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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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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