Knitting with ITO Kinu: Swatch Tests for the Perfect Summer Tee

I’m planning to knit a t-shirt using ITO Kinu, and I’ve been experimenting with swatches—here’s what I’ve tested so far!

I’m using ITO Kinu in color 0392 Capri Blue—a beautiful 100% bourette silk yarn with 425 meters per 50g skein. The recommended needle sizes range from 2 mm to 4.5 mm, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on the fabric you want to achieve.

Here are my swatch results:

Swatch 1

• 1 strand of yarn
• Needle size: 3 mm (US 2.5)
• Result: Thin, flowing fabric
• Gauge: 31 sts × 36 rows per 10 × 10 cm

Swatch 2

• 2 strands of yarn held together
• Needle size: 3.5 mm (US 4)
• Result: A bit too stiff and dense for a t-shirt
• Gauge: 23 sts × 32 rows per 10 × 10 cm

Swatch 3

• 2 strands of yarn held together
• Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
• Result: Nice, flowing fabric — this one feels just right!
• Gauge: 23 sts × 32 rows per 10 × 10 cm

I’m leaning toward Swatch 1 for its soft drape and texture—perfect for a lightweight summer tee.

Would you like to see more swatches or styling ideas using high-quality yarn like ITO Kinu?
Which needle size would you choose? Let me know in the comments!