Make Your Own Simple Summer Knit Top

I don’t have the greatest level of comfort when it comes to math, but I know that it’s necessary when it comes to knitting, especially if you want to design or make patterns your own.

The Plain Summer V Top from Lali Lev empowers you to do a little math to design a top that works for you. It can be worked in any weight of yarn at any gauge you like, just let the pattern help you through the math you’ll need.

It features an I-cord cast on for the neck, which is shaped using short rows. At the same time you work increases out to the desired width of the garment. Then it’s smooth Stockinette stitching for most of the rest of the body.

You can try this pattern out for yourself; it’s a free download from Ravelry.

[Photo: Lali Lev.]

Looking for more summer top knitting patterns? Check these out.

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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