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.

Next Pattern:

Adding eyelets to a project is a great way to make it more wearable in the summer, and these mesh and eyelet sweater patterns are perfect for summer (and beyond!) for layering.

The Inez Summer Sweater from Happy Love Co combines eyelets and dropped stitches (along with some garter and stockinette) to make a casual and fun summer sweater. The pattern is one size (56 inches or 142.24 cm) around, and is meant to be worn oversized. But it’s an easy enough pattern you could alter it to suit you without too much difficulty. It calls for worsted weight cotton yarn.

Another fun project using dropped stitches in the Stella Blouse from Thelma Steimann. It calls for a fingering weight silk yarn and is worked on larger than expected needles and also uses dropped stitches. The pattern includes eight sizes, with a bust circumference ranging from 33.5 to 51.5 inches, or 85-131 cm. You can grab a copy on Ravelry.

The Design Studio Knits has a nice summer cotton tee that uses worsted weight yarn worked on larger needles so it has a mesh effect while still being worked in stockinette stitch. It’s worked in one piece and is another one size pattern, meant to fit an actual chest measurement ranging from 34 to 46 inches (that’s 86 to 117 cm).

A similar look with a cropped shape and four available sizes comes from A Box of Twine. This one is a DK weight yarn knit on large needles and still has an oversized look (for instance the size small is 42 inches/106.68 cm at the bust). It’s worked flat so this is a great one for beginners.

If you want something a little more structured, try the Pip Cardigan from Yoko Johnston. This sport weight cardigan has an allover eyelet pattern and options to close with a zipper or buttons. It’s worked from the top down and has six size options. This one is also oversized, with finished measurements ranging from 51.5 to 64.5 inches, or 131 to 164 cm). You can find this one on Ravelry.

Or check out Endlessly by Amy Gunderson, a free pattern from Knitty. This pullover uses a cable and lace pattern that is easy to knit and to wear. It uses DK weight yarn and has nine size options. The chest measurement ranges from 34.75 to 66.75 inches, or 88.5 to 169.5 cm, and is meant to be worn with a little positive ease.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?