Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit This Super Comfy Tank Top for Summer

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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.]

Have you read?

Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.