Top Ten Summer T-Shirts and Tank Tops to Knit and Crochet

We love a warm weather craft yarn, and the last few years has brought an explosion of ADORABLE knit and crocheted t-shirt sweater patterns onto to the scene. Below you'll find a round up of our favorite knit and crochet tops for summer from a slew of excellent designers. This is our top 10 list for your summer yarn crafting - in no particular order!

1. Serendipitee by Tania Dejoie

2. Rift Tee by Jacqueline Cieslak

In 2020, Kate and Courtney marled along" with Jacqueline Cieslak's super popular design, Rift. This t-shirt used two strands of yarn held together, so we took the opportunity to knit with two different colors of Mojave to create custom marled colorways! This was a super quick and fun knit!

3. Sea Breeze Sweater Vest by Park Williams

This mesh knit t-shirt, or sweater vest, is knit using Mojave in Electric Blue, one of our best selling colors. Park says, "The Sea Breeze Sweater Vest is the perfect transitional piece for spring to summer and summer to fall! Knit this open mesh vest for a casual day at the beach or for a classy luncheon in a coastal town." Park's super cute vest is available for download on Payhip and Ravelry. 

4. Cotton Daisy Tank by Lavanya Patricella

The Cotton Daisy Tank has been at the top of the to-knit list for every tween who has walked into the shop this summer, but we think it's perfect at any age! Local designer Lavanya says, "Who’s ready to stitch up a quick and stylish lace crop top? This fun little layering piece is knit flat using a simple lace repeat and shaping, then seamed together." Knit in Mojave, this tank would also be super cute in one of the soft, feminine colors of Skipper.

5. Ketch by Kate Gagnon Osborn

We can't leave out our own designs! This is the Ketch tee shirt pattern by our very own Kate Gagnon Osborn. Ketch is a quintessentially Kate design: it has clean lines, graphic patterning, and simple shapes with small details such as short row shaping, sloped bind offs, and seams finished with mattress stitch. Knit using our 100% cotton yarn, Skipper, this can easily become a favorite year-round piece. This simple tee shirt is a true classic.

6. Water Clover by Isa Catepillán

This crochet top was published in 2019 in Pom Pom Magazine's Crochet Anthology issue, available in print or digital. Water Clover is worked in one piece from the bottom up in rounds to the armholes, then the back and front are worked separately back and forth in rows. The shoulders are shaped, then seamed together. Finally, a neckband and armhole edging are added in single crochet. This is a more advanced crochet pattern, but has been proven well worth the effort! It's simply stunning. 

7. Summer Sweater by Courtney Kelley

The Summer Sweater is designed by Kelbourne's own Courtney Kelley. This free pattern download was published last summer as part of our Season of Sweaters project. The Summer Sweater is available as a free pdf download or a kit complete with yarn and goodies! This tee is knit from the top down in a clever increasing method derived from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Hurry Up Last Minute Sweater. You'll have fun making this one!

8. Canyon Tank by Amy Gunderson

Designed as part of our Crochet Collection, the Canyon tank has been the most downloaded crochet pattern on our website - and for good reason! We love this cute boho tank with it's deep lace border. It's simple, fun, elegant, and will be a quick project to add to your summer wardrobe. 

9. Outline Tank by Jessie Maed Designs

The Outline Tank is also available in a t-shirt version, and both are divine. Such a simple detail goes a long way to making a fun and striking knit! From the designer: Structural dropped stitches frame this modern, minimal make, a cropped tank with the perfect amount of airiness and ease for warm weather wear. This has been knit a lot, so definitely check out all the versions people have made over on Ravelry! Many knitters have made this in Mojave, and it would be awesome in Skipper too!

10. Gushy Garter Vest by Park & Knit

This pattern is new for Summer 2024 and we love it! The Gushy Vest and it is perfection in its simplicity. Knit using our Mojave yarn held double this little vest with its super sweet bow tie closures will be done in a blink of an eye! We're confident if you cast on your Gushy Garter now, you'll have a cute little number to wear out next week! The designer, Park Williams, says, "Knit from the top down in flat garter stitch, this vest knits up incredibly quickly, can be worn as a stand-alone top or a layering piece, and doesn’t require a single purl stitch. I made this pattern with simplicity and ease in mind, so it is perfect for all skill levels!"

All these fabulous patterns are created by independent designers, and we love to support them by sharing their work with you. Show some love to these hard working, creative women and download one of these stunning summer sweaters to make for yourself! We hope you find something you love.