Who says knitting is only for winter? A knit top in cotton or a cotton blend is light, breathable and perfect for spring and summer. Many summer tops are made from two simple rectangles, which makes them some of the quickest garments you can knit.
We rounded up 14 free knit top and tee patterns and opened every page to make sure each one is still free. There are beginner garter tanks, boxy tees, lacy shells, a sideways-knit T-shirt and a couple of sweet details for more experienced knitters. Yarn, needle size and skill level are listed for each.
Knit Top Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Cotton or cotton-blend yarn in light to worsted weight
- Circular needles, 24″ to 32″
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needles
- Blocking mats and pins
- Soft measuring tape
1. Solstice Singlet
A garter-stitch tank with a square neckline, knit flat in two pieces and seamed. It has the easiest rating the brand gives, so it is a perfect first top. The breathable cotton keeps it comfortable on hot days.
- Designer: Bendigo Woollen Mills
- Skill level: Beginner (1 of 5)
- Yarn: 10 ply cotton (aran / worsted)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Easy Knit Boxy T-Shirt
Photo: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
Two rectangles, no shaping, seamed together. This relaxed short-sleeve top is knit holding two strands of worsted yarn on big needles, so it grows quickly. You can leave the neckline wide for an off-the-shoulder look or sew it closer.
- Designer: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), held double
- Needle size: 10 mm (US 15)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Summer Mesh Top
Photo: Susan / A Box of Twine
A breezy, cropped and oversized top knit in garter stitch on very big needles, which creates an open mesh look. It is made from four flat pieces and seamed. Wear it over a tank or a swimsuit.
- Designer: Susan / A Box of Twine
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Light (#3), Lion Brand Coboo
- Needle size: 10 mm (US 15)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Summer Days Tee
A lacy beginner tee made from identical front and back panels sewn together. It uses a simple two-row repeat and teaches garter stitch, increases, decreases and basic shaping. Sizes run from XS/S to 4/5XL.
- Designer: Caron / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Caron Cotton Funnel Cakes (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Summer Breeze Top
Photo: Mirella / Mirella Moments
A loose drop-shoulder top made from two identical rectangles sewn at the shoulders and sides. Bands of garter stitch and eyelets run across a stockinette background. The designer says it is a great choice for your first top.
- Designer: Mirella / Mirella Moments
- Skill level: see pattern (suited to a first top)
- Yarn: Light (#3), DROPS Bell
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Star Flower Top
Photo: Sian Price-White
A quick, beginner-friendly top with an easy-to-memorize Star Flower lace stitch. It is knit in two top-down pieces with no shaping and then sewn together. Fingering yarn on 7 mm needles keeps it airy.
- Designer: Sian Price-White
- Skill level: see pattern (described as beginner-friendly)
- Yarn: Fingering (#1), Noro Taiyo Sock
- Needle size: 7 mm (US 10.75)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Shirt LOTTA
Photo: Kristin Hänselmann
A loose summer top knit flat in two pieces, mostly in stockinette, with seed-stitch edges and purl accents across the yoke. Try the yoke in a contrast color for a fun pop. The download includes English and German.
- Designer: Kristin Hänselmann
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran, We Are Knitters The Cotton
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Streamline Tank
Photo: Alexandra Tavel / Two of Wands
A lightweight, slightly cropped tank worked flat in two pieces from the bottom up. Half fisherman’s rib details, inspired by Art Deco buildings, give it a sleek look. Sizes run from XS to 4XL.
- Designer: Alexandra Tavel / Two of Wands
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Lion Brand Coboo (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Granite Tank Top
Photo: Sereia Tricoteira
A sleeveless top with a square neckline, worked flat from the bottom up in textured stitches. It comes with written instructions and a video tutorial, which is a big help if you learn better by watching.
- Designer: Sereia Tricoteira
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport, Circulo Charme cotton
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Farro Squared
Photo: Marji LaFreniere
A light tee knit in a simple welting stitch that drapes beautifully. The stitch pattern shapes the neckline for you, so there is no separate neck shaping. Side slits and sleeve openings are sewn at the end, so you can customize them. Worn with 4 to 8 inches of ease.
- Designer: Marji LaFreniere
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3), Berroco Farro
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Brighton T-Shirt
Photo: Cristiane Bertoluci / Circulo
A cotton T-shirt knit sideways, which gives the stitches a fresh look. It is easy to adapt by adding length or width. With a size range from 84 to 136 cm chest, it is meant to be your go-to summer tee.
- Designer: Cristiane Bertoluci / Circulo
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Circulo Charme cotton (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 3 mm (US 3)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Waves T-Shirt
Photo: Charlotte Spagner
A boxy, slightly cropped pullover with a flowing drape. It is knit from the hem up with no shaping, holding silk mohair together with merino. Wear it with jeans or layered over a dress. One size.
- Designer: Charlotte Spagner
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering (#1), silk mohair held with merino
- Needle size: 3 mm (US 2½) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Pern
Photo: Norah Gaughan / Berroco
A light, feminine warm-weather sweater inspired by traditional fisherman’s ganseys. It has a simple slipped-stitch rib, garter accents and a lower hem that folds up. Sizes run from XS to 2X.
- Designer: Norah Gaughan / Berroco
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Berroco Captiva (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Buttercup
Photo: Heidi Kirrmaier
A pretty A-line top worked top-down in one seamless piece with raglan shaping, a touch of lace and slightly puffed sleeves. It suits adventurous beginners or intermediate knitters. Fits busts from 30 to 50 inches.
- Designer: Heidi Kirrmaier
- Skill level: Adventurous beginner to intermediate
- Yarn: DK (#3), Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy
- Needle size: 3.25 mm (US 3) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First knit top ever? Start with #1 or #2. Simple rectangles and easy stitches.
- Want it done fast? Try #3. Big needles and garter stitch mean quick progress.
- Want a real tee shape? Go with #4, #10 or #11.
- Like a little lace? #5, #6 and #14 add eyelets or lace without much fuss.
- Prefer a tank? Pick #8 or #9 for hot days.
FAQ
What yarn is best for a knit top?
Cotton, linen, bamboo and their blends are best for summer tops because they breathe and feel cool. Pure cotton can be heavy and stretch, so blends often drape better. Light (#3) and DK weights are the most common, but some tops use worsted on big needles for an open look.
Is a knit top easier than a sweater?
Usually, yes. Many tops are sleeveless or have short sleeves, so there is less knitting. Several patterns on this list are just two rectangles sewn together. They are a great way to practice garment skills like seaming and picking up stitches before you start a full sweater.
How do I keep a cotton knit top from stretching?
Knit at a slightly firmer gauge than the yarn label suggests, and always swatch and wash your swatch first. Dry the finished top flat instead of hanging it. Choosing a cotton blend with acrylic, bamboo or linen also helps the top hold its shape.
Pick a pattern, grab some cotton yarn, and you will have a handmade top ready for sunny days.
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