It’s that time of year. The warmer months are here, and it’s time to spice up your summer wardrobe with some fabulous knit summer tops! Knitting isn’t just for winter scarves and cozy sweaters, you know. Today we’re keeping things lightweight, breathable, and oh-so-fashionable with these 25 free patterns for knit summer tops perfect for those sunny days.
If you’ve never attempted women’s knit tops, then you might be a little intimidated by all of these amazing knit summer tops. Luckily for beginner knitters, we have some easy summer tops here using classic and common stitches like stockinette and rib stitch. And for those folks who have been knitting for a while and relish a challenge, we’ve got some more intricate designs for you too. Think delicate lace patterns, breezy mesh stitches, and intricate cables. These techniques add texture and personality to your summer knit top.
The secret sauce to the perfect knitted top for summer lies in the yarn. For summer, we’re all about light, natural fibers. Cotton yarn is a top favorite – it’s cool, absorbent, and comes in a rainbow of colors. Linen yarn is another superstar; it’s strong, gets softer with each wash, and has that effortlessly chic vibe. And let’s not forget bamboo yarn – it’s silky, eco-friendly, and has a lovely drape that’s perfect for those flowy designs. Even wool has temperature-regulating properties that make it perfect for knitwear.
Let’s talk styles. Whether you’re into classic tanks, comfy tees, cute camis, or a crop top, there’s a cute top out there that’s perfect for you. Imagine strutting down the boardwalk in a knit halter top and your favorite jeans or a mini skirt, or going to casual outings in a relaxed, flowy a-line tank. The possibilities are endless, and each one is more stunning than the last. You’ve got a variety of options in this collection of women knitting patterns for every skill level, so what are you waiting for? Scroll down and prepare to be inspired for your next knitting project!
Dotted Swiss Tee
You can be comfy and stylish too with this adorable knit tee. It has a slightly oversized fit that makes it oh-so-easy to wear without being too boxy and shapeless. The dotted swiss stitch makes a pretty pattern of dimples on the surface of the work while a simple rib stitch provides structure and interest along the edges of the design.
Designer: Julie Gaddy for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Pandamonium (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Summer Breeze
A little lace adds a flirty touch to this beginner-friendly top design. The pattern alternates between garter stitch, rows of easy eyelet lace, and stockinette stitch to keep you on your toes. You’ll be making two big rectangles for this design: one for the front and one for the back. There’s no shaping so you don’t need to worry about increasing or decreasing.
Designer: Mirella Moments
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Belle (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wildflower Tee
Who says that fashionable has to mean uncomfortable? This comfy oversized tee is here to change your mind! This design is a feast for the senses with reverse stockinette stitch adding texture and the patterned yarn adding speckles of color. Rib stitch is also used for the edging along the hem, sleeves, and the folded neckband.
Designer: Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarn
Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Speckles (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Basic Backless Top
Halter neck tops leave your shoulders free to soak up the sun. This design takes things a step further by eliminating the back of the top as well to keep things breezy and beautiful. There’s just a small band that goes around the back on the bottom edge. The smoothness of the stockinette stitch top is offset by the generous section of twisted ribbing along the bottom edge.
Designer: Viktória Kun-Tomán
Yarn: Yarndreams by Adri Cotton-Merino (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Bari
A lot of knit summer tops call for very thin weights of yarn like fingering or sport. This design uses a nice thick worsted weight yarn so it works up quickly. Despite the thickness of the yarn, the top flows beautifully and the fabric of the work does not become too stiff. Subtle lines of seed stitch add texture and interest to the sleek stockinette stitch background.
Designer: Berroco Design Team
Yarn: Berroco Vernazza (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Hven Top
It’s hard to improve on the basic stockinette stitch plus rib stitch formula that a lot of knit summer tops use. This sophisticated design boasts a split hem on the side and a fun little detail on the shoulders to stand out from the crowd. I love the fact that the hem is a little bit longer in the back for better coverage. It’s comfy, it’s casual, and it’s super cute too!
