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Kick off your flip flops, lie back on your sun lounger and relax: summer is here.

It’s time for a bit of super simple knitting. Summer Madness is a project that you can take to the beach, camping, on picnics…anywhere that you’ll enjoy laid-back knitting with minimal effort and concentration. Summer Madness is easy to make and easy to wear: dress it up with a floaty skirt, or down with denim shorts.

Summer Madness ticks all the right boxes…

• Size inclusive, with 9 adult sizes
• Miniskeins
• Colourful stripes
• Simple textures
• A light, drapey fabric
• No complicated shaping

Knit in fingering/4ply yarn on a US 6/4mm needle, Summer Madness works up in a flash. The top is designed for a miniskein set, but why not make up your own palette using miniskeins and sock yarn leftovers from your stash? Alternatively, make yours in a single colour for a classic look.

The Summer Madness top takes its name from a classic record by Kool & The Gang, one of my favourite tracks for chilling out. Have a listen to Summer Madness here; it just might become the soundtrack to your summer!

Sizing
S (M, L, XL, 2X // 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X), designed to fit with 1-2cm/0.5-1” positive ease at bust.
#sizeinclusive
Shown in size M on Sophie who has a 86cm/34”bust.

The top is modelled with a small amount of positive ease, but would also look great with a more relaxed fit - just pick a size that matches the favourite top in your wardrobe and get going.

Yarn
Fingering-weight yarn: 660 (740, 830, 910, 980 // 1060, 1130, 1210, 1300) m / 720 (810, 910, 1000, 1070 // 1160, 1240, 1320, 1420) yds total. If using standard skeins of fingering/4 ply yarn, you will need 2 (2, 3, 3, 3 // 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins.

Shown in TedKnits UK 9x20g Miniskein Set in Dawn (100% superwash merino, 85m/93yds per 20g skein). Sample used all 9 different miniskeins, 158g total.

In the yarn suggestions I’ve highlighted a few of my favourite UK dyers who produce larger (10+) sets of miniskeins. Check out their beautiful work, or find an indie dyer close to your home.

Construction
The top is worked straight from the bottom up in two identical pieces. Edges are finished with an i-cord bind-off. Alternatively, leave them raw for a casual rolled look (this works especially well with linen and linen-blend yarns).

The Summer Madness pattern has been professionally tech edited, for a trouble-free knit.