Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Free Knitting Patterns: Tank Top Edition

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tiger lily tank lion brandOne 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!

Have you read?

Vintage Knitted Coat Pattern PDF – Pembroke Coat

Oh, this one has proper old-Hollywood winter charm.

The Pembroke Coat is a vintage knitted coat pattern that instantly made me think of crisp winter walks, leather gloves, polished boots, and the sort of coat your grandmother would have casually worn while looking impossibly elegant. It has that beautiful longline shape, a classic collar, button front, sleeve tabs, pockets, and a smart plaid-style design that gives it such a tailored finish.

This is not a quick “knit it while watching one movie” sort of project — and honestly, that is part of the appeal. The Pembroke Coat is one for knitters who love a satisfying vintage knitting pattern with a proper garment construction feel. The updated PDF includes the original vintage reference image along with a modern mockup, which makes it much easier to picture how this coat could look in today’s wardrobe.

I especially love that this pattern still feels wearable. Made in grey, camel, forest green, burgundy, or navy, it would be a gorgeous handmade winter coat with that timeless “where did you get that?” look.

As with most vintage patterns, I’d recommend reading through the instructions first, checking your gauge carefully, and being prepared to make small adjustments for fit and modern yarn substitutions. But for confident knitters who enjoy heirloom-style projects, this is a really lovely one to add to the queue.

You can find the Vintage Knitted Coat Pattern PDF in the CraftGossipStore on Etsy.