Pretty Tank Top Knitting Patterns

After sharing some fresh T-shirt knitting patterns last month, let’s complete our summer knit wardrobes with some awesome tank top knitting patterns.

I love a good knit tank top because it somehow feels a little bit more dressed up than a purchased tank top, plus they give you an opportunity to knit and wear knits even when it’s hot outside.

The Rowdy Tank by Caitlyn Turowski is a great season-spanning top, because you can wear it when it’s warm as a tank or layer it like a vest when it’s cooler. It’s worked with two strands of lace weight yarn held together (or you could use a single strand of sport weight) and it comes in nine sizes, ranging from a 28 to 60 inch/70 to 150 cm bust, and is meant to be worn with 0-4 inches/0-10 cm of negative ease. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Keep it super simple for summer with the Ella tank top knitting pattern from MMadison Marie on Etsy. This cropped V-neck design is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, which gives you a cute rolled hem. It uses worsted weight yarn and comes in four sizes.

Another great classic design in Camisole No. 9 by My Favorite Things. This slim fit, top down crewneck reminds me of my storebought tank tops, but worked in fingering weight yarn it would be even lighter and nicer to wear on its own or for layering. It comes in eight sizes and is meant to be worn with 4.75-6 inches or 12-15 cm of negative ease.

For a design that’s all summer, check out Plumeria from Wool & Pine. This pretty design has a plain knit bodice and a long, lacy skirt. It’s worked in the round and includes a written pattern and a video tutorial to help with any potentially tricky bits. There are 12 sizes available in this pattern, which is on Ravelry.

The Ripride Slipover from Jennifer Shiels Toland is a pretty DK weight topper with panels of lace down the center front and back and textured stitch panels at the underarms. The pattern has options for a round neck of V-neck and optional waist shaping. You can also split the hem or leave it even. Ten sizes are offered in the pattern, which is on Ravelry.

Go for something a little warmer for the cooler mornings and evenings to come with the Emery vest and pullover pattern from Joji Locatelli. This cabled pattern can be worked as a sleeveless shell or a pullover with sleeves. It’s worked with worsted weight yarn held with a fluffy laceweight, and comes in 10 sizes. You can find this one on Ravelry.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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