Knit This Super Comfy Tank Top for Summer

I have probably said this before, but even when I have knit tops for warm weather in the past, I don’t wear any of them all that often. I don’t really know why, I just don’t think of them as often as I think of my handknits in the winter. Maybe I’m lazy and don’t want to have to hand wash as much laundry in the summer? I don’t know.

Whatever the reason, every season there are a few pattern that catch my eye and make me think I want to try knitting a summer top again. The Split Back Tank from Knit Picks is one of those projects.

Designed by Allison Griffith, this tank is super simple and from the front looks like your usual slightly roomy scoop neck tank top. But the back is knit as two separate pieces that are joined together at the top, making an air vent at the back. It’s sort of like knitting a cardigan in reverse, as it’s worked in one piece back and forth in rows.

There are nine size options, ranging from a chest measurement of 29 to 60 inches. And since the sewing together of the backs happens once all the knitting is done, you can easily adjust how open or closed you want the back to be (if you want to make sure it will cover the back of your bra, for instance).

The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and is a free download from Knit Picks. They have several yarn options that would be great with this pattern and in particular recommend silky Samia or Lindy Chain, a blend of cotton and linen. Either would be great for keeping you cool when it’s warm outside.

Looking for more knit tank top knitting patterns? I have an old roundup of tank top patterns here or search the site for tank tops to get lots of options.

[Photo: Knit Picks.]

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I know that my posts can be read at different times of year and in different years by different people, but as I write this we’re on teh cusp of summer. And I know a lot of people don’t knit as much, and certainly don’t wear a lot of knits in the summer, but I want to encourage you to make and to wear your makes no matter the temperature.

To introduce you to the joys of summer garment knitting, I offer the Tied Vest from Lion Brand Yarn.

This easy project is great to make and wear throughout the year but it’s especially good for summer. It’s worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, mostly in stockinette stitch with a seed stitch edging. The I-cord ties are worked directly onto the garment so you don’t have to sew them on.

The project uses worsted weight yarn, and calls for a blend of cotton and hemp that’s great for warm weather.

There are eight size options, ranging from a finished chest measurement of 35 to 62.5 inches, or 89 to 159 cm. That makes it sound like it should be worn with at least a few inches of positive ease, but the pattern doesn’t specify.

The ties at the front give it a casual look and make it great to wear over a tank top or T-shirt when the weather is warm.

I also think this one would be good to knit in wool or a warmer fiber, too, to make a version you could wear more comfortably in the winter months, too. Though of course you could layer the summer version over a long-sleeved shirt and wear it throughout the year, too.

The tied vest is a free pattern available from Lion Brand. You can also purchase a kit that includes the yarn and optional needles and stitch markers if you need them.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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