Knit Your First Top with Leesi

I love a good skill-building top that is great for people who are new to knitting tops or sweaters but is interesting enough for people with more experience, too.

The Leesi Tee by Lanre Ojikutu is a simple raglan with cap sleeves. The design is straightforward but includes a panel a diamond-shaped lace eyelets running down the center front, which is a great way to learn the basics of lace knitting or just to break up the monotony of a stockinette stitch project. It also adds a bit of air flow if you are knitting and wearing this top in the summer.

The pattern is worked from the top down in worsted weight yarn (she used Lion Brand Pima Cotton but any smooth cotton would do nicely). It is offered in nine sizes, to fit from a 28-30 inch bust to a 60-62 inch bust. Because it is made with cotton, which has a tendency to stretch over time, the pattern is actually intended to be worked with 1-2 inches of negative ease.

I always like to know where the names of projects come from, and Lanre helpfully adds in her pattern notes that lessi is from the word for lace in Nigerian Yoruba. So fun! You can get this pattern on Ravelry.

The addition of lace or eyelets is actually one of my favorite style features for summer garments. If you’re looking for more lacy top knitting patterns, I’ve got a little collection here. (And don’t miss the Maya top, which has some eyelets, too, and is just so pretty!)

If you’re more of a tank top person, I’ve been sharing a lot of individual patterns for tank tops lately such as the Totally Tank Top and the Split Back Tank.

Not summer where you live? I’ve got you covered, too! Check out my recent roundup of hoodie knitting patterns to keep you warm and cozy (and if you’re my teen, you’re still wearing hoodies even if it’s warm outside. No judgement!)

[Photo: Lanre Ojikutu]

Adding a bit of knitting to your fall decor is a lot of fun, whether it’s knit pumpkins or a bunch of adorable knit ghosts like these.

Knit ghosts can be super simple like this free ghost knitting pattern from Trixie Zynch on Ravelry. Using about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn, they’re worked from the bottom up and are super cute as a pair.

This fuzzy little ghost from Forest Knitting Toys is holding a pumpkin and wearing a witch hat, though of course the accessories are optional, as is the fuzzy yarn. The main yarn is chunky and the ghost measures about 10 cm/4 inches tall. It’s worked in the round.

Another fuzzy ghost in more of a Pacman style is this ghost plushie form South Stitch Girls. It’s worked in the round with bulky yarn and includes a sweet little bow you can make in whatever color you like.

The ghost doll from Edith Grace Designs has little arms and a curl at the top of its head. The body is worked flat using DK weight yarn and you could also work it in glow in the dark yarn for extra fun. The body and head are worked in one piece with the arms knit separately.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts from Susan Claudino are super cute and you can knit them in any yarn and gauge you like to make ghosts of different sizes. These are worked in the round with the body done in one piece and the arms are knit separately. The ghosts shown were knit in sock yarn, DK and worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Make a ghost with funny striped legs with this ghost shelf sitter design from Claire Fairall Designs. It’s worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, and the letters spelling out boo are made with strips of garter stitch sewn into shape.

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