There’s something joyful about knitting for warm weather. Lightweight yarns, breathable fabric, and a pop of colour can transform even the simplest outfit into something special.
And when it’s a quick, satisfying knit? Even better.
The Madison Top: A Breathable Summer Staple
I love knitting (and wearing) summer tops, they can really make any summer outfit extra special. There are a few key things that are important for any summer top:
- A lightweight yarn and fabric to keep you cool
- A simple, loose style to allow air circulation
- Simple but effective details to make your summer outfit special
- Fun and fast to knit!
The Madison Top hits all of these.
Why Silk Yarn Works Beautifully for Summer
I opted for a laceweight silk yarn (BC Garn Jaipur Peace Silk) that is knit loosely. This give you the wonderful drape and weight of silk while keeping it open and airy. One great advantage of silk yarns is that they create such vibrant, brilliant colours when they are dyed. The bright pink of my top just immediately makes me feel like it’s the summer.
Silk has a few natural qualities that make it perfect for summer knitting:
- It’s lightweight and breathable, making it comfortable even in hot, humid weather.
- It has natural temperature regulation, keeping you cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool.
- It offers excellent drape, which is especially flattering for looser, flowing tops like this one.
Bonus?
The sheen of silk adds a subtle glow without adding bulk or warmth.
Knitting Construction & Special Techniques
The Madison Top was created for our Sweater Society where we take a deep dive into sweater construction and fit. So, I needed a summer top that had a little ‘sweater engineering’ as I like to call it. It’s a summer top that teaches as much as it is a joy to knit and wear.
This top is worked from the bottom up, it begins with a split hem in garter stitch before joining in the round. From here we’ve used short rows to create a garter stitch ‘wave’ detail across one side of the body. After the wave you continue the garter stitch stripes all the way up to the shoulder.
The front splits in two to create a wearable v-neck with some more short rows to slope the shoulders. This, however, is where this top gets really special and versatile.
Wear It Your Way: Customisable Shoulder Detail
Here, the stitches for both the front and back shoulders are kept live. Then they are joined using a shoulder panel. The shoulder panel for each side is worked from the armhole edge to the neck, working back and forth in rows you will join a stitch from the front or back together on each row. At the same time you are working two columns of eyelets along the panel.
What this allows you to do, is thread an I-cord up and down the shoulder panel so that you can ruch the shoulder up. This gives you the option of leaving it open for a drop shoulder or gathering it up to create a higher gathered shoulder.
Whichever option you pick it creates a wonderful focus point for an easy to wear breezy summer top. It’s a small detail that changes the whole feel of the top and gives you a chance to play.
Madison Top: Pattern Details at a Glance
SIZES
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference Up To: 32 (35.25, 38.75, 42, 45.25, 48.75, 51.25, 54.75, 58, 62.75)” / 81.5 (89.5, 98.5, 106.5, 115, 124, 130, 139, 147.5, 159.5) cm
6-10″ / 15 – 25.5 cm positive ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished Bust Circumference: 38 (41.25, 44.75, 48, 51.25, 54.75, 57.25, 60.75, 64, 68.75)” / 96.5 (105, 113.5, 122, 130, 139, 145.5, 154.5, 162.5, 174.5) cm
Size 41.25″ / 105 cm modelled with 6″/ 15 cm positive ease.
Length from Centre of Neck to Back Hem: 21.5 (21.75, 22.5, 23.5, 24, 25.25, 25.5, 26.25, 27.25, 28)” / 54.5 (55, 57, 59.5, 61, 64, 65, 66.5, 69, 71) cm
Note: When worn silk yarn grows in length, so will be longer when worn.
YARN
BC Garn ‘Jaipur Peace Silk’ (100% Silk); 328 yds / 300 m per 1.76 oz / 50 g); colour: Cyclam (55), 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins
Approximate Yardage: 891 (975, 1077, 1195, 1294, 1436, 1518, 1641, 1784, 1953) yds / 815 (892, 985, 1093, 1184, 1313, 1388, 1501, 1632, 1787) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
2 US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, 32″ / 80 cm long (or longer for larger sizes)
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn or Barber Cord.
GAUGE
24 sts & 28 rows/rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St St
24 sts & 36 rows/rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stitch
24 sts & 32 rows/rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stripe Pattern
FAQs
Here are some common questions I get from our knitting community but if you would like to learn more about summer fibers, I have a Summer Series of blog posts right here.
Is silk too warm to wear in hot weather?
Not at all. Unlike wool or heavier fibres, silk is surprisingly breathable. It naturally regulates temperature and wicks away moisture, making it ideal for warm days.
Will a silk top stretch out over time?
Silk has natural drape, and in looser knits like this one, it may grow in length slightly with wear, especially in warm weather. That’s factored into the design. Expect a relaxed, flattering fit that moves with you.
Is it tricky to knit with silk?
Silk yarn can feel slippery at first, but with a little practice it’s easy to manage,especially in a simple stitch pattern like garter or stockinette. If you’re nervous, using wood or bamboo needles can help give more grip.
Does silk hold its shape?
It does, especially when balanced with structure in the design. The Madison Top uses features like short rows and shoulder panels to help maintain shape while still embracing that signature drape.
Why choose silk over cotton or linen?
While cotton and linen are also summer-friendly, silk gives you drape, softness, and colour intensity that’s hard to match. If you want something that feels a little more lavish, without losing the comfort, silk is a great option.