Easy Summer Knits: Tip Top Tank & Ankler’s Summer Shirt

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A pink knitted tank top with a deep V neckline and wide straps, hanging on a wooden hanger against a light background.

Tip Top Tank

This FREE tank top is designed to be an easy summer knit, and is the perfect simple project for warmer weather. The deep V neck is flattering to wear without being too revealing, and the straps are wide enough to hide your bra straps (hello practical!). Throw it on with shorts or a breezy skirt on a hot day, pair it with jeans in Autumn, or even make up a woolly version to wear as a vest over shirts in the cooler months.

The pattern includes instructions to knit it flat on straight needles, as well as in the round on circulars (woohoo no seams!). And with clear and simple instructions, both options would be suitable for first-time garment knitters who have tackled the basics of knitting and purling, and are up for learning some fun new techniques! The body is knit from the bottom up, and the length is easily customizable with suggestions for a cute crop as well as a longer version, making it a fantastic wardrobe staple.

Light green knitted tank top with wide straps tied in bows, displayed on a wooden hanger against a neutral background, with a greenery plant in the frame.

Size

  • XS (S, SM, M, ML, L, XL, XXL)
  • To Fit Bust: 76 (82, 88, 93, 99, 105, 112, 120) cm / 30 (32, 34.5, 36.5, 39, 41, 44, 47) inches
  • Finished Bust: 76 (82, 88, 93, 99, 105, 112, 120) cm / 30 (32, 34.5, 36.5, 39, 41, 44, 47 inches.
  • Designed to fit with approximately 0-2cm / 0-3/4” of positive ease depending on preferred fit.
  • Pictured here in size SM worn with zero ease at bust, and cropped length.
A person wearing a cropped pink tank top with a deep V neck, standing next to a green potted plant.

Yarn

Other Materials

A young woman wearing a light-colored short-sleeve top, black jeans, and sandals, walking along a sidewalk near construction fencing and overgrown grass.

Ankler’s Summer Shirt

I figured we can all use something to look forward to, and the seasons’ changing is one of those things you can always bank on (at least in Canada – we have A LOT of weather). Anker’s Summer Shirt is a simple summer top, worked in one piece from the top down. The yoke is worked in sections of rib with increases in the round, followed by classic raglan increases when the stockinette stitch section begins. The sleeves are worked at the end, either on double-pointed needles or on circular needles using the Magic Loop technique. Anker’s Summer Shirt has no finishing other than weaving in ends.

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS

A woman holding a baby sits on a beach, both dressed in summer attire. The woman is wearing a light-colored knitted top, while the baby is in a brown knitted outfit and a hat. They are surrounded by a beach scene with water and other people in the background.
Photo: PetiteKnit

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL
  • To fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39¼) 39¼-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ inches].
  • Total length: 52 (54) 56 (60) 62 (62) 64 cm [20½ (21¼) 22 (23½) 24½ (24½) 25¼ inches]
  • Sleeve length: 9 (9) 10 (10) 10 (10) 10 cm [3½ (3½) 4 (4) 4 (4) 4 inches]
  • Ease: The shirt is designed to have approx. 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] – of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 0-5 cm – [0-2 inches] larger in circumference than your widest upper body measurement.
  • Measurements: The measurements for the finished garment are on the front page of the pattern (note that these measurements are only achieved if the correct gauge is kept). Before beginning your project, measure yourself with a measuring tape around your bust (or your widest upper body part) to determine which size will fit you the best. For example, if you measure 95 cm [37½ inches] you should knit a size M. A size M shirt has a finished circumference of 96 cm [37¾ inches], which in the given example would mean 1 cm [½ inches] of positive ease.

Yarn Options

Anker’s Summer Shirt is make with a Double Knitting weight yarn, and any of the following are all great choices, depending on what kind of garment you want.

Needles & Etc

Because there are several needles length required, this project is a good candidate for Interchangeable knitting needles. Also, if you aren’t great with double pointed needles you can substitute Chiaogoo 12″ circular needles or Addi Easy Knit 10″ needles.

A split image showing two variations of a summer top. The left side features a light beige knitted shirt with a round neckline and short sleeves, while the right side displays a similar shirt in a slightly different color, worn by a person holding a pottery cup and knitting needles.

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