Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey Summer Knit Top by Hanks And Needles

Project Overview

Milk & Honey is a downloadable knitting pattern for a simple summer tee designed by Makenzie Alvarez and published by independent designer brand Hanks And Needles. This intermediate-level knit top features subtle colorwork accents inspired by nature's seasonal awakening and blooming flowers. The design adds pops of color through strategic color work to create visual interest on a classic summer silhouette.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a fitted summer knit top suitable for warm-weather wear. The garment is constructed as a tee with ribbed hems and sleeves, designed to be worn close to the body. Multiple finished sizes are available to accommodate various measurements, making this pattern adaptable for different body types and fit preferences.

Yarn Materials

The Milk & Honey pattern calls for Sugar Bush by Cabot Yarn, a premium blend composed of 70% Pima Cotton and 30% Linen. This fiber content creates a breathable, lightweight fabric ideal for summer garments. Each hank contains 291 yards (266 meters) and weighs 3.5 ounces (100 grams), classified as DK weight yarn.

The pattern uses two colors:

• Color 1 (By the Lake): Yardage ranges from 169 to 329 yards depending on finished size, requiring 1 to 2 hanks
• Color 2 (Mango): Yardage ranges from 602 to 1743 yards depending on finished size, requiring 2 to 6 hanks

Needles and Tools

This pattern requires circular needles in two sizes to accommodate different sections of the garment:

• US5/3.75mm circular needles: Available in both 32-inch (80 cm) and 16-inch (40 cm) lengths, used for ribbed hem and sleeve ribbing
• US6/4mm circular needles: Available in both 32-inch (80 cm) and 16-inch (40 cm) lengths, used for the main body and sleeve knitting

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Milk & Honey top employs ribbed knit construction at the hem and sleeves, a fundamental technique that creates elasticity and a finished appearance. Ribbing is typically worked using knit and purl stitches in alternating columns to produce the characteristic textured bands that hold the garment edges snugly.

Colorwork is the signature technique featured in this design. The pattern incorporates hints of colorwork throughout the top, adding visual flair and design interest. This colorwork is worked using the two-color yarn palette of By the Lake and Mango, allowing knitters to create patterned sections that stand out against the primary color base.

The construction method uses circular needles worked in the round, a technique that eliminates seaming and creates seamless garments. This approach is particularly popular for summer knits as it reduces bulk and provides a smooth, comfortable finish.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

Designated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, Milk & Honey is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their abilities. The pattern specifically notes an Advanced Beginner skill level, indicating that while colorwork techniques are included, the overall construction remains accessible to knitters progressing beyond basic projects. Knitters should be comfortable with circular needle techniques, ribbing, and basic colorwork methods to successfully complete this top.