Pretty Ribbed Tops to Knit

Every year there are more great summer tops to knit, and this year a bunch of them that caught my eye used ribbing as a pattern element, not just an edging. Let’s take a look at some fun ribbed tops to knit for summer.

The Bloodroot Tee by Andrea Gaughan reminds me of tops from the 1970s, with a close fit (the pattern calls for 2 inches/5 cm of negative ease) and allover ribbing. The retro colors used in the samples definitely help with that feeling, too. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and there are two fit profiles, based on classic women’s and men’s sizing, respectively. Each has 10 size options and is meant to fit a bust/chest measurement from 30 to 66 inches, or 76.2 to 167.6 cm. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

The September Shirt by iluvtoknit (also on Ravelry) is a top down raglan worked in 2×2 ribbing with cap sleeves. It’s meant to be a project you can work in any yarn to any gauge, and includes a spreadsheet to help you determine your stitch counts based on your gauge and measurements.

Another great ribbed top knitting pattern is the Josephine Top from Lily Kate Makes on Etsy. This allover ribbed pattern also includes cap sleeves and has a boatneck neckline. It calls for DK weight yarn and comes in nine sizes. The pattern is meant to be worn with “a significant amount of negative ease” but the sizes are meant to fit an actual bust measurement of 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 60 to 62 inches (152-157 cm).

Or try taking ribbing in a different direction (with a bit of stockinette stitch on this one, too, but I’ll allow it because it looks cool) with the Geometry Tee from Minimi Knit Design. The cute cropped top calls for DK weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes, ranging from an actual bust measurement of 30 to 66 inches, or 76 to 167.5 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 7-9 inches/18-23 cm of positive ease.

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As I’m writing this the United States is about to celebrate a pretty big birthday, and while some of us have complicated feelings about that country right now, I think most of us would agree both that it’s a place worth fighting for and that it’s a good time to remember what got us into this nation in the first place. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some patriotic knitting patterns.

I thought there might be more knitting patterns produced specific to America’s big celebration this year, but I only found one (so far, there are probably more as you read this). The Semiquincentennial Scarf by Kristen Rettig is a bias knit scarf using DK weight yarn. It has one solid blue side and one red and white striped side. The pattern is available for free on Ravelry.

Sara’s Patriotic Shawl by Mitsziko is another great project for the Fourth of July or whenever else you want to show some patriotic pride. This one has a wide lace border, stripes and a blue section that includes white bobbles to imply stars. It’s worked in DK weight yarn. You can find this one on Ravelry.

If there were prizes for the punniest pattern names, Stars & Socks Forever from Katie Franceschi would definitely win something. These socks feature stripes on the body and stars at the top of the leg and the toe, as well as on the heel. The pattern comes in three widths and you can knit to your desired length. This pattern uses a chart for the stars and you can find it on Ravelry.

This little patriotic doll from Nadia Perepelitsa is styled like a boy, but you could give it longer hair if you like. It uses fingering weight yarn and is worked on two straight needles in such a way that you’ll only have to sew side seams when it’s done. So cute! You can find it on Ravelry.

This American flag sweater knitting pattern from SC Pattern is giving big Ralph Lauren vibes. It’s a drop shoulder crewneck with unisex styling that comes in five sizes. The flag is worked in intarsia, so the pieces are worked flat and seamed.

The Patriotic Tam from Judy Lamb is a little more subtle, though it does have red, white and blue colorwork, and a bunch of golden eagles around the base of the tam. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn from the bottom up and the colorwork is charted. This pattern is available on Ravelry.

If you’re looking for a big project to work for the fourth that you can use all summer every summer and you’ll want to, because it’s a big project) check out the American flag blanket pattern from Dr. Josie’s Joys. This is a vintage pattern, so the yarn doesn’t exist anymore, but it would still be lots of sun to make. It is worked with the stripes and block of blue, and the stars are added with duplicate stitch.

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