Free Knitting Patterns: Tank Top Edition

One of the winners of yesterday’s giveaway mentioned that she loves to knit herself a new lace tank top every summer. That sounds like a marvelous thing, and reminds me of the knit tank top languishing in my T-shirt drawer right now.

This is the Tiger Lily Tank from Lion Brand Yarn. Cute, isn’t it? (I tried to take a picture of myself wearing it, but honestly, it did not go well.) I really like this shirt, though it does show a little more cleavage than I normally do. Also, it came out a little shorter than I like, or than a woman who’s had a child and never exercises should wear. I need to pick up stitches behind the ruffle and work another ruffle to add a little more length, I think. (The yarn, buy the way is Nashua Handknits Natural Focus Ecologie Cotton, which apparently does not exist anymore, since their website doesn’t seem to be live anymore. The link is to my review at About.)

Thinking of tanks reminded me that Lion Brand shared a few more free tank top patterns in its newsletter recently, if you didn’t see it:

The Graceful Top has 2×2 ribbing on the bottom and a bodice of eyelets in diamond shapes
The Tranquil Green Tank Top is a deep V-neck with diagonal eyelets this time (still a 2×2 rib bottom)
The Shimmer Lace Top is a gorgeous top with allover eyelets that’s rated for the experienced knitter (and one commenter says she found the pattern impossible to piece together, so tread with caution)

Summer tops are great projects because they take less time than a sweater and, if it’s summer where you are, you can use them right away. Have a favorite summer top pattern? Spill it!

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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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