Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

More Summer Shirts to Knit

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It wasn’t that long ago that I shared a post full of summer T-shirt knitting patterns, but any visit to Ravelry lately will show you that many more have been published since then. So I thought I would share a few more. All of these are from Ravelry except this first one, just so you know. 

While I say these are for summer, Lion Brand Yarn calls this one a Seasonless Raglan, and really they all are. You can wear a short-sleeved sweater over a dress or another top with short or long sleeves, or wear it as a layer under a sweater in the winter. This particular one is seasonless because it uses a light worsted weight yarn and is cropped to go with all your outfits. It comes in nine sizes with a chest measurement ranging from 33 to 65 inches, or 84 to 165 cm. The pattern is free or you can buy a kit with the yarn from Lion Brand. 

I also love the simplicity of the Linar Tee from Joana Filip. This one has double folded hems for extra sleekness, and it comes in nine sizes. Actual chest circumference ranges from 32 to 63 inches/80 to 160 cm, and it’s meant to be worn with about 2 inches/5 cm of positive ease. 

If you like a top with a lot of options built in, check out the Angel Tee from mabelle knitting. This one can have short or long sleeves, and the short sleeves can have ribbing or a folded hem. There are also 11 sizes, with a finished bust circumference of 30.3 to 55.5 inches/77 to 141 cm. It should be worn with 0-2 inches/0-5 cm of positive ease. 

The Billie Tee from The Knit Purl Girl is a more relaxed, boxy top you’ll love to throw on when relaxing around the house or running errands. It’s worked in a fingering weight silk yarn for plenty of luxury, and the stripes add a bit of fun. It comes in 12 sizes, with actual chest measurement of the garment ranging from 37.5 to 65 inches, or 95 to 165 cm. It’s recommended to be knit with 6-8 inches/ 15-20 cm positive ease for the smaller sizes and 4-8 inches/10-20 cm for the larger ones. 

Another cute striped top comes from Irene Lin. Her Lustre tee uses sport weight yarn and narrower stripes, and is worked from the top down. There are 10 available sizes, with a finished circumference of 35 to 62 inches/89 to 158 cm, and is recommended to be knit with 0-4 inches, or 0 to 10 cm, of positive ease. 

A Lightweight, Lacy Tee that’s Perfect for Summer Knitting [Knitting]

Add Some Lace to Your Summer Knitting [Knitting]

Knitting Patterns for Your Summer Picnic

Have you read?

Book Review: Knitted Safari Friends – 20 Adorable Animals to Make

If you have a weakness for knitted animals wearing tiny clothes, Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen is going to be very difficult to resist.

This colourful collection includes 20 safari and savannah animals to knit, including a lion, tiger, elephant, flamingo, hippo, crocodile, rhinoceros, zebra and giraffe.

And yes, many of them have their own little outfits.

The lion in purple overalls is probably enough to sell me on the whole book.

Cute Animals With Plenty of Personality

What I like about this collection is that the animals are clearly designed as characters rather than realistic wildlife models.

They are bright, friendly and a little quirky, which makes them particularly appealing as handmade gifts for children or animal-loving adults.

Looking at the sample pages, the hippo and flamingo patterns have a cheerful illustrated layout, with the finished animals shown in little safari scenes alongside the practical pattern information.

There is also plenty of variety in the shapes, which means you aren’t simply knitting the same basic body 20 times and changing the ears.

If knitted animals with interchangeable clothes are already your thing, have a look at our Knitted Wild Animal Friends book review. That collection includes elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, zebras and other animals with an entire wardrobe of tiny knitted clothing.

Is Knitted Safari Friends Beginner Friendly?

The publisher describes the patterns as easy to follow, and the book includes a techniques section, abbreviations and knitting conversions to help you through the projects.

I would still put this more in the confident beginner to intermediate category rather than recommending it as someone’s very first knitting project.

Toy knitting usually involves shaping, joining pieces, stuffing and finishing neatly, and that finishing stage can sometimes take almost as long as the knitting itself.

Ask anyone who has ever had a finished knitted animal sitting in pieces on the craft table for three weeks waiting for its legs to be sewn on.

For knitters who are still learning the basics of toy making, our Knitted Amigurumi Animal Friends review is another useful option, with smaller animals and simple clothing pieces.

A Great Gift Knitting Book

These would make lovely handmade gifts for children, particularly if you matched the animal to their favourite safari creature.

You could also knit several of them together as a nursery display or create your own little safari collection.

The clothes and accessories add another level of fun, too. Once you’ve knitted an elephant, there is something wonderfully satisfying about then deciding what that elephant ought to wear.

Apparently this is where my crafting priorities are now.

My Take

I think Knitted Safari Friends is one of those books that you buy intending to make one project and then immediately start planning an entire knitted zoo.

The bright colours, cute facial expressions and tiny outfits give the animals loads of personality, while the variety of creatures should keep the knitting interesting.

Sarah Keen has been designing knitted toys for years, and that experience shows in the way these animals have been turned into characters rather than simply miniature versions of real wildlife.

If you enjoy toy knitting, handmade gifts or anything involving animals in overalls, this one is definitely worth a look.

Knitted Safari Friends: 20 Adorable Animals to Make is written by Sarah Keen and published by GMC Publications. It was released on April 21, 2026, with a listed RRP of $26.99.