Designer: Hven Top
Yarn: Svarta Fåret Cecilia (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Grasslands Tank
Pairing a wild variegated yarn with a solid color of yarn is one of my favorite ways to use variegated yarns and I just adore the pairing of green and colorful stripes in this tank top design. The pattern calls for a really thin yarn, but it’s worked double stranded so it’s a fairly fast project. Easy stockinette keeps the multicolor section from being too busy and the solid green parts really shine in rib stitch.
Designer: Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarn
Yarn: Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock (Light Fingering Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beachfront Top
T-shirts are basics in that you can pair them with pretty much anything but there’s nothing basic about this elevated tee. This design has two noteworthy stitch patterns: a gorgeous textured twisted rib stitch cable and, of course, the pretty lace stitch used to make the statement sleeves. I especially love the selection of a lemony shade of yellow that’s perfect for summer.
Designer: Therese Chynoweth for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Hampton (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Pretty Loopy Top
Pull this stunning little t-shirt on for an instant dose of style. The relaxed fit is super comfy and the lace design brings the cuteness for a one-two punch of wonderful wearability. With two different kinds of eyelets dotting the surface of this charming tee you know that it’s nice and breathable – perfect for those hot summer days.
Designer: Selfmade
Yarn: Fraya Colourful (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Classic Knitted Tank Top
You really can’t go wrong with a basic tank top and a trusty pair of jeans when it comes to sweet summer styles. This go-to tank was designed with beginners in mind, so you know it’s going to be a relaxing knit for more experienced knitters too. The pattern calls for just knit and purl stitches along with left leaning and right leaning increases.
Designer: KnitCroAddict
Yarn: Berroco Meraki (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Gemini
From far away it looks like ribbing, but that fun little detail that goes across the back of this tempting tee is actually lacework that continues over the shoulders to terminate at the collar bones. You can wear it with the lace in the back as shown or in the front if you’re feeling flirty. The main body of the top is knit in stockinette stitch and there’s a little bit of ribbing involved in the edging along the hem and sleeves.
Designer: Jane Richmond for Knitty
Yarn: Katia Linen (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Anya
Rows of easy eyelet lace dot the surface of this sophisticated stockinette stitch tee. You’ll find yourself reaching for this shirt in your closet every chance you get thanks to the oh-so-comfy oversized fit and the added breathability from the lace. The recommended yarn is a nice DK weight that works up fairly quickly and is made from soft bamboo.
Designer: Comfort Zone Knits
Yarn: Himalaya Deluxe Bamboo (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Criss Cross Top
Let’s think outside the stockinette stitch box and showcase a top that calls for reverse stockinette stitch instead. That extra dash of texture combined with the showstopping 1×1 rib stitch and the central cable motif come together to create a sweet and sophisticated tank top style. It’s nice enough to wear to the office and cozy enough to throw on for running errands too.
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Worsted Twist (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sara Top
I love a little bit of versatility when it comes to knit summer tops, so this pretty little button up is right up my alley. You can wear the buttons in the front or the back, depending on your mood that day. The pattern calls for the beautiful and textured broken rib stitch for the main body of the top and easy 1×1 rib stitch for the edging.
Designer: Novita
Yarn: Novita Wool Cotton (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Spring League Sleeveless Hoodie
You might have a hard time convincing your friends that you made this adorable hooded top yourself and didn’t buy it from the store! This is an elevated basic that involves special techniques like picking up stitches, traveling stitches, icord, grafting, 4 kinds of increases, 2 kinds of decreases, and a special bind off. It is knit flat in pieces and then seamed.
Designer: Two of Wands
Yarn: Lion Brand Color Theory (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Drawstring Camisole
Don’t be a wallflower. Steal the spotlight with this stunning camisole complete with drawstring casing and a nicely finished folded bottom hem. Stockinette stitch may be the most basic stitch on the block, but the results of this design are anything but basic. It’s the perfect top for summer date nights spent dancing or walking along the beach.
