Sara Gresbach. Used with permission

Copyright Sara Gresbach. Used with permission
This top by Stefanie Pollmeier called Nachtfalter was released by Holla Knits, a great cutting edge knitting collection curated by Allyson Dykhuizen.
I love the colour, I love the cut, the style, the lace, I love, love, love this top. Need I say more. I think it could easily take you through all the seasons too. Stefanie also designed the Garland sweater that was in Pom Pom and is well worth a look if you want a glamorous autumn / winter sweater.

Copyright Stefanie Pollmeier. Used with permission.
Next, a top that I think would be the perfect beach top. It that could easily be dressed up or down for day wear and casual evening wear too. A fabulous holiday knit. I really love this design, Beverly Beach Shirt by Kate Bostwick and have bought the pattern, I just need to decide on some yarn.

Copyright Kate Bostwick. Used with permission.
The final top Sophia by Juliet Moody is stylish and has so much promise. Knitted in worsted weight wool it would make a warmer summer top and also a great autumn (and maybe winter) top depending on where you live in the world. Scottish winter – maybe not, but it would have been perfect when I lived in South Africa.
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I know some people stop knitting in the warmer months (or so I have been told). I certainly keep knitting through the seasons, it would take more than some warm weather to pry the needles from my hands. Do you knit in summer? Have you got a special summer project on the go at the moment?