Lace Yoke Top with Round Neckline
If you are looking for an elegant and airy addition to your warm-weather wardrobe, this free summer tank top knitting pattern is exactly what you need. The delicate openwork stitch forms a beautiful round yoke around the neckline, creating a sophisticated yet breezy look. Made with a soft blend of merino wool and cotton, this top is breathable and comfortable for hot days. Even if you have never knitted a yoke before, the clear step-by-step instructions make this project approachable. This free summer tank top knitting pattern is worked from the bottom up in the round, with sleeves and body joined seamlessly. With US knitting terminology and detailed explanations, this free summer tank top knitting pattern will help you create a stunning garment you will wear all season.
Sizes and Finished Measurements for This Free Summer Tank Top Knitting Pattern
Sizes
S (M) L (XL)
Finished bust circumference:
90 (95) 100 (106) cm / 35.5 (37.5) 39.5 (41.75) in
Total length:
approx. 56 (57) 57 (58) cm / 22 (22.5) 22.5 (22.75) in
Materials and Gauge for This Free Summer Tank Top Knitting Pattern
Materials
Yarn (50% merino wool, 50% cotton; 50 g / 112 m per ball) – 7 (7) 8 (8) balls in natural white
Circular needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) in 40 cm / 16 in and 80 cm / 32 in lengths
Circular needles: US 6 (4 mm) in 40 cm / 16 in, 60 cm / 24 in, and 80 cm / 32 in lengths
Stitch markers
Gauge
22 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in in stockinette stitch on US 6 (4 mm) needles.
Note
This top is worked from the bottom edge upward on circular needles in the round. If the instructions show only one number or a range of numbers, that information applies to all sizes.
Key Stitches Used in This Free Summer Tank Top Knitting Pattern
Stockinette stitch
Knit stitches on right-side rows, purl stitches on wrong-side rows. In the round, knit all stitches on all rounds.
Lace pattern
Symbol Key
- ⬜ = Knit
- / = Knit two together (k2tog)
- \ = Simple decrease (skp)
- ◼ = decreased stitches
- ✕ = insert right needle into next 3 stitches as if to purl them together, place yarn between them (do not tighten), and slip them off the needle without working
- ○ = insert needle from the front under the 3 loose strands, knit 1 stitch, purl the next stitch, then pass the purl stitch over the knit stitch
- ▲ = Yarn over (yo)
- ● = slip two stitches as if to knit, knit the next stitch, pass both slipped stitches over the knit stitch (sk2p or s2kp)
- \● = Purl
Purl two together (p2tog)
Simple decrease (skp)
Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
3 stitches together with left-leaning decrease (sk2p)
Slip 2 stitches as if to knit together, knit the next stitch, pass the two slipped stitches over the knitted stitch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body – Worked from Bottom Hem Up
Using US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles (80 cm length), cast on 222 (234) 246 (258) sts. Join in the round and work as follows: knit 1 round, purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round.
Switch to US 6 (4 mm) circular needles (80 cm length) and continue working in stockinette stitch (knit all rounds).
When the work measures 6 cm / 2.5 in from the cast-on edge, place markers for side seams: place the first marker at the beginning of the round, and the second marker after 111 (117) 123 (129) sts.
In the next round, work decreases starting from the right side seam as follows:
k15 in stockinette stitch, k2tog, work in stockinette stitch until 17 sts remain before the second marker, skp (simple decrease), k15 in stockinette stitch.
Repeat from * to * for the second half of the back/front.
Repeat these decreases every 6 cm / 2.5 in in height. Work a total of 6 decrease rounds.
After all decreases: 24 sts decreased. Needle total: 198 (210) 222 (234) sts.
Continue working until the body measures 37 cm / 14.5 in from the cast-on edge.
In the next round, bind off for armholes as follows:
Bind off the first 8 (9) 10 (11) sts of the round.
Knit 83 (87) 91 (95) sts in stockinette stitch.
Bind off the next 16 (18) 20 (22) sts.
Knit 83 (87) 91 (95) sts in stockinette stitch.
Bind off the last 8 (9) 10 (11) sts.
Place the stitches of the body on hold and set aside. Now knit the sleeves.
Sleeves
Using US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles (40 cm length), cast on 75 (77) 81 (83) sts for each sleeve. Join in the round and work: knit 1 round, purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round.
Switch to US 6 (4 mm) circular needles (40 cm length) and continue in stockinette stitch.
In the second round of stockinette stitch, evenly increase 16 (18) 18 (20) sts. After increases: 91 (95) 99 (103) sts on the needles.
Work in stockinette stitch in the round until the sleeve measures 5 cm / 2 in from the cast-on edge.
In the next round, bind off for the sleeve cap as follows:
Bind off the first 8 (9) 10 (11) sts.
Knit 75 (77) 79 (81) sts in stockinette stitch.
Bind off the last 8 (9) 10 (11) sts.
Place the remaining sleeve stitches on hold. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Yoke – Joining Body and Sleeves
Transfer all held stitches onto US 6 (4 mm) circular needles (80 cm length) in the following order: back, left sleeve, front, right sleeve. Start the round at the right back raglan seam.
In the first round, knit together the adjacent stitches of each section as follows:
Knit together the last stitch of the back with the first stitch of the left sleeve.
Knit together the last stitch of the left sleeve with the first stitch of the front.
Knit together the last stitch of the front with the first stitch of the right sleeve.
Knit together the last stitch of the right sleeve with the first stitch of the back.
Place a marker on each of these 4 stitches that were knitted together. These 4 stitches are the raglan seam lines.
Raglan Decreases – Double Decreases
In the next round, work double raglan decreases at each raglan seam line as follows:
Before the marked raglan stitch: work sk2p (slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over).
After the marked raglan stitch: work k3tog (knit 3 together).
In this round, 16 stitches are decreased total (4 decreases per raglan line x 4 lines).
Knit 1 round in stockinette stitch.
Raglan Decreases – Simple Decreases
In the next round, work simple raglan decreases as follows:
Before the marked raglan stitch: work skp (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over).
After the marked raglan stitch: work k2tog.
In this round, 8 stitches are decreased total.
After this round: 288 (300) 312 (324) sts remain on the needles.
Lace Yoke Pattern
Work the next round following the lace chart (provided below in written form). The lace pattern creates the round yoke that gives this free summer tank top knitting pattern its distinctive look.
After completing the lace pattern according to the chart, the remaining stitches on the needles will be 120 (125) 130 (135) sts.
Work an additional 0 (0) 1 (2) rounds in stockinette stitch.
Neckband Finish
Switch to US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles (40 cm length) and work the final rounds as follows:
Round 1: knit all sts.
Round 2: purl all sts.
Round 3: knit all sts.
Round 4: purl all sts.
Round 5: knit all sts.
On the final round, bind off all stitches firmly but not too tightly.
This free summer tank top knitting pattern proves that lace and simplicity can create something truly special. The round yoke construction, the breathable cotton-merino blend, and the delicate openwork detail make this top a versatile piece you will reach for again and again. Download this free summer tank top knitting pattern today and enjoy knitting a garment that is as fun to make as it is to wear.