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Picnic Cotton (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Peek-a-Boo Tee
I’m a sucker for a tee with a little cold shoulder detail and I’m positively head over heels for this design! The pattern is knit flat in two pieces (front and back) with zero shaping so you don’t have to worry about increasing and decreasing. Stockinette stitch and naturally rolled edges on the sleeves make things even easier. There’s also a touch of rib stitch involved for making the hem.
Designer: Knifty Knittings Blog
Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Silver Spring Tank
If you’ve been keeping up with the trends, you’ll know that high neck tank tops are very in right now. I love the way that this style really visually elongates the torso. Seed stitch adds a touch of texture along the top and bottom edges, while the rest of the design is made with smooth sailing stockinette stitch. The design is also just ever so slightly cropped to hit right at the top of your jeans.
Designer: wiseknits
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cotton Jeans (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Flamboyant
You’ll be feeling flirty and fabulous in this loose and flowy a-line tank. While mostly made in basic stockinette stitch, this design does have a couple little details that really bring it up to another level: a sleek icord edging and twisted stitches that make pretty beehive motifs along the edges of the deep v-neck.
Designer: Marie Amelie Designs
Yarn: Squirrel’s Yarns Eucalyptus Light Sport (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sandpiper Tank
Do you have a few skeins of scrumptious looking cake yarn in your stash? Put them to excellent use with this gorgeous ribbed tank! 4×2 rib stitch makes the top extra stretchy, so it was designed with a slight negative ease for a flattering form fitting feel that’s not too constricting. The design is accented with 1×1 rib stitch along the edges for an extra little bit of polish.
Designer: Aubrey P. Busek for Universal Yarns
Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme DK Waves (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Pretty in Pleats
The next one of our knit summer tops has no midsection shaping so it’s very flowy. The simple stockinette stitch pattern is worked from the bottom hem up to the bust where you’ll make a bunch of decreases all in a row to make the titular pleats. This little detail really adds a lot to the design and it also provides a convenient segue to the reduced width of the top near the neckline.
Designer: Andrea Yetman for Biscotte Yarns
Yarn: Cheval Blanc Ambre (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cropped Boxy Tee
Here’s another great choice to add to your summer knitting list. Styles that feature a mesh tee or long sleeve over a tank top or bralette are all the buzz right now! I really like this design aesthetic because it’s just a little bit edgy without sacrificing comfort. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with purl 2 togethers and yarn forwards to create the mesh stitch. It works up quickly with worsted weight yarn and lots of lace.
Designer: Quail Studio
Yarn: Rowan Selects Mako Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Brielle Boatneck Tee
This head-turning short sleeve top features a beautiful self striping yarn in both vertical and horizontal stripes. The simplicity of the stockinette and 1×1 rib stitches used for this design keeps the focus on the yarn so things don’t look too busy. You’ll be working this pattern flat in back and forth rows and then seaming the pieces of your t-shirt puzzle together at the end to unveil the stunning result.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Studio
Yarn: Premier Yarns Cotton Collage (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Shapely Tank
Big chested gals will appreciate the extra attention to detail that this next sleeveless top pattern provides. The design provides a casual look that accentuates a full figure with ample room at the top and a fitted waist made with short row shaping for a perfect fit. Extra wide straps provide further support and make it extra comfortable to wear. I love how the hem curves up at the sides.
Designer: White Lies Designs
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cotton Rich DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mia
Somewhere between regular and tunic length, this long flowy top would make an excellent and versatile addition to your closet of summer knits. The feminine style produces a soft and charming silhouette that is just divine. Stockinette stitch is mainly used along with seed stitch for the textured section along the bottom edge. It’s another one of those tops that work really well for both casual and fancy occasions and will look amazing on every body type.
Designer: Jennifer Wood for Knitty
Yarn: Shibui Knits Twig (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Knit Summer Tops
Knitting your own summer tops is a fantastic way to stay stylish and cool during the warm months. Will you be whipping up your own wearable work of art? We really hope this post has inspired you to do so and we would love to see how your stunning knit summer tops come out.
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this blog post or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
