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It’s officially summer and while some knitters have already made their summer collection wardrobe. There is still plenty of time to work up some quicker garments before the summer passes us by.
When I think of light summer tank tops and shirts I think thinner yarn, linen, and cotton yarn. However, when I think of quick, I think thicker yarns.
I’m specifically picking patterns based not only on material but size of the yarn. I’ll be excluding anything that is super fine yarn. This list will be only DK weight 3 yarn and medium weight 4 yarn. Bonus points for medium weight yarn although they might be harder to wear on the extra warm days. There is a better chance for me to be able to start and finish them during the summer with enough time to wear it! And of course I’m only listing considering free patterns in this list.
Paton’s tank top by Yarnspirations
This pattern uses a medium weight yarn so it’s going to be a perfect quicker knit to work up in the summertime. This pattern is worked from the bottom up in 2 separate pieces. I find this type of shirt to be the least overwhelming for beginners because you don’t have to worry about so many stitch markers and increase/decreases.
Drops Design 223-18
Okay so I didn’t realize just how many patterns drops design has! They have such modern designs and I found myself digging through collections and finding perfect patterns. I could’ve made this entire blog post of just drops design. I encourage you (if you haven’t already) to go look at their patterns on their website. This pattern uses drops belle yarn which is a size 3 and I was really intrigued by the pattern. It looks like it might be a more challenging knit.
Rachel gebreide top by veritas
This is a pattern for a weight 4 tank top! It looks like it’s made with a true medium weight yarn as it looks a little bulkier but that also means for us that it might be a quicker knit than even most of the others on this list.
I really like that this pattern looks professional and clean looking.
The pattern is also made in two pieces front and back.
Pebble tank by Purl Soho
This pattern is also made with medium weight yarn and size 7 knitting needles which are a pretty good size to be working quickly with. This pattern starts out in the round and then splits the front and back separately for the top arm and neckline.
Sunflower Split Back tank by Ontheneedles.com
Unlike the rest of the patterns on this list this pattern is made with fingering weight yarn. So, although this pattern may take a little bit to work up the split back is so adorable and lightweight for the summer. I think that this type of split back could be easily replicated with a different type of yarn as well.
Streamline Tee by Two Of Wands
Somehow this ended up being the first of 2 T-shirts on this list. I’ve been a long-time follower of Two of Wands and I must say her patterns are amazing. For this T-shirt I really like the side details and front neckline details to it.
It is made with worsted weight yarn and size 8 knitting needles which make this perfect for a nice quicker knit that we’d be able to knit AND wear this summer.
Quetzal by Rachel Brockman
I really like the pattern of this tank top and even though I think it might be one of the more difficult tank top patterns on this list, it looks like it would be an enjoyable process. You’ll feel so accomplished with this finished product making this one.
DROPS 69-2
This Drops Design piece is made out of worsted weight yarn. It has an awesome texture and its cropped. This is a quicker knit piece that looks like it is a little heavier but makes up for it by it being a little cropped.
I think yarn choice that drops design lists to use is perfect as it’s a cotton. Not only will it make the texture of this shirt POP, but it will make it lighter and more summer efficient.
Kai by Kylen Tennies
Although this top is made with worsted weight yarn, it managed to not be stiff in any way. I love that this top is so flowy and the details on the bottom of this shirt make it unique.
Perfect T-Shirt Knitting Pattern by Originally Lovely
Okay this pattern really is perfect. It’s just a classic white shirt but its such a perfect basic to make. It’s made from the top down which is a switch up from almost all the patterns on this list.
It is made with 4″ of positive ease giving it a perfect “slouch” to the look.
This pattern is made with a true DK weight yarn. It will be nice and cool for the summer but also very wearable all year long.
I hope I inspired you with these 10 free knitting tank top and t-shirt patterns and I hope you knit all summer long!
Happy knitting!
