Looking for a summer knit top free pattern that combines elegance with breathability? This lightweight knitted polo features a beautiful lace stitch, a neat polo collar, and short sleeves – perfect for warm days. Whether you are an experienced knitter or an advanced beginner, this free knitting pattern for women will guide you through every step, from the ribbed hem to the split neckline and set-in sleeves. The airy lace pattern and the premium yarn blend of alpaca, silk, and cotton create a luxurious summer top that drapes beautifully. This summer knit top free pattern includes sizes 36/38 (44/46 – 52/54) — US sizes small (large – extra large), with all numbers clearly explained. You will also learn how to work a double selvage edge and a neat buttonless polo split.
Lace Polo with Short Sleeves for Women
Materials and Tools
Yarn: Lana Grossa «Setasuri Pearls» (50% alpaca (suri), 22% silk, 16% cotton, 12% glass; yardage = approx. 140 m / 25 g). Approx. 250 (300 – 350) g in beige (color No. 214).
Needles: US size 4 (3.5 mm) and US size 6 (4 mm). One spare/cable needle. One short circular needle US size 4 (3.5 mm).
Gauge
19 sts and 24 rows of lace pattern on US size 6 (4 mm) needles = 4×4 inches (10×10 cm).
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
Ribbing:
Row 1 (WS): edge st, k1, p1 repeat from * to *, end with edge st. In all following rows, work sts as they appear.
For an odd number of sts: Row 1 (WS): edge st, k1, p1 repeat to end, finish with k1, edge st. Next rows work sts as they appear.
Reverse Stockinette Stitch: RS rows – purl, WS rows – knit.
Lace Pattern: Multiple of 15 sts + 9 sts. Work according to the chart. Only RS rows are shown in the chart. In WS rows, work sts as they appear, purl the yarn overs. Start with the first knit st next to the repeat, then repeat the repeat across the width, and finish with the last 8 purl sts next to the repeat. Repeat rows 1–8 throughout. Important: On the edges of increases and decreases within the lace pattern, make sure that in every RS row and within each repeat, the number of yarn overs equals the number of decreases. Incomplete repeats at the edges should be worked in reverse stockinette stitch.
Double Selvage Edge (over 2 sts):
On RS rows: at the beginning of the row – sl1 wyif (slip 1 stitch as if to purl with yarn in front), k1; at the end of the row – k1, sl1 wyif.
On WS rows: at the beginning of the row – k1, sl1 wyif; at the end of the row – sl1 wyif, k1.
Sizes: 36/38 (44/46 – 52/54). Instructions for size 44/46 are given in parentheses before the dash, for size 52/54 after the dash. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Back
CO 101 (116 – 131) sts on US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. Work in ribbing for 4 cm (approx. 1.6 inches). Switch to US size 6 (4 mm) needles and work the lace pattern between two edge sts.
At a height of 28 (30 – 32) cm (approx. 11 – 12.6 inches) from the ribbing, bind off for armholes on both sides: 4 (5 – 6) sts, then in every 2nd row bind off another 2 (4 – 6) times 2 sts = 85 (90 – 95) sts remain.
At a height of 20 (23 – 26) cm (approx. 8 – 10.2 inches) from the start of the armholes, bind off for shoulder shaping on both sides in every 2nd row: 4 (2 – 0) times 5 sts and 1 (3 – 5) times 6 sts.
At the same time, on the second shoulder decrease, bind off for the back neckline the center 17 (18 – 19) sts and finish each side separately. For neckline rounding, bind off in every 2nd row: 1 time 4 sts and 2 times 2 sts.
Front
Work the same as the back, but for the polo split at 1 (4 – 7) cm (approx. 0.4 – 2.75 inches) from the start of the armholes, on the next RS row cross the center 3 (2 – 3) sts while decreasing 1 (0 – 1) st as follows: slip 1 st onto the cable needle and hold in front, k2tog (or k1 and k2tog, depending on the count), then knit the st from the cable needle. After this, divide the work between the crossed sts and finish each side separately. Work the two edge sts now as a double selvage edge.
At 13 cm (approx. 5.1 inches) from the start of the split, bind off for neckline shaping: 4 sts, then in every 2nd row bind off another 1 time 3 sts, 2 times 2 sts, and 6 (7 – 7) times 1 st. Work shoulder shaping the same as for the back.
This summer knit top free pattern continues with the collar and sleeves
Collar
Sew shoulder seams. With the short circular needle US size 4 (3.5 mm), pick up and knit 91 (93 – 95) sts along the inner edge of the neckline. Work in ribbing between the double selvage sts for 10 cm (approx. 4 inches). Bind off loosely.
Sleeves
CO 57 (72 – 87) sts on US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles. Work ribbing for 4 cm (approx. 1.6 inches). Switch to US size 6 (4 mm) needles and work the lace pattern between two edge sts, starting the pattern at point A and ending at point B.
For sleeve shaping, increase on both sides in every 6th row: 5 times 1 st = 67 (82 – 97) sts. Work the increased sts first in reverse stockinette stitch, then incorporate them into the lace pattern when possible.
At a height of 15 cm (approx. 6 inches) from the ribbing, bind off for sleeve cap on both sides: 3 sts, then in every 2nd row bind off 4 times 3 sts, 4 (7 – 10) times 2 sts, and 1 time 3 sts. Then bind off the remaining 15 (18 – 21) sts.
Finishing Instructions
Sew side seams and sleeve seams, then set in the sleeves. Weave in all ends gently. Block the finished summer knit top according to the yarn label to open up the lace pattern.
Because this summer knit top free pattern includes precise lace repeats and a neat polo split, your finished garment will look both casual and refined. The combination of suri alpaca, silk, and cotton makes this summer knit top free pattern a joy to knit and wear. Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it, this lightweight lace polo is sure to become a warm-weather favorite.
Knitting Chart
Symbol Key
- ━ knit stitch (k)
- ⬜ изpurl stitch (p)
- U yarn over (yo)
- / knit 2 together (k2tog).
- \ slip, slip, knit (ssk).
Top Schematic
