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’ve shared a lot of Christmas stocking knitting patterns over the years (see posts 1, 2, 3 for example) but what if you want to knit a stocking for a non-human member of your family. If you’re looking for Christmas stocking knitting patterns for your cats or dogs, this is the post for you.

These large paw print stockings are perfect for either dogs or cats, so they’re great to knit if you have both. They are worked in the round using DK weight yarn, and the stocking measures about 17 inches/43 cm from the top to the heel. You can get the pattern from nicolaluke.

The K4 Project has a super cute Kitty Christmas stocking pattern, which is worked in worsted weight yarn. They also have a dog version, or you can buy both and get a discount if you have both dogs and cats to knit for. Both projects have two patterns, showing how to work the stockings flat or in the round.

Put your dog into a Christmas scene with this stocking pattern from ifanhourChild. It shows a dog in a dog house in the snow, and has room for the dog’s name at the top. It’s worked flat using worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes charts for many small and medium dog breeds (there’s a separate listing for bigger dogs) so you can stitch a dog that looks like yours.

Annie’s Woolens has both dog and cat stocking knitting patterns that are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. You can change up the colors to suit your pet if you want, and they come with an alphabet chart for personalization. Or you can stick with holiday colors and buy a kit to make the dog or cat stocking.

Waiting for Santa Paws is a pattern from Kate Agner on Ravelry that would be cute for a dog or a cat. It looks like a leg with a paw print on the bottom part of the foot and more paw prints running around the top of the leg. This is a great option if you don’t want to mess with a heel turn because it doesn’t have a heel, because dogs and cats don’t have heels so why would their stockings?

Book Review – 20 to Knit: Tiny Christmas Toys to Knit

Book Review – Knit Christmas Stockings

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