Free Summer Knitting Patterns

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I’ve created a roundup of some beautiful free summer knitting patterns. Lots of these are in my own queue! Of course, you can always browse the massive archive of patterns on Ravelry to find more free patterns. Many of these patterns are by established designers, so they shouldn’t have errors and should be well written. However, I have not tested them, so always check for errata to prevent future headaches!

In no particular order:

Surry Hills Cardigan by Maria Magnusson Knitwear

Surry Hills Cardigan is available as a free pattern on Ravelry. The pattern uses a seamless, bottom up construction. It has a little shaping on the sides and a seamless set-in ¾ sleeve. Broken ribbing finishes the edges. Also, the moss stitch finishes the seam between the upper body and sleeves. The pattern includes five sizes up to a bust of 46″.

The pattern has both charted and written instructions, and is written for five sizes. It calls for worsted weight yarn, either wool or a wool-cotton blend, or a cotton DK weight yarn. With short sleeves, this would make a great free summer knitting project and garment. I would love to knit this and wear it over sleeveless dresses in the summer.

Some projects on Ravelry are made up in a cropped length, so you can make this just as you want it

Blissful Tee by Universal Yarn

Instead of a cardigan, knit a t-shirt! The Blissful Tee uses sport weight cotton yarn and is available in six sizes, up to a bust of 58.5″.
The instructions specify a bottom up construction, knit flat. After seaming, you pick up stitches along the armholes and neckline to create a neat, ribbed edge. With the short sleeves, this free summer knitting pattern would make a quick project.

Indigo Cones by Aileen Ryder

Indigo Cones was published in Knitty Mag in First Fall 2014. It is a lacy cardigan in a cool cotton/linen mix, which would be perfect for wearing over sleeveless tops and dresses.
The cardigan is worked flat on circular needles in one piece from hem to armholes, where it is divided for the Back and Fronts. Drop sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked down. It is available in seven adult sizes, up to a bust of 52.5″.

Summer Waves Cardigan by Vera Sanon for Cascade Yarns

Summer Waves Cardigan has seven adult sizes using DK weight yarn in 100% cotton. The pattern goes up to a bust size of 55″.

This summer cardigan is great for wearing over a tank top or a sundress. Because the Ultra Pima Cotton is relatively light, it is great to wear even on a super hot summer day, but also works great to ward off an evening or air conditioning chill.

Gemini Top by Jane Richmond

The Gemini Top uses a cotton linen blend at a loose gauge. The result is an elastic fabric that works up quickly and fits beautifully. The top half of the yoke features a lace panel covering the shoulders and back. It includes seven sizes, up to a bust of 50.25″.

To mix things up, the designer states that this pullover can be worn with the lace to the back for a more casual look or with the lace facing forward for a dressier look. This free summer knitting project is in my own Ravelry queue!

Cap Sleeve Lattice Top by Purl Soho

The Cap Sleeve Lattice Top is a seamless, bottom up top. Unfortunately, it’s only available in three sizes, up to a maximum bust of 38″. It uses sport weight yarn merino yarn, so it’s possible to wear this with considerable negative ease. This looks like a great little top, and I plan to knit it for myself.

Serene Spring Tee by DROPS Design

The Serene Spring Tee includes a lace pattern and raglan sleeves. I’ve added this to my queue, as it uses a top down construction method (my favourite!). As this pattern is by DROPS Design, it is written in sixteen European languages. This basic tee pattern includes six adult sizes, up to a bust of 51″.

Cascata Tee by Filipa Carneiro

Cascata means ‘waterfall’ in Portuguese and this tee is perfect for warm days. The pattern recommends 100% linen yarn that adds the needed comfort and lightness. Although linen yarn feels tough at first, it softens with wear and washes. Overall, it is a great choice for summertime because is a natural fibre, really light, fresh and breathable.

Cascata is a top down, seamless knit. Yarn over increases create a bit of eyelet and shape the yoke. In the armhole, sleeves are bound off and the body is worked with the lace sidebar that grows along with the length of the top, just like a waterfall. I finished this using Juniper Moon Farm Zooey DK, a cotton-linen blend. It’s one of my Make Nine 2019 items, and also my first summer knitting project.

If you enjoyed these free summer knitting patterns, check out some of our other roundups of free knitting patterns:

• knit hat patterns
• stranded colourwork knitting patterns
• cardigan knitting patterns
• lace shawl knitting patterns
• sweater knitting patterns

• cable knitting patterns
• miscellaneous knitting patterns
• sock knitting patterns
• mitten knitting patterns
• vest knitting patterns

• adult pant and legging knitting patterns
• linen knitting patterns
• entrelac knitting patterns