Summer time is one of our favorite times to indulge in lace knitting. Lace knitting patterns are better than others when it comes to beating the heat. While the dog days of summer have technically ended, the heat, humidity, and uncomfortable weather linger on.

Lightweight yarns like Cotton Fleece, Cotton Fine, and Wildfoote Sock Yarn are excellent yarns to work with during the long, hot days of summer. Knitwear designers love using them for lightweight summer lace projects, as shown by the large selection of lace knitting patterns available on Ravelry and elsewhere.

Today, we’re sharing some favorites for late summer knitting. As the season winds down, these sleeveless tops and lacy accessories will be great projects for transitioning into fall layers and cooler weather.

Imaging Shawl

We would be remiss if we didn’t include Aud Bergo’s lovely Imaging Shawl from this year’s Brown Sheep Spring MKAL. While it is knit with Prairie Spun DK, it can easily be knit with Cotton Fleece or, for a shawlette, Cotton Fine. A member of the Brown Sheep Company Crafters group, Prairie Hand Knits, recently shared her Cotton Fleece version:

Don’t sleep on downloading the Imaging Shawl. It’s only available for free until November 2025!

Bauxite Top

The Bauxite Top made our list of Favorite Summer Tops in a previous top, because it’s such a fun silhouette. Knit in Cotton Fine, it features a wavering lace design in the back, airy, loose sleeves, and a deep V back.

Elegant Lace Sock

Grab two skeins of Wildfoote Sock Yarn and cast on the Elegant Lace Socks. This is a great project for first-time lace sock knitters. The lace pattern is simple and easily memorized, and we love the picot cuff!

Lace Leaf Cardigan

Leaf lace designs are so pretty and timeless—and feel wonderful to layer in the transition to fall weather. The Leaf Lace Cardigan features Cotton Fleece, short sleeves, and a simple silhouette that showcases the leaf lace design.

Floral Mini Market Bag

This one is for the crocheters, or the knitters interested in trying their first crochet project! The Floral Mini Market Bag in Cotton Fleece elevates the handmade mesh shopping bag you see everywhere now. Most of these bag patterns are fairly basic, but this pattern adds sophisticated touches, like a reinforced handle and a sweet floral design on the bottom.

Over the Sea to Skye

The Over the Sea to Skye Shawl made our list of Favorite Spring Shawls because it has so many thoughtful details. Knit in Cotton Fleece, it’s a shawl to keep your attention, with varying sections of garter stitch, lace mesh, and eyelet lace.

Unmentionables

The free, Edwardian-inspired Unmentionables are a long time favorite pattern of ours—they made our list of 8 Summery Projects in Cotton Fleece and Cotton Fine a few years back. We said it before and we’ll say it again: these not quite pants, not quite shorts, not quite a skirt bottoms look and feel like they are the most comfortable thing to wear all summer long.

Market Cowl

We originally shared the free Market Cowl in our very first Gifts to Knit and Crochet for the Holidays because it’s a fast, easy, and beautiful cowl. The lacy texture worked in Synchrony using chain stitches, single crochet, and slip stitches also makes it a great transitional piece: airy for summer, great for layering in the fall.

Two for Tea

The free Two for Tea Tank and Jacket was designed for Serendipity Tweed, but Cotton Fleece makes a fabulous substitute. The Cardigan features fetching lace columns, while the tank showcases an elongated stockinette stitch accomplished with double yarn overs.

Rochelle Shawl

The oversized Rochelle Shawl in Cotton Fine showcases a sea of eyelet Vs for steady, comfortable popcorn knitting. This is another pattern you’ll reach for even after summer ends, as a shoulder wrap or bundled as a chic scarf.

Do you like knitting lace? What is your favorite lace knitting pattern? Let us know and join our group to share your Brown Sheep projects!